Since I am almost 63 with diabetes, and my only close family is my 87 year old mother, I am more concerned than most about the virus. I only work because contact with others is minimal.
Today was a half day where we leave at 11:30.
The kids were done at 10:00 on line.
From 10:20 until 11:30, all seven subs had to spend time together in the same room filling candy bags.
One of those in charge of our activities came in with a full face shield, but apparently did not think twice about putting us all together in one room to fill bags for 80 minutes.
I was uncomfortable doing this, but no one else seemed bothered. I wanted to refuse, but I did not want this to reflect on my status with the district.
Am I overreacting, or was this school being careless?
Just being in a room with people doesn't mean we're going to catch something... one of those other people would have to actually be infected. I don't think I'd have been too troubled about it, personally. But I also think folks have a right to decide what risk level they are comfortable taking.
You could have worn a face mask or shield even if the others weren't... I've been in groups where that's been the case. Yes, the school should follow protocols but ultimately, we must assume responsibility for our own safety and decisions. We simply don't live in a perfect world where everything happens the way we think it should.
was wearing a shield, s/he would likely not take it amiss if you asked about setting up the room to distance and wore a mask. You didn't say if all in the room were masked and distanced and were careful about maintaining both. If someone was not being careful, you would be well within your rights to explain that you are vulnerable and have an elderly mother to protect and ask for appropriate distance and masking.
I also add that unless the shield was placed tightly against forehead and neck, little protection was offered to those around the person. My retired respiratory therapist husband always wore mask AND shield. The shield primarily protects the eyes and doesn't impede exhaled virus unless specially constructed.
If you were spaced, with masks, and preferably some fresh air ventilation (or at least the door open to the hallway), I would think it wouldn't be a big deal. Spending an hour together in that space with those precautions in place is something I would be ok with, but you have some higher risk factors. I would think it would have been fine to ask for additional precautions for yourself or to ask for an alternative way to help.
I agree with the others that if you had on a mask and were distanced, it should be fine.
Our district requires masks, so there's no way 7 teachers would be together in a room without one. We had a 25 min. conference with 9 people and we all had on masks. A few days later, one of the teachers got Covid (from a family member). Thankfully nobody else in that conference got it. That made me feel better about masks.
Bodhimom, but the sick people staying home is the only "if" you may not be able to directly observe. But you would know procedures in place for that. And if there are that many subs, I'm guessing it is being enforced.
The problem is that the virus is apparently contagious 1 to 3 days before the person shows signs of being sick and some people never show signs of being sick but could still be contagious.
I forgot to include myself so there were actually eight of us in one room.
I am not sure the others were six feet apart.
I went to a small table closest to the open door and furthest from everybody, but since I kept running out of supplies at my small table, I had to pass others within six feet on about six occasions to restock my area since the supplies were all in the middle of the other tables that were occupied with subs.
I am sorry you were put into that situation where you felt forced to choose between your reputation at work and the health and safety of yourself and family.
On Friday, I began getting a piercing stabbing sharp pain to the right of my stomach, which got very bad yesterday and this morning. I cannot even bend over to get my socks on.
This morning, I also got a fever, which topped out at 100.8 before lessening, at least for now.
I am not blaming this sub adventure last Wednesday, but since I am careful, I might have picked up an infection there.
Because you already have a pre-existing medical condition, you have
concerns about getting the virus. If the room was huge, then you could've worked in a far corner of the room. If it was tiny,that would be a concern.Schools don't care much about your stress level or your well being if you're a sub. Once I was in a school and I had an assignment for a 3rd grade class.They switched the assignment, and then put me in specialEd.
The teacher wanted me to work in the class without a T.A. She asked me if I had a problem holding on to them and pulling them if the
special ed. students tried to leave the room. She called it redirecting them. I taught full-time for years,and I know you don't touch kids. Basically the school tried to get away with this.I told the teacher that I
wanted a T.A., and I do not touch children. It's against district policy.I spoke up because I know they don't care about me. It would be guilty before proven innocent if someone complained. No due process as a sub. I would've offered to work in another room or area,even outside if possible. That is fair and makes sense. You are taking a risk anyway by going there. Life is full of risks. I am not subbing now and waiting to see if they bring the schools back to normal. I have experienced so many crazy and bad circumstances from subbing, so I will sit this one out and see what happens after the election. I know better, and I am sure you do too. Schools will try to use you anyway they can if they think that can get away with it. Be on your guard and speak up professionally.Look into other jobs or ways to make money,too.
Reading this made me angry for you. God forbid they just let you leave early. Nope, gotta make everyone stay and fill candy bags in the same room together. These districts need to get a ####ing grip. Filling bags of candy... what FOR? I swear these people live in a ####ing fantasy land. If there is an ongoing plague and you have a lot of employees who have no reason to be in the building anymore, then you should let them leave immediately.
I rushed myself to emergency on October 27 due to abdominal pain.
I had an appendectomy, and just got home last night, although I will have an IV with antibiotics every day for a week with a nurse coming to my house.
Thank goodness no covid. I would have been home within three days with no infection, but my surgery was bumped back by eight hours due to an emergency, which was enough time for my appendix to burst and for an infection to spread
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10-21-2020, 11:59 AM
