To think school parents won’t get themselves or their kids tested

[Sistery]

...and will probably send in kids who should be isolating?

I did a Covid test last week (negative). It wasn’t terrible but was a faff and uncomfortable.

I just think that if so many people won’t even wear a bit of fabric over their face to protect others then they definitely won’t miss work or stick a swab in their nose/throat. Especially bearing in mind that they’ll have to do it every single time anyone in their family has a cough or temperature or can’t smell anything (all winter... ) They just won’t. People send sick kids to school a lot anyway - it’s how sick bugs and viruses fly round so easily so they’re already inclined to do this, and given the government is pushing hard at the narrative that Covid is some magical virus that children conveniently don’t spread, parents will be even more likely to send them. Especially if it’s someone else in the household that’s got symptoms

We just don’t seem to live in a country with a strong sense of social responsibility but equally we don’t enforce any so no temperature checks or mandatory PPE or anything at school.

YABU = People will isolate for 10 days if they get any Covid symptoms and their household will isolate for 14, until a throat and nasal swab shows a negative result, and they’ll repeat this every time anyone in the household gets any symptoms all winter.
YANBU: No they won’t.

I will follow the isolation rules. That's all I concern myself with.

I would test. I dont want ds off unecessarily. At the same time would keep him off if tested positive. Wrong not to.

I have already experienced a parent who was outraged they had to get their child tested, despite complaining of the core symptoms of COVID and recently returning from a country with a high R rate which had since been put on the quarantine list.

I work in the NHS and had to explain to a grown woman about preventing a local outbreak and the responsibility of the whole community as yes, she had sent the child into childcare to go to work.

I think people will try to get round it because they have now experienced lockdown and possibly already had to self isolate for 14 days already. I don't think people realised how long 14 days actual is when your sitting staring at 4 walls. People don't want to do this.

A few mums up at school I know for a fact would send poorly kids in as they've always done it. Straight back in after vomiting etc. Completely irresponsible.

Weve had symptoms twice already, and ordered home tests. The first test had bits missing and hubby had to still go to testing centre. The second time amazon took 6 days to deliver them!!

turns around anybody who is coughing before they've entered the premises.
Any child with exercise induced asthma walking up the hill to DD school then?

Wow. The number of parents who couldn’t give a shot about school staff is way beyond my comprehension. Collateral damage. Fuck my kids and their needs - to have a roof kept over their heads and a well, a,I’ve parent, as long as you lot can get to work, the rest of us don’t matter. This is why I do not want to go back to work. Because neither I nor my family matters to anyone. What a shit society we have become,

Having done lockdown, and semi-isolation (DH in spare room with no contact) I'd choose 14 days over 14 weeks.

Sadly, you're right on the money OP. I know parents who've sent kids to school with sick bugs, temps, diahorrea, hacking coughs, etc. They won't suddenly become sticklers for not spreading bugs because it's Covid. Of course they'll continue with their 'me first, everyone else nowhere' attitude.

@Enoughnowstop

Wow. The number of parents who couldn’t give a shot about school staff is way beyond my comprehension. Collateral damage. Fuck my kids and their needs - to have a roof kept over their heads and a well, a,I’ve parent, as long as you lot can get to work, the rest of us don’t matter. This is why I do not want to go back to work. Because neither I nor my family matters to anyone. What a shit society we have become,

Schools aren’t going to be open long by the looks of things.

@drspouse

turns around anybody who is coughing before they've entered the premises. Any child with exercise induced asthma walking up the hill to DD school then?

And they wouldn't take their inhaler in that case?

People will be under enormous pressure to go to work. The government won’t provide schools with resources to do temperature checks or manage the situation in any way. It isn’t the fault of selfish individuals, it is inept government policy whose goal is not to stop the spread of the virus but to ensure the blame for its spread is directed anywhere but at themselves - so they want people blaming the unions, the teachers or each other instead of looking at them where the fault truly lies. Parents will be in an impossible situation between a rock and a hard place this term. Don’t turn on each other, turn on the government and hold them accountable!

I suspect even the people who say they will get tested will start to balk at it after the third or so time in quick succession.

Also, those of us who don’t live near a test centre have to wait for it to come in the post. Then they can’t take it till they are able to get to a priority post box near to the last collection. For this reason it can be at least 3 days or so from symptoms to testing. I suspect that many may do what my neighbour did - I don’t approve, but by day 3 she was 4 days on from having a temperature (as she ordered the test after a fever in the night) and feeling completely fine so didn’t bother taking the test and carried on as normal. They say a lot that are ordered aren’t sent back.

