Eternal sunshine in the lockdown mind?
School called at 3.30 on Friday night to ask how it was going—and I started crying uncontrollably.
A less than brilliant end to week one. And there are two of us here, in a house with desks, plenty of wifi, and enough education to (just about) manage both maths, factors, and gothic literature. We’re about as well set up as we could be, and we can’t make this work.
Which made it the very best time to talk to executive coach, Audrey Wiggin, about how to manage what, at times, feels like the oppressive darkness. I was very clear with her that this isn’t the moment for trite tips; we need practical action,and she delivered by helping me reset my brain’s spam filter. I recommend you try.
The response to last week’s vlog about the lack of strategy for schools was overwhelming: many of you said you also cried as you processed how, without a strategy, schools almost certainly won’t be going back at half-term, or even before the Easter break.
Some are starting to wonder if we’re looking down the barrel of September… but let’s not even poke that possibility (orwe’ll all dig a hole and hibernate).
Chris Whitty responded (through the medium of BBC Breakfast rather than a direct call—whatever) to say that teachers aren’t included in the first round of vaccines because they “are not at any greater risk, in terms of dying, than other professional groups of their age”.
Which would make absolute sense, unless you fully understood the impact that kids being at home is having on them, their parents/carers, family incomes, and the wider economy.
But he doesn’t understand it and neither does the PM, Matt Hancock, Gavin Williamson or Michael Gove, because they have not—and never will—confront how this really works, minute-by-minute, in practice.
Or doesn’t.
I remain sure that we won’t get kids back until teachers are given the vaccine: The first ten groups get their first dose bymid February (earliest), then there is the lag time between doses, and then their second dose in April… yes Easter is optimistic.
A friend, whose company employs hundreds of people, just texted to ask “Should I prioritise saving my business—or my children’s education today?”
Well, darling, Chris Whitty says you can wait until the next round because teachers aren’t special… so maybe you could try leaning in? Given we know that won’t work, I recommend the occasionally true The Great (Channel 4) which is the new Bridgerton: rifles, ruffles, and romping. Regrettably the Duke doesn’t feature: instead there’s a bear but (spoileralert) it gets shot. Sums it all up.
Next week, we’re doing happiness. Yes we are. No laughing at the back.
-Christine x
