chocoholic999 wrote: » Masks will be mandatory if the school cannot implement the 1m SD.
sideswipe wrote: » Thanks Lulublue. As part of the assessment we were advised to get some extra home support. Homeschooling would be an option because of the nature of our work but she loves school, her teachers and her friends too much for that. I suppose I’m wonders if there are Qualified primary teachers that don’t teach in school settings but rather work privately? It’s come up in conversation with some other parents that if school was to end up closed again or blended learning it might be an option to set up a smaller, more manageable group in a home setting with a teacher where the issues of hygiene, SD, ventilation etc etc could be managed far better with 3 or 4 families sharing the cost for a full or partial week.
Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: » Where exactly does it say that because that's not what I've read in the guidelines? Masks won't be mandatory in our schools. The schools are an exception otherwise they wouldn't have been closed for 6 months. If it was that easy then why didn't we just make it mandatory back in May and open back up the schools then? The countries that have "recommended" masks for pupils were closed for a few weeks at most. If it wasn't masks it'd be some other sticking point.
Spanish Eyes wrote: » Don't kill me yet, but what about visors for everyone. They are ok from a breathing pov, you can see and hear people aswell. I've used them. They cost (I think) a tenner in Super Valu. Just wondered if this could be something to be explored rather than other either dubious or futile suggestions. Hand gel at every move too. One for everyone in the audience. Use the "optional" donation for Schools to invest in PPE maybe now? I caveat my post by saying that I have no school going kids now, so be kind.
combat14 wrote: » just heard of 3 teachers not coming back from dubai this year wonder what the numbers of available of staff will be like for next year
chocoholic999 wrote: » Visors would certainly be more comfortable than masks. Others have posted that they are not a effective as masks though but I’m not sure.
am_zarathustra wrote: » "Students, faculty and other employees should wear masks properly at all times. Face shields, while not as good as masks — droplets can enter or exit from the bottom or sides — are better than nothing and an option for those who for medical reasons are unable to wear a mask. Everyone should wash hands or sanitize them every hour or so. Adequate ventilation and rigorous nightly cleaning of facilities with disinfectants will also need to be aspects of these return-to-school strategies. Schools need to reduce class size to allow students to be 6 feet apart. Recommendations from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine and data from other countries suggest some 10 to 15 students in a regular classroom is about right. Students should also be assigned to “pods” or “cohorts” — small groups to limit the number of people they interact with throughout the day. Students should not change classrooms — teachers should — and student arrivals and departures should be staggered." This is the advice from the NASEM. We probably have two scientist in the whole country that could maybe hope to ever work for this organisation given the type of credentials required. I believe their advice in actually valid. I don't for a second believe any scientist/researcher (and I know a fair few and was one before I became a teacher) would stand over the current guidelines. The ASTI are absolutely right to query them There is a great study done early on in China in a restaurant on spread, completely dependent on where the person was in relation to the person shedding viral particles and the air conditioning unit!! The kids will all be in hoodies and coats!!https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/20/health/airflow-coronavirus-restaurants.html
chocoholic999 wrote: » It’s in the framework for social distancing. Another poster has posted the relevant paragraph. The fact is that some schools just won’t be able to implement 1m SD, even after implementing everything in the roadmap. Students in those schools will have to wear masks for any class where SD is impossible.
am_zarathustra wrote: » (a) more than 24 students in a 49sq classroom that has been fully cleared (b) more than 20 students in a 42sqm classroom.
Spanish Eyes wrote: » Better than blended learning or them all cramming in 30 to a class with an uncomfortable mask I would think. And the teacher can be seen and heard and vice versa. Might be worth a shot.
am_zarathustra wrote: » They are categorically not as safe. The only way it would be safe for the teacher would be if all the students wore masks and they wore a shield but it's worth noting that the teacher could be sheding virus then so would need to be very mindful of staying 2m away. I agree though, given the distance we will be at a mask would really muffle the voice.Masks for kids, shields for teachers, that's what I would have assumed the recommendation would have been as that is very clearly what research is saying. I'd be happy with that to be honest
am_zarathustra wrote: » They are categorically not as safe. The only way it would be safe for the teacher would be if all the students wore masks and they wore a shield but it's worth noting that the teacher could be sheding virus then so would need to be very mindful of staying 2m away. I agree though, given the distance we will be at a mask would really muffle the voice. Masks for kids, shields for teachers, that's what I would have assumed the recommendation would have been as that is very clearly what research is saying. I'd be happy with that to be honest
bmc58 wrote: » A five year old in Senior Infants cannot be expected to wear a mask.
Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: » So they can wear a visor if the school does not have available space to meet the criteria and they don't have a medical reason not to wear one. Students still won't have to wear masks though, they can wear a visor (in "exceptional circumstances") which is much more comfortable than a mask (or they can get a note and be excused from wearing any face covering and be moved to a room where social distancing is possible). "The school must consider" does not equal they have to. Specifically states that any face covering is not to be worn all day either. And nothing of the sort for primary I take it.
caveat emptor wrote: » What does the new information mean in context of pandemic. We can control risk but assuming only droplet transmission is now 100% wrong. The measures taken in most parts of society haven’t addressed this yet. Will take time to mitigate but common sense regard windows and airflow should be applied. Don’t take my word for it. Here’s a different random guy on Internet who has a credential or two and is willing to share them with you.https://twitter.com/alinouriphd/status/1288838288065933313?s=21
Redordeadqwwer wrote: » Sorry but we're we not all under the impression it is transmitted through the air?
Rjd2 wrote: » https://www.thelocal.ch/20200730/swiss-health-chiefs-warn-visors-no-substitute-for-face-masks Sadly the Swiss health chiefs think they are not as effective as masks.
Rimmy wrote: » Would rather everyone had a face shield. Masks just lead to necessary face touching.
