What to wear .....

[HamHammy]

Back to teaching full time with no social distancing in Scotland tomorrow. Been in for one training day so far, another today. No other staff wearing any masks, visors, no PPE even in a windowless room with 40 people (sitting 2 metres apart). Teachers recommended not to wear face masks in meetings. Told to keep 2 metres from pupils. What ppe should I wear? Any thoughts. I will be the only one wearing it.

[HamHammy]

Yes. All staff will have the hand sanatizer for sure 👍

[HamHammy]

Should have said I am on benepali, methotrexate and get joint steroid injections twice a year. Have had three joint replacements on my hips, one shoulder resurface and awaiting an elbow replacement and wrist replacement. So severe RA. I am 50

[Eiram50 in reply to HamHammy]

I’m only going to say I wish you the very best of luck x

[bubblyalex]

‘.... no one else is going to wear a mask and worse even the school are recommending no one wears one.’ I am quite surprised by this. I would get a shield (visor) as well as a mask. I am not going out but I have had machine washable three layer cotton masks with heppa filters in made up. I am asthmatic and sensitive skin and they are very comfortable to wear. I don’t know if you would be more protected by having hospital grade ones though? I know what people say about gloves but I have rewash-able cotton ones and plastic ones. There may come a time (like masks) they suddenly tell us we should wear gloves now. All the carers/doctors etc etc do.

My carer said you can buy sprays that kill germs on impact with no wiping needed?

[Eiram50 in reply to bubblyalex]

My girls school are staying that the pupils can wear masks if they wish too.

Also, teachers who are working in close proximity with a young person, for more than 15 mins, are required to wear a mask.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to bubblyalex]

Hi Bubbly, Yes mask and visor I think too. My hubby wears disposable gloves to the supermarket and I do to have my blood tests at the docs. I have worn masks from the start of it as I had several spares from my art supplies. I’ve been used to wearing disposable gloves and masks for over 20 years as I’m a printmaker and used to get sticky inky gloves, so I am good at peeling them off inside out from the wrist without touching the outer glove. We may well be told to wear gloves too .. who knows .. but they are only effective if you change them re going into several shops/places and you remember not to touch your face when out. I have several masks which are treated cotton and have three inners layers one which is wadded and an inner pouch for the inserts. Those have a shaped chin triangle piece and gone U.K. high on the nose bridge and nose wire inside the top to mould to your nose and have thin adjustable ear straps so fit tightly. I’ve also got some Nanotech masks with a coated moisture/liquid repellent front and they are a very close fit and fit high up in the bridge of the nose which is really important and also like my others fit tight to the cheeks/side and no gaping. I do prefer the idea of the inserts though.

[allanah]

My daughter is a teacher in England, originally they did not wear masks , until the head caught it. They all wear pretty pattern masks now with charcoal inserts from the government

[HamHammy in reply to allanah]

Really wish staff pulled together on this and just did it like in your daughter's school. . I dont understand it but they just dont want to or feel they need to. I am in a secondary school so also feel exposed to teenagers but what can I do?

[allanah in reply to HamHammy]

Talk to your head. You are on drugs possibly that affect your immunity. If you feel its unsafe to go into a closed room , on your medication where you could possibly end up in hospital you should defo talk to your line manager or your union asap.

Personally I would call the union today , but what's wrong with wearing a mask to protect yourself anyway. You are at higher risk , be proud , you are an RA warrior , tell them you want to wear one and go outside for lunch , theres no rule book to say you cant. It's stupid... it's an infection disease to which no one has immunity. I cant see any reason that everyone including young adult students dont wear a mask indoors, like they would indoors in a shop or hospital ???

[HamHammy in reply to allanah]

I spoke to my head yesterday about it. He tells me he is going by government regulations with 2 metre distancing between teachers. That as the government has not enforced the wearing of masks by staff and pupils they dont need to wear them. Speaking to other staff they are choosing not to wear them. You r right though. I will b proud and wear a mask

[Lolabridge in reply to HamHammy]

But as Allanah has said you need to make it absolutely clear to your Head that you have reduced immunity because of your RA and medication. In your position, I would say “I’m keen to come back for the children so I hope you won’t mind if I choose to wear a mask in the classroom because I’m more vulnerable than other members of staff.”

