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

Lancaster Tab posted this thetab.com/uk/lancaster/2020/10/14/sports-hall-on-lancs-campus-to-be-turned-into-covid-19-testing-site-20633

www.theguardian.com/education/2020/oct/14/ministers-plan-pre-christmas-covid-lockdown-for-english-universities?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

@ThrawnCow I kind of expected that. I did mention this to DD as we plan to just up sticks and go anywhere that will take us (and us not isolate when we get home) a last min holiday a week before Christmas. I have 1 day left of my holidays I've not taken to put to one side if we need to pick DD up on a weekday. But will leave that up to her if she wishes to do that. She, and most others probably will do the 2 weeks, as a lot of students want to see their families, and doubt it would be much fun on their own over Christmas with their mates gone.

Just spoke to isolating DS about sorting a food delivery. He sounds so fed up 😥. Don't know if he'll be up to doing this gain before Christmas holidays, or even sooner maybe.

@ThrawnCow know what you mean. DD is on day 4 of isolation until her friends test results come through. at the moment its ok, but give it a few more days and she will have cabin fever being indoors

I don't see what else they could do. I assume that anybody who wants to go home 8th Dec and is safe to travel will be able to do so and study on line from home, but in order to keep the promise that (almost) everybody can go home for Christmas, they need to ensure there are no new cases requiring a 14 day SI starting in those 2 weeks. I am expecting DS to come home by 8 Dec as their teaching finishes at the end of November and he will just have exams after that.

It is so sad for them not to have the normal student Christmas experience, we used to make a Christmas dinner in my old flat and there were balls and parties and concerts.

Ds feeling quite poorly apparently. Hoping he'll be able to get a test tomorrow if the campus testing site opens as promised. He says his flat mates are being really kind, they all seem to be generally ok, apart from him and one with anosmia. Have sent him an Asda shop for Sunday which he is v grateful for .

@specialted

Oh dear thats not good, bless him. I hope he feels better soon. DD 's friend not heard back yet, they have just finished day 4 of isolation.Friend lost sense of taste is her symptom. I think most of us here have had our DC in isolation or had covid now.
It could well be freshers flu too, it has been going about. DD put hers down to sinus, but she was sniffly also, and a croaky voice and that lasted about 7 days and just come out of it now. Shes been working in the kitchen/dining room more now so they get to see each other and not just stuck in their rooms.

Thats nice hes getting an Asda shop, and sunday, thats not bad going. I thought it would be much longer given lots of people are booking delivery slots.

Dd finishes her isolation on Saturday, but felt worst around day 6. Still pretty tired. She has supplemented the uni food parcels with her own stores, accumulated beforehand. Vegan dairy free slice and pickle sandwich and bean stew have been a few of the lowlights, and she has enough apples to make cider!

@LIZS those meals don't sound too appetising!! Bet she'll be glad to get out and gets Some tasty food ! Glad she's feeling better

Just checking in. Only 2 more days of isolation for my DS in Lancaster. He's not planning to do anything wild though, just happy he will be out.
Thanks for the links above. I see the DoEd says they'll clarify palms around end of term controls shortly. Hope that is very soon.

And at home we are now a tier 2 region so cancelling or postponing various planned meet ups with friends etc.
All feels a bit grim.

Yes, impossible to plan for "the plans". Hmm.
Really feel quite torn thinking of the visits and checkins that dont seem quite ethical now, but maybe I just have to reframe them as essential, one per child at least.
I presume ds is having a better rime there than here, at least.

I agree. We was chatting about that today on facetime, and we agreed it was much better her being uni with friends she's getting to know that she could possibly live with in 2nd year. Hopefully by 2nd year this will either result in herd immunity, or a vaccine. All these local restrictions are starting to grate somewhat. She is willing to do the 2 week lockdown before Christmas. Would rather have her leave earlier than the 22nd of December what the government are thinking of doing (8th-22nd) Theres no lessons or lectures to keep them going for the 2 weeks during that time. Rather isolate whilst still learning.

I wonder if there will be a big drop out rate if students can't see their families? If we had known that our dc couldn't see us or come home until possibly 22 December would more have deferred? I know for sure dd would have found that very hard when she started three years ago. I'm not sure what ds will feel, haven't brought it up at the moment as probably not what he wants to hear whilst he's feeling below par.

I wasn’t expecting Dd2 home before Xmas although we had planned to visit when we go up at half term (cancelled now).
Dd1 has only been home a handful of times since starting and she’s in third year. Only came home this summer because of C19 🤷🏻‍♀️
Should be pleased she’s settled I suppose!

DD is in a studio in a student block. So has own cooking facilities. Yesterday her oven started smoking when not in use. Set the fire alarm off.
She has been allowed to combine with her friend who is also in a studio flat and DD slept there last night as her own room was still smelling of smoke. Still smells today so she is going to wash down as many surfaces as she can as well as keeping the window open all day. And changing her bedding.
Someone is coming to look at the oven on Monday!
I’ve told her to spend as little time in there as possible and keep it ventilated. No one seems to be bothered.

The Xmas plan seems a failure of testing capacity it would make more sense for them to isolate 7 days at end of term and 7 days at start next term and then test everyone after 7 days. 14 days is only necessary if don’t intend to do any testing.

So Lancaster is going to tier 3 to tonight. Not quite sure what that will mean for ds. They aren't meant to be mixing households ANYWAY, and cafes restaurants with alcohol and meal still open. DD doesn't use gyms or casinos.
I suspect there will be a lot more drinking beer cans and picnics in the park hmm.
Travel restriction, well even that is pretty unenforceable. DD could come home now before midnight then travel back "for education" justifiably.
I think he will be alright where he is tho, now that he is free to leave his room!

Truffle. That's a long time to be forced out of your room! They should be offering her a temporary room. Smoke inhalation is not good, the smell goes everywhere, let alone not being able to cook anything.

That sounds unpleasant, Truffle! It could easily have been much worse.

I can foresee a problem with the Christmas break - how are they going to organise the return to uni in January? Staggered starts again? Isolation before returning? DS only has a 14 day holiday anyway.

DD says she has asked to be moved but has been told there are no other rooms available. I feel so useless being so far away, wish I could wade in and get it sorted for her.
Just thankful she has got her friend and can manage till Monday.

Ds got a Covid test today at Lancaster in their new campus test centre which was very convenient

Want to send something to dd and her flatmates to enjoy. She has shopping slots so is covered there.
Does anyone have any ideas? Maybe some drink box or cakes or something if anyone has ideas I’d be grateful

Articulate, Risk, or Monopoly?
Pot plants? (Apparently they purify the air...)
And I wish I had got in there early with a folding exercise bike for the kitchen living room, cheaper than 12 people having a takeaway, and would have been worth its weight in gold during isolation, suitably disinfected between uses! But it's too late now

Just joining. Another one with a dc at Lancaster. My ds2 is currently si in his flat in Fylde college until next Tuesday due to a couple of flat mates testing positive. He'd only been there just over a week before going into quarantine!
Luckily we're only in Preston and have been able to take him some supplies up. He's barely left his room for a week! He's naturally an introvert so this hasn't helped him at all. It's so difficult because he's basically stuck with his flat mates (9 other lads - no girls) who seem to be a lot more rowdy than him. He seems to be coping so far, however.