Thread: Hand, foot and mouth disease

Foot and mouth (or hoof and mouth) is a virus that only attacks animals. Hand foot and mouth attacks humans.

Today we were told that it is NOT hand, foot, and mouth (HFMD) which is caused by coxsackie viruses that are part of the enterovirus family but herpangina (which is also caused by coxsackie viruses). It causes red-ringed blisters in the throat and tonsils and is highly contagious just like HFMD. Usually only attacks children 0-5 years but has been seen in adults. It is spread by unwashed hands, surfaces contaminated by feces, coughing and sneezing.

Crew, the principal did call the health department and they said "Don't worry about it. You don't need to close." She was the one who said "Yes, we do!"

I searched the website of WHO (world health organization) and they recommended using a bleach solution 1 part bleach to 99 parts water (nothing about wiping with clean water after). Since I am allergic to Dettol (makes me wheeze and I break out in hives) I decided to bring my own bleach in to clean the teachers' room and library (like I and the other English teachers were "asked".)
When the principal saw me, she was not pleased and said if we used bleach we would have to rinse again with clean water as chlorine bleach is toxic to the kids I told her what I had found on the WHO website and since I and another teacher were allergic to Dettol I would like to clean with the bleach solution. AND what did she think was used in the swimming pool water? Well, to make a long story short, she decided to get someone else to clean the library but she was not a happy camper.

Later she started questioning me about some supplies I had ordered (20 white board pens for my 40 kids to use with whiteboard paper I had bought when I was in the USA), and it escalated, tempers flared, it was not a pretty sight! I finally walked away telling her I wasn't going to argue with her anymore, and to do whatever she thought was right.

I like the new principal and my school but sometimes I feel like I'm banging my head against a wall. The school will shell out money for a brand new art room (which the kids get to use once every 2 weeks) with easels, cool roller brushes, etc. but every time i ask for supplies for project work or a craft I get the third degree. I have asked many times for a budget for the classrooms so we don't have to go through this song and dance, but was told that then we might spend it all. I thought that was what a budget was for!

Anyway, I think Crew is right. After two years, maybe it's time to look for another job. I know that no school is perfect but this school has always let parents think it has this forward-thinking, modern attitude. Lately, after reading Ajarn forum about different Thai schools, it just seems the school has better "icing" on the cake than most and underneath it's the same.

I heard Ek-Burapa Minburi has got it