If it’s still a problem get in touch with your union for advice. Good luck.

[allanah in reply to HamHammy]

You do need to tell them about your reduced immunity as there may and should be more they can do . Look up the government employment sites for covid. Lots of advice and give the NRAS helpline a ring , number is on nras.org.uk they have advice on this x

[jojo_71 in reply to HamHammy]

Honestly hun! Everywhere else we have to wear inside.. Or fines.

WHAT exactly makes schools different. Apart from the children not being as at risk.

AHEM! it's not only the children in the classroom. It boils my blood, they just make it up as they go along.

You take care my lovely, wear your mask and tell the kiddies to keep their distance. 😉👍❤️Lots of love Jo xx

[HamHammy in reply to jojo_71]

Awww thank you Jojo. Yes I agree. No difference. Will try my best xx

[Hidden]

I will be in the same position in September. I’m dreading it. I’m on etanercept and methotrexate I’m not stable. It’s one extreme to another I feel those that had to shield have been forgotten and not catered for. Can’t get any F2F medical appointments need to where a mask for a blood test but can sit in a windowless room with 40 other people no one wearing PPE ... so many questions but never the same answers given by more than one person. It will be an individual choice. Voice projection is a problem with a mask. A visor will only give minimal protection especially if you standing and your students are sitting or smaller than you the virus can in under the visor. Wish I was more help rather than sounding so gloomy. I wish you luck.

[HamHammy in reply to Hidden]

Oh it's good to hear from another fellow colleague who feels the same. I am secondary so its the actions of teenagers who are over 12 obvs, told to social distance outside of school but not in school. 😔

[Hidden in reply to HamHammy]

I reduced my hours last year I’m more support now but I’m in reception. No social distancing and we know how hygienic they are 😂

[HamHammy in reply to Hidden]

Ooooh yes. We cherubs but watch those wee noses

[Eiram50 in reply to Hidden]

In Scotland, no one can wear a visor without a face covering beneath it.

[HamHammy]

Thank you for that. I am really surprised too that staff are told by management there is no need to wear masks. When raised they say you can wear one of you choose but it's not a requirement so people are not wearing them. I think I will go and buy that spray you suggested. Yeah I am thinking visor and mask. Hard to teach with a mask on though. May need to take it off at start of the lesson then put it on when my input is given.

[allanah in reply to HamHammy]

Visor and mask even better and if the kids ask you can promote RA , no one understands it !!! Get a front cover on the NRAS magasine!!

[HamHammy in reply to allanah]

Oooh you know what you have given me a good idea Allanah. I think I will promote RA 👍

[Lolabridge in reply to HamHammy]

Good advice from Allanah. I should have said get the shield as well. You could check if you have any students with hearing difficulties as you may need to remove the mask and just wear the shield when teaching them.

[allanah in reply to Lolabridge]

Shields are proving not enough as the virus can live under them. Hard of hearing students already have communication aids and good teachers can communicate in many ways , indeed and I wish people to wear masks for my safety .

[HamHammy in reply to allanah]

Yes that's it. The wearing of masks is for others safety which my school seems relaxed about to my worry

[Eiram50 in reply to allanah]

You will be aware allanah that Nicola sturgeon has stayed that a fave covering must be worn under a visor. Visors themselves, do not offer protection.

[allanah in reply to Eiram50]

Yes , sorry thought that's what i put x

[HamHammy in reply to Lolabridge]

Yes I will know beforehand for any pupils with hearing impairments. Thank you for thinking that through though

[AgedCrone in reply to HamHammy]

If that spray really existed I think the NHS might have put it on prescription by now!

Just like....is it Dettol....that says “Kills all known germs “ on its label?

If that really is the case How /why do we all catch germs?

