emma
Ruby
Posts: 18,792 Likes: 86,371
|
Post by emma on Sept 14, 2020 10:32:30 GMT -6
AB is now allowing steam rooms and saunas to open and OMG WHHHHYYYY!!! I can't imagine a worse idea
|
|
danib
Sapphire
Posts: 4,101 Likes: 12,682
|
Post by danib on Sept 14, 2020 13:14:36 GMT -6
AB is now allowing steam rooms and saunas to open and OMG WHHHHYYYY!!! I can't imagine a worse idea 😯😯😯
|
|
Tlex
Ruby
Posts: 22,759 Likes: 154,991
|
Post by Tlex on Sept 14, 2020 19:46:56 GMT -6
most of my project team is in BC and i'm stunned at what they are saying re not qualifying to covid testing. I knew they were testing at a much lower rate than AB but the bar to get tested hasn't changed since March. One of my team had a slight fever and upset stomach and had second hand contact with someone who tested positive and that still didn't qualify him. Here you can now book an appointment at a pharmacy which no symptoms and get tested, and 1 symptom from the list will get you sent to the drive through test centre. Ok wow did not expect that to be the case in BC ... huh
|
|
emma
Ruby
Posts: 18,792 Likes: 86,371
|
Post by emma on Sept 14, 2020 19:54:43 GMT -6
most of my project team is in BC and i'm stunned at what they are saying re not qualifying to covid testing. I knew they were testing at a much lower rate than AB but the bar to get tested hasn't changed since March. One of my team had a slight fever and upset stomach and had second hand contact with someone who tested positive and that still didn't qualify him. Here you can now book an appointment at a pharmacy which no symptoms and get tested, and 1 symptom from the list will get you sent to the drive through test centre. Ok wow did not expect that to be the case in BC ... huh Im still mad at BC for making me pay extra for my free healthcare and flu shot so I’m not that surprised at their cost saving. Actually I’m still kind of mad at how much everything cost in BC
|
|
danib
Sapphire
Posts: 4,101 Likes: 12,682
|
Post by danib on Sept 15, 2020 10:28:04 GMT -6
Anyone want to critique this email before I send it. It's going to my MHA, Minister of Education, Minister of Health, and Premier. Background - our province doesn't have a virtual learning option, and you aren't allowed to go to school with 2 symptoms (ie congestion and cough/sneeze). It was initially said you had to get tested, so many people assumed that a negative test would clear you to go back to school, but apparently it doesn't. Which is insane. My kid will legitimately miss half the year due to seasonal allergies alone.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to read my concerns. I want to ensure this finds the appropriate person, and as quickly as possible as the school year has already started.
When the guidelines for a safe return to school were communicated, hybrid and virtual learning were only included in situations where our risk of Covid-19 increases significantly. While not ideal, I initially understood this decision as getting our children back to school is important for many social/emotional reasons in addition to learning.
However, my concern is with the criteria around attending/not attending school due to minor cold and allergy symptoms. As it stands, 2 or more symptoms requires a student to stay home and potentially get a Covid-19 test. Understandable. My assumption was that a negative test, and confirmation that the symptoms are due to simple issues such as a cold or seasonal allergies, would allow a student to return to school. However, parents are being told that even if their child tests negative they still cannot return to school until they are entirely symptom free for 24 hours.
This poses a significant issue for my child (and many others like him). I can already tell his sinuses are becoming irritated, as they do every Fall. I know that very soon this will lead to post-nasal drip, which will irritate his throat and cause a cough. Based on screening criteria he will have to stay home from school. And as previous years have shown me, this will likely last for months. Not days, MONTHS. I also know that once he does catch a minor cold virus (as all kids will), he will have a lingering cough that will potentially last a month or more. His inhaler and daily allergy medications help, but they will not get him completely symptom free. At his last allergy appointment (in Feb) his allergist said that his sinuses were so swollen they were almost completely closed off. It does not matter what we do, this is unfortunately just something he deals with.
