The Twenty-Sixth Republic -Half Term Horror?

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Erm..... Tumbleweed

Those stories are so sad. And I'm sorry for those who have had their half term plans ruined as well .
God it's crap at the moment. I might have to open some alcohol. Or chocolate. Or both!

I added some gin to my supermarket delivery this week but I took it off again yesterday. I know it will take me badly right now.
I’m going to make a humongous chocolate cake tomorrow though! Chocolate buttercream does not lead to introspection and anxiety the next day!

I have done exactly the same thing with my only shopping and Bailey's!
So instead I've made rhubarb crumble in the same sort of vein. And flapjacks. That's been this afternoon's activity with the kids - they love making crumble topping

I’m such a bloody lightweight these days . Well, apart from the cake.....but I walk that off. Walking is the only time my mind is ‘quiet’ at the moment. Ludicrously excited to see nuthatches and oyster catchers too. It is the small things right now that matter.

Thinking about how crap things are, does anyone know anyone who has resigned for Xmas? Or anyone who is planning to?

I don't know anyone. Back in the summer me and my partner had decided that if workload was any more mental than usual (due to prepping for online and in class), then I'd leave at xmas, but it's been alright. So far.

I've come down to Cornwall quick before we all get locked in again. My parents are coming down tonight too, just in case it's the last chance we get until Easter. We've had 6 days since school finished, and decided it was worth the risk.

I don't know anyone who has resigned. Plenty of people are staying put because it's a guaranteed job. Plenty of people staying at my school that don't really want to be there but better the devil you know.

I think in the summer we thought this may have been over by early 2021. Now it's apparent this won't be the case, people don't want to rock their own boats.

I'm meeting my newest family member tomorrow, my dc freed from isolating and I've been off a week so tiny risk. I'm so excited. Probably the last time until at least Christmas but so worth it.

France orders primary children over 6 to wear masks, just now in Guardian.

Secondary school teachers/parents. Look away from year 11 figures now...

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/930819/Weekly_COVID-19_and_Influenza_Surveillance_Graphs_W44.pdf

Oof, there's a thing. There would be so much mask stuff in my class, it would be awfully distracting.

I have been listening to Sam Harris podcasts on covid. He was good for info back in Feb and March, but has been informative since too. Yesterday he was in conversation with a research scientist who reckons the immediate situation will last until 2022 at least, even with a vaccine. Then there will be an attitude transition or a couple of years,then it'll all go roaring twenties in 2024.

So that's depressing. Presumably rise of the records will begin in 2030

I escaped today and went to London on the train for a long planned fancy lunch. It felt much safer than my classroom.
Since I couldn't go to Amsterdam to buy shoes sob this was the only light on the horizon.

On a really selfish note, I want it to be done and dusted by the time DS2 starts uni in 2022. Too late for DS1.

Gosh piggy those year 11 and sixth form numbers are rather worrying. And I only really teach year 10 and up this year, so that's wonderful.

Oh bloody hell piggy, they’ve had to increase the scale from last week.

Where’s the graph that shows cases by age group? They’ve only got positivity by age group this week.

Aagh, graphs. I don't like that you have to check the scale because every graph has a different one. Feels like they're hiding something when they do that, even if they're not.

Positivity rates are a massive issue there- anything more than 5% means they arent testing enough in that cohort/year group/whatevs.

Year 11 and sixth form numbers are scary!

Not sure if the university students cases reducing shows the isolating them worked, or they just aren't bothering to get tested anymore. (there's a big anti test vibe going round locally).

On a really selfish note, I want it to be done and dusted by the time DS2 starts uni in 2022.

Yep, I have that as a thing too. My 6 year old can get away with another few years of a small world without missing out too much. I'll be insane and my feet will have itched right off, but she'll be ok.

I have two Y11 classes. So that’s 10 hours a week.

And a Y 10 one

Honestly, how do the government think this is going to pan out?

My friends symptoms were runny nose and headache. Hmmm

You could start a whole new thread on those stats! Year 11 is horrifying.

But it'll be OK because the sectarian ones kids will be at school.

My DD's Y11 - crikey those graphs.

Yes I keep wondering what her uni time will be like......

I just think so many are going to die unnecessarily this winter, and next even. I worry my brother will die (probably of his dementia though) without me being able to be with him.

If Biden gets in will he try and lead the world in 'doing the right things'?

@SmileEachDay

I have two Y11 classes. So that’s 10 hours a week.

And a Y 10 one

Honestly, how do the government think this is going to pan out?

I only have 10 and 11. Though our 11's are isolating next week.

That is quite a rise.

Do you all think we will lockdown again?

Got my antibody results (v quickly, which was impressive) and I'm negative. So disappointed, it's really floored my mood. There's a Scottish Primary Teachers group on FB and very few people are posting saying they have antibodies.