University 2020 :10: Empty nests warm vests and covid tests: uni parents 2020

[sammyjoanne]

Carry on from MilicentMartha's University 9 thead
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/a4025020-University-2020-9-And-theyre-off-making-hay-while-the-sun-shines?msgid=101075411#101075411

I was gonna say to congratulate too millicentmartha!

One mum would definitely expect congratulations! The other - not so much...

Another protest is happening at manchester re the way they have handled the situation with covid. thetab.com/uk/manchester/2020/11/07/another-protest-is-being-held-tomorrow-at-owens-park-49685
And also Glasgow is also acting in solidary with Manchesters barriers and moved theirs surrounding the vice chancellors apartment thetab.com/uk/glasgow/2020/11/08/glasgow-students-fence-in-the-vice-chancellors-university-apartment-22051

That was yesterday, @sammyjoanne. DS didn’t take part. I think the students have to be careful they don’t lose the sympathy they were given by protesting during the lockdown, unless they were very careful with SD.

Very true @MillicentMartha. I do not agree how the unis have been handling ther whole fence security thing, they are grown ups after all and the vast majority of students have been self isolating and being responsible. DD facetimed me yesterday as wanted to chat about her new second half of michaelmas term. Lecturer Edward and lecturer Victor for the next 5 weeks (still find it very strange even now its all first name terms and not 'sir' like at school lol) classical mechanics and advanced calculus. Lab went much better yesterday (she doesnt get on too well with them) and she managed to get it finished this time. Planning to go on a walk with her physics friend this week and trip to sultans (campus chip/kebab shop) and sitting on the benches outside for a bite to eat. Playing pub golf in her flat and watching movies is this weeks 'night out' now lockdowns in place.

Good news about the vaccine, and Im hearing reports on the news that Matt Hancock is talking about a meeting on sorting lateral tests being rolled out at unis (which have a 15 mins result wait time). That could really proove beneficial for coming home for christmas without a self isolation hopefully :)

Yes, was reading about the plans to test students in first week of December, then send them home if negative to finish the term online. If positive, they’d have to isolate at uni for 10 days first.

Not sure about any plan to come back to uni in January, though.

As far as she’s aware, dd is on hospital placement for the last two weeks of term in December, so no home early and online classes for her. She’d rather be there if at all possible as their first year hospital placement was cancelled, but she’s quite philosophical about the chances of it being cancelled depending on how the situation is changing.

Yes very pleased to hear about student testing. As long as they don't test positive and have to isolate by themselves!! Hopefully they'll get tested early December rather than later

The leaked letter said week commencing 30th November, so hopefully in time for students to get home even if they test positive initially. 🤞

I think the idea is that you test and "release", so go home immediately whilst negative.
Being a worrywort, I immediately started thinking, oh but if you've packed your bags and cleaned out the fridge, got rid of excess fresh food, and then you suddenly have to isolate...how will that work. Ds would be coming by train, as we don't drive. Booking the ticket isn't a big deal, he could change it but as people go into the test they will be then be expected to leave straightaway, not hang around

Of course if ds2 tests positive, AGAIN, I will demand a retrial..surely not possible in such short space of time

So the question is, when will ds2 want to come home..perhaps two weeks before term ends? Online learning of course continuing. But missing out on further socialising when lockdown ends on 2nd? Or will he opt to continue and be tested on 11th, running risk of being stuck too long.
I'm presuming the former.

@Nettleskeins I can relate to your thinking!!!!!

Wonder if they’ll be refunded 2 weeks of rent if they are sent home after a negative test on the 30th???

Good point Kingscote, although ds did get an extra week at.beginning started 24th, term only properly commenced beginning oct.
(Must be some.mistake, surely.they.have been there what feels like.MONTHS already

Now I.am imagining ds coming home.far too.early.for me.to have properly decluttered house! When he is here he hogs the telly sofa too, and.the dog is accustomed to v.peaceful.early.bedtimes hmm atm, not.the late night fridge hooverer

I really need to sort out DD's room. DD2 has taken over with all her school work and art projects, and clothes are also taking over in the wardrobe. DD has bought new clothes as well since she left so have to get making some room lol

Interesting plan about getting students home. At least there is a plan I guess. Not sure ds will want to come home early straight out of lockdown without a little bit of time to do Christmassy stuff at uni. Otherwise he will have only have had three weeks of the term not in isolation!

And of course a plan to get them safely back in January should probably be announced at the same time, if only so they know how much they need to bring home.

So all the students who have come home for lockdown, for whatever reason will go back, pick up some extra socks and pants, clear fridges, have a test then come home again.
Fun times.

I still don't understand the bit about what happens if you stay after testing window.
Do you test again before you leave, say on 15th Dec?
And what about the trains? It's 3 hours by train, fine, but 5 hours by coach, not good if they put them on special transport..
Maybe there will be a dedicated student train carriage on some services, that would be good way to manage it..
Anyway, it isn't any point worrying, I'm sure it will all work better than the previous plan, compulsory self isolation for all students for two weeks!

Omg, and I had forgotten about other members of household testing positive...student then having to get home and self isolate there..how is that going to work transport wise?

DD would be coming from a uni city with very very low Covid rates, to another uni city with very very high Covid rates. From a risk point of view, she's better staying in halls rather than coming home!

I hope students will do a test, as I gather it's not mandatory.
Anything will be better than nothing tho.

Do these lateral tests pick up 'dead covid' and stil come out as positive test? if so, our DD flat has had it about 4 weeks back and they dont want to do the self isolation again for something thats not there.

@sammyjoanne I guess the test isn't compulsory so if dc have had it they may choose not to get tested again?