So I would like to know what will be in place for my child so that his education does not suffer, when at any time now he will be forced to stay home from school, likely for the bulk of the Fall and Winter seasons? Either things need to be reconsidered so that a negative test will clear him to return, or supported virtual learning needs to be put in place immediately. Not eventually, but now, before children like my son are put at a disadvantage and miss out on the education that their peers with better immune systems are able to avail of.
I look forward to your reply. I can be reached at this email address or by phone #######
|
|
|
Post by Notarobot on Sept 15, 2020 12:26:22 GMT -6
danib, Your email seems excellent to me. I hope you get some response and action quickly. I'm sorry you're dealing with this and that the plans are so inadequate.
|
|
|
Post by misskilljoy on Sept 15, 2020 19:38:05 GMT -6
Seems reasonable to me, danib ! One thing you might consider is asking something about a doctor's note to clear him to return? That's something my board is doing. If you have symptoms, you are off for two weeks UNLESS you have a negative test + symptom-free for 24 hours OR a doctor has provided an alternative diagnosis. It could solve the issue you're outlining. My board is also saying students won't be sent home for allergy symptoms when we know the child has allergies, so that's another thing you might be able to explore - maybe a letter from the allergist outlining his usual allergy-related symptoms?
|
|
cdnfroggy
Platinum
Posts: 2,137 Likes: 6,545
Member is Online
|
Post by cdnfroggy on Sept 16, 2020 10:00:07 GMT -6
Hi all - I didn't realize this thread existed and am very happy to find it. I can't go into the COVID thread on the main page because it is mostly US people and the situations feel very different than here. I'm in SK and our schools started up last week. DS is in a class of 17, which isn't ideal, but is much smaller than some other schools. There schools are taking many precautions (masks/temp taking/no large gatherings/assigned playground areas/outside drop off etc), so I feel ok about it. There were 2 cases in the daycare attached to the school (but run separately from the school with no mixing of staff or kids) so that is a bit nerve wracking, but from I heard the daycare handled it very well and as quick as possible. Also, my hubby developed a hernia that needs operating, so hopefully the wait isn't too long for thad.
Sorry for the word vomit.
|
|
|
Post by Notarobot on Sept 16, 2020 10:06:50 GMT -6
Hi cdnfroggy, glad you found the thread! It is nice to have a place to talk about how things are going here since they can be quite different than the states. Glad to hear you're feeling okay so far with the school situation, I hope that continues. And that your H gets his surgery soon!
|
|
cdnfroggy
Platinum
Posts: 2,137 Likes: 6,545
Member is Online
|
Post by cdnfroggy on Sept 16, 2020 10:07:41 GMT -6
|
|
emma
Ruby
Posts: 18,792 Likes: 86,371
|
Post by emma on Sept 16, 2020 11:32:04 GMT -6
there's been a number of schools here that have now reported "outbreaks" which sounds alarming but when you read about it an outbreak is any school that has 2 positive cases and those cases don't need to be related in any way. I feel like outbreak is slightly misleading
|
|
|
Post by misskilljoy on Sept 16, 2020 19:27:18 GMT -6
there's been a number of schools here that have now reported "outbreaks" which sounds alarming but when you read about it an outbreak is any school that has 2 positive cases and those cases don't need to be related in any way. I feel like outbreak is slightly misleading It's similar to other institutions, then, where even one case is considered an "outbreak" in settings like LTC. Completely agree that the label is misleading. Outbreak to me implies some level of confirmed/strongly suspected transmission within the institution. In Ontario, it's only an outbreak if it's two cases that are connected in some way within the same school. Things that would make the cases connected are stuff like riding the same bus, in a class together, etc. There's only been one school in Ontario with a confirmed outbreak at this point, and it's been completely shut down now. That said, we're on day three over here and three staff members at my school are out getting tests, half a dozen kids have been sent home with symptoms, and one of our kids who thankfully hadn't started yet tested positive. Kids are constantly in each other's faces, none of the primary kids are wearing masks, we don't have enough cleaning staff, we don't even have enough OTs to cover all the teachers who will be away soon. It's a nightmare.
|
|
|
Post by misskilljoy on Sept 16, 2020 19:28:57 GMT -6
I will say that I hope schools don't shut down en masse again, though, even though our numbers are... not good. The kids are SO happy to be back and it's nice to see them get a chance to play, talk, just be kids.
