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?

I think you are probably right, though I despair at the thought of it. School staff have been given very little protection and are relying on parents doing the right thing. There needs to be a system in place for people who will lose earnings because of self isolating.

I think the main risk, though, is from those who are positive for Covid but asymptomatic. Those of us who had the actual symptoms before stayed at home because we weren't well enough to be out and about.

Don't make it about one group. Everyone is relying on everyone doing the right thing.

But with no tests and protracted turnarounds we are being asked to do that with both arms tied behind our back.

I am a very, very honest person but I seriously considered what I would say if the DC test came back unclear after the 5 day symptom window had closed.

Our leaders, with more than 6 months foresight, have failed to provide the only tool we have to operate close to routinely without a vaccine: sufficient tests with a efficient turnaround time

So people on here would be happy to lie, a year have a child carrying the virus and send them to school? Dont complain when schools are closed again.

The NHS guidance re COVID-19 symptoms regularly quoted on the BBC News always said 37.8, right from the beginning, not 38 and above. It was repeated regularly during the first wave.

It's not what it says on .gov website when you look up Covid symptoms

Where did you see that @MorganKitten, I must've missed that particular post

Sorry I mean nhs website

Mittens I agree. DNepher (age 5) is positive for Covid (we don’t live near them), but only got tested as his dad had mild symptoms and tested positive (front line), his mum said he felt a bit tired one day, but other than that nothing, bouncing and well. He would have been in school with no idea.

Cloudy I haven’t seen it written either, but was instructed to test on less than 38 by the NHS line.

Clear as mud all of this!!

I understand it but it's so selfish.

The govment told schools that the testing regime would mean that children, parents and teachers could get tested quickly and easily so that these problems did not occur. Two weeks after the start of term and this has already been proven to be bullshit. Schools are in a very difficult position. yes, many kids and staff will be negative, but one positive case in a school could spread to shut down the school if six or seven adults test positive. All those who are vulnerable are all back at work. Being vigilant is the only thing schools can do.

I can definitely see this happening- it does anyway with tummy bugs and really nasty colds and flu- god forbid some selfish parents little darling misses the disco/nativity play/they miss a day or 2 of work- so I doubt Covid will be that much different. That said, all staff and children at my children’s schools have their temperatures taken daily. I would hope that parents of other other kids at my youngest child’s school wouldn’t be that stupid given that it’s a special needs school and many of the children are very vulnerable to even everyday illnesses.

@FudgeBrownie2019

Our school has said not to keep them off with a cold and cough, unless the child is obviously feeling ill with it or has a temperature. They said if a child has a cough, they’ll monitor it over the course of an hour, then send them home if they feel it’s continuous and not related to a snotty nose cold. It seems a reasonable common sense approach, but we’ll see how it pans out.

DS1's school have said exactly the same; he's Y10 so it's essential he's there as much as possible. Schools want children there as much as possible, so them being in touch with parents and simply monitoring children seems pretty much their only option.

I’m shocked that some people’s schools are advising this. I know it’s a tough situation I can see it from all sides but I think we should be sticking to the rules. Parents won’t be able to get away with anything if the school remain firm.

I get constant txts from my DS school to remind me of the rules.

@cloudyautumnday

The NHS guidance used to always say 37.8. I checked it enough times when I was really suffering with Covid symptoms. It may now have changed, I haven't checked for while (thankfully I haven't needed to).

There isn't really a massive difference between 37.8 and 38, anyway.

It's not right but I can see that this will happen. With furlough ending and General workers at back of the queue for tests, not being paid by their companies until they get a test, not many people can afford to not be paid or have a drop in wages again.

I’m a pregnant primary teacher and cannot social distance from the 5 year olds that I teach. I really hope parents respect me enough to stick to the rules. They are the only protection myself and my unborn baby have.

What do you mean begin to lie? They are already lying and that is creating issues. We have norovirus now with a lot of one year group off. Fucking selfish!

I agree that some people will feel forced to lie or risk losing their job. I'm thankful that I don't have to worry about that but others are in a less fortunate position and already close to breaking point I'm not saying it's the right thing to do but I can completely understand why some people would (and I don't mean the ones who just want their children out of the house for a few hours)

<a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.rcpch.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2020-04/covid19_advice_for_parents_when_child_unwell_or_injured_poster.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwi1vfSGjvbrAhUSTsAKHSFTBRkQFjABegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw3Z-34hmiOkvsaOUfi60mK-" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.rcpch.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2020-04/covid19_advice_for_parents_when_child_unwell_or_injured_poster.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwi1vfSGjvbrAhUSTsAKHSFTBRkQFjABegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw3Z-34hmiOkvsaOUfi60mK-

My dd has a cold. It's not bad at all, she is fine in herself, a bit snotty however she suffers really badly with post nasal drip so she is coughing. It's not continuous, but I do know from previous experience that it is likely to last close to 3 weeks. Last winter I don't think there was a full week that she didnt have a cough tbh. The posters that are saying I should keep her off to stop colds spreading, how long should I keep her off for? 3 weeks? She is perfectly healthy otherwise and I imagine by this stage not contagious ( she started with the cold on tuesday). I honestly don't know what anyone expects parents to do.
On one hand you have the govt wanting people to work (obv)
You then have children who deserve some form of education.
You then have people wanting children to stay off school at the 1st signs of a cold until the cold has gone.
You have teachers telling us that we are selfish for sending a child in with a mild cold when previously we have been told that it is fine and there is zero guidance to say any different.
And in the end we have parents, and let's face it mainly mothers, stuck in a pretty impossible situation.

coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours

From NHS website.

When you say your child’s cough is not continuous but she is coughing, how often and how long has it gone on for?

A negative test result would be helpful before sending her back to school.

I know why she is coughing. Her brother had the cold 3 days before her and due to him having a temp he was tested it was negative. I dont count her coughs. She coughs mainly at night and first thing in the morning. She gets this every single time she has a cold. She coughs a few times, then it stops. Then a while later she will cough again. It a classic cough caused by post nasal drip ( worse when lying down, worse in a morning etc. Have you ever had a cold? A cough with a cold esp in children is not uncommon. She has a snotty nose, slight congestion and a slight cough. She has a cold.

Like I said as well her cough is likely to last 3 weeks or so after the onset of the cold. So I get her tested everytime she gets a cold? Cause that is what I would have to do if I have to get her tested everytime she gets a cough. It always goes the same way. 1. Slightly congested 2. Snotty 3. Cough. The cough hangs around not bothering her for a while. Then she gets the next cold and the cycle starts again. She has allergies and anxiety caused by this. I really do not want her worrying about a cough that she will get numerous times over winter. If I have to get her tested every time she gets this I will likely have to get her tested once a month, if I can get a test. If not we all have to isolate for 2 weeks which is 2 weeks with zero pay. Sounds sustainable.

From the WHO website
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Other symptoms that are less common and may affect some patients include aches and pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually.

Yes Covid can present like a cold. I presume you can possibly have Covid and a cold at the same time. A continuous persistent cough (yes lasting 3 weeks is persistent!) means isolate and/or test rather than risking the health of others.

I wouldn’t be surprised if some parents start lying BUT if they do I sincerely hope it doesn’t result in their child actually being infected with Covid and aside from spreading it to others, it actually claims their life!
I certainly wouldn’t play roulette with my child’s life to save myself an inconvenience and if that means getting tested then so be it!