Is there any thought yet as to how students are going to get home for Christmas?

[TawnyPippit]

I haven’t seen anything, but I’m assuming some thought must be being given to this, whether by the universities or the govt?. DS is in catered accommodation and I can’t believe that that that would keep on going all over the Christmas period. I’m not a Christmas obsessive - DS is just coming to the end of his first lockdown period, and also can’t come home for reading week as originally planned as we are Tier 2. But I have told him (rashly?) that it will all be ok for Christmas.

I guess the way it would currently work would be to do another period of isolation - which hopefully will be just 7 days by then - and then come and re-join our household. He is in Tier 1, so coming home is not a problem for him, its us that cannot mix households ATM.

I suspect its all too far away to strategise about at the moment as we will likely have several different iterations of lockdown restrictions before then, just idle musings.

Breaking the Law
Here is the legislation
www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/1105/schedule/1/made
Which clause stops people going back to their parental home ?

@BackforGood if DD was at home she would have access to outside space. She would have a full fridge and food cupboard. She would space. She would be able to be around people she's known for more than 5 weeks. Her flatmates are wonderful and they have all supported each other. But they have now had a month of only seeing each other - friends were in isolation and came out as their flat went in. I defy anyone to not get fed up. She is missing her only f2f lesson. Missing seeing friends.
My eldest got in her car and drive home last week. Wanted a break. Private house so no one can tell her what to do. If necessary I will drive all over the country to pick my kids up. I'm a teacher, it's educational.

If I go to court for it :
Judge - why did you think having your children home was a good idea ?
Me - well as I spend every day with over 2,000 people from different families, lots of whom are mixing outside school and not following any rules, I failed to see how having 2 adults in my house was more dangerous to me or anyone else. Please explain how this is so judge.
Judge - er. But it's the law.
Me - laws in this country are made by Parliament and have to be passed by MPs. Not one of these 'laws' has been debated or passed by anyone. So not laws of the land, more like guideline. Just ask Mr Cummings.

Oh I would fucking love to have a day in court about this...

@HelloMissus me too. As a teacher I would so love to explain how 'Covid unsafe' schools are. And how our kids have been treated so appallingly through this. Prison would be safer than school (less outbreaks nationwide).

mumsneedwine if your DD is having such a difficult time, just spring her - it's not complicated. I have three DC at uni at the moment; they say most people are muddling through. But if they were finding it really tough then I'd say jump on a train home.

Also, having your DC home for Christmas is surely completely unrelated to your teaching job? (as in you say you can't teach unless you hug your own DC, specifically at Christmas). Again, if you're finding your job that stressful, then surely bin it - again, not complicated.

@goodbyestranger 😂😂😂 oh life is so simple if you have money. Unfortunately I need to be paid to keep a roof over our heads. If I could I assure you I would not go into work. It's unsafe and will get worse over next few weeks. Let's hope I don't die (I am at high risk but government don't care).
DD will try her best to enjoy Uni once she is out of isolation. Hard to enjoy much when stuck inside for 14 days. Hopefully she can get back to sport and meeting people next week.
And let's hope no more suicides. 9 so far that have made news. Many more students struggled so much they have given up and gone home. All v v sad.

If DD jumped on a train she would be breaking her 14 days of isolation. And as she is not selfish she won't do that. Having a sister who worked on Covid ward all summer has made her very conscientious.

I really don't think my Dd is going to put me at risk.

I've just had Covid. Three weeks later I'm still on the recovery road. Currently wired up to a heart monitor and taking blood pressure medication as a result of Covid complications and I will be off work for at least a month.

Only real place I could have caught it was my infant school, most likely from an asymptotic young child, based on where I have had any prolonged close contact.

I'm clinically vulnerable so was taking care but there is no SDing in schools.

Infact my first hear 18y dd came home two days before I tested positive so I was the risk to her. As a result she ended up having to SI at home before she could return to her empty student flat.

I've been at way higher risk at school doing my daily work than if I see my Dd.

@Aragog but schools are covid safe ? How on earth could a teacher catch it from a child, they are incapable of passing it on .
Sarcasm heavy, in case anyone missed it.
Hope you get better v soon. It's all a bit rubbish.

Quite. Totally secure, as all good teachers and TAs should know.

I obviously must have caught it elsewhere really. If only had been anywhere in the days before!! Cannot even the alleged dangerous coffee break as I'd had them alone!!

