To send my kids to school with coughs if they’ve tested negative for coronavirus?

[DragonLegs]

They tested negative on Tuesday for coronavirus but still have active coughs. They are perfectly well in themselves though, haven’t had any fevers just mild coughs. Is this okay? I’m not sure what’s meant to happen, as potentially they could have a cough for weeks!

Send them unless they're unwell in themselves. Print a copy of the negative test results for the school.

At both my son's school that would be fine as long as you'd informed the school of the negative test.

Yes that's fine as the cough is not Covid. We had to do this for nursery. Once the negative test results he could go back. Cough lingered for a week but he was fine otherwise.

Well my boss at work said he doesn't want people with coughs or colds going in at all - I know its different as we can all work from home.
Just because you had a negative test on Tuesday doesn't mean you don't have it - I have heard advice that regardless of whether the test was negative or not you should act as much as possible as if it was, if you have symptoms.
Admittedly if you are prone to coughs with hayfever or something, then it might be different. I would consult the school myself.

I would speak with the school first. The rate of false negatives is high, 1 in 3 I believe?

@MollyButton

Well my boss at work said he doesn't want people with coughs or colds going in at all - I know its different as we can all work from home. Just because you had a negative test on Tuesday doesn't mean you don't have it - I have heard advice that regardless of whether the test was negative or not you should act as much as possible as if it was, if you have symptoms. Admittedly if you are prone to coughs with hayfever or something, then it might be different. I would consult the school myself.

Problem with small children is they have pretty much permanent coughs and runny noses during autumn and winter (mine did anyway). If we act as though there symptoms are covid they'll never be at school!

Ask the school, it's their call imo.

I agree you need to ask the school. I'd be interested to know what they say!

My dcs school would expect them back in after a negative test result.

Policies vary on this so you need to ask the school. Do not send them in before asking, as you might prompt a whole class having to self isolate for no good reason!

DS had a cough in June and school took him back without a problem, as we'd managed to get him tested over the weekend (and got the results back in 12 hours!). I just forwarded them the email I received with his negative result.

I would not send them in. The tests are not accurate enough to say they don't have it and they could easily infect many others. I'd aim for 2 weeks from the day the cough started as that should rule it out as best you can.

No you shouldn't send them kn virus or not who wants their child to catch something.

I sent mine back this morning. They tested negative yesterday and the school confirmed there was a heavy cold doing the rounds.

They have had a negative test.

Contrary to popular belief there are still other virus' around in 2020! I'd point that out if challenged!

I would though show the negative tests although technically schools aren't allowed to ask. It backs you up.

I've had a cough for weeks. Caused by reflux caused by iron meds I'm in for severe anaemia.

The looks I get because walking leaves me out of breath and eating makes me cough is quite something

Do you have children? That's tantamount to saying keep them off for the majority of the winter!

There are a huge number of viruses and many small children are often almost never without a cold or cough from September to March. Unless we have decided they will get no schooling then we have to let them go into school particularly with a negative covid 19 test.

A few mixed opinions then! I’ll email the school and ask. It’ll be a nightmare if they say no as I have to work and this can’t be done from home!

Just take them. Say they've had a cough, isolated, negative test so returning.

That's following the right guidelines.

I’m worried about this - my DS is prone to coughs and they always linger for ages. He’s got one at the moment - had him tested at the weekend and it was negative, but yesterday walking around a park we felt so self-conscious having people glaring as he coughed (outside, socially distanced obviously). I’m so worried he’ll keep getting sent home for something we can’t do anything about!

Tricky one. Send them in and all the other children are likely to catch it and then have to have time off to get tested. However if you keep them at home they are likely to miss a lot of school. I hope the goverment has sufficient tests to cover this, I suspect not though.

I think it depends how old your children are. Older teens (according to the expert on the Today programme earlier this morning) react to COVID much more like adults.

Whatever you decide, teach them - force them - to cough into a tissue or the crook of their elbow. And send them to school with handkerchiefs, or loads of tissues, and hand sanitiser.

I'm worried about this. DD has developed a raspy cough and I feel a tad rough. It reeks of having a good, especially as it has started to feel like winter here. Wondering whether to send her or not! One day for her to miraculously recover!

Cold. Not good. Urgh!

If all children with a cough were kept home, there would be hardly anyone at primary schools or nurseries - even with negative tests! I teach Year 3 and at any given time in the autumn term at least 40% of my class have a hacking cough, with a further 40% having a runny nose/sore throat/headache etc. My own toddler coughs non stop from September to March.