Schools closed until March/April? (part 4) **Mod warning in OP 22/01**

Icyseanfitz wrote: »

Face masks of the correct standard in an amount that doesn't run out in the first 2 weeks of school would be lovely.

We got one, yes ONE reusable mask. That was the sum total apart from a bottle of bleach.

Tpcl20 wrote: »

No, there's no issue with returning, but the Department has not put any of the safeguards in place:

As I said, a vague and poorly structured response:

1. An assessment....
2. Prioritisation - something concrete at least
3. Serial testing - again something concrete; worth noting though that this is not provided to all frontline healthcare workers
4. Risk assessments....
5. That's a reasonable demand but surely only accounts for a tiny proportion of workers involved
6. A review...
7. An audit....
8. Information on childcare - creches are open, right? What specifically are you looking for?

I'll leave it at that but imo it's a very poor reflection on the teaching unions that they couldn't facilitate the return to school of a very small number of vulnerable children this week

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

We got one, yes ONE reusable mask. That was the sum total apart from a bottle of bleach.

Not that unusual unfortunately

We got a sum total of two masks in my job which is customer facing and also public sector

Stateofyou wrote: »

We can do both. We can pay teachers the salary they're worth AND we should be funding the sector properly.

Oh, of course we can do both but that means increasing taxes on people, or just borrowing more indefinitely, which is against EU fiscal rules.
Are the Unions really going to advocate that we raise taxes to pay for their increased salary demands?

Why do people always do this to each other. Instead of fighting over the scraps the government gives we should unite and demand better for our citizens and our children. After all, education is an *essential* service, we should be treating it like one. Instead we have crumbling buildings, budget shortfalls often made up from pta fundraising and from teachers own pockets, lack of upgraded equipment/books/ any playgrounds, and among the largest class sizes in Europe which numerous studies have shown the best outcomes for all students would involve much smaller ratios.

I may agree, so instead of fighting against each other, we should unite... so lets all unite behind the most forgotten and worst-paid people in the education sector. That is right, childcare educators. So, with that in mind, when are the TUI and ASTI going to threaten to go on strike for these people?

Oh, what is that I hear? Crickets?

See, people talk a good game but run away when their own interests arent being put forward.

Smacruairi wrote: »

In NI there is mass testing of both students and snas in special schools, contact testing, ppe supplied. Where was that offered in the recent announcement by Josepha.

Hint, wasn't.

Thats interesting

There's no serial testing of students or snas in England or Wales

TBF that situation in Northern Ireland is a good thing

lulublue22 wrote: »

I find it a pretty nasty and repulsive attitude to downplay the health concerns around spitting , biting , coughing and sneezing and wiping hands on staff by someone who doesn’t work in special ed as it’s not a pc topic to raise. Not every child displays those behaviours just as not every child is unable to access remote learning. Just because you don’t want to acknowledge these behaviours does not make them untrue and / or not relevant to the topic at hand no matter how much it affronts your pc sensibilities.

Ha

It’s a stark contrast to how medical professionals talk about their patients but I guess children with special needs don’t deserve dignity and respect from those who are employed to care for them.

Smacruairi wrote: »

Why would the association of secondary teachers get involved in primary care. It has nothing to do with them. The same way we don't comment on doctors voting to strike because they wanted a payrise to consultant level, or the whole student nurses debacle.

Marko, you are seeing reds under the bed again my friend and you are losing your cool.

I was responding to a post about us all uniting and fighting for what is right.... then we have your response telling us the remit and scope of what unions represent who....

So, are we uniting of dividing here?

Stateofyou wrote: »

Anyone remember Michael Martin pulling a political stunt late last summer going to a newer school with a larger classroom, and a perspex shield hanging from the ceiling for the teacher to teach behind? He wanted to highlight that, obviously. Where else is this type of ppe for teachers? :rolleyes:

Our schools has them, as does the school my friend is an sna in.

khalessi wrote: »

Did the bleach come with an update on instructions of not stealing it?

Surprised they haven't instructed us to drink it, although id say Norma is getting close :pac:

Look it, most classrooms cannot adhere to the 1m apart spacing requirements. Yet teachers, SNAs and children have worked there since September. Our schools were never fully safe to begin with yet we accepted it. That was due to the department doing sweet damn all except issue an insulting short document which was basically "wash the hands and get on with it"

Since then very little if anything has changed, and the virus is spreading more and more. The entire thing is a **** show and I'm just glad for once our unions have listened to us.

paddyirish23 wrote: »

I got 2 reusable masks from work. Get over it and use your initiative

What is your job