To think parents will begin to lie

[Settleandcalm]

DD has a slight temp for one day, as a result doing the right thing we eventually got the test, and a veeeery long time later the results. The test was awful making her vomit over herself, the wait for my older children who are already struggling being in and out of school also awful. But it was the right thing to do.

BUT. Would I put her through that test every 3 weeks which is the average she got a temp:cough last year? No. Can I afford to lose my job? No. I will do the right thing but I have an utter fear over it.

But I suppose I wonder how long it will take parents to start slipping back to the “watch and see” version of illness. If it’s just a bit of a temp on one day... just a bit of a cough... maybe give them a day and see if they are fine, rather than fight for a test or isolate The whole family for 14 days.

There are already kids in school coughing and I know only us and one other family has tested, so perhaps, because of the testing fiasco and inconsistent rules people are already starting to lie?

[swabthenose]

She had an earache, then glandular sore throat, then headache and temp.

Apart from the earache, these are actually far more classic Covid symptoms in children than the main ones advertised, according to research.

So, I know that isn't Covid. I am not getting her tested

You don’t know it’s not Covid. Why bother with massive multinational testing programmes if it’s something you can just ‘know’? Not even medical practitioners can tell.

[lughnasadh]

Living up to your username there @Notverybright

[Notverybright]

You should change yours to incredibly mean to vulnerable people for no reason.

[Napqueen1234]

I think people will lie and I don’t blame them. Working parents (especially mothers) are bearing the brunt of this imo.

[Juststopswimming]

@swabthenose

She had an earache, then glandular sore throat, then headache and temp.

Apart from the earache, these are actually far more classic Covid symptoms in children than the main ones advertised, according to research.

So, I know that isn't Covid. I am not getting her tested

You don’t know it’s not Covid. Why bother with massive multinational testing programmes if it’s something you can just ‘know’? Not even medical practitioners can tell.

of course no one knows "for sure" without a test. But no one knows "for sure" on any given day when they wake up feeling bright and breezy that they dont have covid - 70% of cases are asymptomatic after all.

[swabthenose]

of course no one knows "for sure" without a test. But no one knows "for sure" on any given day when they wake up feeling bright and breezy that they dont have covid - 70% of cases are asymptomatic after all.

Why bother getting anyone tested then?

[pastandpresent]

@lughnasadh, so be it. Maybe you may feel different if you have a child who is vulnerable.

I am passive aggressive in nature, not my choice. What I say, it comes from my heart. I can't change myself. Sorry for that.

[JamesTKirkcompatible]

But you can't have a whole society based on what amounts to state childcare and two-income families and think that somehow you can just change that without putting some supports in place. What we've seen is that rather like the supply chain, our domestic/work arrangements in many nations are not very resilient.

This is the main point, really.

[hitchhikingghost]

@oakleaffy Yes, it’s Sweden. It is remarkable, and at least something positive in this mess we’re all in together. We have had very clear guidelines from day 1 though, in society and from schools which I think has helped enormously. Plus we get paid when we stay at home helps. Our prime minister stepped back a bit, and let the experts make decisions. We’ll see how it goes, it’s certainley not over yet.

[pastandpresent]

And steppemum, my comment addressing you was a bit unfair. I have known you for years, from your past comment over the years, so I did respond from how I see you from my perspective rather than seeing you as an individual poster on public forum. There was some bias, so I was wrong.

[canigooutyet]

Mine started with sore throat, headache and earache. Nose was dry. Cough and temp came later.

Teen started with sore throat and loss of smell. Today (day 6) the CV cough has started.

Adult dd had the classic -temp, cough and loss of taste/smell

I was only tested as little was known and why not to rule it out. DS because of school.

[Emmacb82]

I think if the testing was up to scratch and you were guaranteed your results within 24hrs then most parents would comply with the rules. My husband won’t get paid to be off isolating for 2 weeks so as much as we want to follow the guidance, when you’re 99% sure it’s a cold it’s a very difficult decision to make for some families especially when you can’t get a test or the results take days and days.

[catontherun]

Given the current headlines about shortage in testing facility capacity, I think there'll be encouragement to turn a blind eye to this sort of thing anyway.

