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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

My child has been selected for a Covid test!

408 replies

Livingmybestliferight · 13/05/2020 13:26

He's 10. Does not want to do it. Am wondering why they are doing this and whether it has anything to do with schools opening or not?! Would I be unreasonable to refuse this opportunity?

OP posts:
attackedbycritters · 13/05/2020 13:28

Is this because he is poorly , been in contact with someone or is it part of a programme to help us understand how it has spread through society and therefore to better understand the various risks

And whoever not? It is harmless

Lockheart · 13/05/2020 13:33

How has he been selected? Who by?

What is the test for? Is it an antibody test or to test if the virus is present in his system now?

Toddlerteaplease · 13/05/2020 13:35

It's a theist and nose Swab, just get it done.

understandmenow · 13/05/2020 13:35

Is he unwell?

mindutopia · 13/05/2020 13:38

I think there is a push to broadly test a section of the population to understand the true prevalence (how many people actually currently have it, particularly the ones who may not know because they are a mild case or asymptomatic). So people are being randomly offered tests. Yes, of course, you can refuse it. It has nothing to do with schools.

Witsend101 · 13/05/2020 13:43

Why would you refuse?

Fluffybutter · 13/05/2020 13:46

Need more details .
Who wants to test him?
Why him ?
Is he showing symptoms?

Drivingdownthe101 · 13/05/2020 13:46

Yeah and mine. It’s a random selection (adults and children) from GP records to see how many of the population are infected at any one time. Nothing to do with schools returning.

Original poster
Livingmybestliferight · 13/05/2020 13:47

No he's not unwell or been unwell. He literally has left the house to go on a short walk twice since 22nd March so extremely unlikely to have had it.
It's an NHS letter. It tests for both whether he has got it or has had it.
He doesn't want to do it as he is scared and I'm not going to hold him down!!
Maybe I should test myself instead....I'm back at work on 1st June!!

OP posts:
opticaldelusion · 13/05/2020 13:50

Is it the Imperial College London/Ipsos Mori study?

If so, it's just a research study to determine what the virus is doing. Your son will have been selected at random.

Witchofzog · 13/05/2020 13:50

No don't test yourself. That's bonkers. I have had the letter too and it's not mandatory. If you think it would cause distress you can decline

EffOrf · 13/05/2020 13:51

A few posters on here have had them, it’s for random testing of the community, they did mention that a certain number of letters would go out randomly on the briefings so nothing to worry about

ThatLibraryMiss · 13/05/2020 13:51

Would I be unreasonable to refuse this opportunity?

Well... you can, but why would you?

  1. It helps to paint a picture of the prevalence of CV19 in the community, so future decisions about easing lockdown can be well-informed..
  2. If it's an antibody test and it comes back positive, it lets you know that your DS has had CV19 and got over it, and that he has antibodies so he's safe to go back to school.
  3. It's a simple test.
opticaldelusion · 13/05/2020 13:51

Who is the letter from? Does it have Imperial College London/Ipsos Mori on it? It should explain why he's being asked to do this.

And, no, you can't do it on yourself instead!

granadagirl · 13/05/2020 13:52

Is it the one that there doing the trial for
a swab of mouth and ?
ds (30) got one the other day, won’t do it

opticaldelusion · 13/05/2020 13:53

It's entirely voluntary but personally I'd love to have been asked to take part. I'd like to know my own status with regard the virus plus I'd like to be part of something that will help gain a better understanding.

Taking a swab might not be very pleasant though...

ThatLibraryMiss · 13/05/2020 13:53

He doesn't want to do it as he is scared

Tell him how cool it is to be involved in a scientific study.

EffOrf · 13/05/2020 13:54

It’s not the trial more like a survey.

opticaldelusion · 13/05/2020 13:55

Assuming it's part of the study, I've seen one of these letters and it clearly explains why someone is being asked to do this. Have you actually read the letter, OP?

Hopefulmidwife · 13/05/2020 13:55

He has only left the house twice since march 22nd?? Is he not going crazy or needing fresh air and exercise?

ZiggeryZaggy · 13/05/2020 13:55

If he doesn’t want to do it then he has every right to say no. It is his body and he gets to choose.

Tiramisuiloveyou · 13/05/2020 13:55

Mine is 16 and he has also been selected. You can opt out of it but why would you if we all had this attitude we will get nowhere.

I have cut off his name in the photo its from the NHS/Imperial College of London, name selected at random Ipsos Mori he has had no symptoms and no contact with anyone infected by covid.

My child has been selected for a Covid test!
AndMyHairWillShineLikeTheSea · 13/05/2020 13:56

I don't understand why you wouldn't convince him to do it.
He must have had vaccinations in the past etc. It's less scary than that.
Can be articulate why he's scared?

Tiramisuiloveyou · 13/05/2020 13:56

Here it is

My child has been selected for a Covid test!
Bumfuzzled · 13/05/2020 13:58

My 5 year old has been selected too. If it’s the ICL/Mori one you can decline it. You can even agree to the test and decline to do it when it arrives. We have agreed to do it but I do wonder how tricky it will be to swab by 5 year olds throat. Huge amounts of bribery I think!