And I'm sure the fact that 9 more staff caught Covid at my school, across the school in different bubbles was just coincidence too, let alone the parents testing positive from those classes.

But no, children can't spread it remember.!

Things are clearly going to get worse before they get better. Lockdowns in France and Germany as well as Scotland and Wales.

If people are worried about getting their children home for Christmas, I would start making plans now for them to make a quick exit.

We are lucky as DD is intercalating so is at home anyway. It’s difficult as she has only been into her University twice: once for open day, once to pick up her pass. She loves the course, and the University have done a great job of keeping things going in difficult circumstances. But she has not seen her friends since before lockdown. If she were able, I think she would choose friends over us. The balance shifts when she hears how much clinical experience they are missing through either illness or enforced isolation as the virus passes through the group. Up to six hours of Zoom lectures and seminars a day is at least productive.

my dd is planning to be sensible in the weeks coming up to christmas so she can come home.

Again, if you're finding your job that stressful, then surely bin it - again, not complicated.

I sometimes wonder about the Mumsnet alternative universe, where we can just stroll out of jobs as plainly money is not a reason to work - we are fed and housed by pixie dust. Similar to the 'just learn to drive' and the 'just get a cleaner' posts. I wish I lived in that world

@TheNavigator did make me laugh. Don't like job so leave. Life must be so simple for some people.

Some snowflakes on here today - job is stressful- give it up. Sounds like some posters need to join the real world. Many jobs are permanently stressful. That’s life and you live with it and carry on the best you can.

There are alternative ways of making money mumsneedwine. I didn't suggest not working, just finding an alternative which wouldn't be so onerous for you, as you evidently find teaching a struggle.

Which is completely fair. A lot of those who've gone into teaching aren't suited to it and don't like it, or its pressures. But best to move on and find something else because it won't be good for you or your students, who are at least equally important here.

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
I love teaching and I'm bloody good at it. But normally I'm not teaching during a pandemic. Has slightly changed the risks from the job. Only people not in education would be surprised by this.
And I've done lots of jobs. Worked in the City for many years so know other jobs are stressful. Just not lose your life stressful. And before anyone says I'm exaggerating one of my 49 year old colleagues died of Covid in May.
Teacher bashing appears even on threads that have nothing to do with teaching. It's a national pastime these days.

. @goodbyestranger your suggestion was ridiculous. Mums need wine has been with us through the A level algorithm debacle as well as supporting her students, so and to her and all her fellow teachers.

@ShaunaTheSheep 😍😘

@ShaunaTheSheep

. *@goodbyestranger* your suggestion was ridiculous. Mums need wine has been with us through the A level algorithm debacle as well as supporting her students, so and to her and all her fellow teachers.

Round of applause! Of course teaching is extra stressful at the moment. A teacher statting that doesn't mean they are not suitable for the job and should instantly leave the profession. What nonsense!

If you took @goodbyestranger's view, we would have no A&E staff, transplant surgeons, paramedics, firefighters ect etc. Newsflash - some jobs are stressful. Thank goodness people like @mumsneedwine do them anyway.

@TheNavigator 😊thank you. Support is v v appreciated. We are all trying our best in difficult times, whatever our jobs.
I'm currently exam marking the November exams. Didn't want to as wanted to sleep over half term, but felt like I should. Poor kids need them done as they've been through so much. Not sure about summer ones though as going to be so late.
Maybe I'll have left by then 🤓

goodbyestranger

Don't be ridiculous! Surely you can see how or why teaching in the current, and hopefully temporary, situation is much more stressful than normal. Teaching can be stressful normally, but this term has a whole new level attached to it. I spent 5 weeks desperately trying to stay safe and not get unwell due to covid (I'm clinically vulnerable) - the extra cleaning, hygiene stuff, etc - all on top of my normal teaching role, plus the added issue of missing children, having to provide home learning on top of normal day to day stuff, worrying about upcoming exams if in secondary, worrying about children not being able to access education fairly, etc. Of course its more stressful than normal.

Fortunately, all though going on for months right now, it should be a temporary measure. Hopeful the country will retain teachers like mumsneedwine throughout this pandemic til we get to the other side.

@Aragog 😘 huge hugs. We will get through this. I'll be a lot greyer but fingers crossed next year will be better for us, and our kids.