University 2020 :9: And they're off, making hay while the sun shines.

[MillicentMartha]

New thread, trying to be upbeat!

Old thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/3996883-University-2020-8-Use-the-CAGs-don-t-use-the-CAGs?pg=40

@LIZS what a bore for her - how bad does she sound? Normal cold or worse?

@LIZS poor DD. Hopefully it’s Covid and she gets it out the way with just cold symptoms.
My daughter and I were back there today to collect all her stuff and give key back - incredibly quiet, was wondering where the students were, although it was 9am. Nobody at all going into single table restaurant.
Such a lovely city, hope DD goes back.

Thanks @GaribaldiGirl @specialted @KingscoteStaff @sammyjoanne. Dd was probably around for breakfast at 9am in downstairs space, she even managed to squeeze dinner in before the email arrived. Tbh it seems like a regular cold with lingering sore throat/hoarseness and she had not seen the positive guy for a while so covid seems less likely, but who knows?

Nearest test centre is a 40 minute walk!

DS’s isolating flat got a huge meal delivery from U o Manchester today. He says too much for them to eat before use by dates - I have mentioned freezing some of it. This was free, so in contrast to some of the other unis, but a week since they started isolating. Better late than never.

I delivered some food and board games to ds today. He was pleased. He is reading Hobbes, never thought I would see the day he even asked me to purchase him so light reading, online must be beginning to pall. I said he had to buy his own books, I can reimburse him if nec but he is only going to be spoonfed with groceries and Pictionary.

@LIZS if she has cold and sore throat/hoarseness, that sounds like a general cold. if she keeps an eye on her temp.

My DD at Durham seems to be doing okay so far, her independent spirit and sense of humour are standing her in good stead. She's been out for a run and has had breakfast out with a new friend. Couple of visits to the pub all quite low key. But it looks like next week all the pubs, cafes etc will closely. The gym library and common room at her college are still closed and the vast majority of her course is online. Her room is tiny and so dark she needs the lights on all day. I do feel sorry for her I must say. And like someone else posted it seems impossible to get parcels to her, I have sent four since she got there and only one had reached her. Which does not bode well for if she is ever in self isolation- can't even post things to cheer her up.

@tinkywinkyshandbag that's annoying about the parcels. I've not attempted to send any to ds as I've heard the same. Not that ds has asked for anything but thought a care package might be nice at some point. A 12 pack of cheesy dorritos would be light to post as I think that's all he'd really want. Apart from maybe some clean pants!?

@Nettleskeins that nice you went to see him. We plan still to go on the 23rd/24th regardless of pubs/restaurants closing. Even if its just to drop a few bits off.

That's a shame about the parcels. My grandson is having to self isolate within his hall (Leeds) and I have sent him several parcels via Amazon. They arrive at reception and get left outside his room later.

@LIZS - my DS (also at Edinburgh) had very similar symptoms to your DD - nasal congestion and sore throat but no cough, temperature or loss of smell. 4 of his household tested positive so he took a test 3 days later and it came back duly positive! He has been recorded as officially asymptomatic because his symptoms weren't included in the "official 3". A sore throat definitely seems to feature amongst the young people he knows who are getting it and WHO recognise it as a symptom. Admittedly it is very difficult as a sore throat is ubiquitous at this time of year, but definitely worth considering it as a symptom, particularly when there is a high incidence of COVID around you.

@legallady my daughter (at lancaster) has that too. just like nasal congestion like a sinus. Her flat mate had the same thing 2 days ago, and is fine now. it could be 'freshers flu' it might be asymptomatic covid. I would imagine you cant just get tested unless you have the smell/cough/fever can you?

Daughter got a test thru uni even tho asymptomatic, Cardiff.
Not sure what others are offering.
I got a post test, I didn't click any of the top 3, but one is on it's way.
I'm not feeling well at all but need to know.

DD is self isolating due to flat mate with Covid and has another ten days to go. She has a temp and is tired but otherwise ok. She looked to book a test but currently being offered one in Lancaster City centre and she doesn't want to take a bus. AIBU to suggest to her there's no actual point as she's not going anywhere, she hasn't seen anyone except flatmates in last five days and they are all in isolation together?

DS got a test without being officially symptomatic. Edinburgh does seem to be quite efficient with its testing though - results coming back within 24 hours. Seems daft not to give a test when 4 off your household have recently just tested positive.

DS's hall has just gone into lockdown for 2 weeks. He's just had a test. Not sure if the result will make a difference.

Have name changed.
Three weeks since drop off and DD seems to have found something of a groove. Getting to grips with remote lectures. Some distanced small group session but no real life lab work. She's bought a printer and books as reference library and printer access not really happening.

Sorry to hear of poorly students and hoping they recover quickly.
Can't believe mine hasn't succumbed to covid yet as she's in one of the many hotspots and has been into the city a number of times. She's had a stomach ache for a week but no other symptoms. I think it's quite likely to be due to alcohol and white carbs.
Trying to figure out what these new lockdown arrangements will mean. Might try and get over to see her on Sunday. She's under two hours away. We were hoping to catch up at half term but that's not looking too likely from what I can gather of the mooted new arrangements.

@ThrawnCow how big is the hall? That sounds like a lot of students? Do they have access to outdoor space?

300 students. 30 positive. No outside space.

@ThrawnCow Bristol ?

Ha ha yes, Mums. Hello again. Central Bristol self catering. Uni have just delivered a box of carbs food. He'd be better off eating the box.

Anyone's DC thinking about heading home prior to whatever Boris has in mind for the northern cities?

DS's flat is isolating until Tuesday. I'm concerned that Boris will put a Welsh style travel ban in place and he won't be able to come home for, well, who knows how long if that happens.

DS taking full advantage of being out of isolation. Apparently he was in Sainsburys early Monday morning ( because he could), whole flat went to the pub in the evening. He has joined the Athletics club and has been running 2 or 3 times this week. Still met nobody from his course but met someone from the year above who is having to do his year at a foreign university from Leeds ( don't think DS will be impressed if that is the only option next year)

@ThrawnCow I saw that the SU are running on line events this weekend so students can share their views. Uni have a responsibility to feed them well to keep them healthy. This all makes me so angry as they are only all there for the money.