To think that if testing in secondary is optional there's no point?

[FitbitCat]

We've just had a message from our head letting us know the school testing is optional and we will need to register our children if we want them tested. Surely this means the irresponsible families will just not register nor take part and there becomes little point to the whole exercise?

The PCR is tough my 10!year old self administered and cried

No idea about LF is it different? It’s only nose for adults

@Stanlet for me, the test isn't traumatic no. For DS it absolutely is.

Good job I understand not everybody is just like me eh

I will find out more but most likely consent depending on who / where / how

It's not traumatic, is it?

Its invasive, uncomfortable, and some children will find it upsetting. For DS it will trigger his fight or flight mode which is potentially harmful for himself and fornothers.

MarshaBradyo - it's exactly the same swab up in the throat and up the nose.

I am not irresponsible, my child will not be having any tests in school.

@abersinas

Lots of disinformation here. The children will administer their own tests under supervision. Anyone who has been in contact and doesn't want to have the test will need to isolate for 10 days.

Well that just makes them even more unreliable.

Seriously all these posts trying to convince me to change my mind just make me more sure I have made the right decision.

No idea about LF is it different? It’s only nose for adults

Up nostril until resistance is met, swizzle ten times, up the other nostril and repeat. Put stick in developer fluid and squeeze it a few times. Drip fluid onto test cassette. Wait for results.

Yes, but they will be tested daily

@abersinas

Yes, but they will be tested daily

Yes, so will have to do it repeatedly, whilst the child who has caught it within the bubble is still happily mingling and potentially spreading it around.

@FoxyTheFox

No idea about LF is it different? It’s only nose for adults

Up nostril until resistance is met, swizzle ten times, up the other nostril and repeat. Put stick in developer fluid and squeeze it a few times. Drip fluid onto test cassette. Wait for results.

This is from the schools handbook-its throat and nose

I have no idea if it will work or not, but 6 months no school was hell in this household and I will try anything to keep the kids
In school

I work in a school. I had 3 LFT tests done in December. Definitely remember heaving from it in my throat and then having to shove it up my nose each time. I struggled with doing my tonsils accurately without touching my tongue and other parts of my mouth. How young children are expected to do it properly themselves is beyond me.

My child doesn't have to be tested daily if they have been in contact with someone they need to isolate.

Apparently it is that simple if you are to read any threads about SI on MN. The only time it makes sense is to test the bubble before they go back into the classroom (in case they are asymptomatic)

My children, especially DS, also need to be in school, but this has diaster written all over it.

This is from the schools handbook-its throat and nose

Ah, I haven't seen that, DS school has sent some info but have said its just going to be nose? Sounds like a lot of confusion still, even more reason why I'm not consenting to him having it done.

Part of me thinks it'll be used as justification for switching back to fulltime remote learning - "mass testing was not viable, sorry..."

@FoxyTheFox

This is from the schools handbook-its throat and nose

Ah, I haven't seen that, DS school has sent some info but have said its just going to be nose? Sounds like a lot of confusion still, even more reason why I'm not consenting to him having it done.

It would be far safer and far more likely to keep schools open, if we were to stick to the current plan of self-isolating close contacts.

The test involves children swabbing their own throat and nose. The lateral tests area 50-70% accurate. If they test positive they then have to have another PCR test the same day to be certain that it is positive (which confirms that the lateral tests are not accurate) before then having to isolate. If a child comes into contact with a child that has tested positive, they have to have a test each day for 7 days, testing negative each time, to be allowed into school, or isolate as per the current guidance.

The kids can refuse on the day even if the parent grants permission. They still have some medical autonomy.

@VienneseWhirligig

The kids can refuse on the day even if the parent grants permission. They still have some medical autonomy.

I would imagine a fair number of kids will refuse, actually.

The lateral flow tests we use are nose only, not invasive and have not caused any problems for DC.

@Chaotic45

The lateral flow tests we use are nose only, not invasive and have not caused any problems for DC.

So, not like the ones that will be used in secondary schools in England in 2 weeks then?

We had the same leaflet - nose and throat swab administered by staff, not the child.

I won’t be consenting. Our letter said it was to attempt to identify the positives with the highest viral load, from the allegedly 30% of positives which are asymptomatic.

grittle it is self administered by the child - not by staff. The DfE and NHS hosted a webinar today to explain it.