The author of this story is known to Mamamia but has chosen to remain anonymous for privacy reasons. The feature image used is a stock photo.
There’s a lot the government could have said to make me feel better about walking into work on Monday morning.
They could have acknowledged that social distancing is impossible in a school scenario, but that the cancellations of assemblies, before/after school groups and sporting were a huge step towards preventing the spread of COVID-19.
They could have reassured teachers who are immunocompromised or aged 60 plus that there will be additional sick leave and no questions asked if they need to take time off work to protect themselves. They could have acknowledged that for Australian teachers, the simple act of doing their job is a little frightening at the moment.
Watch: Mamamia’s Claire Murphy breaks down your most asked questions about COVID-19. Post continues below.
But these things weren’t meaningfully addressed in the sweeping email from Mark Scott (Secretary, Department of Education) that landed in NSW public teacher inboxes on Sunday night. Rather, Scott just urged the use of the very same hygiene measures I’ve implemented for 10 years of being surrounded by coughing, sneezing children during work hours.
Top Comments
Fabulous article. As a Teacher Aide Specialising in speech articulation I come in to contact with more than my fair share of saliva, snot and airborne particles. I disinfect everything after every student BUT reminding a 6 year old to cover their mouth BEFORE they cough, not after, and constantly dealing with Grade 1s who still can’t blow their noses, nor understand why they should has been extraordinarily stressful... it is bad enough during regular flu season. In the past 2 weeks I have worked with kids who clearly should not be at school and look at my colleagues a they become increasingly stressed dealing with the students as well as the demands of preparing for a shut down that may or may not happen and worrying about their families. One of my colleagues has MS and still is doing her best for her students even though she seriously shouldn’t be at school. A number are over 60, dedicated to their students with special needs and wanting to maintain their students’ routines perhaps at the cost of their own health. So much for flatten the curve. Singapore kept schools open but tested students daily and sent them home if they failed testing. Imagine the outcry in Australia if students were turned away at the front gate. We have soap but no hot water. We do not have hand sanitiser or disinfectant wipes. Our cleaners do not have the means to clean and disinfect while students are not at school. We do not have the space nor the means for social distancing and an upset 6 year old doesn’t understand why they can’t hug you. I don’t have the answers but just wish that our politicians would step out of their cocoons in Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane etc and see what life is like at the coal face.
Why are irresponsible parents sending their sick kids to school?
Brilliant article! Thank you for keeping going and helping our kids manage during this difficult time.