How will schools be able to go back in September?

secondary school students will be asked to wear masks on school buses, but wearing them in classes will be optional

#science

jimmytwotimes 2013 wrote: »

If that's the plan, it's barely that and very disappointing. They couldn't even stretch to compulsory masks for 2nd level.

The unions will rightly oppose I assume and will be pilloried for doing the right thing.

Shudnt have expected anything else

Yup I am expecting the teachers are stopping reopening argument pretty soon

lulublue22 wrote: »

My teenager is asthmatic and struggles with masks yet she still wears one when required. I admit a mask all day in school will be a huge challenge ( for her) But we all have to play our part unless medically unable to do so. Teenagers without health conditions should be well able to get on with it.

Niece is the same with Cystic Fibrosis and will be wearing a mask. She wears one at all times leaving the house.

khalessi wrote: »

Yup I am expecting the teachers are stopping reopening argument pretty soon

I assume that the articles are already typed and ready to be uploaded.

Ciara Kelly will already have her 'contributers' ready.

Icyseanfitz wrote: »

With a lot of our teenagers it will become 50% teaching, 50% telling them to put their masks back on

This is what I'm wondering, with so much focus on covid prevention measures, how much actual learning will be happening?

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

I assume that the articles are already typed and ready to be uploaded.

Ciara Kelly will already have her 'contributers' ready.

Leo seeded that particular narrative last week.

Mr Varadkar also said he had "every confidence" that teachers will rise to the challenge and make sure schools are open at the beginning of the new school year.

The effectiveness of masks diminishes with time anyway.

They are effective at reducing spread for the first hour or two, after which their effectiveness reduces quite seriously.

Thus it makes little sense to require masks when kids will spend 4+ hours together, but perfect sense to don the masks on busses and when leaving the classroom.

So unless the guidance will include a requirement for kids to bring 3 masks to school with them every day and change them regularly, and have them washed and ready to go the next day, then wearing a mask in the classroom is of little use.

Especially when we already know the covid risk for kids to be very low.

seamus wrote: »

The effectiveness of masks diminishes with time anyway.

They are effective at reducing spread for the first hour or two, after which their effectiveness reduces quite seriously.

.....

So unless the guidance will include a requirement for kids to bring 3 masks to school with them every day and change them regularly, and have them washed and ready to go the next day, then wearing a mask in the classroom is of little use.

Especially when we already know the covid risk for kids to be very low.

If they have to change a mask every 4 hrs, let them bring 2 masks to school everyday, better than none.

Majority of students at 2nd level are 13+ and are not classed as "kids"

lulublue22 wrote: »

Thats where the discipline policy comes in and behaviour around covid 19 especially in secondary school should be part of a discipline policy. Students and patents need to be aware that there is a level of behaviour around covid that is non negotiable.

Yes wearing of masks should have consequences for students that will not engage with it, but the reality is that there will always be the few who continue to push the boundaries of whatever rules are in school. Can these students be sent home? Will their parents even answer the phone. It's a problem, and a major one as it has health ramifications.

seamus wrote: »

The effectiveness of masks diminishes with time anyway.

They are effective at reducing spread for the first hour or two, after which their effectiveness reduces quite seriously.

Thus it makes little sense to require masks when kids will spend 4+ hours together, but perfect sense to don the masks on busses and when leaving the classroom.

So unless the guidance will include a requirement for kids to bring 3 masks to school with them every day and change them regularly, and have them washed and ready to go the next day, then wearing a mask in the classroom is of little use.

Especially when we already know the covid risk for kids to be very low.

Do staff not get any consideration no ? So in September I will not be able to go into my local shop for 5 mins even if there are only 2 others in there without a mask. Neither will I be able to get on a bus that practices social distancing without a mask but it is perfectly ok to teach in a poorly ventilated room of 30 fir 5h 40mins a day every day 5 days a week. That’s great tks.

Boggles wrote: »

Sorry what?

Yes.

There are two effects here. One is that masks only reduce the particulate in the air, they do not remove it. Thus after wearing a mask for a certain amount of time in a room, the air becomes as particulate-dense as if you hadn't worn one at all.

The second effect is that as you continuously breathe into the mask, it becomes more and more saturated. After a while, it reaches a point that it's basically useless.

Around 2 hours is the typical point, but there is some limited benefit up to 4.

https://www.ijic.info/article/download/10788/7862/

If you want masks worn in classrooms, then you need everyone to change their masks every 2 hours (at least), otherwise it's absolutely pointless.

seamus wrote: »

Yes.

There are two effects here. One is that masks only reduce the particulate in the air, they do not remove it. Thus after wearing a mask for a certain amount of time in a room, the air becomes as particulate-dense as if you hadn't worn one at all.

The second effect is that as you continuously breathe into the mask, it becomes more and more saturated. After a while, it reaches a point that it's basically useless.

Around 2 hours is the typical point, but there is some limited benefit up to 4.

https://www.ijic.info/article/download/10788/7862/

If you want masks worn in classrooms, then you need everyone to change their masks every 2 hours (at least), otherwise it's absolutely pointless.

Easily solvable, the children bring 2 or 3 masks in a day and change at break. In China the children bring 3 masks a day in and change their masks during the break after they have eaten

seamus wrote: »

The risk to the teachers from the kids is also very low. Provided the teachers do not mix with other teachers, there is little to be concerned about.

People working in offices and restaurants practicing SD are at far higher risk than a teacher in classroom.

10 year olds+ can spread Covid19 as easily as adults so that is 4th class upwards. As SET I will be in multiple bubbles or pods. So I am wearing a mask regardless.

seamus wrote: »

The risk to the teachers from the kids is also very low. Provided the teachers do not mix with other teachers, there is little to be concerned about.

People working in offices and restaurants practicing SD are at far higher risk than a teacher in classroom.

According to the south korea study children as young as 10 can transmit the virus. Thats approx 4th class. From 4th class to LC includes an awfully lot of children with the potential to transmit covid.

Icyseanfitz wrote: »

I mean there is probably very little disciplinary measures that will work this year, group detention is probably out of the question, not being able to play sports etc won't matter as they might not even be happening this year. This year is sure going to be interesting if nothing else, it's a mine field of problems when it's looked at closely.

Not really, long established student-teacher relationships and expectations established at most schools. I'm not expecting them to be jumping out the windows.