Teaching with asthma

[halfdeer]

In light of the decision made by the government yesterday I'm wondering whether teachers with asthma should be at work?

I'm really keen to do my part in keeping everything running but I'm also concerned about my own health. This year has been particularly bad in terms of my lung health, with three chest infections and flare ups of asthma since November. What would everyone recommend?

I plan on speaking to my Head today but understandably he's very busy at the moment! Live and work in Outer London and no confirmed cases of Covid-19 at the school as far as I'm aware...

No. The guidelines are clear.
If you take inhalers and are offered the flu jab you are vulnerable and should be at home.
I am in the same boat. I had to tell my HR about it. Show them the video on the NEU website and go home.

The advice is VERY clear.

If you have asthma - stay home.

Thanks! Nothing about asthma has been mentioned at our school so far. I'm not sure it's even on our Head's radar!
It sounds silly but I don't want to be seen as the one 'skiving' or not doing their part...

The advice doesn’t actually seem that clear. I have an inhaler but have never been called for a flu jab so I don’t appear to be on the stay home list.
Halfdeer I very much think is though and should stay home.

We sent out teacher home yesterday who had asthma along with 2 tas .

Teacher was upset but understood her health is important, today she has taught her class remotely which the children have loved.

@Crockyyou asthmatics don't always get called for flu jabs these days - you can go into a pharmacist and request one. The advice is about if you are eligible for a free flu jab - if you are, then stay at home.

Aveino, thank you. I was struggling to understand it.
I had always assumed if I was eligible I would be called.

No not these days - too resource/cost intensive.

Us asthmatics are in the vulnerable high risk group so shouldn't be working. My headteacher sent me home on Tuesday.

I don't want to be seen as the one 'skiving' or not doing their part
You are doing your part, by minimising your chance of catching the virus, you’re not only keeping yourself safe but those around you and those even more vulnerable who may need an ICU hospital bed and/or ventilator.

DD has asthma, she was sent home from school this week by the SMT and has been told not to return until safe to do so. She is worried as she has her final QTS assessment due in the next few weeks.

I have had a look at the NEU website but I cannot find the specific advice for asthmatics - can anyone link? At the present time my head has agreed for me to be at home but I’m concerned that his sympathy will wane as the situation ‘drags’ on. I know of someone else in the ‘at risk’ category - although not asthmatic - who is talking about returning and I think that I will look unprofessional and work shy ☹️

Unprofessional and work shy is how I fear I'll be seen too.

I feel very torn as on the one hand I want to muck in and do what's required to provide children with an education at school. But on the other hand I know my first responsibility is to myself...

Still haven't managed to speak to my head about it. Does anyone know where I'd find government advice about teaching with asthma? I can only find the NEU information.

You are not skiving, you are preventing the occupation of a hospital bed which someone else will need!

I just think that it is so difficult if others say that they will work in spite of being in the ‘at risk’ category. I have to be honest the fact that it is a respiratory illness and I am asthmatic terrifies me.

There are a few professional martyrs going in regardless but I am not. My kids need me alive. There's plenty I can do from home. When it's all over the martyrs might get a pat on the head and a leg up. Or they could be dead.

Guidance is not just there to free up beds. It's there because those of us with underlying conditions will nit be prioritised if it comes down to a choice about who gets the ventilator. It'll be the 40 year old without astma, not the one with it.

Oh Phlebas you've made me feel better! I have chronic heart failure caused by cancer treatment and emailed my head today to say I'm going to have to follow advice and work from home from Monday. Got a VERY passive aggressive response about making sure I'm not left feeling isolated from "our fantastic staff who are doing so much for our children."
We have a martyr at school too and I'm so cross I've been made to feel like shit for prioritising my health and not wanting to leave my boys without a Mum.

You are absolutely doing the right thing. Both my husband and I are vulnerable. Him because of hypertension and age and me because of asthma and an autoimmune disorder. Plus my mum who has vascular dementia lives with us and one of my kids is also asthmatic!

The way I look at it is i've kept 4 people out of hospital, hopefully. I've taught for 20 odd years, i've earned the right to keep myself and my family safe.

Our trust head sent out an email that was very cagey too with inverted commas around "advice". I have sent HR the NEU video.

There's a shit ton of paperwork for us to do, I can plan the whole of next year , and remotely set and mark work. It's not like we will be doing nothing. Ignore the martyrs! They're the sods who always give us colds as well!

Thank you so much @phlebasconsidered. That really put things into perspective - just what I needed.

Are you able to link to the video? I just cannot find it.

It's on the NEU website if you scroll down. Says it very clearly.

Thank you. I will have another look.

Here is the guidance from the NEU - very clear about not being in school and that we should be working from home.

I'm off too, I emailed my head with my concerns on Tuesday and she was exceptionally understanding and I have been at home since Wednesday. I wish now that I'd emailed her on Monday night when I first realised I was in the vulnerable group, but hopefully one day didn't make the difference.

I am rubbish at linking! Flip knows how I will manage Google classroom!