To send my child back to school without getting test results!

[Dickorydockwhatthe]

I'm on the 5th day of waiting for his results. Ds 1 tests came back negative, still waiting for ds 2 who is fine. We are all fine. I can't afford time off work, ds needs to go back to school. 119 are useless. They have finally lodged a complaint but could take 3 days from now and then it could be lost. What should I do? I'm at breaking point with it all and theres no one to complain to!!

Ps I don't work half term and I don't get paid. That's 3 weeks of no pay potentially.

Obviously not if you are an MP 🙄

I don’t think your manager should be constantly messaging you though. That’s putting unnecessary stress on you.

It’s frustrating and confusing. I manage a team and have varied people isolating for differing reasons, some for weeks due to varying children being in contact or catching colds. I can’t see how sustainable this is for employers if you need people in, or even working from home if small children are continuously also there isolating, nor do I see how sustainable it is for employees to continue on no leave (as it will will run out fast) or unpaid leave. I’m fortunate where I work and can be accommodating and am accommodated - for now at least - but I’m drowning in work and juggling it around even in my small bit. My daughter’s place has ‘lost’ several employees due to their time off - and the government can say what it likes, fixed term contracts, zero hour contracts, probation period etc mean you’re off with no protection, fighting for the next scrappy job that you know you can’t be sure you can attend to your employer’s satisfaction. I think you, and all of us, have to follow the rules, though I don’t think everyone would die if you didn’t. However, the impact on people’s livelihoods and MH is not being addressed properly. I think some of the cure is causing more impact than the disease myself. I know most don’t agree, but there are some really harsh comments on here, from folk I assume do not live in the really harsh world most of the population do, frightened for their jobs, MH and how they may survive the winter. Hope you get results soon OP.

I had this exact situation. DH works for 4 schools, so 4 schools didn't have a site manager for 2 weeks. It's just the way it goes sometimes.

Don't break the rules.

@Dickorydockwhatthe

Ps I don't work half term and I don't get paid. That's 3 weeks of no pay potentially.

I really do get it's frustrating, but that's not a reason to break the rules and send your child back before you know he's had a negative test.

What happens if he tests positive?

@Dickorydockwhatthe

Ds 1 was sent home from school last Thursday bubble closed. School said whole year group isolate until yesterday. Ds1 only had to isolate a week due to I guess a delay of other person getting tested or first onset of symptoms! Ds 2 and rest of household carried on as normal work, school.

Then Sunday Ds 1 developed 2 symptoms 3 days into his isolation. Followed by ds2 but he only had mild cough compared to ds 1.Both got tested. Ds 1 results came back negative he continued to isolate until yesterday as advised by school. 119 have said he can now go back unless ds2 is positive. In which case he will have to isolate. So myself, dh and ds2 still have to isolate ds 1 doesn't 🙄. I have rang 119 they can't track ds result, check if its been done or anything. I could potentially be off for 2 weeks. Ds could take another but doesn't have any symptoms now what so ever. People have taken tests yesterday and have results back today how then hell does that even work? Why can't I trace his test? People can't live like this.

DS1 needs to isolate until DS2 gets his result back as well. He lives with someone who has symptoms.

119 have advised you wrong on that one - they've only taken DS1's contact isolation into account. All four of you have to isolate until DS2's result comes back.

@Devlesko

And you are special because? I don't care about your job or your manager tbh. I do care that you don't seem to have a clue what you are doing and could potentially spread the virus. Partner, who can share the parenting, so you don't lose your job?

Ah is that because you can afford not to care? I've done everything by the book and yet there is a massive flaw in the system which is going to create divide between those who can afford to stay off/work from home and those who can't. This isn't about childcare!! This is about us all having to self isolate. Ds 1 doesn't have to nlw isolate according to 119 as his isolation period is over with school and he has come back negative and yes I don't get it either!! But of the government sorted their shit out then they would organise their testing procedure and test in the order they were done and families together instead of it being like a fucking lottery!!

My school won't let anyone back without seeing the results. OP raise this with your MP so that there is more support for people in your situation. Do you not qualify for the £500 payment if you miss work because you have to isolate? (i'm not familiar with details)

there are some really harsh comments on here, from folk I assume do not live in the really harsh world most of the population do, frightened for their jobs

I agree, more needs to be done to protect workers jobs so they can follow the rules - I believe people do want to follow them but so, so many have their livelihoods in the balance. Rapid testing, job protection legislation - imo that is the way forward. I have a lot of empathy for the OPs position.

I sympathise but if you send him in I'd have thought you're at high risk of being fined.

This is the problem, so many people are breaking the rules, cases are increasing. I work in a hospital and the number of people in ICU with Covid is rising, some of them people in their 40s. While people keep risking others by not bothering to isolate properly Covid will continue and we'll be in this purgatory for longer.

It's really frustrating but you know you can't send him back until you have it confirmed that he's negative. It would be incredibly selfish to. He might be fine with only mild symptoms, but if he is positive he could pass it onto a child or teacher who has a vulnerable category relative at home and they could become seriously ill.

