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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

University 2019/20 intake: vacations, vaccinations, va-va-voom restored and virtually into their third year

990 replies

NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 18/06/2021 10:34

Previous thread

OP posts:
Benjispruce5 · 19/12/2021 15:25

@simbobs I think I’d bring him home Blush

bigTillyMint · 19/12/2021 16:10

@Benjispruce5 @simbobs I would too.

simbobs · 19/12/2021 16:30

He can't come home until Christmas Eve as he is rostered on shift at his place of work until the evening before and again from 28th. He needs the work especially if he is deferring his next year but he says that they aren't taking prisoners if people are unable to work, for whatever reason.
He has done a test and it was negative.

NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 19/12/2021 17:07

It's the employers that are part of the problem isn't it? That's a tricky dilemma for your DS, @simbobs? He could do daily LFTs until he's rostered to finish before Christmas? And just hope and pray they are negative. It was a good seven days between DD going down with COVID and me starting to feel ill (and getting a positive LFT).

OP posts:
Benjispruce5 · 19/12/2021 17:35

I agree. Daily LFT until 24/12 then get him home and take precautions.

simbobs · 19/12/2021 17:54

That's what I have advised him. Still crossing everything.

RampantIvy · 19/12/2021 17:54

Goodness. It sounds like things are ramping up. Booking a skiiing trip at this time of year during the current epidemic was always going to be optimistic.

I went to pick DD up today. Driving through fog and drizzle and then a gridlocked Newcastle wasn't my idea of a relaxing Sunday, but we are both home safe and sound.

I hope everyone manages to shake off their respective viruses and have a lovely and healthy Christmas.

Benjispruce5 · 19/12/2021 17:59

Thanks @RampantIvy, you too and hope your Dd gets some quality rest.

NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 19/12/2021 18:16

Thanks, @RampantIvy. And well done for getting your DD home safely. Fingers crossed for your DS @simbobs.

OP posts:
simbobs · 19/12/2021 18:45

Thanks and best wishes to all.

Decorhate · 20/12/2021 08:50

@simbobs Sage are now saying that if you are in a household with a positive test just doing daily LFTs is not enough, you should also self-isolate. Though the government advice has not changed yet. So he possibly should not be going to work anyway.

Personally I’d bring him home (if he is still negative & you are comfortable with this).

We had a similar dilemma with Dd. Her flatmate had a positive test but would be out of isolation by Christmas but if Dd became positive even a day later she would have been stuck on her own for Christmas.

So she has come home but luckily can commute to work from here.

Decorhate · 20/12/2021 08:55

Just realised that sounded contradictory re work. To clarify, Dd had 2 negative PCR tests a few days apart before she returned & has previously had Covid so hopefully less likely to get it now. And fully boosted.

bigTillyMint · 20/12/2021 15:31

@simbobs, how are you/DS doing?

My DS is fuming as his gf’s sister has just tested positive and he was there yesterday. She needs to get a confirmed PCR, but it seems v likely. We are meant to be seeing PIL on Christmas Eve (MIL waiting on poss cancer treatment)
Luckily he came home and went straight to work in his room, (and did a negative LFT) but obviously unless/until he has a negative PCR result, we can’t all relax. At least we hadn’t made big Christmas plans!

simbobs · 20/12/2021 16:53

@bigTillyMint, I feel your pain. He is still testing negative, and I have not had confirmation that his friend had a positive PCR test. I assume so, but you never know. As he is still in uni city (not London) there is no immediate risk to us, and if he is still negative by the time he is due to come home I won't be too freaked out. Tbh I am far from convinced that Omicron poses a real health risk; I have seen nothing thus far that worries me. Yes, it is more transmissable, but less likely to attack the lungs, and if after 3 vaccines I am still expected to lock myself in a cupboard until the virus burns itself out, then what on earth is the point? Sorry for the rant. His friend may have had Delta anyway; this is still equally possible, and so far there are no reports of anyone else catching it.

@Decorhate, thanks for the advice. As it is not govt policy there is nothing to stop him working. Obviously he wouldn't if he knew himself to be infected. He can only do paid work there, not here, so won't come back until after his last shift. If he tests positive he will have to stay there alone, but I would probably drive over and leave food and presents on the doorstep. He has been lucky not to have caught the virus a second time, after doing so on his return to uni in 2020, despite having been in close contact with others that have. It's just a waiting game.

bigTillyMint · 20/12/2021 17:05

@simbobs, I agree.

MrKlaw · 22/12/2021 13:59

seems a self-defeating company if they’ll fire people for being off sick, especially now when its so prevalent - pretty quickly they will be screaming for people that can work.

Benjispruce5 · 23/12/2021 12:22

DD had her booster yesterday and feeling a bit delicate but I’m pleased it’s done. She’s managed to get some more online work and is dividing her take between a grad scheme application, work and her dissertation. I do worry that so much is in front of her laptop these days and no face to face.

RampantIvy · 23/12/2021 12:31

Sounds like DD's day yesterday was similar to your DD's @Benjispruce5. DD did 4 online lectures and planned an essay. She is still in bed as she is feeling headachey and tired and has a very sore arm.

Everyone around us is testing positive for covid, and we all had to test today as DD's best friend, who was here on Monday, has tested positive. Fortunately we are all negative.

simbobs · 23/12/2021 13:06

I think this particular strain of the virus is going to be much harder to avoid as it is so much more transmissible, but as they are also saying now that it is less serious, and that those of us who are fully vaccinated will get super-immunity if we catch it I am felling less concerned. DS still negative, and nobody else in the house has it, so the friend must have been very unlucky, especially as he is jabbed and boosted.

He is supposed to be having his meeting in a short while to finalise either deferring and restarting, or going part time. As he is working and doesn't have access to his phone there is a strong possibility that this is going to go wrong. He plans to have his break at the exact meeting time, but knowing his time awareness, and the fact that he doesn't wear a watch... Watch this space.

Benjispruce5 · 23/12/2021 13:09

Good luck to him @simbobs. Hope it all works out well for him.

simbobs · 23/12/2021 16:22

Thanks. Apparently he is taking a break from study and will restart in September (or will he?). We will be picking him up later tonight and get more details on this, and his thoughts, in the coming days. I don't think he is home for long as he needs to work more than ever now that he won't have a maintenance loan.

Wishing everyone a happy Christmas.

RampantIvy · 23/12/2021 16:25

I hope your DS remembered to have his meeting @simbobs

icanbewhatiwant · 23/12/2021 16:37

Ds1 came home yesterday. He still has a cough but is otherwise better. He completed his dissertation proposal on time too. Thank goodness. He's brought me about 5 machine loads of laundry too!

It's good to have him home. Though I know I'll soon get fed up with extra the mess he makes, he plans to go back to his student house for New Year's Eve anyway. So won't be here long.

simbobs · 23/12/2021 17:29

@Rampantivy yes he did. They have confirmed a break in study, but that is all the info that I have. We are drawing lots as to which of us is braving the hills in the dark tonight. He won't get back from work until 9pm and hasn't packed yet. I know that he has not done any washing for some time, so all of that will be coming my way.

RampantIvy · 23/12/2021 18:41

It sounds like the best decision. I hope the break helps, and that you have a lovely Christmas @simbobs.

And Merry Christmas to all of you on this lovely supportive thread.

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