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rhifyn 1159 issue 1159
9 Tachwedd 2020 9 November 2020
gair rhydd Cardiff University’s student paper | Established 1972
Inside: NASA telescope finds water on the Moon's Sunlit Surface (page 20)
Cardiff teacher suspended after working with positive COVID-19 test Tirion Davies
Editor-in-Chief
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supply teacher from Cardiff has been suspended after it was found she had continued to teach, despite recently having received a positive COVID-19 test. The teacher, who worked at Kitchener Primary School in Canton, taught five weekly classes, meaning that all 150 children she had taught are now having to self-isolate for the mandatory 14-day period. Kitchener Primary School Headteacher Reena Patel reported the news to parents and children in a video message, in which she detailed that the 150 students who had come into contact with the teacher would now need to isolate. As reported by the BBC, Headteacher Patel was unaware that the teacher had been tested, nor that she had received a positive test, stating she was devastated she had only just found out. Ms Patel told the BBC, “I am disappointed, I am angry, I am just absolutely devastated as to why people would not do the right thing. Your children are my priority and they always will be”. Cardiff Council noted the individual had been suspended while an investigation into their conduct is carried out. The Local Democracy Reporting Service said that the supply teacher, who worked in the school in the lead up to the half-term break, had tested positive a week earlier. They did not note their positive results to other members of staff and continued to work throughout the school without undergoing the recommended 14day isolation period. Although the school has not named the supply teacher, a Cardiff Council spokesperson told the BBC, “We have been assured by the agency which manages the supply teacher’s contract, that the individual has been suspended while an investigation is carried out. “The council will review the situation once their investigation has
concluded and the results have been shared with us”. This new report comes as more and more schools across Cardiff report positive cases of COVID-19, including Fairwater primary school. Fairwater primary school announced this week that the school, which holds around 225 pupils, will stay closed for a week, after “a large number of positive tests from staff ”. It was reported by BBC Wales that more than 400 pupils across the Welsh capital are isolating, along with 167 students at Bishop of Llandaff High School, after four students tested positive. Another 30 pupils at St Paul’s Church in Wales Primary School in Grangetown, and 30 pupils and a member of staff at Stacey Primary School in Roath are also isolating after positive tests. Although half-term recently occurred in Wales, students across Wales will need to return with the knowledge there is a likelihood they will need to isolate if a positive case is found within their area. Children at Fairwater primary school were told just days before the end of the half-term break about the positive tests, and that they would need to isolate ahead of returning to school. Headteacher of Fairwater primary school, Tracy Manley, posted a letter to the school’s website, informing parents, teachers and staff members of the closure noting, “I regret to inform you that the school will be unable to open on Monday. “The governors and myself have made this decision due to the large number of positive tests from staff. Guidance [from Cardiff Council] has asked that staff isolate for 14 days after receiving a positive test or being in contact.” Though Headteacher Manley noted the decision would be “difficult for many of our families”, she added “I’m sure you will agree that the safety of staff and pupils has to be paramount”. The debate continues as to whether schoolchildren should be returning to schools as the number of positive cases to grow.
Joe Biden: Complications and controversy delayed the election, with Saturday announcing the President Elect would be Joe Biden. Source: Michael Stokes (via. Wikimedia Commons)
Joe Biden named US President-Elect Hallum Cowell Head of Politics
Tom Kingsbury Politics Editor
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fter days of uncertainty, controvery, and ballot counting across the United States, it has been announced Joe Biden has won the US
Presidential Election to become the US President-Elect. Kamala Harris, Biden's running mate, has become the first Black and Asian-American woman to become the Vice-President-elect. Following a turmultuous four days of controversy, it was reported that Biden had won the 270 Electoral College votes needed to secure the Presidency. With a call to recount votes in many states, a premature announcement of victory,
and a close count, the 2020 US Presidential Election was one for the history books. Gair Rhydd Politics takes a look at the US Elections, the reaction from both candidates, and why the election was too close to call for days. Turn to page 11 to read more about the long-awaited results from the 2020 American Presidential Elections. 11
Rise and fall of the Effaith coronafeirws New COVID-19 ar yr amgylchedd rules for Nov. 9 Zoom platform Izzy Morgan
Comment Editor
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oom has changed the the technological game for millions since the beginning of the pandemic, but we need to ask whether it is safe for use? There have been questions recently as to whether Zoom needs to improve the security of its video calling services, as numerous incidents of 'Zoom bombing' have occurred, causing many to feel uncomfortable with the lack of security found on some calls. To read more about the rise and fall of the global video calling platform Zoom during this pandemic, turn to page 15. 15
Catrin Lewis
Golygydd Taf-od
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rs dechrau'r cyfnod pandemig coronafeirws, mae'r Gweinidog Addysg Lesley Griffiths wedi son bod y feirws wedi cael effaith sylweddol ar yr amgylchedd. Mae data gan y Carbon Brief yn awgrymu bydd allyriadau eleni wedi gostwng rhwng 4-8% o gymharu â llynedd. Yn ogystal dengys y data bod y galw am drydan wedi gostwng o 20% yn rhyngwladol ers blwyddyn ddiwethaf, yn sylweddol ers dechrau'r cyfnod clo ym mis Mawrth. I ddarllen am effaith coronafeirws am yr amgylchedd, a dyfodol yr amgylchedd, trowch i dudalen 6 adran Taf-od. 6
Dominic Williams News Editor
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s Wales comes to the end of the two week 'fire-break' lockdown period, Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced the new rules which will be in place. While some of the new rules put in place will be similar to those Cardiff faced while under a local lockdown just two weeks ago, some of the rules we previously saw will be eased slightly. To read about the changes in COVID-19 rules across Wales, including the stop on travel bans and a change in bubbling up with other households, turn to page 3. 3