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I have given the COVID policy developments of the weekend - particularly as they apply to higher education - some consideration.
On careful reflection, I am FURIOUS.
(3ish points follow)
On careful reflection, I am FURIOUS.
(3ish points follow)
1.a Unis -despite PM's claims- have proved to be case studies in what happens if you INSIST on bringing large nos of people together.
Who could have guessed?* Rapid spread of the virus within the uni, then to surrounding communities!
*Staff, @ucu, SAGE, your neighbour Greg...
Who could have guessed?* Rapid spread of the virus within the uni, then to surrounding communities!
*Staff, @ucu, SAGE, your neighbour Greg...
1.b university managements up and down the country are complicit in these outbreaks. They have continued to consistently fudge and spin their numbers, and to make unsubstantiated (and unprovable) claims about the safety of teaching for staff and for students.
2.a The issues around opening/locking down higher education are not the same issues as around schools!
I am honestly astonished that this late in the pandemic the two issues are being treated as one...
I am honestly astonished that this late in the pandemic the two issues are being treated as one...
2.b University face-to-face teaching does not play the same role in allowing carers (esp working from home) to do their jobs. Perhaps schools should also be locked down- I don't know- but we should at least recognise that is a different question to higher education...
2.c And look, you hate zoom seminars, I hate zoom seminars, but who can honestly say that the black mirror version of F2F we have - three students, meters apart in a freezing room festooned with hazard tape, wearing masks, steamed up visors shouting to one another - is worth it?
3. What Charlotte said: https://twitter.com/lottelydia/status/1322642479741575169?s=20
4.a Students have every right to be furious that they have been lied to. Who can honestly look back and say university execs did not know what was going to happen?
Sadly, this is not an argument in favour of continuing F2F teaching.
Sadly, this is not an argument in favour of continuing F2F teaching.
4.b We are all furious. Talk to people in hospitality, or tourism: everyone wants things to return to normal... but things are *not* normal.
Its INSANE that during a national lockdown I am meant to travel 6 hours round trip to another city and sit in a room with up to 20 people.
Its INSANE that during a national lockdown I am meant to travel 6 hours round trip to another city and sit in a room with up to 20 people.
4c. From Thurs, our students can't get a haircut or visit family, but don't worry, they can still learn about bio-power and territoriality in a real life classroom with bits of paper and everything.
Evidence that Boris Johnson was a crypto neo-Marxist all along?
Evidence that Boris Johnson was a crypto neo-Marxist all along?
4.d Who knew that the continuance of face-to-face university teaching is as essential as the NHS and public transport during an emergency?
This suggests some serious re-prioritization of funding may be necessary in the years to come, no?
This suggests some serious re-prioritization of funding may be necessary in the years to come, no?
4.e Oh sorry, I forgot, it's because the students paid fees and are entitled to this service!
Right right cool cool, glad to know there are NO OTHER EXAMPLES during this pandemic of fee-paying services that have been shut down
Right right cool cool, glad to know there are NO OTHER EXAMPLES during this pandemic of fee-paying services that have been shut down
5. Move 
university teaching online.
university teaching online.
