Tieribly angry wee fannies fannying about with the tiers

[dancemom]

Things moved quickly so I just started a new one ...

@WouldBeGood

I think though, *@Scottishskifun*, that in practice many mitigations remain in place.

Yep! I think it's the way it's written with "recommended" so probably most will think they have to!

Its like the hospitality stuff it says it's removed from law but everything is still "recommended" and that places have to comply with health and safety at work act...... So technically controls via the back door!

I strongly get the feeling that if furlough wasn't getting wound up then NS would be sticking with more stuff closed!

The gym is good though and back to normal except masks, though people were still chatting maskless before class started, and on the way out. It’s good. And no need to book swimming now (not that I do that!)

Isn't it too early for a blow by blow account of the minutiae of covid decision making? Anything politically or official secrets sensitive is going to be written with royal family levels of euphemism for at least 25 years.

I'll wait for the 25 year update from Devi!

I haven't been a member of a gym for many years @WouldBeGood, but I've just joined a private one as it gives me a much needed slice of normality. There are no markings on the floor or notices shouting at you to keep your distance, and masks are only required in 'non-active' areas which effectively is just the corridor and reception area. It's so nice to just spend an hour in a room doing a class with a dozen strangers and be able to talk to them and actually see their faces! And yes, I can just turn up and use the pool or gym without having to book or worry about 'infection control'. Helps me to forget all this nonsense for a little while.

I also see this morning that air purification systems are being trialled in Bradford to see what if any effect they have on infection rates, and indeed absences from other respiratory causes. It's good to see that these things are actually being properly researched, rather than just implemented on the assumption they'll work because it sounds good but without really knowing (like masks, one-way systems, screens etc.). As the author points out, the testing is all done in laboratory conditions and real-world school environments might be quite different.

• 1,525 new cases of COVID-19 reported
• 31,832 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results
◦ 5.2% of these were positive
• 8 new reported death(s) of people who have tested positive
• 42 people were in intensive care yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
• 356 people were in hospital yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
• 4,039,226 people have received the first dose of the Covid vaccination and 3,393,900 have received their second dose

• 1,542 new cases of COVID-19 reported
• 25,581 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results
◦ 6.6% of these were positive
• 8 new reported death(s) of people who have tested positive
• 41 people were in intensive care yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
• 353 people were in hospital yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
• 4,044,950 people have received the first dose of the Covid vaccination and 3,412,051 have received their second dose

Thanks 😊

The numbers definitely seem pretty static!

Still nothing (promised before the start of term which has happened in some areas) about plans for exams / not exams in 2022.

They really do hate children.

@Cismyfatarse

Still nothing (promised before the start of term which has happened in some areas) about plans for exams / not exams in 2022.

They really do hate children.

That really is shocking! What are schools doing then?! I'm sure they'll be fine twiddling their thumbs for another few weeks, waiting to be told what the syllabus is...

I was reading the Up Helly Aa festival for 2022 has been called off because of the uncertainty over restrictions and guidance for festivals. I can't blame them - especially as loads is done by volunteers, and there is the risk of restrictions coming back over the winter- but it does just emphasise how things are going to drag on, even "beyond level zero". Whatever the SG has put in place isn't making things easier for groups to plan things like this with any kind of confidence, as the rules have changed so many times before.

@ResilienceWanker yep they make it seem easy in brief statements but actually when they drill down into the guidelines the application process for going above the limits, control measures they have to put in and risk assessments it's incredibly difficult!

DH is talking people through it at least 4 times a day at the moment! Lots of events up here are sticking to less than 5000 outside capacity to make it easier (no track and trace required if outside) but even then the advice is to ensure there is space enough if people wish to SD (the event doesn't have to enforce just include that there is to do so in a risk assessment).

Yes. And that's just this week's guidance! Presumably no one trusts the SG not to say, "oh, we're reverting to 2000 allowed outside from Monday, just to be on the safe side, you know" - so a festival planned on the basis of 5000 would have the choice of cancelling (and losing ££££), trying to do a last minute additional risk assessment that could still be refused but causing huge amounts of stress for everyone involved, or choosing which 3000 ticket holders to bin off. None of which would be appealing!

Nope no one trusts it to spend money on it especially community groups which barely cover costs as it is!

DH has had a few Christmas things come in already but its by bigger commercial companies and even then the current plans are scaled back.

• 1,383 new cases of COVID-19 reported
• 26,943 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results
◦ 5.6% of these were positive
• 5 new reported death(s) of people who have tested positive
• 39 people were in intensive care yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
• 336 people were in hospital yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
• 4,050,011 people have received the first dose of the Covid vaccination and 3,431,062 have received their second dose

@ResilienceWanker they do know what the syllabus is just not how it will be assessed.

That's a nonsense in itself but nobody will be twiddling their thumbs.

[quote forfucksakenett]@ResilienceWanker they do know what the syllabus is just not how it will be assessed.

That's a nonsense in itself but nobody will be twiddling their thumbs. [/quote]
That's something I suppose! I'd heard that certain areas had been cut out of the syllabus for some subjects last year, but not whether the same situation applied this year, or whether the same units would be removed. But i could have got the wrong end of the stick of course. And of course, some things will always need to be there, so it's probably safe to start with them It is still hard for everyone concerned, though, and knowing the assessment protocol before the start of the year would definitely help- but I don't think anyone really disagrees with that...

No definitely not. It's ridiculous. I'll also be very annoyed if there is no final exam but I accept others might feel differently.

Yes exactly the same. Anything that was removed from courses last year are still removed this year as far as I know.

DD (S3) will get her timetable on her first day back so we won't know in advance if she has PE that day or not. Bit of a pain.

@forfucksakenett

No definitely not. It's ridiculous. I'll also be very annoyed if there is no final exam but I accept others might feel differently.

Yes exactly the same. Anything that was removed from courses last year are still removed this year as far as I know.

As a teacher I'll also be very upset if there's no final exam. And I can pretty much guarantee that the majority of the pupils I teach will be the same.

Children shouldn’t be returning to school not knowing what they need to do.

The situation is that we don't know about exams / not exams but exams really / something new.

Changes were made to courses last year and these remain, or have been tweaked. This was out before the summer. I only know about English but we have the same as last year: no talk and folio down to a single piece worth 30%.

Times today is reporting they are planning normal exams but might be some plan for those who have a problem. I would welcome that. An exam but a folder of work as back up in case a pupil is absent.

However, "by the start of term" clearly doesn't mean the actual start of term, given that schools started going back on Wednesday. All are back by Thursday 19th.

I will try to share Times article but share thingy wasn't working earlier.

Should be 3 screenshots attached as share thingy not working.

Thanks for posting that Cismyfatarse

Oh, thanks @Cismyfatarse that’s really helpful and somewhat reassuring.

Dunno why they can’t just tell us it direct!

Thanks Cis that's useful