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Original poster

What about carers/grandparents? Parents 2 get free covid tests school children

49 replies

Emma2021 · 28/02/2021 13:13

Just read this.

www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/families-kids-school-free-covid-23578374

Perents of children at school to get 2 free covid tests a week. I will believe that when i see it.

What about grandparents that look after some children before/after school etc?

My parents are 59 and 60 respectively they won't get the jabs until at least a few weeks.

With kids back at school the mass breakout of covid may not take place not due to planning by the government but the warmer weather we are expecting.

Many grandparents are worried as are the vulnerable that have not yet had their vaccines. Don't forget that the AstrZeneca does not really start to work unti 4 weeks down the road. So we are looking at least 2/3 months before children should really return to school.

Where we live the children in the nursery were sitting shoulder to shouler before they locked down.

OP posts:

UhtredRagnarson · 28/02/2021 13:16

Many grandparents are worried as are the vulnerable that have not yet had their vaccines.

Then they shouldn’t be going near grandchildren.

Original poster

Emma2021 · 28/02/2021 19:19

@UhtredRagnarson

Many grandparents are worried as are the vulnerable that have not yet had their vaccines.

Then they shouldn’t be going near grandchildren.

They are in a support bubble, IE care for grandchildren when parents working.

OP posts:

IncyWincyGrownUp · 28/02/2021 19:22

The point Uhtred made stands though. If you’re worried, keep your children away from people who are vulnerable. It is a choice.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Covid-19 Families

UhtredRagnarson · 28/02/2021 19:24

They are in a support bubble, IE care for grandchildren when parents working.

So to hell with common sense then? Can people no longer make a decision about keeping themselves safe without given explicit directions from the government?

TryingNotToPanicOverCovid · 28/02/2021 19:24

I wouldn't have the children near anyone vulnerable. Especially when they are in school.

Is there an afterschool club or similar you can use until they are vaccinated?

Testing doesn't stop you getting it...

HercwasanEnemyofEducation · 28/02/2021 19:26

In some areas 60 year olds can register online for a vaccine so worth checking the NHS link.

Lots of people wouldn't be able to work without support bubbles. Employers are becoming less and less tolerant of childcare issues. You can't magic up a childcare place somewhere overnight.

RoundedTum · 28/02/2021 19:27

This is for families of kids at secondary schools so it's unlikely vulnerable grandparents will be looking after them?

BendingSpoons · 28/02/2021 19:42

It's for primary school parents. The secondary pupils are being tested themselves but in primary they will apparently offer tests to parents.

The tests pick up if you have COVID. If you want to keep grandparents safe, then the best you can do (other than not seeing them) is to test regularly and then isolate if positive. A grandparent testing won't protect them, as if they test positive, it's too late. They may however offer tests to grandparents to protect others, as they (and your children) will have to self isolate if it's positive.

Useruseruserusee · 28/02/2021 19:46

@TryingNotToPanicOverCovid

I wouldn't have the children near anyone vulnerable. Especially when they are in school.

Is there an afterschool club or similar you can use until they are vaccinated?

Testing doesn't stop you getting it...

It’s really not that simple. My toddler is disabled and requires care that can not be provided at the moment in a nursery, as well as being vulnerable to Covid himself. DH and I are both teachers and have been at school every day in the lockdown. We have no choice but to use my parents as our childcare bubble. Thankfully my Dad has now been vaccinated and my Mum now has an appointment.

Other parents can not afford childcare of any kind. Wouldn’t be easy on a zero hour contract.

Please don’t make others feel guilty when you do not understand the circumstances.

RoundedTum · 28/02/2021 19:47

@RoundedTum

This is for families of kids at secondary schools so it's unlikely vulnerable grandparents will be looking after them?

Oops I didn't read the article properly did I?! I've only had one glass of wine with my tea, honestly. The guardian is reporting that people in a child's childcare or support bubble can also get the tests.

Useruseruserusee · 28/02/2021 19:47

We trialled this service in our County and childcare and support bubbles can order tests. It was for the households and bubble members of anyone with a child at primary, secondary or college.

Jjacobb · 28/02/2021 20:05

I'm 59 and had my first jab two weeks ago. My children's schools and colleges (four different establishments) have already set up the testing to start next week.
I think some areas must be coping a bit better than others.

Meredithgrey1 · 28/02/2021 20:09

Free tests will be provided to pupils' households, as well as those in their childcare or support bubbles, regardless of whether anyone has symptoms, the Government said on Sunday.

