Schools closed until February? (part 3)

Is there not a teacher/sub shortage? Are the subs not known to be very few and spread horrifically thinly across many different schools? I also heard, and I don't know how many, that they aren't taking positions at schools known to have cases or outbreaks.

-If it's so easy to implement this in the space of one week, why the f-k has it taken them so long to do. Has this not been asked for by the school community since September?

-If the HSE often aren't deeming teachers and SNA's to be close contacts, then what tangible difference will it actually make?

-If the HSE are refusing to test all students in a small, overcrowded classroom sharing the same air for more than 5 hours, then what tangible difference will it actually make?

-This new term "mass testing" is suddenly everywhere and all it is, is a play on semantics. There is no such thing as "mass testing."

-The HSE still refuse to publish the figures in the schools we're looking for and in a transparent manner. Why?

-I think this is mainly an optics move to try and placate the unions and keep the schools open for economic reasons at any cost. In reality there will be the same faulty testing and therefore tracing happening, in an environment that will allow a huge amount of asymptomatic people to spread the virus and bring into the home.

-In reality, teachers and school staff are no safer. Students are not more safe. Classrooms aren't larger. Class sizes aren't any smaller. Ventilation isn't any better. Masks still aren't required in primary though children aged 10 and older are shown to contract and spread the virus at least as well as adults do. There has been no announcement of extra PPE being supplied such as facemarks (enough to allow 2-3 changes daily), shields (in supplement to masks to protect eyes, not in place of masks), microphone funding, perspex shields for every teacher desk (good luck getting that to fit in every small classroom in this country, féck off with your media stunt Michael) nor are there shields for students desks and other countries have done.

-And last but certainly not least, there is still absolutely no work done on a national, government or school body level, for a hybrid remote learning plan. Which will ensure a fair and level support to children to continue their education in light of continuous quarantines, illness, class and school closures and sub shortages. It will give choice to and protect students, staff and families who are higher risk of which there are huge amounts of people needed to avail of. Which would reduce class sizes and allow for a safer environment for those still needing to be in full time and those rotating in/out.

-Where is the forward thinking, the talent to lead, the transparency we all want and deserve, and the protection of our citizens and especially our children while still keeping the economy going?

This government is an utter disgrace.

meeeeh wrote: »

Maybe we should have SF government who are doing such a stellar job in the North. Then we'd be sorted.

SF are leading the government and making decisions for citizens in NI?

meeeeh wrote: »

Oh that's the excuse now. It's nothing to do with them, blame the Unionists and Boris when it goes bad and take credit when it goes well. Maybe they should resign their positions if governing North has nothing to do with them.

I wouldn't drag this in but I think it's pretty sad that Shinners are trying to close schools for electoral gains.

Are you away with the fairies or what?
Those words are your own. No-one said any of that.
How is SF in complete control there.
What has SF actually done wrong, and w/out using hyperbole and conjecture again.

When I said "Sinn Fein anyone?" it's because FF and FG are actually in charge here and myself and many others can be critical and point to specific policy and leadership failure because they actually are steering the ship here.

I also asked that because in the 2020 Irish general election, Sinn Féin received greatest number of first preference votes nationally (and in party's history). Although the party tried to form a coalition with the Labour Party and Social Democrats, a deal could not be agreed before Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party formed a coalition of their own and to the exclusion of SF.

Although the people's choice was clear, SF have not had their chance to lead here. In light of and absence of competent leadership here (in my opinion) SF certainly should have the opportunity and especially because the people have spoken. Is this what democracy looks like?

I really don't want this turning political here, but I wanted to explain my comment on leadership in the context of failed school and health care policies, especially with covid management by those in power here.