To think this just can't work - schools

[beachbodhi]

I'm sure this will have already been discussed but I really don't see how we can carry on like this through autumn / winter . How are people going to get by?
Little one got sent home yesterday , no temp -just started with a cough and runny nose in the afternoon. We've all become a bit snotty so looking like the usual cold we all end up with. We all have to isolate now for 14 days or until we can get tested. There are no tests available anywhere ! It's cocking things up big time as I'm really needed at work right now-this could comprise my position , that I'm lucky to still have all things considered. My friends are in the same boat - all off work and school for last 7days , kids recovered but can't go back as no tests . Fml my kids pick everything up so the next 4 months are going to be a nightmare! Shambles !
'I will never financially recover from this'

Having a snotty nose does not mean you don't have COVID. It worries me that so many people are going to continue as normal

One of our parents actually recorded their conversation with the Covid advice line and played it to us. (We had sent coughing child home and told parent to get a test). The parent described the symptoms as a cough and raised temperature. The helpline asked if there was a runny nose and the parent said yes. The helpline said that in that case no test or isolation was needed and child could return to school if feeling well enough to do so.

I would be sending my snotty child back to school. You can go to school with a cold, or no-one would be there until spring

@CouldBeOuting

Having a snotty nose does not mean you don't have COVID. It worries me that so many people are going to continue as normal

One of our parents actually recorded their conversation with the Covid advice line and played it to us. (We had sent coughing child home and told parent to get a test). The parent described the symptoms as a cough and raised temperature. The helpline asked if there was a runny nose and the parent said yes. The helpline said that in that case no test or isolation was needed and child could return to school if feeling well enough to do so.

Holy shit this is terrible advice. That can’t be the advice, surely?!

I’m a pregnant primary teacher. Children in my class with a persistent and continuous cough will be sent home. I’m working in that room with 30 small children and some other adults without any form of protection other than handwashing (children are not exactly experts at doing this thoroughly) and sending children with symptoms home.

@Glitterynails

I’m a pregnant primary teacher. Children in my class with a persistent and continuous cough will be sent home. I’m working in that room with 30 small children and some other adults without any form of protection other than handwashing (children are not exactly experts at doing this thoroughly) and sending children with symptoms home.

Absolutely as you should.

The LA have told us that children with “typical cold symptoms” should be allowed to attend school if they feel well enough.

Advice is so conflicting.

Yes very conflicting and unfair on schools having to make these decisions. They're moaned about for sending children home and moaned about for keeping them in school.
They are school staff, not health care professionals.

Guidance on how to distinguish between the symptoms of a common cold and Covid-19 in children have been published by the Royal Collage of Paediatrics and Child Health.

The document states, ‘We believe that children with simple cold symptoms such as coryzal symptoms (runny noses) or sore throats without fever who would normally have attended schools in other times should not be tested for Covid-19.”

"Guidance on how to distinguish between the symptoms of a common cold and Covid-19 in children have been published by the Royal Collage of Paediatrics and Child Health"

Makes no difference as schools are obliged to follow government guidance so the only way this will be followed is if the appropriate guidance is updated.

Meanwhile schools will still have some parents sending kids to school with cold related coughs or temperatures with other parents of kids in the same class complaining about it.

Schools will be stuck in the middle.

Surely that guidance means just a runny nose/sore throat shouldnt get a test.

If you have those AND fever or cough you still should consider you mught have it!?

Im also confused re tests as I thought you didnt initially test positive or is that only before symptoms show?

Surely that guidance means just a runny nose/sore throat shouldnt get a test.

If you have those AND fever or cough you still should consider you mught have it!?

This is exactly right.

We were off this week with ‘just a cold’, test says I actually have covid! 😮. Don’t be fooled into thinking that because symptoms aren’t typical they aren’t covid. I’ve been googling whilst stuck in bed and I believe the WHO does in-fact say that runny nose, sore throats and headaches (the symptoms I’ve had) can be symptoms of covid just the government doesn’t list them as qualifying criteria because those symptoms (up to now) have been much less common than the main 3.

It's hit our little town now 😖 my friends sister-in-law has it so the whole family waiting to be tested and everyone's connected in some way around here so bracing ourselves now wish me luck ! X

Good luck op!

The other problem is that schools are not allowed to ask to see your test results so parents could lie about their child getting one. Unfortunately some will.

A friends family member up country has been told by their council to prepare their care homes for a nationwide lockdown starting at half term lasting 5 weeks and to stop any social visits in 2 weeks time -coming from a source in government apparently - speculation I know but still we are living in such uncertain crazy times arnt we !!

@Stompythedinosaur thanks !