From the article. This sounds like it would include grandparents?

What it does seem to miss, however, is the families of nursery children.

MuddyWalks · 28/02/2021 20:17

Could the grandparents not get a test at a test centre?

Duckyneedsaclean · 28/02/2021 22:08

Mebbe read the article next time

Original poster

Emma2021 · 01/03/2021 15:37

@HercwasanEnemyofEducation

In some areas 60 year olds can register online for a vaccine so worth checking the NHS link.

Lots of people wouldn't be able to work without support bubbles. Employers are becoming less and less tolerant of childcare issues. You can't magic up a childcare place somewhere overnight.

Thank you for the sensible post. We've just checked online and nothing but hoping that within 2/3 weeks max.

Those that don't work live off benefits because they have no choice or a they've made a life style choice, they don't have this problem. Those with no grandkids of school age those under the age of t13 dont have a problem.

My parents have a mortgage to pay and both work one PT and other FT both work form home. We have a massive mortgage as we live in london, Fulham and wanted to remain ner our parents for child care. Even a flat her is 600k plus. none of us have lived in rented property that is how we are. I don't think it is too much asking a question in order for support that working children that pay rents/mortgages can by supported by their parents to look after their grand kids.

Thanks again for the sensible post.

OP posts:

Original poster

Emma2021 · 01/03/2021 15:39

@MuddyWalks

Could the grandparents not get a test at a test centre?

It's not a question of a test as if you get covid and 55 plus high chances it will be severe.

My point is why not delay opening of schools for a few more weeks by which time all 55+ would have been offered a vaccine?

OP posts:

Seeline · 01/03/2021 15:44

The LFT tests will be available for all parents, carers, and support bubbles of all school age children. You can order them online.

They are for asymptomatic testing only.

Anyone with symptoms needs to hook a PCR test in the normal way.

Nellythemouse · 01/03/2021 15:58

I think you should be allowed to keep your own child off school without fines, if you genuinely think that’s in their/your family’s best interests and don’t expect school input into homeschooling in the meantime.

Another 2-3 months off (might as well just forget the rest of the school year!) is absolutely not in the interest of a lot of children and families and even if it was you’d then have bleating about “what about 30 year olds, they can get long covid....”. Plenty of us have kept our children away from grandparents or don’t have grandparents to keep them away from and absolutely rely on school the way you do your parents. Roll on the 8th I say.

DavidsSchitt · 01/03/2021 17:17

"Perents of children at school to get 2 free covid tests a week. I will believe that when i see it.

What about grandparents that look after some children before/after school etc?"

Ok well you can believe it now OP when you go down to your nearest test centre and collect your rapid testing kits. They are available now.

If you'd read the article you posted or the government website you'd see that childcare or support bubbles can do the same.

SeasonFinale · 01/03/2021 17:24

I dodn't know when you checked the online calculator but the 60 year old grandparent can book now,

Janet335 · 01/03/2021 22:36

The tests are only 50% accurate so not going to change risks completely

Original poster

Emma2021 · 05/03/2021 13:58

@Janet335

The tests are only 50% accurate so not going to change risks completely

Update, my parents have booked and due jabs next week. But it takes a go 4 weeks for them to partially kick in ie AstraZeneca. They know its that as its at their local GP surgery and they don't do Pifzer as they do not have the facitlties for that.

@Janet335. I agree hence my the parents worries. IMO schools should have stayed closed for a few more weeks until all those in the first group had their jab that wanted it and a few weeks on that and then cut short the summer hols to 1 week. Most parents would agree with that.

OP posts:

BugsAndBeesAndBirdsAndButterfl · 05/03/2021 14:49

I don't know any parents who don't want the kids back Monday!

I think if an individual is concerned they need to make arrangements to stay off school now (or time off work or other childcare arramgements etc.) I dont think everyone else should stay off.

mindutopia · 05/03/2021 15:02

I think most parents would probably sensibly try to arrange their work for the next few weeks so that they don't have to rely on vulnerable relatives to provide childcare. Or ask for help from friends or other parents who aren't vulnerable. We've had to do it for 8 months out of the past 12. If anyone hasn't had to juggle around work and childcare all this time because relying on older parents, then now is the time to do it and keep them safe if you are worried. I don't think children should continue to suffer when older people can be properly shielded from risk. I think it would be different if grandparents are full time caregivers and cannot avoid contact with grandchildren (because they don't have parents who can care for them).

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