I'm terrified for myself, don't get me wrong, but these kids need to be in school.
|
|
Tlex
Ruby
Posts: 22,759 Likes: 154,991
|
Post by Tlex on Sept 18, 2020 6:33:29 GMT -6
I will say that I hope schools don't shut down en masse again, though, even though our numbers are... not good. The kids are SO happy to be back and it's nice to see them get a chance to play, talk, just be kids. I'm terrified for myself, don't get me wrong, but these kids need to be in school. My kids are different people. They did cry on the walk home from school yesterday.... because they were talking about how they can’t go to school on the weekend.
|
|
|
Post by misskilljoy on Sept 18, 2020 17:26:32 GMT -6
My kids are different people. They did cry on the walk home from school yesterday.... because they were talking about how they can’t go to school on the weekend. My daughter is also pissed that it's the weekend and how DARE WE spend two days together. "I wish I could just sleep for two days straight and then go back to school." Feel free, child. Feel free. I'm so tired.
|
|
Tlex
Ruby
Posts: 22,759 Likes: 154,991
|
Post by Tlex on Sept 18, 2020 18:38:26 GMT -6
My kids are different people. They did cry on the walk home from school yesterday.... because they were talking about how they can’t go to school on the weekend. My daughter is also pissed that it's the weekend and how DARE WE spend two days together. "I wish I could just sleep for two days straight and then go back to school." Feel free, child. Feel free. I'm so tired. D2 was a wreck after school, worried that school won’t open again on Monday. They had her class go out to a field and cut the grass with safety scissors as the afternoon activity. I’m dying. Genius, good skill building, fun... and just enough to get those teachers home to wine and bed.
|
|
elle
Ruby
Posts: 17,315 Likes: 111,586
Member is Online
|
Post by elle on Sept 18, 2020 19:30:17 GMT -6
My daughter is also pissed that it's the weekend and how DARE WE spend two days together. "I wish I could just sleep for two days straight and then go back to school." Feel free, child. Feel free. I'm so tired. D2 was a wreck after school, worried that school won’t open again on Monday. They had her class go out to a field and cut the grass with safety scissors as the afternoon activity. I’m dying. Genius, good skill building, fun... and just enough to get those teachers home to wine and bed. Sorry, I'm lurking this thread but had to say - that's pretty genius. 😂
|
|
|
Post by misskilljoy on Sept 18, 2020 19:34:12 GMT -6
My daughter is also pissed that it's the weekend and how DARE WE spend two days together. "I wish I could just sleep for two days straight and then go back to school." Feel free, child. Feel free. I'm so tired. D2 was a wreck after school, worried that school won’t open again on Monday. They had her class go out to a field and cut the grass with safety scissors as the afternoon activity. I’m dying. Genius, good skill building, fun... and just enough to get those teachers home to wine and bed. This is amazing. I need to pass this on to the kinder team at my school. The board has suspended recycling this year, so this is extra genius. No scraps of paper going home with students to recycle at home just because of cutting practice.
|
|
emma
Ruby
Posts: 18,792 Likes: 86,371
|
Post by emma on Sept 18, 2020 20:59:48 GMT -6
Add me to the list of having a different child since school went back. The first day DS came home from 1 grade I’ve not sure I’ve ever seen him happier
|
|
|
Post by Cupcakemama on Sept 18, 2020 21:01:34 GMT -6
Dd started remote learning this week. I have to say I am very impressed with her teacher and the set up.She is online most of the day but she is able to do so independently for the majority. The university in my city has declared an outbreak. It was students gathering. Our numbers were great prior to them coming back. Its so frustrating .
|
|
valiente
Platinum
Posts: 1,867 Likes: 6,257
|
Post by valiente on Sept 20, 2020 13:14:57 GMT -6
DD is on day 2 of an unexplainable runny nose and our testing centres are at capacity for the day. I... am assuming we’re about to spend three days home on account of Kindergarten sniffles after a brain tickle tomorrow.
