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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:
Rownenen1 · 14/05/2020 17:41

I thought you had to be 11

thenovice · 14/05/2020 17:44

Surely having the test would give certainty about his situation and it would be comforting to know if he has had it. If it shows he has it now, it would surely be better to know than not?
I would be telling my child all the benefits of being tested.

Drivingdownthe101 · 14/05/2020 17:44

No, my 6 year old has been selected for it.

TriciaH87 · 14/05/2020 17:47

My son is 10 and has anemia as well as a heart murmur. If they offered to test him I would snap their hand off. If I know his had it that means his not been sick with it and given that he picks up everything knowing he had would put us at ease as I constantly worry about him picking it up.

nannygoat50 · 14/05/2020 17:47

Why wouldn’t you do it . I would it’s to take a cross section for science so we can understand as much as we can about this virus, who is susceptible and how it spreads

IsobelElsie123 · 14/05/2020 17:49

Agreed, why wouldn't you go all out to persuade him to do it? Why is he just expecting to benefit from other people/children’s co-operation?

Tas1984 · 14/05/2020 17:49

Just sit your child down and tell him what they are gonna do. Talk him through what he’s scared of and the pros and cons of having it. It’s not about forcing him to have it but have u really just accepted he doesn’t want to have it and that’s it??? No talking to him about it, nothing?? This is definitely more a you problem than a his problem.

AndMyHairWillShineLikeTheSea · 14/05/2020 17:50

@TriciaH87 the test op is talking about only shows if the child currently has the infection.

Antibody tests won't be rolled out for quite a while.

Thisismytimetoshine · 14/05/2020 17:51

It's the likes of op who'll be sharp elbowing her way to the front of the queue for the vaccine, should we ever get one.

Devilinatwinset · 14/05/2020 17:52

Haven't rtft, & I'm sure this has already been said, but they will need parental consent from you. So if HE doesn't want to, don't give consent. His body, his choice. He needs to be able to trust you & if you forced him to go ahead with the test, would it not damage his trust in you. No matter about 'the greater good'.

Chesters81 · 14/05/2020 17:52

Laid back parent = laid back child. Far too much information is being shared by parents to their children inducing fear. They are not emotionally capable of balancing the risk or reality. The swab is merely a swish around the nose and then a swish around the back of the throat ... not rammed down the nasal cavity as some people are suggesting on here... a little knowledge is a dangerous thing and it’s inciting fear in a situation that doesn’t need to be dramatised.

randomchatter · 14/05/2020 17:56

Good heavens. The more of the population tested the better surely! I'm not sure about covid-19 but vaccines can be produced from the immune/understanding why some don't get it or don't suffer extreme reactions to it.

Why is your child scared of a swab test, that's the question?!

beatasthmamum · 14/05/2020 18:03

I don't see the point in testing or what they will gain. Your child will just be added to the covid-19 statistics.
If he doesn't want it don't force him. Do your research first.
If it was me I would be refusing. Don't believe everything that you are being told regarding the current situation. There is too much contradictory information and too much evidence to disprove the pandemic.
Please just be careful

BBOA · 14/05/2020 18:04

I've had a letter too. Part of a research program including Imperial College London and mori . Said I was randomly selected. Web link didn't work so called the number. Hopenit a scam.... It was very credible!

Jenny1951 · 14/05/2020 18:04

Why on earth would you allow a 10 year old to dictate on this? This is for everybody’s good and would be a very good life example discussion. Not a good example if you allow him to decide- what will be next when he’s 16??

Carpedimum · 14/05/2020 18:04

I’m aghast at the number of people that have referenced what they’ve been doing since the lockdown on 22/3 as if the virus has only been contagious since then. Covid-19 probably arrived in the U.K. in January, maybe even December. It is socially responsible to have the test & I wouldn’t be surprised if the antibody test becomes mandatory in the future. I’ve had the test; it’s not pleasant but it is only slightly unpleasant for a very brief moment. A stick swab is used, similar to a large cotton wool bud. First it briefly goes to the back of the throat while you say ‘ah’ then quickly up one nasal passage but not deeply so. My DS said he was expecting it to be much worse but has had “a lollipop stick further back in my throat” and “my pinky finger further up my nose” & he’s not a nose-picker. I would urge everyone to do the right thing & get tested with few exceptions perhaps for children with particular existing phobias certainly not those imprinted by paranoid, hysterical parents. JFDI.

jackie2669 · 14/05/2020 18:05

Not all children are the same some are more sensitive than others and I wouldn't call him a wuss .I do wonder if he's been watching all the news or seen something on the Internet . If you explain it all simply maybe do a few practice swabs if not it's nor a problem at all not to do it.

Thisismytimetoshine · 14/05/2020 18:08

I don't see the point in testing or what they will gain
Why would you feel the need to display your ignorance on the Internet?

Agc4u · 14/05/2020 18:13

he’ll do the test and then next thing you know they’ll be forcing him to have the vaccine.
It’s your child, don’t be pressurised into doing anything you don’t feel comfortable with. Your child has already expressed his concerns about doing it. If you push him and shit goes wrong down the road you’ll only have yourself to blame. Many people would jump at the chance of testing so leave it to them and respect your child’s wishes.

chicken2015 · 14/05/2020 18:15

he'll do the test and then next thing you know they’ll be forcing him to have the vaccine.
What a load of rubbish how on earth does that mean that!? U have plucked it out of thin air!

Devilinatwinset · 14/05/2020 18:16

Not a good example if you allow him to decide
what happens with his own body?!
Does a child - whether 10 or 16 - not have bodily autonomy because they are a child?

Celestine70 · 14/05/2020 18:18

If he's scared just say no. His mental wellbeing is more important.

Agc4u · 14/05/2020 18:20

You’ll see......

Thisismytimetoshine · 14/05/2020 18:23

If you push him and shit goes wrong down the road you’ll only have yourself to blame.
Give us an example of possible "shit", in this context!

HerRoyalNotness · 14/05/2020 18:24

It seems like there are two tests going around. The ‘brain scrape’ painful one and the throat and nose swab. I had the second one on Monday and it was fine. I have a sensitive gag reflex so did gag on one side of the throat. There was no discomfort or pain.

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