YABU OP. Though I've had to isolate twice and have been paid throughout by doing abit of work at home, I'd prob be freaking out at not being paid.

I agree the testing delays are spannering this up for far too many people.

You ask what you should do - your whole household should (must!) stay home until you get result for DS2, or it is 14 days after his symptoms started.

You know this, but want a reason to believe you can wriggle round it.

You need wages, your employer is desperate to have you back. BUT what if you go back Monday and on Tuesday your DS2 gets his test result and it's positive? Then your employer has to go through track and trace of all the rest of his employees because you've broken the rules. Potentially have to close the whole site for 2 weeks if you are also positive (no symptoms) and spread it to other employees in the meantime.

Don't do it, it's not worth it.

People making the WRONG choices in situations like this is why it's still spreading so fast and stopping the hospitals from working properly again in hotspot areas.

Please don't let anyone leave the household until you get DS2 result back.

You're complaining to us, please let that be enough...it's shit that our test & trace system is so shit. You have everyone's sympathy on that.

But please don't give up and just become part of the problem! Hang in there, you can do it

@0gfhty

Can you get him retested? I wonder a second test would come back quicker. I imagine something has gone wrong with the first test if you’re still waiting for results after 5 days - that seems very long

It probably would and it probably has but there's no one accountable to it and that's the frustrating thing. Everyone saying just wait it out as if our mortgage, bills, food will take care of itself. I am waiting, i have waited but no one is chasing it despite my calls and pleas. It could be another 3 days or it could be lost but just wait it out. Then what? I could take him for another test which would be a waste he doesn't have symoand get the results tomorrow! How is this system fair or correct. I wish I never bothered and that is bad to say but this is how tjis has made me feel!

Dd was sent home to self isolate week last Tues. Symptoms by Sat so tested Sunday. Positive result came back Tues by which time she was almost better. We cant leave the house till next Sat, shes free to go Tues.
I'm just over minimum wage so I'll be 400 quid down by next Sun. Dh slightly more.

So we're basically losing a shed load of money sat in a house with a well kid. But that's the law. And morally the right thing to do.
However, being low paid I appreciate your dilemma.

Have a look into the Self Isolation Support Grant.

@spanieleyes

We wouldn't let you through the door! I know it's frustration and annoying but I have 250 children, not to mention parents, carers and relatives , that I'm responsible for. If you are awaiting test results, then you wait. Sorry.

I thought that from what I'd read on here that a school can't insist on seeing the results, what powers are there to deny children entry?

@Rowgtfc72

Dd was sent home to self isolate week last Tues. Symptoms by Sat so tested Sunday. Positive result came back Tues by which time she was almost better. We cant leave the house till next Sat, shes free to go Tues. I'm just over minimum wage so I'll be 400 quid down by next Sun. Dh slightly more.

So we're basically losing a shed load of money sat in a house with a well kid. But that's the law. And morally the right thing to do.
However, being low paid I appreciate your dilemma.

Completely understand and if we received a positive test I wouldn't be complaining so much. But the frustration is I've only received 1 out of 2 results despite both doing it together. My frustration is I've been waiting 5 days and if the test is lost or taking another week I have to just take it on the chin it doesn't seem to be an issue I just have to delay and accept it. I've done my part, I'm doing my part and following protocol/policies but it only works if the other side of it get their shit together!!

Sorry, it's a real ball ache but you can't send him in until you have a negative result. The school won't take him anyway, they're required to approve the result before return.

Can you work from home while you isolate? That would enable you to earn.

My DHs company has told them that if they have to isolate but they're not the one with symptoms then they're expected to WFH.

I empathise, I really do. Our results came back days apart and it was so frustrating.

It's shit that you're still waiting for results, really, but it doesn't matter how frustrating and unfair it is - you must isolate for the required length of time (which includes your DS1)

Think of the thousands of people who had no choice but to isolate for 14 days earlier in the year when there was no testing available and no financial support either.

My partners results arrived at ten to midnight on the fifth day, so there's still hope.

I won't argue the rules, everyone else has done that here and I'm sure you don't need it repeating. However I do want to say that I understand your worries. If you aren't able to work from home, don't necessarily have an understanding boss and/or for the most part live month to month with wages then isolating is really tough. Have you checked to see if you'd be entitled to UC? Or if you already claim is there something similar to a budgeting loan (think that's an old term)? Just to keep you ticking over until your next full wage again.

I get it OP, money is tight, kids rely on you, rent needs to be paid, its easy to be worried and even easier for people in privileged positions to not see the bigger picture for you if they're used to having spare cash or a safety net. I don't have the answers but I do sympathise. Check with universal credit just in case there's something you're entitled to. I don't condone getting into debt but if (usually) you have some spare cash each month to put towards credit card repayments it might be worth looking at a 0% purchases credit card if you're going to be really short this month. Just for the essentials. And going forward if you can, start putting bits and bobs aside for an emergency fund in case this happens again. If you can get a few hundred pounds together it might be the difference between paying essential bills and struggling again. X