|
|
|
Post by Pumpkinwest on Sept 20, 2020 18:11:39 GMT -6
DD is on day 2 of an unexplainable runny nose and our testing centres are at capacity for the day. I... am assuming we’re about to spend three days home on account of Kindergarten sniffles after a brain tickle tomorrow. Am in the middle of doing this now.
|
|
valiente
Platinum
Posts: 1,867 Likes: 6,257
|
Post by valiente on Sept 21, 2020 13:19:48 GMT -6
DD is on day 2 of an unexplainable runny nose and our testing centres are at capacity for the day. I... am assuming we’re about to spend three days home on account of Kindergarten sniffles after a brain tickle tomorrow. We didn’t get a test today (I was turned away 7x over 4h) and the centres are again at capacity for the day. I was told my best bet is to line up 4h before the centre opens tomorrow. We’re clearly not meeting our community’s testing needs and I’m really unimpressed.
|
|
danib
Sapphire
Posts: 4,101 Likes: 12,682
|
Post by danib on Sept 21, 2020 17:30:07 GMT -6
DD is on day 2 of an unexplainable runny nose and our testing centres are at capacity for the day. I... am assuming we’re about to spend three days home on account of Kindergarten sniffles after a brain tickle tomorrow. We didn’t get a test today (I was turned away 7x over 4h) and the centres are again at capacity for the day. I was told my best bet is to line up 4h before the centre opens tomorrow. We’re clearly not meeting our community’s testing needs and I’m really unimpressed. My God that's not acceptable at all!
|
|
emma
Ruby
Posts: 18,792 Likes: 86,371
|
Post by emma on Sept 21, 2020 18:37:47 GMT -6
DD is on day 2 of an unexplainable runny nose and our testing centres are at capacity for the day. I... am assuming we’re about to spend three days home on account of Kindergarten sniffles after a brain tickle tomorrow. We didn’t get a test today (I was turned away 7x over 4h) and the centres are again at capacity for the day. I was told my best bet is to line up 4h before the centre opens tomorrow. We’re clearly not meeting our community’s testing needs and I’m really unimpressed. this is shockingly bad!
|
|
|
Post by Pumpkinwest on Sept 21, 2020 18:50:48 GMT -6
Shit valiente that’s so bad and completely unacceptable.
|
|
|
Post by misskilljoy on Sept 21, 2020 19:27:40 GMT -6
28 schools with cases in Ottawa, although it seems like 9 haven't made it to the dashboard yet - likely confirmed after the 10:30 update. Yikes.
Unrelated, 10 mins down the road there is a person barricaded in a house with a firearm, so that's cool. Nearby residents told to shelter in place (ideally in the basement). Cool.
|
|
|
Post by Pumpkinwest on Sept 21, 2020 20:31:46 GMT -6
|
|
valiente
Platinum
Posts: 1,867 Likes: 6,257
|
Post by valiente on Sept 22, 2020 7:25:08 GMT -6
DD is on day 2 of an unexplainable runny nose and our testing centres are at capacity for the day. I... am assuming we’re about to spend three days home on account of Kindergarten sniffles after a brain tickle tomorrow. We didn’t get a test today (I was turned away 7x over 4h) and the centres are again at capacity for the day. I was told my best bet is to line up 4h before the centre opens tomorrow. We’re clearly not meeting our community’s testing needs and I’m really unimpressed. Got tested and now we wait.
|
|
|
Post by Notarobot on Sept 22, 2020 7:39:21 GMT -6
28 schools with cases in Ottawa, although it seems like 9 haven't made it to the dashboard yet - likely confirmed after the 10:30 update. Yikes. Unrelated, 10 mins down the road there is a person barricaded in a house with a firearm, so that's cool. Nearby residents told to shelter in place (ideally in the basement). Cool. Saw this morning they arrested him without incident. Sorry for what must have been a scary night! Hope you got some rest.
|
|