iamwhoiam wrote: » I understand that and its really not easy but then maybe say nothing at all instead of causing more anxiety Parents are also stressed and snxious
iamwhoiam wrote: » Good job the frontline workers and health services didn’t throw in the towel and say they have no idea how they could cope
32% of all COVID-19 cases in Ireland are among healthcare workers
iamwhoiam wrote: » I genuinely admire all those who movd outside their comfort zones and carried on Be it frontline or restaurants or chemists etc
Boggles wrote: » They did and now they want answers.Rapid, independent inquiry into healthcare worker infection needed Make kids wait in line outside and let 2 in at a time? Hardly workable is it?
History Queen wrote: » Agreed. If we could get all parents and teachers demanding that the Dept cop on to themselves maybe something positive could come from this. I could stand to be corrected on this but there's no clear guidance on the running of July provision either, this scheme deals with some of our most vulnerable students, they cannot be left fend for themselves or worse, have schools unable to run the scheme becauseguidance wasn't provided.
Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: » Even if you take something as simple as say hand sanitiser stations, the logistics of numbers required, locations, supplying and installing those into every school in the country and securing an ongoing supply is something that needs to be done yesterday. Now if school Principals aren't aware of even those type of obvious things (and even something that straightforward needs local input) then the plans are severely lacking. I will be glad if schools can return to as close to normal as possible but the apparent lack of any forward planning is concerning that it could be a last-minute.com effort.
firemansam4 wrote: » There is always going to be a few situations like this, and again maybe special conditions need to be made under these circumstances. This virus is going to be with us a very long time, a vaccine anytime soon is just a fantasy. Children have already missed nearly 4 months of school, and this is going to have a disastrous effect on them if they continue to miss school. This part time school idea won't be much help, kids need to get back to school full time. Now the argument has been made that we are putting Teachers lives at risk to facilitate this, I countered this by showing evidence that for those who are under 44 and in good health there is nearly the same chance of being killed in a motor accident as from dying of covid 19. Now by all means extra investment and as many measures as possible need to be made to try and minimise the risk of spread as much as possible. But I just don't think we can keep sacrificing our children's education for a virus that now seems to be very low in the community.
khalessi wrote: » The Principals are aware but the funding has to come from the Dept, the amount of beaucracy for just hand sanitizer is crazy
brendanwalsh wrote: » You have to protect all staff. What’s your suggestion to protect staff who are Immunosuppressed? Or children immunosuppressed? How will you ensure protection of children with cystic fibrosis?
jimmytwotimes 2013 wrote: » Some on here confusing not wanting to work with wanting the workplace to be as safe as is reasonably possible before returning. Statements like "put them on the covid payment" aren't helpful. All education staff are asking for is the same care, that is observed in other workplaces, be observed in schools too. Some solutions would be helpful. How will 500-1200 students safely occupy the same building from 9-4? How will handwashing be carried out given the paucity of WC facilities in most schools? Same for toilet breaks. Will canteens operate at all or will kids bring packed lunch and remain in a pod and/or the same room for the day? Do we dispense with PE for the year? Are school sports done for now? What happens practical equipment after each use? Do we split practical groups and teach the same stuff 2/3 times? Masks and temperature checks for all? Who will be responsible for it? How do students safely enter school buildings? How do we manage buses? Plenty to be teased out. Leo's 'bespoke solution for schools' should worry anyone concerned with student/staff health as it currently seems to mean doing away with all guidelines observed in other areas of employment. And before anyone else starts. Yes, I want to go back to school. Yes, the closure of schools is detrimental to student development but that doesn't mean you don't seek the best solution for all before returning and try to avoid unnecessary health risks.
khalessi wrote: » I have seen one suggestion for CF so far and having CF in my family I am paying attention. It has been suggested in her school that she be allowed wear a mask or plastic faceguard if she wishes. They already have had extensive hygiene measures in place for a number of years for children with CF. Also in the back of each classroom, it has been suggested to have a row of tables for children with CF or asthma or other immunocompromised illnesses who wish to attend school. These tables at the back of the room will have Perpex on 3 sides of the desk to help protect them. They also are being consulted about other measures that the child/ family would like to see.
Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: » There should be no question mark over where funding is coming from, for what will be a very basic requirement. The department need to confirm that they are funding and arranging supply and fit, the only questions for Principals should be how many do you need and where do you want them. You'd have thought those type of practical things would be well in hand by now and definitely before any 'plan' was unveiled.
brendanwalsh wrote: » Ok, but other students not wearing masks could spread it still. How do you protect immunosuppressed staff?
brendanwalsh wrote: You have to protect all staff. What’s your suggestion to protect staff who are Immunosuppressed? Or children immunosuppressed? How will you ensure protection of children with cystic fibrosis?
iamwhoiam wrote: » I was thinking more how restaurants adapted and did takeaway
firemansam4 wrote: » There is going to be cases for some children and teachers who will need special protection. Unfortunately I think if the risk is that high, they should not be returning to school for now. There is not going to be any magic answer that I or anyone else can give you that will cover all eventualities. I agree a lot more planning for this needs to be put in place and any vulnerable children or teachers should not be forced back to school. But IMO we need to do everything possible to get children back to school full time in September.
brendanwalsh wrote: » Ok. Department of schools will need to make a mechanism for immunosuppressed staff so to make themselves known
khalessi wrote: » What would being on this list mean? There are many illnesses which would have been easily managed and not have been affected by teaching in a school environment, prior to Covid19 such as Lupus, Crohns Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Psoriasis Asthma, etc Would these teachers who feel medically well but are immunosuppressed due to the illness or the medications be allowed teach from home? Or what would be suggessted in their case.
Yosef Stocky Backspace wrote: » As an example, I know of 6 teachers from my former school who have been advised to cocoon. All are aged in the 25 to 55 range. Three are on immunosuppressants for psoriasis or Crohn's. One has Cushing's disease. One has lupus. One had a transplant. These are just the teachers I know well enough or whose illness was common knowledge. There could very easily be others who kept their condition quiet. Replacing 6 teachers will be a major issue, particularly when subjects are considered (one Chemistry, one Irish, one Home Ec among them). On top of that there are 7 teachers in their 60s - I wouldn't be surprised to see them retire. Even if two retire that would be 8 to replace, possibly including Maths/Irish. Teacher supply needs to be a major part of the government plan, even if they cross their fingers and toes and hope most will go back with no special arrangements. And parents need to realise the scale of recruitment and retention issues in schools.
downthemiddle wrote: » Unfortunately, I believe schools are heading into the eye of a storm. The DES have set the agenda and given parents expectations that schools will be unable to meet. A set of protocols will be produced laced with Orwellian doublespeak. An apparent large sum of money will be announced and the expectation will be that schools are being well catered for. The reality will be that the money will cover an extra hour of cleaning per week and a couple of bottles of hand sanitiser in individual schools. Lip service will be paid to the staffing issues that will undoubtedly arise without dealing with the problem. Schools will then make the best of the situation and use their usual inventive methods of covering the deep flaws in an inadequately funded system. Meanwhile parents will wonder why schools are not providing the service that the minister promised. The media will take schools to task and union leaders will appear defensive when they criticise the DES.
iamwhoiam wrote: » I would well believe it . Same happened with health care over the years . Promises , promises and nothing materialised . The staff picked up the slack and kept the health services from collapsing .
byhookorbycrook wrote: » Ten weeks in , the DES sent “ guidelines for remote learning” to schools . Based on that - and previous DES form , expect guidance for schools to land at 4.55 at midterm
Scoondal wrote: » Most other EU countries already have students back in class. But Ireland is different because, but but this and that (oh and the teachers are on full salary for two hours work per day).
