Hi everyone,

We all received letters from schools yesterday about the increasing amount of swine flu around and I wondered what people were going to do if and when there is a nasty outbreak (nastier then now I mean).

If a student rings to say they have got swine flu, been in contact with swine flu, do we close down, if so, for how long?

Do we charge for cancellations from students who have swine flu? We won't be paid if we get swine flu.

Could be a very dodgy autumn this year along with the credit crunch as well!

Tasha

I think we need to have a common sense approach to swine flu. Schools are no longer closing as a consequence of swine flu, as the thoughts are that it is now so wide spread in the community that they are just as likely to catch it out of school as in.

Obviously, if we have anything like swine flu ourselves then the responsible action would be to cancel our teaching for a period of time, and not return to teaching until we are fully recovered. Again, if our students have it then one would hope that they will apply the same principal. I suspect we also ought to be aware of those of our students who have particular health issues and so need to be even more careful. I've also heard it suggested that we use some of that soap that you spray on that doesn't need water, perhaps at beginning and end of lessons to avoid spread through instrument (I'm talking piano).

It won't be long until we all know someone who has had swine flu - it has just arrived in my small town. At the moment, it doesn't appear to be a particularly serious virus - let's hope it doesn't mutate too much in the Autumn!

We have medical people on this forum, perhaps they could give us their advice?



Swine flu party anyone? (JOKE!!)

I'm there

I'll treat it like any other flu and will use the same discretion in severe cases that involve longer-term illness, hospitalisation etc.

In all other cases, my normal T&Cs will be in place, and the normal cancellation notice periods will apply. Otherwise, everyone who suffers a minor cold will suddenly "probably come down with swine flu" and expect not to pay for last minute cancellations.

If I should catch it myself (hopefully not), I will close down until I am fully recoverd and not contagious anymore, hoping I haven't already given it to too many people coming down with it.
I usually do this anyway when I am ill (not passing it on I mean, but closing ), so I won't make a difference here - the financial loss is the risk you take as a self-employed person, but I certainly won't put my own and other people's health at risk. I don't think there's much else to do ...

I guess for most teachers at least all this comes at the right time, ie just before the summer break. I know not everyone shuts entirely over the hols, but at least a good number will have fewer or no pupils.

On the news today, the medical view was that most people who get it are likely to be so mild that they may not even be aware. So the above is a very sound way to approach the situation. I know people have died etc but the overwhelming majority are those with underlying problems. As a diabetes sufferer myself, I guess I'll be offered the inoculation along with my normal winter flu jab. All teachers should be entitled to it in my view, regardless of medical history.

LR

They say Swine Flu will be around for another couple of years at least - with it affecting most people this Autumn/Winter...so not just a summer holiday thing.

I'm not too worried at the moment, even though cases in our town are doubling every week.