What’s the point of masks at school anymore?!?

[VaccineSticker]

Before anyone shoots me down, I have worn an ffp2 mask right from the beginning and never stopped, and wont be stopping, but it’s obvious now that the plan is that there’s no plan and they are letting the virus spread, so why are they asking kids to mask up?
Asking kids to mask up is like trying to build a sea defence wall to protect ourselves from a tsunami. 🤣
The horse has bolted.
Night clubs are open, packed pubs and restaurants are open, people going into poorly ventilated offices and the list goes on, all maskless especially after all the NYE parties.
But oh no, kids now need to be masked?
Do they think we are stupid?
Do they want us to believe that they are doing something to fight omicron?
Why don’t just be honest and say we are going to let it rip?
The plan is to take it on the chin people. 🙄

[quote BoPeeple]@Abraxan

By the time people did all the training the number of cases will have dropped off a cliff and the crisis will be over. Also, do secondary schools use TAs? Mine seems to just have a teacher.

I’m wondering, why are people saying ‘go and volunteer’ when it’s not realistically possible? Seems a bit disingenuous.[/quote]
Well, you could write a lot of snide stuff on here. Or you could get in touch with your local school and ask them if they could do with some help. I understand the aim is to expedite DBS forms.

Not disingenuous at all, the need is there.

I can't go in as CEV but would be happy to help with online teaching if I can (I am already DBS checked by both our schools because I have volunteered helo in various ways previously and have 3 degrees plus other qualifications, including experience teaching at graduate & post graduate level & have the time to lend a hand right now if it proves possible)

@Barbie222

The fact that I already have a job (I run my own business).

I’m not after a career change. But a couple of people seemed to think that schools taking on emergency volunteer staff to avoid closures was an option. I’d be prepared to take time off to do that to keep kids learning, but it seems it’s not a genuine option.

@herecomesthsun

Wasn’t being snide at all. It was a genuine question.

@noblegiraffe

They might have to in the new guidance, MrsH

Only when the caretaker has been run, screaming, from the Bobs. In all seriousness, though, I think a lot of our TAs would refuse.

Training for TA supply, also massively sought and difficult to find at the moment, wouldn't take long

Unfortunately a lot of people see TA’s as a body in the room. Sad really.

But a couple of people seemed to think that schools taking on emergency volunteer staff to avoid closures was an option

It is. The govt put an emergency call-out for them. But you have to have a teaching qualification.

Which is weird, because they're also directing schools to use non-teaching staff to supervise students, so qualifications don't seem to matter there.

@BluebellsGreenbells

Training for TA supply, also massively sought and difficult to find at the moment, wouldn't take long

Unfortunately a lot of people see TA’s as a body in the room. Sad really.

A lot of schools sadly still do too. Fortunately the use of TAs in general has improved massively, with different levels and different roles dependent on the school needs.

But the fact remains that for TA level 1/2 then many people will no doubt have the minimum requirements of GCSE English and Maths.

Most other training occurs on the job in many schools, though specialist intervention training and more. For someone staying in the role, beyond the pandemic, these would be expected.

But short term an extra 'body in the room' might get some schools through tough times during the pandemic.

An extra body in the room would not replace my amazing TA. However, someone to tie laces, find missing books, put resources on tables, chat to children who just need someone to chat to, take a register to an office, photocopy resources and help me do up zips would be amazing and help minimise lesson disruptions.

@noblegiraffe

But a couple of people seemed to think that schools taking on emergency volunteer staff to avoid closures was an option

It is. The govt put an emergency call-out for them. But you have to have a teaching qualification.

Which is weird, because they're also directing schools to use non-teaching staff to supervise students, so qualifications don't seem to matter there.

To be fair, knowing the kids is a big plus. When I was still teaching, I'd rather my TA took my class in my absence, than a supply teacher who didn't know the class/school systems and the significant quirks of many of the individuals in my class. The TA knew my teaching style, my planning and the learning targets and behaviour management plans for the kids An infinitely better and fairly seamless option in most primary and special schools.

V different in primary to secondary, sara! I don't think many of our TAs or pastoral staff would want to stand in front of a class without a teacher there (which is totally fair enough).

@noblegiraffe

V different in primary to secondary, sara! I don't think many of our TAs or pastoral staff would want to stand in front of a class without a teacher there (which is totally fair enough).

Yeah, I get that. But I thought we we'd moved on to talking about schools in general. TAs are much more of a force (and I'm guessing more numerous in numbers per pupil?) in the primary and specialist phases so I assumed that those wanting to volunteer were more likely to be thinking of primary.

Indeed. And I think that it is probably primary that the govt are really thinking about keeping open. Secondary has always been an afterthought in their policies.

Although I'm guessing that primary staff feel it's the other way around - no masks, no vaccinations, no testing etc.

But primaries are the ones that cause childcare problems when they close.

On a personal note, my 12 yr old has developed anxiety around masks. I was cynical, he’s robust and sporty generally and managed one at first. It’s built up like a pressure valve though. He cried and had a full panic attack this morning over it all, he was shaking. He’s been struggling for a while, and already stopped some activities last month over it.
Once I’d calmed him down he said it’s like he’s trapped, but I couldn’t discuss it much because he got high pitched and paced around. He was slapping his hand on his mouth and muffled half the explanations.
One of his clubs is a blanket ‘you must’, plus They know him as sportily/ social and happy so it’s probably not believable to them, whatever I say.
He was a bit anxious in the last lockdown, but this time it’s hitting refusing to go out. It’s not so much Covid fears but the rules. He’s always had well masked sensory issues and a rigidity about rules, but he’s coped.

