Concerned teaching assistant

[MissPiggy-13]

Just listened to PM's announcement and feeling worried as I'm a teaching assistant in a secondary school in Dudley which only yesterday entered tier 2. As a TA I'm not 2m away from the children. I wear a visor but not a face mask. PM said schools will remain fully open during the 2nd lockdown. This is making me feel vulnerable. Would be grateful to hear what others hear think.

[twinkly29]

I think people who can't work from home and are extremely vulnerable need to talk to work, GP and occupational health to look at individual risks.

Having said that, most asthmatics are no longer considered any more at risk than anyone else - it's a shame this info hasn't been passed on by the government who were supposed to be reviewing at risk groups after shielding ended.

[MissPiggy-13 in reply to twinkly29]

Thanks for your answer. It does feel as if those who are vulnerable are no longer being thought of in the same way. My brother, who also has asthma, had it in April and was really bad. Managed to stay out of hospital but had paramedic 3 times. Couldn't speak, literally, as gasping for breath. Utterly horrible & scary. So I know what it can do......

[Jolu29 in reply to MissPiggy-13]

I am TA in school you can't be half metre away even, we don't wear any mask or visor, hoping they will make it compulsory now with lockdown. I've been in and out of school last term with uncontrolled asthma, surely they've got to protect us? Asthma nurse should be calling next week see what she says, yes phone your gp for advise

[MissPiggy-13 in reply to Jolu29]

Thanks for your answer. I've had some bouts of uncontrollable asthma - autumn is a trigger month for me. I'm overdue to see asthma nurse at gp clinic as should've gone in March, but couldn't get appt due to Covid. I spoke to a dr who said to take blue inhaler whenever I needed to - I've been taking it every day anyway & also take montelukast. Thought it odd as asthma nurse would have said that's not right but maybe things are different now? Will try to talk with dr again.

[Afrohair in reply to Jolu29]

Surely it's your choice to wear a mask it may not be compulsory but it's your choice at my sons school they all wear one of the other and for teaching assistant it is a choice if you wear one

[MissPiggy-13 in reply to Afrohair]

I've been wearing a visor although do have to keep taking it off to help me breathe.

[twinkly29 in reply to MissPiggy-13]

It's because in studies they've done most asthmatics haven't faired differently (as in worse) than others. Of course individuals all react differently though and may have other factors adding to it - eg. being male is a factor in itself I think. But do speak to your GP if you're concerned because your situation is personal to you.

[MissPiggy-13 in reply to twinkly29]

Thanks for your answer. I feel freaked due to my brother's episode and his asthma has always been more controlled than mine. Will try to get to talk to dr early next week.

[twinkly29 in reply to MissPiggy-13]

It's such a random virus too seemingly which doesn't help either.

Hope you can get to speak to your GP or asthma nurse, especially if generally your asthma isn't brilliantly controlled.

[Hidden]

Hi! I am a nursery assistant and feel exactly the same way... it’s terrifying! It doesn’t help that I can’t wear face masks, I really want to but they cause me to become very short of breath, tight chested and wheezy even when just wearing for a minute or two, I can’t even tolerate face shields for very long either... The government says to minimise any contact with others when vulnerable or extremely vulnerable, but nothing in place to actually protect us or support those of us that have to work in places that aren’t COVID safe or secure! It’s frightening! Stay safe x

[MissPiggy-13 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your answer. I fully understand what you mean about visors. I do wear a visor but have to keep taking it off to breathe properly and there's no way I'm even 1m from kids as am with sen secondary school kids who need so much extra support - how do you do that 1m away? It's a nightmare and exhausting. I honestly think schools need to close for the lockdown to work and slow the spread. I also have a teenager who has auto immune disease abd hasn't returned to college but, luckily, college have agreed couse can be done virtually online with them. Am feeling vulnerable for us both and definitely not looking forward to returning to school tomorrow which on Saturday went into tier 2 (I live in tier 1 area) & now this 2nd lockdown. I do hope unions make govt see sense and close the schools.

[Hidden in reply to MissPiggy-13]

Exactly... I work with under 2s so there is no social distancing at all... I get what you mean about it being exhausting too, I constantly come home feeling drained by it all! Oh gosh, that's good that the college have put measures in place, hopefully they can keep it up and keep you and your family safe! I completely agree with you about having to do something about schools closing... I completely get how vital they are and how important it is that children have the best education possible, but they have got to do something to stop this spread and protect people... I am in a tier 1 area too, although before last night's announcement it was looking like we were heading to tier 2 (did I read you are from the Dudley area? I'm in Hereford, so not all that far away!)

[Poobah]

You should have had an occupational health review by now to ensure that any risks specific to you, while at work, are minimised. The review provides recommendations to the employer, designed to keep you safe, these are called reasonable adjustments. Have a chat with HR and ask if they have occupational health services. Explain that you have asthma. Most schools and academies should have OH. But if they don't, you can use a free government scheme called Access to Work. gov.uk/access-to-work

[ninelives in reply to Poobah]

Thanks for that info Poobah.

Difficult time for all of us.

You may remember I work part time in a school office ,am classed as extreme vulnerable,and like so many need to hang onto my job.

Don't really understand this lockdown or whether educational places are a reservoir for covid.

Glad am not in govt trying to navigate a safe way through this.

Any govt would struggle wherever in world they are...

[twinkly29 in reply to ninelives]

It's a strange one. Of course infections are going to spread in schools (it's ludicrous for them to suggest otherwise) ..... but if children aren't at school how are parents supposed to work (from home or elsewhere), which they need to do as people need their jobs, and look after children and do/supervise the homeschooling? I'm not actually asking you obviously 😅. If they could actually use these 10 minute tests (that they've been saying for months that they have) en masse regularly in schools maybe that would help. There is no easy answer.... just seemingly a lot of (very changeable) vague ideas...!