[HamHammy in reply to AgedCrone]

True

[HamHammy]

Awww thank you. Tbh I am more anxious about no one wearing the masks. Plus have 30 in my class

[Tillydancer]

Hi HamHammy,

I’m so glad I found your post today! I’m a secondary teacher at an International school in UK and we go back next Mon. I’ve been really looking forward to going back face to face but I have a colleague who has freaked me out and says I should be pushing to work from home again and under no condition should I go in. She has a point but there must be 100s of us RA sufferers who will be going back into schools in the next few weeks and there’s been no guidance from consultants, GPS or the government.

My plan is to stay in my classroom, stay at front of class, wear a mask, avoid canteen and any other crowded areas.

It may just be a matter of time before rising cases force us to shut down anyway.

I’m definitely going to get that spray!

[HamHammy in reply to Tillydancer]

Ooh glad you replied too. Yes I feel I would not have grounds to be off anyway according to my head unless it was stress related and not covid related. There are more and proper guidelines for getting on a bus than for vulnerable teachers. I like my job so will go in head up high with my mask. I actually have a visor too. Thinking of putting that on when I give my teacher led then putting mask on too once kids working independently or in pairs etc

[HamHammy]

Does anyone know where to buy this antibacterial room spray?

[Hopefulfuture in reply to HamHammy]

I would ask your Head for a risk assessment it would focus the mind a lot more. If like me you can’t get life insurance because of meds and disease I would wonder how school can afford/get cover? News is secondary school children pass on covid the same as adults. How can they guarantee your safety? You need if possible to speak to union.

[allanah in reply to Hopefulfuture]

I agree x

[HamHammy in reply to Hopefulfuture]

I have done all of that. Yes I cant get life insurance either. I have spoken to my union. They have said legally I can e mail my headteacher to say I feel unsafe so wont be coming back. The thing is my headteacher has followed the guidance given to him by the government which is 2 metre distancing. He is very relaxed about covid (I am not plus relaxed btw plus my gran passed away in hospital and no family were allowed to see her for the 4 weeks she was in there so she passed away alone) It's the government which need to give more guidance that pupils and staff should be wearing masks in secondary schools I feel so that senior management have to follow the regulations.

[wishbone in reply to HamHammy]

As I see it the problem you could face if you don't return to work is that your headteacher has followed government guidance, which is pretty much open to the interpretation of the employer, so if he thinks it is safe for you to return then I'm afraid you could be up against it and you may well need to seek advice if you feel it's still too unsafe to go back.

As an aside....how some non medically trained person can decide if it's safe for a vunerable individual to do whatever is beyond me! Another one that gets to me is how highly vunerable shielding people have been instructed to return to work even if an individual feels it's not safe for him/her to do so is an absolute disgrace in my book, but that's just how I see it and I appear to be one of a very small minority of like minded people.

Mini-rant over.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[Hidden in reply to wishbone]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[bubblyalex in reply to wishbone]

Hear hear 👏🏻👏🏻

[Hopefulfuture in reply to wishbone]

Totally agree!!!

[HamHammy in reply to wishbone]

Thank you Wishbone. Its true that decisions in the school are being made by non medical people. I will be in with my visor and mask, my hand wash and positive mind frame. 😬

[allanah in reply to HamHammy]

My daughter caretaker sprays the rooms each day twice a day .

[Knit12]

Given that we are seeing spikes across Scotland I would wear a visor and a mask. Protect yourself at all costs. They cannot stop you being protected. If they try make sure the world and his dog knows x

[HamHammy]

Good advice Knit12. Thank you for your support

[allanah]

How did it go .....

[HamHammy]

Hi all. You really are a lovely bunch. Thank you for your good wishes. I wore my mask and visor with pride plus sweat!! A heat wave for first day back. Normally I would say "bring this on especially up north" but boy was I hot!!!

[HamHammy]

Do you remember my previous post about being a secondary teacher returning to work in August after shielding? OK. Now 2 staff have covid, an increasing number of pupils and the school community have it too and I am bricking it each day I go to work 😔

[HamHammy]

High school back last Monday. Our area is the highest for covid cases (number 1) in the whole of the UK without giving my area away. I love my job but so so worrying with being on 3 immune suppressants. Thank you for your message