Any shielding teachers?

SleepymummyZzz · 26/10/2020 07:22

Hi, I am primary and was shielding. I had to have an occ health assessment before returning which recommended I be allowed to wear a mask. My head agreed to this. Other than this it is business as usual which is very frightening. No social distancing in school and no other exemptions. Hopefully it might be different in secondary though.

Original poster

walnut87 · 26/10/2020 09:27

Gosh yes :( thank you for replying.... I’m sorry you’re struggling, was the occ health assessment after speaking to your GP/specialist, do you mind me asking? have you spoken to your union at all? Staff are meant to be social distancing at my school but have seen in videos that they clearly aren’t, so not sure how I am going to navigate that.

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phlebasconsidered · 26/10/2020 10:11

I am clinically vulnerable but was not shielding as my last hospital stay was over a year before shielding was announced. My health assessment was a joke. Despite the gp saying very clearly that I should be in a mask, my school and trust has a no masks policy. Apparently my room is safe because I have a bottle of spray and some windows.

I have already had positive cases in my class but I have remained well, which I am trying to see as a good thing - i sanitise regularly, wear gloves to mark and de- clothe and shower when I get home. I sit outside to eat lunch where possible. I do distance from other staff but really i am the only one bothering. The younger staff really dont seem to give a shit!

Original poster

walnut87 · 26/10/2020 12:58

A no mask policy?!!! How is that even legal?I’m glad you’re staying well :) The windows thing is a joke isn’t it, my classroom is like a sauna even with them open and there is clearly minimal air circulation. And then there appear to be debates about whether windows are kept open when it’s cold...?!! This is what worries me - I am one of the younger ones so people just assume you’ll be fine. Do you find people encroaching your space much? Sorry so many questions.. I’ve not been inside any public buildings since shielding was announced, the most I’ve done is a Costa drive through

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SleepymummyZzz · 26/10/2020 14:20

Sorry if my earlier post was a bit off putting. I know I wish someone would have told me the truth about the reality of being back at school. Similar to you I had only been out for walks whilst shielding and naively thought the adults at least would be socially distancing in schools. I was so unprepared when I realised it wasn’t happening at all and I had to just get on with it. I’ve really struggled and have ended up on anti anxiety meds from my GP. I had to push for the OH assessment but it’s not worth the paper it’s written on tbh. It clearly states I should only be at work if I can social distance and the first couple of weeks I went to my head a couple of times and told him that wasn’t happening. He basically agreed it was impossible but could offer no alternative support I have been trying to control what I can, wearing my mask, doing my best to maintain my distance from others, eating lunch in the park next to school and showering and hair washing when I get home every day. To be honest it’s exhausting, I’m so sorry you have all this to come xxx

Original poster

walnut87 · 26/10/2020 18:19

@SleepymummyZzz

Sorry if my earlier post was a bit off putting. I know I wish someone would have told me the truth about the reality of being back at school. Similar to you I had only been out for walks whilst shielding and naively thought the adults at least would be socially distancing in schools. I was so unprepared when I realised it wasn’t happening at all and I had to just get on with it. I’ve really struggled and have ended up on anti anxiety meds from my GP. I had to push for the OH assessment but it’s not worth the paper it’s written on tbh. It clearly states I should only be at work if I can social distance and the first couple of weeks I went to my head a couple of times and told him that wasn’t happening. He basically agreed it was impossible but could offer no alternative support

I have been trying to control what I can, wearing my mask, doing my best to maintain my distance from others, eating lunch in the park next to school and showering and hair washing when I get home every day. To be honest it’s exhausting, I’m so sorry you have all this to come xxx

No, honestly thank you - I’m looking for the truth so that when I go in for my risk assessment (which I’ve had to push for and isn’t being done on zoom before I go in???) I know what’s coming and I can go in with the right questions to ask. I’m sorry your head is being like that, it’s astonishing to me considering all the other adaptations schools have had to make this year. I’ve already contacted my union to see what they are recommending and will phone my GP. I completely understand why you’re on anti anxiety meds; I went on them at the start of the year when you the constant stream of government announcements became too much. They made me way too fuzzy though. I’ll just be a jibbering wreck. Have you spoken to your GP again? Xx

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Letseatgrandma · 30/10/2020 09:12

Just wondering if there are any other teachers in this category and if so, what are your schools doing to protect you? Do you feel safe? Has anyone’s school let them work from home/changed their role etc?

There are several at my school-who were off shielding from March-July. All are back in class working as normal-I don’t know anyone in schools who’s been allowed to wfh or change role.

SleepymummyZzz · 30/10/2020 10:18

I have gone back to my GP and she has said if my condition worsens at any point she will sign me off. I got the impression she would support me shielding for longer but her hands were tied. I have been fairly well since returning apart from the usual cold and am too honest to be signed off when I’m not ill. My head has made it very clear to all staff he needs everyone fully committed at the moment and redundancies may be looming... Hope your GP and Head are a bit more understanding xx

SleepymummyZzz · 30/10/2020 10:19

The fuzzy feeling from my meds is quite welcome 🤣🤣