Page 8 | Just in case you don't know - if kids in school refuse to take lateral flow test NOTHING HAPPENS

Practicalprat · 06/03/2021 21:41

Which is why I was hoping for an after Easter return. The top 9 groups would have had their first jab at least by then. Problem is they keep adding to the list with other people.
Fed up of hearing the vaccine is doing its job getting numbers down, surely lockdown has got the numbers down!

Wondermule · 06/03/2021 21:46

It shouldn’t be mandatory but it speaks volumes about the parents. I see things like this as a kind of civic duty - I have diligently tested my toddler every time a symptom has popped up, using the nasal swab, it’s been horrific.

Yet you get these self indulgent whingers moaning about their 10 year old having to do it. I bet they’d expect a favour from the public if they ever needed it. People like that are usually incredibly entitled.

Sorefret · 06/03/2021 21:58

Is there any evidence that large numbers of parents/children are refusing? In any programme like this, it's designed not to expect 100%.

In my school the vast majority of students are perfectly willing to have the tests. It's actually the staff who can't be bothered/ don't believe the tests/ don't see the point. We're getting a far higher take up from students than from staff.

SpringSunshineandTulips · 06/03/2021 22:03

Mine won’t be testing. He has major anxiety about it and I’m not forcing it. He will wear a mask even though he’s not keen but he really handle the thought of the tests.

Wondermule · 06/03/2021 22:21

@SpringSunshineandTulips

Mine won’t be testing. He has major anxiety about it and I’m not forcing it. He will wear a mask even though he’s not keen but he really handle the thought of the tests.

In the gentlest way possible (and because you seem happy to discuss it on a public forum) do you think anyone is happy about shoving a swab up their nose and down their throat?

I have tested my toddler 3 times now, not because I’m particularly worried about our household, but because it’s common decency to know whether to isolate etc.

What will your son do in future if he doesn’t want to take an exam? Take a train by himself? Have a medical procedure he doesn’t like the sound of?

SpringSunshineandTulips · 06/03/2021 22:33

Non noone does but why should he go through that massive stress when for most people it’s just a mild stress. If he gets symptoms and has to test then I guess I’ll have to force him. He won’t worry about exams in the same way as they are not a medical procedure!!

Wondermule · 06/03/2021 22:38

@SpringSunshineandTulips

Non noone does but why should he go through that massive stress when for most people it’s just a mild stress. If he gets symptoms and has to test then I guess I’ll have to force him. He won’t worry about exams in the same way as they are not a medical procedure!!

I’m sure every parent with a child wary of testing feels their child is unusually stressed about it and deserves special treatment.

I just think little incidences like this, instilling a sense of duty or resilience, prepares children very well for adult life. There is every chance he will need a medical procedure in the future, a swab is nothing compared with having an appendix removed or a broken limb.

SpringSunshineandTulips · 06/03/2021 22:42

He’s had broken limbs already and is actually pretty resilient usually. It’s medical procedures he can’t cope with. Broken limbs were ok for him actually but this is too much. I’ve tried to convince him but he gets really stressed with it and he’s had enough stress lately that it’s just not worth the push.

Vintagevixen · 06/03/2021 22:44

My DD will be doing the lateral testing but I have told the school she will not be wearing a mask in class. She's there to learn not be constantly fiddling with a damp mask that does nothing to protect anyone anyway.

As it is only guidance they have had to accept this.

VienneseWhirligig · 06/03/2021 22:46

Invalid/void results don't mean the test hasn't been done properly. It means that it can't determine whether what it has picked up is covid or not. The LFD doesn't discriminate between what it applies to it - fresh water, cat piss, engine oil - all of those are likely to come back negative as the test is only looking for the spiky virus ball. Only bodily fluid will come back void, and only if the sample is unclear - could have something that resembles the virus on it, or not.

Mrsfrumble · 06/03/2021 22:52

Yet you get these self indulgent whingers moaning about their 10 year old having to do it. I bet they’d expect a favour from the public if they ever needed it. People like that are usually incredibly entitled.

Firstly, testing is not even suggested for 10 year olds, as it isn’t happening in primary schools. Secondly, you testing your toddler is totally irrelevant; these children will be at school, so even if the parent consents, the student can still refuse to do it. Also, a toddler can be easily restrained to do a test if necessary. Do you expect school staff (or even parents) to hold down a distressed, autistic teenager (for example) and shove a swab up their nose and down their throat?

Wondermule · 06/03/2021 22:58

@Mrsfrumble

Yet you get these self indulgent whingers moaning about their 10 year old having to do it. I bet they’d expect a favour from the public if they ever needed it. People like that are usually incredibly entitled.

Firstly, testing is not even suggested for 10 year olds, as it isn’t happening in primary schools. Secondly, you testing your toddler is totally irrelevant; these children will be at school, so even if the parent consents, the student can still refuse to do it. Also, a toddler can be easily restrained to do a test if necessary. Do you expect school staff (or even parents) to hold down a distressed, autistic teenager (for example) and shove a swab up their nose and down their throat?

Well eleven then 🤷🏼‍♀️🙄

Yes the student can refuse but that is more likely if a parent at home is indulging them on it.