[Frazzled13]

Of course they will. A friend of mine at work, she has two young kids, both of whom came down with a minor cold about a week ago. They didn’t have any symptoms that require isolation or testing, were just a bit snotty. My friend then caught the cold, and has now pretty much recovered except for a lingering cough.
According to the rules, her kids should now be self isolating because she has a covid symptom. But she’s said she’s not keeping them off for two weeks because she’s coughed a bit from a cold they’ve already had. I don’t blame her.

[TheKeatingFive]

But you can't have a whole society based on what amounts to state childcare and two-income families and think that somehow you can just change that without putting some supports in place. What we've seen is that rather like the supply chain, our domestic/work arrangements in many nations are not very resilient.

This.

When it comes to rent/mortgage/bills/food, most people are in the position that the buck stops with them. There’s no one there to pick up the pieces. It’s just a fact of life.

[Mittens030869]

All our kids get temp checked on the way in to school. There is no slipping past

Parents will just give their DC Calpol half an hour before they go into school (if it's mild). Also, there isn't always a temperature with Covid.

[Washimal]

I think people will lie and I don’t blame them. Working parents (especially mothers) are bearing the brunt of this imo.

I do blame them. Not just because it's immoral but because it's short-sighted. If people keep sending their kids in with coughs and temperatures (because they somehow "know" it's not covid), they spread their germs around school and we will end up closing because so many of our staff will be self-isolating with coughs and temperatures and can't get tests, that won't do working parents much good, will it? We had to close before Boris made the decision to shut all schools for this exact reason.
Also, people need to understand that most school staff are working parents too. So many of my colleagues (secondary school) are currently having to isolate because their small children have picked up coughs at nursery or primary school. I bet many of the people saying it's ridiculous and they'll send their child in regardless will be quick to complain if their child's learning is impacted because their Teacher has to keep isolating due to their own kids being ill.

[SoulofanAggron]

IDK if anyone's mentioned, but they'll bring in the new test protocol which is far less unpleasant, without the 'deep throating' a swab.

So it'll be less difficult and vomit- provoking.

IDK how long before they bring it out nationally but they're already starting to use it in some settings- my friend's dialysis unit are getting it soon.

[Crunchymum]

If testing was up to the job, it wouldn't be too bad but not being able to get a test renders people in quarantine for 14 days and I don't know anyone who will be able to cope with that several times a term?

People will lie, unless the testing improves I will probably lie next time.

And to those who say you cannot hide a cough, of course you can't but you can tell the school your child had a headache / tummy upset etc and then you just stay off for the time it takes the cough to clear as opposed to the 14 days.

If testing was available the above wouldn't even cross my mind. We'd just test!!

As things stand I've now got DP who can't come home (self employed but has been away this week), 2 kids off school, 1 who will miss 2 important medical appointments and her nursery start date and me having to WFH and look after them all, because we cannot get a test for the 5yo with a mild cough (which has now stopped anyway!)

[TheKeatingFive]

I do blame them. Not just because it's immoral but because it's short-sighted.

Can they afford to be long sighted if 2 weeks off means no work, no wages so bills can’t get paid?

People don’t seem to realise the degree to which others are living day to day, without much luxury of thinking ahead.

[echt]

People don’t seem to realise the degree to which others are living day to day, without much luxury of thinking ahead

1. Don't assume people don't realise.
   
2. Do they get to fuck over others' health?

[TheKeatingFive]

Do they get to fuck over others' health?

Whose going to help them when their family get made homeless?

[pastandpresent]

TheKeatingFive, you can say that. It's right. But those with vulnerable family, do you think they have choice?

For me, I had to give up my job I loved, to care for my child. Did I have a luxury in thinking ahead what happens in the future because my child is so ill that I had to give up my job regardless of financial situations?

[LibrariesGiveUsPower]

Give. Just how many parents send kids in within 24 hours of D&V. Yeah it’s going to happen.

[TheKeatingFive]

But those with vulnerable family, do you think they have choice?

Of course not. But given that they are focused on prioritising their particular needs, they can hardly be surprised if others have the same instincts (but different immediate needs).