O/T. The Government's handling of Covid

[Ram59]

I think the point is, Swale, that we don’t know the school based risks since the new variant(s) came into play.

Schools were largely open between September and Christmas and that doubtless contributed significantly to the situation which raised its head immediately before Christmas.

Then the government belatedly acknowledged the presence of at least one of what I believe to be several new variants. We were told by Johnson and Hancock that the new ‘British’ variant was much more transmissible and possibly more dangerous to children, although I accept that there seems to have been some backtracking from that second claim.

Since then schools have been operating a much reduced service, remaining open for the ‘vulnerable’ and the children of ‘critical/key’ workers.

Now there is pressure to return to normal from March 8th. I actually don’t blame the PM for that...we all know where such pressure comes from but, possibly cabin crew apart, I’m struggling to think of another group of workers who are likely to have to spend over six hours confined in a small closed classroom sized environment in the company of thirty other individuals.

With that in mind...if society wants teachers to return to fully providing the education/child minding service that society depends on then two things need to happen imo...an effective testing process needs to be in place and teachers need to be vaccinated.

I know I’m banging on about schools - it’s an area I know and care about - and I’m sure teachers are not alone...but for all those who doubt, consider this...we can’t fly, go to the pub, enjoy a meal out, go to a football match, visit the cinema/theatre while most who normally work in offices are working from home and the chamber of the House of Commons is always conspicuously empty...and yet we expect teachers (and certain others) to carry on regardless.

Can’t help wondering how comfortable you and any other doubters would feel today if told you had to spend the next six plus hours in a small room with thirty other people.

Personally, I would be prepared to work under the same conditions as a teacher, far more so than as a firefighter or refuse collector in a crowded cab, or police officer or cab driver sharing his car with some lowlife, or my daughter-in-law working in the prison service. Then you have the high risk occupations like security guards that could be included.

The question is where do you stop and at what stage should these people be vaccinated, the current plea is for teachers to be put ahead of over 65s and vulnerable 16-64s, which I totally disagree with.

[ramAnag]

The first paragraph isn’t really relevant. I’ve always said I’m talking about teachers because schools are something I understand and have a knowledge of. You’re making it into some sort of competition and I’ve always used the phrase...‘teachers amongst others’.

As far as the second paragraph is concerned...we’ll just have to agree to respectfully differ.

[swaledale]

The trouble is, mud tends to stick, especially to those who've been lobbing some themselves

All the more reason why those indulging in such acts should ensure they are right before choosing to do!

Perhaps more so if one is a Moderator of a Forum?

[swaledale]

The first paragraph isn’t really relevant. I’ve always said I’m talking about teachers because schools are something I understand and have a knowledge of. You’re making it into some sort of competition and I’ve always used the phrase...‘teachers amongst others’.

As far as the second paragraph is concerned...we’ll just have to agree to respectfully differ.

rA the new variant doesn't change the overall risk for Teachers in comparison to other workers though, yes it raises the overall risk due it being more infectious, but that applies to everybody, so if we close schools due to the risk to teachers then everything else should be shut.

[ramAnag]

rA the new variant doesn't change the overall risk for Teachers in comparison to other workers though, yes it raises the overall risk due it being more infectious, but that applies to everybody, so if we close schools due to the risk to teachers then everything else should be shut.

At the risk of repeating myself. I recognise that teachers aren’t the only people at risk...but they are, generally speaking in the current circumstances, the ones confined to a room with around thirty other individuals for in excess of six hours a day.

Schools are also the places that people are making the most fuss over being shut down. My view is that if society wants them fully reopened asap they need to protect those that work there asap.

Those are my thoughts on the subject...I can’t say it any other way and I recognise I’m clearly in the minority, but I can live with that.

[Geoff Parkstone]

Yes, it seems you are in a minority, which in many ways does surprise me as I've always thought joe public held teachers up as important facets of society. I'd have wagered more shared your views - albeit our sample is exceptionally small, and one is exceptionally biased.

