Thread by @1goodtern

For the last month I've been asking headteachers and staff at seven schools a simple question:

"Are repeated covid infections affecting pupil health?"

I've been asking the question in person, face to face, while chatting to them about other issues, including staffing problems and attendance.

When I've asked it, I've watched their faces very carefully, because people's reactions are very telling.

I think generally if people are planning to lie, they can prepare themselves for it, and honestly, I don't think I have anywhere near a perfect detection rate for those planned lies.

But when you spring a question on people, their initial reaction is very telling.

So this isn't a scientific study.
It's not a rigorously defined survey.

It's just the answer to a question I sprung on a couple of dozen people, and my observations of them.

Seven head teachers:

1️⃣Head 1:
"Yes, but there's also more flu and colds and other things around. It's just the way things are now. Kids are sicker."

Me: Do you think repeated covid infections are making that worse or better?

Head 1: Worse.

2️⃣Head 2:
"I don't know, but our attendance data shows that more kids are out sick each term now, they're off more often, and when they're off they're off for longer."

Me: Do you think repeated Covid infections are making that worse or better?

Head 2: Probably worse. Something's making it worse, anyway.

3️⃣Head 3:
Something is different now to five years ago. Kids just aren't as robust. It's not that the parents are being more protective, they just dump their kids here.

Me: Do you think repeated covid infections are making that worse or better?

Head 3: Worse. But every illness is making it worse.

4️⃣Head 4:
No. Attendance is more of a cultural issue now.
Families don't treat school as a priority in the same way anymore.

🚨(But... he jumped like a frog on a griddle when I said it. And I could see him go into fight/flight mode instantly.)

Me:

5️⃣Head 5:
Yes, and it's affecting staff health, and everything else is worse too. Everyone is exhausted.

Me: Do you think it's repeated covid infections that are making the other things worse?

Head 5: It certainly feels like it.

6️⃣Head 6:
No.

🚨(very cagey look though)

Me: Why not?

Head 6: Something's wrong, but I don't think it's covid.

🚨 (I pressed a little, and I think she wanted to say vaccines (she has before), but she also knows that none of the children have been vaccinated against covid....

... and it's not so socially acceptable yet here to say that *all* vaccines are the problem. But it will be, just give them time.)

7️⃣Head 7:
Impossible to say. There's a lot more illness around.

Me: Do you think repeated covid infections are making that worse or better?

Head 7: Everything's making it worse.

Me: So yes then?

Head 7: Yes.

Across other teachers and staff:

Senco (special educating needs lead):
We've got pupils whose learning stamina has dropped sharply after repeated infections.
It's affecting concentration, executive function, and sensory tolerance.

Me: Because of repeated Covid infections?

Senco: Yes. I think so.

Receptionist with 25 years experience:
In 25 years I've never seen pupils this frequently unwell.
The pattern changed after Covid and hasn't changed back.

Me: Do you think repeated covid infections are making that worse or better?

Receptionist:
I don't think it's covid, but I don't think Covid is making it better.

(no, I know that didn't make sense)

English teacher:
I doubt it.
Kids today are just less active and more tired from screens.

Me: Do you think repeated covid infections are making that worse or better?

English: I don't think so, no.

Me: Which one?

English: Which what?

Me: Do you think repeated covid infections are making things worse or better?

English: I don't think they're making any difference at all.

🚨 But when I pushed him he hunched his shoulders like I was about to beat him with a stick.

Primary school teacher (of 7 year olds):
Kids have always been ill. Now is no different to before.

🚨 This is her first teaching job, and she's been doing it for three years.

Science teacher:
Possibly.

Me: Really?

Science: Maybe.

Me: Yes...?

Science: <silence>

That one was like he thought I suspected him of being a spy.

And there were more variations of the ones above.

On the whole, most of them thought that repeated covid infections aren't making things better.

Some completely deny it.

Some are sure repeated covid infections are making things worse.

Try it out yourself and let me know how you get on.

Also:
I could have followed up the people who said "yes" instantly with the question "well what are you going to do about it?" or by telling them ways to reduce the risk of infection, but I am always a guest at these schools now, so I tread carefully.

And, besides, I'm standing there the whole time in a respirator.
😷