Warwick 2020

[DuckyMcDuck]

Anyone else's DC starting at Warwick this September?

DS is going to do PPE. He's my eldest so this is new for us all.

I'm not sure why they are not being transparent about the number of cases.. Maybe it's so local communities are not adverse to the student population or they worry that DC will go home and request cancellation of accommodation given most have only been on site under 2 weeks (not sure what cancellation terms for accommodation are).

There appears to be cases in AV, Rootes, Lakeside, Sherborne and Tocil with some isolating in Cryfield awaiting results.

I am getting increasingly concerned - not about getting DS getting Covid, but on the impact of these lockdowns (which could be one after another) on the mental well-being of these young people. So at Imperial College for example if you have symptoms you stay in your room but the others in the bubble are allowed social interaction in the kitchen (as you would in a normal family unit) - as long as you follow social distancing and wear a mask. It seems at Warwick that even if someone in the adjacent corridor has tested positive your whole corridor in locked down in self-isolation and you are to stay in your (tiny) room aside from being allowed to enter the kitchen three times a day (15 mins each time) on your own. My DS's room doesn't even have a proper window to open (there are sort of slats). Other universities have time allocated for the students to get fresh air outside in an 'exercise space'. Warwick only allows smokers to go outside. Am really very unhappy. Unless they manage this better I fear what will happen is that people just won't report symptoms. @DuckyMcDuck they may well be on the same corridor (still has freedom)

@frazzled6 i think you are right on the accommodation contracts given that's where they make a lot of money.... There were also lots of students houses and apartments still available in Lem when i looked earlier in the week.

We have a bit of a dilemma - my DD is in AV and has been given warning that they are testing a student in the next corridor and will be locked down if the test is positive. She was very unwell earlier this week (non COVID) and is at home, planning to go back tomorrow...... we are waiting on the results but trying to work out if other students are likely to stay or go.....

I'm assuming they won't be allowed to leave, have I got that wrong?

They haven't been told they can't leave so far...

So DS woke up with more covid-like symptoms albeit mild this morning (slightly raised temperature at 37.3, slight cough) so has been to get tested in the medical school. Results expected in 2-3 days so is self-isolating in the meantime.

DD developed a cough last weekend and was tested on Monday. Results came in exactly 48 hours - negative. Slightly alarmingly, student services did not ask the rest of her flat to self isolate (they did so voluntarily) and said they would only get involved after a positive test.

I am worried - she has autism and generalised anxiety. She is doing really well but I don’t know how she would cope if shut if for 14 days... especially if she had to do it repeatedly.

Crossing fingers for those DC awaiting tests... I feel so sad for them having to deal with this situation when guidelines are difficult to understand. I'm not sure I would fancy 14 days in effectively a box room without any family or loved ones around me.

Dd had first f2f today which she said was strange but went very well, lovely tutor. She is now meeting up with students on her course which I thought was incredibly unlikely a few weeks ago.

Is Arthur Vick accommodation with a communicating but normally kept locked fire door between pairs of flats (I know I've seen that arrangement somewhere, but have visited accommodation at about a dozen universities and can't remember which was which)? If not, what is the university's rationale?

They say that adjacent flats are to self isolate as they share a corridor to leave/enter the building.

Yes the suspected case is in the corridor next door. They still haven't been locked down but some have started to go home - maybe not a good idea even though they haven't been in contact, but they aren't breaking any rules!

uow-covid19.github.io/warwick/?fbclid=IwAR3lXIhf4JEzcPPZhnG8ldrhEa-MEZGc5ETZNpwV7O7U4PKOrlO2d9IZwXo

My ds found this from a group chat re cases in warwick

He’s not sure how accurate this is but he thinks it’s more realistic than what Warwick uni is giving out

He also suspects figures a much higher as students are not getting tested so that they can avoid the whole flat isolating.

There is also another ballot re strike

www.ft.com/content/3697cfdb-923b-4608-ad0a-85dae92d7938

I think they’ll do what other universities seem to be doing and lock down whole blocks in an attempt to contain it. Just hope they reverse the rule that says that they aren’t allowed to socialise within their kitchen bubble which I think is wrong if they’re not displaying any symptoms or there are no cases in their actual kitchen bubble.

Not sure what they will do in the townhouses can't see how they can police not sharing the kitchen etc. Im also of the belief that if one person in Dds townhouse has covid they will all probably have it within a few days of each other because they are socialising together.

Just back from dropping DD back at AV. There were 2 Warwick estate guys patrolling the locked down corridor as I walked past - it honestly had a prison feel. Awful.

Just had a lovely long chat with DS. He said there are now 5of the 9 corridors in his block self-isolating and all the corridors in AV3 are.
He also said the rules have changed in that now you can meet your flat mates in your kitchen as long as you socially distance and wear a mask.

He said he can't believe he's only been there 2 weeks!
Hope everyone else is doing ok.

The virus does seem to be spreading around the campus now.

Dd was due to go out with some course friends tonight but they have been instructed to self isolate today. Im sure it won't be long before Dd either ends up isolating or catching the virus.

Good news they are being sensible about kitchens.

I'm so relieved that have come to their senses about the kitchens - DD is so much happier being there without the threat of solitary confinement hanging over them!

@Frazzled6 we feel the same, that it's just time until DD gets it. She has stocked up on crisps and chocolate today so is ready now apparently!

Dd texted tonight to say that townhouse next door plus1 has a positive test. My Dd is incredibly laid back... So I've reminded her about food, paracetamol etc.

Your Dd sounds like me @ErrrrIDontThinkSo... Chocolate is definitely the answer... although I need to add wine and I'm fine!

Just seen that Warwick now has 216 active cases, the vast majority on campus.

warwick.ac.uk/coronavirus/testandtrace/faqs

There must be cases in almost every accommodation block now?

DS tested positive on Saturday. Still has flu-like symptoms but generally feeling ok and has plenty of work to keep himself occupied. No one else in his flat (Lakeside) has symptoms but he knows lots of others in other flats either tested positive or having to SI. It’s going to be a long term for them all I think with continual rounds of SI until they’ve all had it in their flats.

Yes 2 townhouses have positive cases too...

So 10 cases to 216 in a week. I'm guessing there are around 4000 undergraduates on site... Yes a long term... I'm hoping that dds house takes the stance.. All for 1 and 1 for all... Although I'm nervous because she suffers with asthma and has joint issues.