The positive attitude towards teachers always did puzzle me as everyone I've known universally say what *******s they thought their teachers were when they were pupils (an experience I also relate to). Seems the older we get, the more we appreciate the work teachers do.

[Ram59]

The first paragraph isn’t really relevant. I’ve always said I’m talking about teachers because schools are something I understand and have a knowledge of. You’re making it into some sort of competition and I’ve always used the phrase...‘teachers amongst others’.

As far as the second paragraph is concerned...we’ll just have to agree to respectfully differ.

With respect RA, the first paragraph was answering your question about whether people would be prepared to be in a classroom, which is generally not small, with 30 other people, meaning children. I then went on to list a number of incidences that I thought were more risky and which I wouldn't be prepared to do.

You agree to differ on the second paragraph, but when I suggested the other day that you would put teachers in front of vulnerable over 60s, you denied it. Vulnerable over 60s make up part of the vulnerable 16-64s group, if you're confused.

I think that we all know how you feel about teachers and maybe you should put the teacher issue to bed, you've even got me agreeing with Swale on the matter and that's made me feel quite ill. lol

[ramAnag]

Yes, it seems you are in a minority, which in many ways does surprise me as I've always thought joe public held teachers up as important facets of society. I'd have wagered more shared your views - albeit our sample is exceptionally small, and one is exceptionally biased.

The positive attitude towards teachers always did puzzle me as everyone I've known universally say what *******s they thought their teachers were when they were pupils (an experience I also relate to). Seems the older we get, the more we appreciate the work teachers do.

But then you’re assuming that the four who’ve contributed to this discussion are representative GP...they aren’t...and being in the minority on here really isn’t ever a problem.

Personally I pretty much split my own teachers into three groups. Bullying tw@ts, incompetents and some of the best people I’ve ever come across. Funnily enough I though the same once I joined them...but it became easier to bring about change.

Ram...I think the operative word was ‘vulnerable’. I, rightly or wrongly, don’t consider all over 60’s to be ‘vulnerable’ and at no time have I ever suggested that teachers should have priority over the ‘vulnerable’, by which I mean those who’s medical condition/history puts them at extra risk...in case you’re confused.

[swaledale]

At the risk of repeating myself. I recognise that teachers aren’t the only people at risk...but they are, generally speaking in the current circumstances, the ones confined to a room with around thirty other individuals for in excess of six hours a day.

Schools are also the places that people are making the most fuss over being shut down. My view is that if society wants them fully reopened asap they need to protect those that work there asap.

Those are my thoughts on the subject...I can’t say it any other way and I recognise I’m clearly in the minority, but I can live with that.

Well I guess if they shut down all food shops, all public transport, taxi's, hospitals GP surgery's etc. then people would slightly more aggrieved than they are over school closures.

Thats where your logic falls down a little, all the workers in those occupations have daily close contact with hundreds of a people a day from almost anywhere. Plus the risk assessment and stats to date show teachers at greater risk than those workers.

So a strategy of vaccinating those most at risk and working through them is to me entirely logical, and in order of risk one would do medical staff, transport staff, shop workers, police, before teaches, that being the case its going to take time before they get to teachers.

because by the same logic your using if society wants to be able to shop for food, visit hospital travel by public transport, then the workers in those occupations should be vaccinated first.

That covers a fair few people, which cohort would you suggest stand back and allow teachers to be vaccinated first and why?

[swaledale]

With respect RA, the first paragraph was answering your question about whether people would be prepared to be in a classroom, which is generally not small, with 30 other people, meaning children. I then went on to list a number of incidences that I thought were more risky and which I wouldn't be prepared to do.

You agree to differ on the second paragraph, but when I suggested the other day that you would put teachers in front of vulnerable over 60s, you denied it. Vulnerable over 60s make up part of the vulnerable 16-64s group, if you're confused.

I think that we all know how you feel about teachers and maybe you should put the teacher issue to bed, you've even got me agreeing with Swale on the matter and that's made me feel quite ill. lol

I knew you see sense eventually LOL. Although I do recall broadly agreeing with you on a related topic.