Parents will be in an impossible situation between a rock and a hard place this term. Don’t turn on each other, turn on the government and hold them accountable!

^^This. It's neither parents nor teachers who designed a system that currently looks asinine in its optimism.

Schools aren’t going to be open long by the looks of things

It will be too long for some people, sadly. And sadly, schools need to be open and we really want to see the children. I don’t know how I’m going to stop myself from hugging my lovely year 11s when I see them! But until the Government gets its act together and demands we take responsibility and comes down hard on those who don’t....we’ll have to close.

Schools aren’t going to be open long by the looks of things

I think the government will try to push them through till an early Christmas closure. That’s my hunch.

@CaptainBrickbeard

People will be under enormous pressure to go to work. The government won’t provide schools with resources to do temperature checks or manage the situation in any way. It isn’t the fault of selfish individuals, it is inept government policy whose goal is not to stop the spread of the virus but to ensure the blame for its spread is directed anywhere but at themselves - so they want people blaming the unions, the teachers or each other instead of looking at them where the fault truly lies. Parents will be in an impossible situation between a rock and a hard place this term. Don’t turn on each other, turn on the government and hold them accountable!

Not sure why a parent sending in a sick child is the governments fault

I know parents sending to kids to school in March with coughs and temperatures.

I doubt they'd stop now when everyone thinks we couldn't possibly end up in the same situation again and the magical non Covid penetrating school walls will protect them.

Yanbu

Taking your kids for a COVID test if they show even the mildest symptoms has become the norm here in Sydney where schools are open. I think we are all so grateful we are not in lockdown like Melbourne most people are doing the right thing. Where to have the test done to get the fastest results has become a hot topic of conversation between the parents I know. The test is a bit uncomfortable but not a big deal tbh, we are happy to do the right thing to keep everyone safe.

We got a COVID test before inviting our child’s preschool bubble friends to our home for a garden party. We just couldn’t have spreading COVID on our conscience. It surprised me how quick and easy it was- booked one day, took the test the next day (drive through with no queue), and got the results less than 24 hours later.

Knowing how easy it is I think I’ll go get us tested monthly, and at the very least whenever any of our household develop related symptoms.

I think you’re right but mainly because people aren’t aware how easy it is to get tested. That said, an alarming number of people believe this is all a conspiracy- I’ve met a few of them in the kids playground in real life. They are the ones who regardless of the ease of testing, will refuse to do it and to wear masks/ sanitise hands/ keep their distance out of principle.

Sistery

“In fact my results didn’t have a date on them so could be reused.”

That’s incredible!

@Sistery

The nursery have to see evidence of testing before children are allowed back so there is no way you cannot get it.

I’m pretty sure state schools can’t insist on seeing medical test results. Besides which, mine were an email and a text. It would be extremely easy to fake. If you were that way inclined! In fact my results didn’t have a date on them so could be reused.

But isn't the email or text stamp dated?

@Appuskidu

but they can surely insist that if a parent must show a negative test IF they want to cut the isolation period short?

The schools guidance specifically states schools aren’t allowed to ask for evidence of a negative test before allowing a child back.

The government plans for schools reopening are just terrible, I’m amazed more people haven’t read them and just believe Daily Mail headlines stating teachers are workshy lefties all whinging about nothing.

This ^

Guidelines actually state that no funding will be given for hygiene and cleaning etc.

Staff don't need masks or ppe.

Can request child is collected and tested but there is no way if physically sending child home.

Cannot ask for confirmation test is negative.

And then a lovely section about if there's Covid death in school then HSE will investigate and school may be held liable.
And as a minimum HSE will advise school on how to be safe and out in measures. 🤦🏼‍♀️

people aren’t aware how easy it is to get tested

It’s only easy if you live near a drive in centre, and drive, and don’t have SEN and - if doing a postal test - are literate. Which by the way a lot of people aren’t. It’s not easy - the test itself is unpleasant and there’s a lot of faffing with barcodes, registering the tests individually online (even though you ordered them) etc

@catsarecute that links not clicky on the app. I would like to sign as I think we need this.

@Sistery

people aren’t aware how easy it is to get tested

It’s only easy if you live near a drive in centre, and drive, and don’t have SEN and - if doing a postal test - are literate. Which by the way a lot of people aren’t. It’s not easy - the test itself is unpleasant and there’s a lot of faffing with barcodes, registering the tests individually online (even though you ordered them) etc

Agreed. I've got family members who were involved in user testing a postal kit and it's quite sobering how many things went awry (improved now, I hope).