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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To insist that my friend doesn't go back to work on Tuesday without a negative covid test result?

253 replies

RingPiece · 29/08/2020 22:37

Teacher friend at a large inner city secondary school, says she's woken up feeling ill - sore throat, no sense of taste, temperature, shivers, etc. She's back to work on Tuesday. I've told her to get a covid test sent to her home and wait for the results before going back to work.

She said it's unlikely she'll get the test, send it back and get the results by Tuesday, as it's BH, and so will

'have to go in anyway , as it could just be a cold and I always go to work when I have a cold'

She also thinks she may be better by Tuesday.
Aibu in saying she really needs to get a test. Her school's huge and she'll come into contact with loads of staff on the Tuesday and then with the 90 children in her bubble on the Wednesday, not to mention all those commuters on her train and tube journey to and from the school.

OP posts:
TDGH1245ANON · 30/08/2020 15:38

@RingPiece. You're starting to sound doubtful in my mind... If she can't walk to a test centre she obviously can't get into school so there's no issue as to what to do... Hmm

Original poster
RingPiece · 30/08/2020 15:44

Thanks, PurpleDaisies

Ionly had a cough. I didn’t feel particularly ill.

But what about those people who are really ill? Those who can't leave their homes? That they get a postal test? Friend is worried now that if she tests negative they'll expect her back even if she's still feeling ill.
God, how I'll never regret leaving the teaching profession! It broke me! I do feel for her.

OP posts:
Original poster
RingPiece · 30/08/2020 15:46

TDGH1245ANON

Yeah, I know! She's rather confused herself tbh. I think she expects to be better by Tuesday but at the moment she feels terrible. And I said she should get tested anyway; initially she disagreed with me.

OP posts:
MiraWard77 · 30/08/2020 15:52

@RingPiece

Her HOD has been tasked with contacting her and phoned her. I hope this isn't going to out my friend as if the HOD reads Mumsnet, she'll know I'm talking about her!

The HOD, I'm told, was very keen to establish that her symptoms were covid related and not 'just a cold'. She felt that she didn't believe her and has said that she hopes she tests positive just to prove her wrong. It's awful really.

Reposting this again for you to pass on to her HOD. It doesn't matter if it's "just a cold" or not. If someone is ill they must stay off till they're better. The antigen tests are not 100% accurate.

Government guidance states if someone is ill they stay home. Breaking the guidance undermines the risk assessments done by schools opening them up to litigation.

To insist that my friend doesn't go back to work on Tuesday without a negative covid test result?
walksen · 30/08/2020 15:56

The HOD, I'm told, was very keen to establish that her symptoms were covid related and not 'just a cold'. She felt that she didn't believe her and has said that she hopes she tests positive just to prove her wrong. It's awful really.

See as a teacher she has to worry about being labelled as not a team player, caring about the kids etc which has a habit of being reflected in gradings for lesson observations. Sad but true.

Original poster
RingPiece · 30/08/2020 18:23

MiraWard77
Thanks for that. I'll pass it on.

It makes me wonder how schools will cope as it's usual for many who work in schools to catch all the bugs that are around this time of year and into January/ February. Most do just go in, soldier on, whether that's the right thing to do under normal circumstances isn't really the issue. If everyone stayed at home when they're ill, then a school could end up being staffed by mostly supply teachers for a time. This situation doesn't really work in these times.

So, what will happen when teachers, LSAs, HODs, HTs and other school staff actually stay at home with the first sign of a cold?

OP posts:
Original poster
RingPiece · 30/08/2020 18:30

See as a teacher she has to worry about being labelled as not a team player, caring about the kids etc which has a habit of being reflected in gradings for lesson observations. Sad but true.

So true. I think it will take time before the attitude of some schools changes to reflect the changes in our lives.

OP posts:
Smelborp · 30/08/2020 18:46

Even with a negative test, with those symptoms she shouldn’t be near a school as she unwell and you can get a false negative so it still could be COVID.

If someone found out that she went to school with those symptoms and anyone else came down with it, she could find herself and the school in the gutter press who will be looking for more scapegoats.

skodadoda · 30/08/2020 20:21

I don't understand how so many posters are able to go to a walk / drive in test centre if they're ill. Are everyone's symptoms quite mild or is it that they have just come into contact with someone who's tested positive? What do people do if they're genuinely really very ill like my friend? She can't get out of bed without shivering and looked absolutely awful when I saw her online. Obviously a postal test is the only option and she has one coming but I worry for those who live alone who are too ill possibly to let anyone know.

OP, has she called a dr or NHS Direct about her condition? She might well be advised to go to A&E to be assessed. If she can’t get transport then an ambulance might be needed. Never mind work, she sounds quite ill.

Porridgeoat · 30/08/2020 22:23

It doesn’t mater what the HOD believes, it’s essential staff follow official guidelines

bridgetreilly · 30/08/2020 23:08

So, what will happen when teachers, LSAs, HODs, HTs and other school staff actually stay at home with the first sign of a cold?

