My child has been selected for a Covid test!

[Livingmybestliferight]

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?

It's not brutal - that's ridiculous. I've been tested (in hospital, by a nurse) - the swab up my nose was mildly disconcerting but didn't hurt, and the back of the throat swab was 2 seconds of yuk. That's all. The results of these tests will benefit us all in the long run - people shouldn't be put off.

Someone upthread mentioned social responsibility. I'd be telling him that it shows he's an important part of society and it's one way he can contribute to helping in the face of all the people who are suffering so much.

And those people making such a fuss about this - maybe have a think about why you are not prepared to help out in such a small way in the face of this awful pandemic? And what message is this giving to your children?

If he doesn’t want to do it then he doesn’t have to, let him make his own choice.

The reason I despair of ever beating the virus or coming out of lockdown is that there are so many people saying they won't cooperate with testing/government apps etc. Tell him it's his duty if he wants to help his fellow citizens

You could argue that brushing his teeth or showering is his choice too, still doesn’t mean you shouldn’t let him choose not to do it

Should*

He is a minor. It's up his nose not his bum ffs.
Ds the world is dying - (un) fortunately you have been selected for the test.
As your dm I get to decide.
Job done. Does your ds always call the shots op?

He is 10, he has no duties to his country. His body his choice.

He is like my children, one is shielding as they have a heart condition. Haven't left home other than for a drive twice. We play bowling, swing ball, football in our yard. Do Joe Wicks and other exercises set by teachers and just dance. They take vitamin D supplements and do as much learning and reading outdoors as the weather allows.

We haven't got a letter, but none of my family would do it either.

He is like my children, one is shielding as they have a heart condition.

I can't see that she has said he is shielding

Cannot believe the number of people who are saying they would override the child’s consent. Even Drs cannot do that if refusal to consent does not harm the child - and a research study is not enough of a reason to override that vital part of healthcare.

I think because we've been convinced it's a traumatic test.

   Nobody with a brain thinks that. 

I have to agree that for a very young child, it might be awful. But for >those of us who have given birth, there's no excuse for fear of a swab.

WHAT?? Are you comparing a covid swab with a speculum/cervical smear test? Surely not.

I hope every kid has been taken to the dentist and had his teeth checked; a covid swab test is even less than that.

Have you seen what they do when they do the test?

They push a swab AS FAR BACK AS IT CAN GO before reaching brain.

Then the same swab is put on your tonsils.

It is horrible.

P.s, I have had the test and it was awful.

I wouldn't let an uninformed child "make their own choice" about going to the dentist, being vaccinated, etc.

I wish I was chosen .
I had a very similar virus over New Years so would like to know if this is what I had as all the symptoms I could’ve checked off

@2bazookas it’s really nothing like that. It’s a pretty invasive and painful procedure.

@Livingmybestliferight
OP, please do help me understand this post

• You got a letter for taking part of an experiment with minimal inconvenience and a massive benefit
• Your child is 10, so not a toddler!
• You think your 10 year old cannot manage a swab from his nose and throat which takes less than 10 seconds

Are you always this selfish? What sort of message are you giving to your son?
You and people like you are the contributing reasons why this country will go into the deepest recession ever!

What is the worst thing that can happen?!
Big girl pants on and try to think about the so called Greater Good!

I have had the test and it was fine.

So strange, especially when they are
Refusing to test really ill people who think they have it.

What’s strange Marpan?

You should definitely let him make the final decision on whether or not to do it.

I would encourage mine to do it.

@Livingmybestliferight As a parent you parental rights and you very much DO NOT need to consult with mumsnet whether or not to go ahead with a test your son does not feel comfortable doing.

Having said that would you not want to know whether your son has had it or not, then you know he's been through it and you won't need to worry about him catching it?

On that point if he presented with symptoms of covid, would you take him to be tested?

If you shoved the swab in as far as you could until you almost reached your brain, Tuemay, you clearly did it wrong

My daughter (16) has received the letter and said she’ll do it. I don’t understand why people are saying about it being brutal and they wouldn’t let people do it to them. You do it to yourself, it’s coming through the post 😳.