drunkmonkey wrote: » Masks are a tiny part of the equation, they do not prevent covid. The original and main health instructions are still the best but are now being completely ignored. Wash your hands, keep a 2 meter distance, dispose of single use masks after use, wash your reusable mask regularly. This is not happening since masks were introduced, santaiser seems to have disappeared, we are and will continue to get increased cases without following the basics. NPHET was reluctant to introduce masks as an advisory but eventually buckled to media pressure. It's been a huge mistake. We have no plan B now, Goggles are next watch the media start to bang that drum shortly. Covid begins and ends at our borders if Government are serious about schools mandatory quarantine has to be introduced, there's no other option. How in the hell are schools going to control proper use of ppe, nobody is using masks properly.
Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: » Masks also give a false sense of security which can lead to people ignoring the basics. They probably are contributing to the problem at this stage.
am_zarathustra wrote: » This is worth a look for anyone who would actually like to see a comparable plan to ours in action.......take a look in the future. "Israeli schools reopened in May, not with the under-9s as originally planned, but with all ages together. When a heat wave swelled temperatures to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, mask requirements were dropped. Outbreaks followed quickly, causing a new shutdown. Based on UNESCO and Israeli government data, around 26,000 of Israel’s roughly 120,000 teachers are positive for the coronavirus or in isolation. Siegal Sadetzki, Israel’s top health official, resigned, claiming her advice had been ignored."https://www.politico.com/news/2020/07/30/open-schools-exception-not-rule-387507 They started with masks, slow and steady and rates remained low. Then they abandoned masks and they had a massive surge. Over a third of all cases in Isreal are directly to do with educational settings. I really dont want to bring the kids back to send them home 5 weeks later because we didn't get them to wear masks. That just seems stupid. We know it will help so just do it.
helpful wrote: » Talking to a crèche worker recently who said that everything just seems normal and she isn’t sure why the teachers are making such a big deal out of it. I’m not sure what her numbers are but I know in preschool the ratio is 1 adult for 11 children. Preschool aged children would be less likely to comprehend social distancing so if they’re doing it I’m sure children in formal education will cope. They’ll need to be told the rules and a strict adherence enforced.
Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: » Are there any European schools that have full mandatory mask wearing for pupils in schools? From what I can tell there aren't. They are mandatory in some countries secondary schools in certain circumstances e.g moving through communal areas or similar to our own guidance where SD can't be maintained. But I don't know if any European country has a blanket compulsory mask wearing rule for pupils in schools. We need to be careful and take a balanced approach to it. Schools have been open for many weeks across Europe and it hasn't led to a significant increase in cases in those settings.
Scoondal wrote: » Of course normal European countries have had schools back with sensible changes. But Ireland is totally diiferent because we can't cope with this problem.
alroley wrote: » My cousin has sent her kids back to creche and they are in a pod with 5 other children. The staff member only interacts with children in their pod. Over the course of the week I would teach around 170-200 students (my classes have 25 - 30 in them) It is ridiculous to compare a creche to a school.
Newbienoob wrote: » Creches are open 5 weeks now with a single case reported... Which I read was due to the worker travelling, not the creche. Do the creches have 30 kids with one childcare assistant? I thought their ratios were MUCH lower Creches have a higher ratio of staff to kids plus not all kids have returned yet so small amount of kids in a tiny pod. Very very different set up to classrooms. Local creche has only a third of kids back and don't anticipate full return until September. Also we won't hear about it..did they test all the kids where the staff member had it? Test all the staff? The narrative the media is portraying is kids don't spread it so as schools return as normal.
Charles Babbage wrote: » The government needed to say that masks were compulsory but that schools could allow them not be used in specific defined circumstances. Anything else is nonsense.
wirelessdude01 wrote: » See this is where the government need to say it's compulsory. We don't have a leg to stand on otherwise. We aren't like a shop that set their own rules. I saw a shop refuse entry to a father and son the other day because they hadn't masks on.
Alrigghtythen wrote: » And the plan is to sit back and let them spread covid?
jimmytwotimes 2013 wrote: » Hopefully parents will back the efforts of schools. However, parents often refuse to come and collect their Johnny if he's landed in trouble for acting the absolute maggot.
Blondini wrote: » Riiiiggght.... I've seen a student headbutt a teacher and not get sent home.
Voltairey wrote: » I found that very disheartening and even moreso the fact that we have no information and are left with a knot of uncertainty and anxiety instead of given an assurance we will be safe. I am far from being alone in my situation. I am 33 years old so stand a better chance than the 10 60+ staff members in my school, several of whom I know have underlying conditions. I have not announced my resignation yet as I'm hoping for clarity early next week but I feel like I'll be the first domino. I asked my doctor and she said that if you don't disclose the medical reason for something, right or wrong, it throws up speculation and suspicion. Whatever the law says about privacy, there are going to be people questioning the legitimacy of your claim when you are vague with your health issue. Personally any of my colleagues I'm friendly with know that I have the transplant as I took time off for surgery and I'm sure word has spread, so I'm not bothered about my own situation. But there are other at-risk staff and students who are not being catered to with the current plan. We're too crowded and it's freezing there at the moment so I can't even imagine what winter will be like.
Alrigghtythen wrote: » It should be non optional. If the dont use it as required, they should get sent home.
jimmytwotimes 2013 wrote: » This isn't true. Your tech analogy. Are most tech companies started by someone who was in tech anyway? Apple, Microsoft etc. People up-skill, people emerge as leaders etc. All teachers aren't morons
markodaly wrote: » And? Normally these positions go to the person who was there longest in the school teaching. Any principal should be required to go and learn some sort of MBA type of qualification as a statuary requirement.
wirelessdude01 wrote: » Sorry for the delay in responding as I destroyed my keyboard after splurting out my drink. I know full well I'll have kids saying my mam said I don't have to use the school provided hand sanitiser because(insert some reason).