However the government do need to somehow support those who genuinely can't work from home (and sort out who those people are - after shielding ended they were supposed to because they'd identified new groups). But as with everything.....🤷🤷🤷

[ninelives in reply to twinkly29]

Have already been advised if asked to shield my job would not be held open....

Many of us are in same boat...

[twinkly29 in reply to ninelives]

That is just utterly.......I can't think of a non-swear word!! Awful doesn't really cut it. 😞

[MissPiggy-13 in reply to Poobah]

Thanks for your comment. I started at the school in September & they did a risk assessment which included no sharing of desk, eating at own desk, social distancing..... There is now no dedicated desk for me & I was originally in "bubble" with same yr 7 class in same room & on break & lunch duty in same room but then was put with a year 8 class once a week and vulnerable year 9s were kept into the break and lunch yr 7 room. Socially distancing from day 1 was a nightmare as I work with sen kids so actually wouldn't be doing my job properly if I'm even a metre away.

I also have a teenager with auto immune disease and live in tier 1 area but school I work in the area went into tier 2 yesterday, and now national lockdown.

I'll definitely talk to the school about my worries and thank you for the link, will have a look at that too.

[Poobah in reply to MissPiggy-13]

A risk assessment is NOT an occupational health review. All places of work have to carry out regular risk assessments regardless of the existence of Covid. An occupational health review is carried out by an accredited practitioner and it will be specific to you, your health and how workplace risks could negatively impact your already compromised health. Recommendations of adjustments should be applied by the employer, and may include a change in duties or additional safety equipment. Talk to HR about having an OH review. And if you're still unconvinced, look at the Access to Work website.

[MissPiggy-13 in reply to Poobah]

Thanks Poobah. I will definitely talk to the school about it and in the meantime will look at the Access to Work website. Thanks for your help and input, means a lot.

[Poobah in reply to MissPiggy-13]

You're welcome.

[HRV123]

I’m in a similar position, I was classed as extremely clinically vulnerable in first lockdown, I work in a SEN school with challenging behaviour. Our pupils just do not have the capacity to understand social distancing and frequently put wet, dribble hands on my face 😫 I try and wear a visor but it gets knocked off or falls off during physical incidents. I have no clue where I stand now 😬 I have expressed my concern a few times but just get told they are following guidance 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Poobah in reply to HRV123]

gov.uk/access-to-work

[MissPiggy-13]

I feel the guidance isn't enough and surely should change if we're going into lockdown? I feel your frustration and worries. It's awful being put in this situation. Did they do a risk assessment for you? I started at the school I September and had one but things changed as the weeks went by. I've decided I'm going to speak to the school about my concerns, and that risk assessment not being followed. Also, if it's helpful to you, have a look at this free government scheme called Access to Work. gov.uk/access-to-work which Poobar kindly sent in a message. I'm going to take a look.

[Poobah in reply to MissPiggy-13]

I can't stress enough that an occupational health review is necessary as it's carried out by an accredited practitioner rather than a member of staff who has done a short course on how to carry out a workplace risk assessment. No offence to folk who do risk assessments, but they are not trained in occupational health. The main difference is the RA looks at the workplace (not health or individuals) and the OH looks at the individual and their health within a specific workplace environment and their duties in the workplace. The latter can make recommendations to have physical changes made to the workplace or a change in duties for the individual, even extending to working from home.

[MissPiggy-13]

Thanks Poobah. Knowing that makes me feel a little more in control of the situation when I speak to them.

[Stephxmx]

Hi the PM did say if you are extremely vulnerable and can’t work from home don’t go to work as of Thursday. I will be speaking to my school tomorrow regarding the matter. I am totally devastated, I’d prefer him to shut schools that way I won’t feel like I’m letting them down

[MissPiggy-13 in reply to Stephxmx]

That's exactly how I feel, like I'm letting them down, even more so as only started in September! & I honestly do think schools need to close if lockdown is to work & slow the spread regardless of my own feelings of vulnerability. I fear if they are fully open then lockdown will exceed 4 weeks.

[Stephxmx in reply to MissPiggy-13]

Michael goves has just said he expects lockdown to go further than 2nd Dec. My view is it’s the young ones spreading it in schools. Not all get symptoms. I’m exactly the same started a new school in September and already had the week before half-time off through being in hospital. He doesn’t make things clear at all

[Cakerunner]

I feel exactly the same.....I'm in primary, very small children, very poor hand hygiene despite our best efforts.....no masks....and no distancing.....equals no protection 😔

[Lindsay717]

Do you have a good relationship with your colleagues and management. I work in a primary school I do lunchtime then ta in afternoons and after schoolclub. My colleagues I work with help if I don't feel I can go out because of my chest and cold they will take the outdoor and I stay in. We also have regular documented conversations about risks including covid and what steps can be put in place there are a few people who are on the vulnerable list at work. Luckily I am able to wear a mask some of the time or a face shield. I feel looked after and my mental health would suffer if I shielded again. So for me going to work is my health taking to others and having adult conversation. I live alone with a challaging 15 year old. I think a occasional risk assessment is needed but may take time. I would try talking and raising your concerns with your coworkers and management.

[utkmybrthawy]

Every time I’ve ever gotten very sick it has been from students. Every time. (WAY more teaching elementary school than high school). Get on unemployment. d. ( teacher for 30 years)

[Beetle53]

Hi referring above to where someone said female asthmatics might not at such a high risk compared to others... They do score highly in the statistics of suffering from long covid according to some articles I read... Prompted by another string on this forum...

Anyway good luck... It is worrying times.🙄 but remain positive. 🙂