Tiers until the end of time

[runningpink]

Quickly putting this up as last thread is full

as I said above, the students in our school have indicated they prefer blended learning and they only want to be on campus for the practical work. My job is professional services so I don't think I'm needed on campus nor should I be needed.
The other reason is social distancing yes. It is still expected for the rest of the year and I think it was Chris Whitty who said masks and social distancing might be a yearly winter requirement?

DH's department is still face to face for practical elements (with some changes/bubbles). Some stuff has to be f2f but where it can be it's online, staff meetings are online and they're trying to limit risk of one positive test taking out the entire department!

I genuinely thought you could meet in a garden so have inadvertently broken the rules. The SG advice even references if you are meeting in a garden...

@Sootess

Can I ask the university staff on here what’s the basis for the blended learning from September? Is it because we’re still expecting social distancing? Do universities think you won’t be allowed to fill the large lecture theatres? Or will it be because you’re only allowed restricted numbers on campus?

@Sootess from what we’ve been told it’s mainly because they don’t know how things will look in September, if distancing will still be in place to some extent, for example. It’s precautionary more than anything. There’s also the issue of timetabling- we would normally start our room bookings exercise for next academic year about now and it’s a big, big job. It could be as well that last year was a fuck up they don’t want to repeat - so many students arriving at universities and thinking they’d get at least some f2f teaching and then they didn’t.

I do know for sure that there is a big push to get back to at least some f2f so semester one may actually end up more blended, which would be an improvement. They just can’t say for definite right now so I guess they’re trying to avoid disappointment. My thoughts would be that we do go blended in sem 1 because that would mean the halls don’t lose their income.

@LoopyGremlin

I genuinely thought you could meet in a garden so have inadvertently broken the rules. The SG advice even references if you are meeting in a garden...

I read the Scot Gov guidance as you can meet outdoors (unrestricted) or in indoor public places.

I'm sure if they meant you could only meet in public places they'd have worded is as "you can meet in public places outdoor or indoors for..."

Yes it goes on to the restrictions you can meet to provide "emotional support". Having a coffee and a whinge to nod and agree lockdown is shit is providing "emotional support".

I think I thought it would be covered by the stay at home order: leave only for essentials ie food or exercise but it’s all so confusing. And surreal still.

Emotional support and exercise are both essential.
If you think about the actual risk of meeting a friend in the garden for 'emotional support', general whinge, is no different to meeting them in a park for exercise, within 5miles of your council area.

The 'Stay at Home' message is verging on meaningless because of the exceptions on thing they can get people on is the 5 mile boundaries but throw in the other essential reasons, work, support bubbles, emotional support and it becomes pointless.

The biggest thing to remember is the more people who you meet, the more risk you are opening yourself (and household) up to.

I think it’s all ridiculous and makes no sense, so I’m not arguing for it 😃

@WouldBeGood

I think it’s all ridiculous and makes no sense, so I’m not arguing for it 😃

Exactly it's no sense, unless you view it as Home being your council area rather than your actual house.

I agree the stay at home law is meaningless, when they lift it at the beginning of April nothing will actually change for anyone.

I've lost the plot tbh with the rules. Wanted to go to the beach yesterday with my family but decided against going to the beach I'm allowed to because I thought it would be overcrowded but then felt worried about going to the empty massive beach in another LA area in case the police were hanging around the car parks. So I decided not to bother as it all seemed too much ... I don't understand any of it any more and I really don't think any of it is making a jot of difference. Fed up there will be no where to go at Easter either. We are all bored. I wish NS and her cronies had young children to entertain for a year .... maybe she would understand a bit more then

@makingitup yes, I think if their personal circumstances were different they’d have more idea.

I’d love a couple of nights in a hotel at Easter

Yip they have no clue how it is for other people with young kids. Or how monotonous life has become.

I'll count my blessings and say I'm grateful we have the means to get away for a couple of weeks in summer. Although I think I can persuade DH to drag the tent out for a weekend in May.

Traffic on the roads suggests very few people staying at home these days.
I'm staying within city boundaries but taking the opportunity to explore areas I've not been to before with a friend.
Very excited to discover park benches at Costorphine walled gardens where we could actually sit and chat, rather than infernal walking ( I like walking but I'm so over it now).

Yes it's stay at home from the woman who gets to go into work every day and doesn't even have to wear a mask.
Although this week may not be as much fun with the inquiry.

I assume the emotional support exemption exists because they are trying to give people who are really struggling a loophole. It's not too publicised because then everyone would use it regardless but it's there for when it's needed.

There’s not exactly an emotional support one but an exemption to support a vulnerable person as a reason to leave the home.

Gosh, I’m dull, sorry

I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds it confusing to follow and I get so annoyed at it not being clear and I generally go on the SG covid Web pages once a week and also use this forum.
How is anyone who doesn't do that supposed to know they can either seek support or aren't breaking a load of rules!

I'm sick of things being hidden in massive SG documents just stand on the podium and spell it out so it's clear!

I've gotten so bored I've considered glamping.......as it is I am going to let the DC setup a tent in the local park if we get any nice days at Easter

@icanboogieboogiewoogie

I assume the emotional support exemption exists because they are trying to give people who are really struggling a loophole. It's not too publicised because then everyone would use it regardless but it's there for when it's needed.

I do get that they are trying not to cut off people who are really struggling. However people don't go from being fine to suddenly feeling suicidal. So I stand by that having a whinge and being able to talk through the day to day issues is emotional support.

[quote WouldBeGood]@makingitup yes, I think if their personal circumstances were different they’d have more idea.

I’d love a couple of nights in a hotel at Easter[/quote]
We don’t know that they don’t wish that their personal circumstances were different too. A large majority of childless couples are not that way through choice. It’s an emotive topic for many.

I’m sorry you are struggling with the current circumstances but I’ve read those sorts of comments on these threads before, found them quite uncomfortable and like I needed to say something this time.

I'm sick of things being hidden in massive SG documents just stand on the podium and spell it out so it's clear!

Yip she has an incredible ability to stand up a waffle without actually telling you anything.

@florafoxtrot that's an absolutely valid point to make. It's a bit like when friends used to point out how lucky I was to only have to pay for one DC as opposed to their 2 or 3 without being aware of what I'd been through to try to have DC no 2.

It is fair game though to point out that NS doesn't appear to enjoy holidays and as such doesn't seem to put much importance on them, just seems annoyed that we aren't all delighted to stay at home.

We don’t know that they don’t wish that their personal circumstances were different too. A large majority of childless couples are not that way through choice. It’s an emotive topic for many

It doesn't change the fact that the senior leaders have no clue what families are going through.
They make laws and rules that don't affect them without taking a balanced considered view on it.

England kept nurseries open because there was a recognition that WFH with young children was impossible and the risk in nurseries was very low.

Where is the balance in Scotland? Its just pile the pressure on parents without any help or really understanding how hard it is.

I agree with all points re DC, however it was and is in her gift to not be travelling to work everyday. Lots about companies needing to just deal with employees working at home while looking after small dc or homeschooling while not actually wah herself.