There are likely to be substantially fewer this year because we're all, you know, socially distancing, wearing masks, and washing our hands. So at least that's something.

Original poster
RingPiece · 30/08/2020 23:23

There are likely to be substantially fewer this year because we're all, you know, socially distancing, wearing masks, and washing our hands. So at least that's something.

Yes, I expect so, in secondary schools. I imagine primary schools staff, however, will be hit with the usual bout of bugs due the lack of SD and being around younger children. They'll probably need more supply teachers than previously.

OP posts:
Porridgeoat · 31/08/2020 06:19

We’ve had loads of people sign off with a cold. They are tested and get the results in 48 hours so disruption is minimal compared to previous 14 and 7 day rules which werefollowed. The NHS and government advice is for everyone including people that do different critical jobs.

SaltyAndFresh · 31/08/2020 08:37

So, what will happen when teachers, LSAs, HODs, HTs and other school staff actually stay at home with the first sign of a cold?

I imagine that when this finally occurs to the govt they'll decide that teachers are exempt form SI at the first sign of symptoms because they're magic. Also the 10 days after a positive - maybe we'll end up with 'clean' and 'dirty' classrooms instead. I am joking but nothing would surprise me now.

ChristmasCarcass · 31/08/2020 08:55

I don't understand how so many posters are able to go to a walk / drive in test centre if they're ill

Depends on how far away the test centre is, and how ill you are feeling - I felt atrocious on the first two days, but by day 3 I could have struggled ten minutes down the road to get a swab done. I could definitely have sat in a car and been driven by somebody else. A couple of my colleagues who swabbed positive just had a slight cough.

MadameBlobby · 31/08/2020 08:58

@Porridgeoat

We’ve had loads of people sign off with a cold. They are tested and get the results in 48 hours so disruption is minimal compared to previous 14 and 7 day rules which werefollowed. The NHS and government advice is for everyone including people that do different critical jobs.
It’s minimal now but when schools go back the demand on tests due to kids having colds will increase hugely as happened up here.
SaltyAndFresh · 31/08/2020 09:40

There's a thread on Scotsnet about colds linked to schools reopening.

Yabberdabbado · 31/08/2020 10:58

@SaltyAndFresh that's why we get FRESHERS FLU it's not just universities. 😔

SaltyAndFresh · 31/08/2020 11:44

Yep. It's going to happen.

canigooutyet · 31/08/2020 13:12

@RingPiece

I don't understand how so many posters are able to go to a walk / drive in test centre if they're ill. Are everyone's symptoms quite mild or is it that they have just come into contact with someone who's tested positive? What do people do if they're genuinely really very ill like my friend? She can't get out of bed without shivering and looked absolutely awful when I saw her online. Obviously a postal test is the only option and she has one coming but I worry for those who live alone who are too ill possibly to let anyone know.
When I was first tested back in March/April this is what I said to the person on the other end. How am I supposed to get to a test centre, I don't drive, if I did I wouldn't be legally competent. I'd need to walk/use public transport, yet I'm told to not do this and isolate.

Until I said this home tests weren't available. I could barely stand at some points let alone anything else. I was delirious from the fever. Could barely talk, although would have been a hit for the pervy heavy breathers lol. Teeth chattering whilst the sweat poured off me.

canigooutyet · 31/08/2020 13:26

@bridgetreilly

So, what will happen when teachers, LSAs, HODs, HTs and other school staff actually stay at home with the first sign of a cold?

There are likely to be substantially fewer this year because we're all, you know, socially distancing, wearing masks, and washing our hands. So at least that's something.

Social distancing in schools will be at a minimum level. Not everyone washes their hands.

What will happen is when staffing levels become too low, kids will be sent home.

If someone tests positive, I believe that everyone who has been in contact with the person are also sent home.

If parents/guardians continue with the dose with calpol before school, nothing will change. Same with if they send them in whilst they are infectious with anything, as some parents do.

It's in most, if not all, workplace policies there is something about not going in when infectious. They need to be reminded about the current cv guidelines but also nhs infections guidance for isolation. They have a duty of care to their staff, and schools have the added responsibility of all the pupils.

Hangingbasketofdoom · 31/08/2020 13:46

My dc both have viruses and they've been back at school full time for two weeks.
Hand washing/sanitising incessantly. Hasn't stopped it.

NotEverythingIsBlackandWhite · 31/08/2020 13:53

God help our children being taught by someone who has this ridiculous mindset. I would report her to the school's head with no hesitation whatsoever.

Walkover3974 · 31/08/2020 15:33

She needs to go to drive through. My husband and I have taken 2 home tests now and I'll never do it again. It takes ages to arrive, ages to be sent back, and ages for the results.
A colleague has done one 10 days ago and still hasn't had results.
Drive in is one day

PurpleDaisies · 31/08/2020 16:24

How can she go to a drive through if she doesn’t drive?