Page 9 | My child has been selected for a Covid test!

Livingmybestliferight · 2020-05-13T12:26:08+00:00

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?

Lweji · 13/05/2020 17:22

Sedlescombe

I'm all for participating. I'm just saying that it's not as crucial this child participates, if he's not comfortable with doing the swabs, and it's not as shocking as some pps seem to think.

I also expressed my reservations about the quality of the results obtained.
TBH, it seems a huge compromise in face of the incapacity of the UK government to conduct proper testing.

CornishYarg · 13/05/2020 17:22

DS who is 8 has been chosen for a test and is going to do it as he says he wants to help out. We've warned him it will be unpleasant but over quite quickly. We're also planning to give him a treat after so he can focus on that.

But absolutely no way I'd make him do it if he didn't want to. Even if you don't do the test, there's still an online survey to complete so you can contribute to the research that way.

Original poster

Livingmybestliferight · 13/05/2020 17:32

He is in yr 5. I've not put any fear in him. I've not been worried as such about coronavirus. Certainly haven't put any fear on him. He hears the news though and being sensitive I think he does worry more.
He doesnt go out and about much as he is very much a child who obeys rules! He knows we're supposed to stay at home.
It's the actual swabbing involved he would hate. I haven't even told him how they test but as he isnt great at taking meds I know he wont cooperate.

OP posts:

seltaeb · 13/05/2020 17:33

I would encourage my DS (if he was 10) to participate in an important scientific study that may help the UK deal with the virus. Why should taking a swab scare him?

AndMyHairWillShineLikeTheSea · 13/05/2020 17:38

He doesnt go out and about much as he is very much a child who obeys rules! He knows we're supposed to stay at home.

Surely you all go for a walk every day though (barring disability)? That's not against the rules and is actually encouraged.

Sorry, not the point of the thread I know. I just hate hearing about people thinking they're not allowed out at all.

TARSCOUT · 13/05/2020 17:39

They can't forceably make him. If he doesn't want to do it, at 10 he's perfectly capable of making that decision. Just opt out.

HauntedGoatFart · 13/05/2020 17:43

God I'd love to have been selected for this. I've volunteered for the vaccine and convalescent plasma trials but so far not been selected/needed.

I'd talk to my DS about the importance of contributing to research, our responsibility to society, what will happen with the results and why that's important right now. I would do my best to persuade him and unpack his concerns, in short. But ultimately it's his body and I wouldn't force him.

Hagisonthehill · 13/05/2020 17:44

So you haven't told him what it involves just that you know he wouldn't like it because he is sensitive?
So he doesn't really get a choice because you haven't really told him about it and he doesn't get to go out and exercise because he doesn't like it.
Don't do it if that's how YOU feel but I think you need to be a parent about the walks and work out ways for him to overcome some of his sensitivity.If he likes rules then find the advice on exercise.

VerticalHorizon · 13/05/2020 17:53

He's be helping to be a hero - but helping us ALL to know what the situation is, so we can better deal with it.

We need kids like him!!

ApollO88 · 13/05/2020 17:56

My 9 year old has been selected. I asked if he wanted the test and he said no.

Wtfdoipick · 13/05/2020 18:00

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/881000/Combined_throat_nose_swab_instruction_sheet_courier_version.pdf

That is the instructions for taking the swabs, it may be worth talking that through with him so he can see exactly what is involved.

Thisismytimetoshine · 13/05/2020 18:08

Jesus, just read the instructions... I don't know whether to laugh or cry at the numpties interpreting "insert just inside your nostril" as "try to cram the entire thing as if it was a dipstick".
Frightening 🤣

SunshineCake · 13/05/2020 18:09

If you don't want to help then don't have your child do it but don't be testing yourself. That is stupid.

letmethinkaboutitfornow · 13/05/2020 18:13

@Livingmybestliferight
It's the actual swabbing involved he would hate. I haven't even told him how they test but as he isnt great at taking meds I know he wont cooperate.

- so you are making assumptions? Great!

Wheresthebeach · 13/05/2020 18:14

Wish I could sign up. Would in a minute.

loopylindazdaughter · 13/05/2020 18:15

WTF is he scared of? Think your making this into an issue when it didn't need to be. It's for the greater good.

If my 10yo DD was selected I would be making it into a positive and an exciting opportunity to be part of national research. What a cool story to tell everyone.

opticaldelusion · 13/05/2020 18:18

I would be really bloody upset if my 10 year old son was scared about this. Why? Because it meant that my fear (or rather yours) has been absorbed by him rather than teaching him the reality of the reality, which is that even if he hasn’t had it and gets it - he would likely get very mild if any at most on

I don't think this is fair. My child doesn't seem particularly anxious about getting COVID-19 and it's not something I talk about with any great fear but he'd still be very apprehensive if I came at him with a swab. He just hates any sort of medical procedure, as do a lot of children (and adults). To say that a worried child automatically means that the parent has been transmitting unnecessary anxiety is unfair.

TheoneandObi · 13/05/2020 18:21

God I love doing stuff like this. Pick me! Pick me! Little old me helping science.
Try and talk to your son and stress how important it is to understand the virus

LonelyGir1 · 13/05/2020 18:23

You should have him tested.

OwlBeThere · 13/05/2020 18:23

I would be really bloody upset if my 10 year old son was scared about this. Why? Because it meant that my fear (or rather yours) has been absorbed by him rather than teaching him the reality of the reality, which is that even if he hasn’t had it and gets it - he would likely get very mild if any at most on

That’s a weird assumption...my oldest child is afraid of getting it because she has general anxiety and is scared if everything. That doesn’t come from me or her father. I’m the least anxious human ever. Some people are just anxious!

Isadora2007 · 13/05/2020 18:24

It’s a swab up the nose and in the throat- not invasive and not really all that unpleasant. Some children need to have daily insulin injections or Have Hickman lines inserted to have medication for cancer. Age 10 I would expect my child to understand that Sometimes we have to do things we don’t like for the greater good.

Sandybval · 13/05/2020 18:25

I am sure he knows the swab isn't infected with Covid, but it's uncomfortable and maybe he just doesn't want to do it. Even though I've given birth I recoil at the sight of a needle, a swab or anything else that goes into the body. I do it as if I am having it done it's neccessary, but this isn't; the study isn't pivotal on him in particular doing it, and it's good he feels comfortable saying no.

CorianderLord · 13/05/2020 18:26

It's only a swab

OwlBeThere · 13/05/2020 18:26

And all those frothing about OPs son not going out would be horrified that my son hasn’t been outside the door except one drive in 2 months. He’s autistic and not a fan of outdoors at the best of times but currently he’s just not having it at all.

BEANBAG765 · 13/05/2020 18:27

Same with us. Received the letter for my daughter. Waiting for the test to arrive but unlikely that she is sick as we are home since 17 March