I never said anything about SEN children, clearly a different kettle of fish.

But yes, I think children should learn to do harmless things they don’t want to do where there is a civic duty or it is for the good of others. Why not?

Sleepyblueocean · 06/03/2021 23:08

I am able to test my autistic teenager because he doesn't mind the nasal swab. If he did mind it I wouldn't have a chance of doing it and we would all get hurt trying to do it.

Mrsfrumble · 06/03/2021 23:17

The majority of posters on this thread whose children won’t be having tests at school have given SN as the reason. And despite being asked, the OP has not clarified whether this is why the 30 children mentioned in her original post are not testing. Where’s the evidence that there are large numbers “whiner” parents refusing just because they don’t fancy doing their civic duty? I know it can give a nice, warm feeling of superiority to imagine all these dreadful entitled shirkers, but perhaps we should hold off until we know why people are withholding consent?

huggzy · 06/03/2021 23:17

Of the people I know who won't give consent for their child to test, most have said that it's because they'd have to isolate the whole household if it comes back positive. Whereas if the child has covid without symptoms and doesn't have a test, they can all carry on as normal as they won't know about it. 🤦‍♀️

The others aren't consenting as their child has additional needs and they don't feel they can manage it. Completely fair enough, they know their child best.

huggzy · 06/03/2021 23:19

I should add that my son has SEN and has been testing himself since mid January. He copes fine and so will continue to test. All SEN children different, some will be fine and others won't.

Wondermule · 06/03/2021 23:19

@Mrsfrumble

The majority of posters on this thread whose children won’t be having tests at school have given SN as the reason. And despite being asked, the OP has not clarified whether this is why the 30 children mentioned in her original post are not testing. Where’s the evidence that there are large numbers “whiner” parents refusing just because they don’t fancy doing their civic duty? I know it can give a nice, warm feeling of superiority to imagine all these dreadful entitled shirkers, but perhaps we should hold off until we know why people are withholding consent?

Well there’s not going to be data on it is there? But of course there will be parents with non-SEN children who simply don’t want to do it and they’re of the ‘why should they’ mindset.

SE13Mummy · 07/03/2021 11:40

There will also be students whose schools may be interpreting information about the tests differently e.g. whether or not it's acceptable to swab both nostrils instead of throat plus one nostril. I'm aware of a couple of Y7s it's been impossible to get throat swabs from (one because their strong gag reflex results in them vomiting, the other because of issues with braces and being unable to put their tongue down).

One school has said it's fine to swab both nostrils instead whereas the other has said PHE has said the tests don't work if the swab is only from the nostrils so that child will be recorded as not having given consent.

peak2021 · 07/03/2021 12:58

All along the Covid 19 rules/guidance and procedures have been voluntary in all but name, except for closures of shops and other places such as gyms. Observance is by a mixture of consideration for others, fear of the virus, and fines that are no more than if you park on a double yellow line (for which you are more likely to be caught).

So the voluntary nature of Covid 19 testing and the response from parents is no surprise. I have sympathy for those whose children have special needs (though as noted, some can be tested with minimal issue) but no-one else.

Dowser · 07/03/2021 13:15

@LaurieFairyCake

They just go into lessons like normal

Schools not allowed to send them home

Dh has had 30 parents so far email in to say they don't consent for their children to be tested

And as for masks (compulsory now) - yeah, schools are allowed to make it a rule but they're NOT allowed to exclude them if the don't

Are we all reassured by this utter bullshit?

Nope, thought not

Great news

Original poster

LaurieFairyCake · 08/03/2021 00:17

Apologies, hadn't realised there were so many posts

Dh's school is not requiring their pupils who have SEN to have the test unless the parent and child have agreed before - there's been a lot of lovely collaborative phone calls between the senco/school social worker and SLT about this

The 30 are children WITHOUT any needs and not identified as vulnerable - they are just whiners/a few anti vaxxers/some deniers etc

The number is now over 50 - and as has been pointed out is a small but significant part of the school population

OP posts:

NeverDropYourMoonCup · 08/03/2021 00:40

@FoxyTheFox

What I mean is why is an SEN non mask wearer taking priority over a physically vulnerable teacher who has not yet been vaccinated and had time to build up immunity.

A CEV teacher would be on the shielding list and not back at work until that ends. A vulnerable teacher will have had a risk assessment carried out and appropriate measures implemented. Its not that children with SEN and/or disabilities are being prioritised but nice prejudice you're showing there.

Back at work tomorrow. The 76 year old member of staff has been forced to work throughout, as their job couldn't be done at home. As have the 62 year old and the 59 year old TA who has been on chemo.

Not everybody who is vulnerable is on the shielding list.

IndecentFeminist · 08/03/2021 06:48

I'm not sure why I'm picking up a note of sarcasm in your comment "lovely collaborative phone calls"?

IndecentFeminist · 08/03/2021 06:49

That sounds pretty shit on the part of the school Mooncup. Anyone nigh on vulnerable on our staff hasn't been in at all.

loulouljh · 08/03/2021 06:51

Good!!!!!!