The point of my post really is I’m not really sure how to handle round two of it all.
We’re teachers ourselves, though I’m not working at the moment, and we’ve certainly not been putting our anxiety on him. Just… ARGH. I feel stressed too dealing with the reactions like he’s a bloody anti masker, not an anxious child, trying to talk to others

Comedycook

Barbie222
Yet we were told at the beginning the general public didn't need to wear masks?

I think at one time in the Middle Ages, we were all taught the earth was flat, and then things moved along? Same's happened here
Yes well the advice changed in a matter of months not centuries...

…

Hmmm isn’t it funny how science moves so much more quickly these days.

We used to go a millennia without even having invented a microchip never mind a smart phone, ai, rocket or console and now we get new inventions and models every year.

Conspiracy innit. They’re lying to us.

Disclaimer though- primary teachers do out the loop on masks as much as most parents.

@noblegiraffe

Indeed. And I think that it is probably primary that the govt are really thinking about keeping open. Secondary has always been an afterthought in their policies.

Yep. They're more scared of the parents who can't work if schools aren't open, than they're worried about the exam results and general mental and social health of teenagers, sadly. Teenagers can stay home alone so shrug

Conspiracy innit. They’re lying to us

Yes of course, if you question anything, you're a conspiracy theorist...yawn

So, let's say when they told us at the start the general public didn't need to wear masks, if I'd have disputed this, I'd have been a conspiracy theorist...?

@Comedycook

Conspiracy innit. They’re lying to us

Yes of course, if you question anything, you're a conspiracy theorist...yawn

So, let's say when they told us at the start the general public didn't need to wear masks, if I'd have disputed this, I'd have been a conspiracy theorist...?

I already answered your point about what they said about masks then several pages ago.

Of course you wouldn’t have been. It was obvious why they did it as I explained earlier.

You seem to prefer whataboutery and ottering to debate though so I’m out.

@Comedycook

Conspiracy innit. They’re lying to us

Yes of course, if you question anything, you're a conspiracy theorist...yawn

So, let's say when they told us at the start the general public didn't need to wear masks, if I'd have disputed this, I'd have been a conspiracy theorist...?

I think you have had this explained to you by several people now

@TheViewFromTheCheapSeats

On a personal note, my 12 yr old has developed anxiety around masks. I was cynical, he’s robust and sporty generally and managed one at first. It’s built up like a pressure valve though. He cried and had a full panic attack this morning over it all, he was shaking. He’s been struggling for a while, and already stopped some activities last month over it. Once I’d calmed him down he said it’s like he’s trapped, but I couldn’t discuss it much because he got high pitched and paced around. He was slapping his hand on his mouth and muffled half the explanations. One of his clubs is a blanket ‘you must’, plus They know him as sportily/ social and happy so it’s probably not believable to them, whatever I say. He was a bit anxious in the last lockdown, but this time it’s hitting refusing to go out. It’s not so much Covid fears but the rules. He’s always had well masked sensory issues and a rigidity about rules, but he’s coped.

The point of my post really is I’m not really sure how to handle round two of it all.
We’re teachers ourselves, though I’m not working at the moment, and we’ve certainly not been putting our anxiety on him. Just… ARGH. I feel stressed too dealing with the reactions like he’s a bloody anti masker, not an anxious child, trying to talk to others

He would have an exemption because of anxiety then, presumably? As long as he doesn't mind being a bit different? Except possibly for the club?

I think you have had this explained to you by several people now

I don't think Comedycook is interested in explanations.

This wearisome discourse, if I can call it that: the faux-naivety, keeping coming back to points of information on the bleeding obvious already addressed, making stuff up, reminds me of the heady days of Covid/schooling threads of yesteryear.

It was goady then, it's goady now.

@VaccineSticker

We have come to a point where the virus is everywhere. You are trying to hold back a tsunami with a small flood defence. Masks are not going to do much without a hepa filter in class, return to bubbles and vaccinating the younger children.

I've never been a particular fan of masks in schools. However, given the situation, even a marginal benefit is probably worthwhile just at the moment.

I'd go in and help in a school as I can teach. Except for DD, who is one of those DC who apparently isn't at risk of long term harm from Covid, yet has spent 18 months bed bound since getting it. And I had to give up work to care for her full time and can't leave her in the house alone.

PP on here moaning about masks, their DC's mental health and this magical shield they think is around their DC protecting them from harm don't have a fucking clue. Imagine everything you think you and your DC will find hard coping with Covid mitigations and then times it by eleventy billion and you might come close to what it would be like living with not recovering from Covid. Why parents wouldn't do everything within their power to avoid that is baffling. Poor DC!

I don’t think a marginal benefit is actually worth having, to be honest. I’ve been very pro mitigations but I think at this point we may as well not bother. Everyone’s going to get omicron sooner or later, and let’s face it, it’s going to be sooner for the vast majority of us.