Thank you on behalf of the School to all those parents who chose to follow the advice given by NSW Health and have themselves and their children tested for COVID if they exhibited any symptoms.
Criteria for COVID-19 Assessment
NSW Health recommends if you have ANY of the following symptoms you should be tested for COVID-19, even if symptoms are mild:
- Fever (37.5° or higher)
- Cough
- Sore/ scratchy throat
- Shortness of breath
- Loss of taste or smell.
Other reported symptoms of COVID-19 include fatigue, runny nose, muscle pain, joint pain, diarrhoea, nausea/vomiting and loss of appetite. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia with severe acute respiratory distress.
We know that this has been disruptive and difficult for many parents and we really appreciate the fact that you have set aside your personal comfort and convenience for the greater good of the School and the wider community.
I know that many of you did take the responsible course of action because when I fronted up at Port Macquarie hospital for a COVID test (runny nose, slight cough, raspy throat etc) the nurse (who is a SCAS parent) warned me not to announce my position as they had been “deluged” by SCAS families getting tested after an “email from the principal” went out.
Actually, they were really nice to me.
So, last week I joined the growing list of locals who, despite no positive local cases for over 100 days, locked themselves away awaiting a test result.
Mental conversation with self on the drive home:
- Drop in at work to collect things →”No!”
- Go to the shop on the way home → “No. I don’t care if you have run out of bread and milk!”
- Walk → “No! rest!”
Thankfully, my result (Negative) appeared quickly and I am back at work.
What is/was wrong with me?
According to my domestic health expert it was probably that horrible and debilitating affliction – MAN FLU.
What is man flu?
Well, there are two schools of thought:
- A Canadian researcher says there is some evidence that hormones and other factors may make men more susceptible to serious cases of the flu.
- As commonly used, the term man flu could be describing a constitutional character flaw of men who, when felled by a cold or flu, embellish the severity of their symptoms, quickly adopt a helpless “patient role,” and rely heavily on others to help them until they recover. CRUEL!
But you don’t have to feel sorry for me in this time of distress. One of the strongest symptoms of man flu is that I already feel really sorry for myself.
 | Mr Terry Muldoon Principal, St Columba Anglican School |