Primary school seems obsessed with covid

[Lightswitch123]

My children's primary seem obsessed with covid.

We had a few cases in school before half term (??20 positive tests in the whole of the school?)

Now we are back, because 2 parents emailed the head over half term to say their child had a also had a positive result, the school have cancelled all in person events, after school clubs, parents not allowed in playground, reintroduced bubbles, staggering drop offs, minimising lunch and play times, kids not allowed to use class pens or pencils, no water provided etc

We get at least 1 parentmail a day "updating" us on the situation.

This is in spite of no one actually being unwell- just positive lateral flow / pcr results off the back of being named contacts. And we've all been off for ages for half term as well.

It all seems so bloody punative and OTT.

I'm beginning to think I'd rather the kids went elsewhere or just stayed at home away from this crazy.

Aibu?

YABU - School response sounds reasonable

YANBU - School is OTT

Also any advice as to how to tackle this with the school? It's doing my head in.

OP you never answered my question. If it was any other highly infectious disease going around your DCs school would you want measures put in place to stop it spreading? Or even something as simple as head lice. Should the school ignore that too?

YANBU my son's school is pretty much completely back to normal. The only thing that is different is we were asked to wear masks at a school play.

We had 2 infants schools closed early for half term because of rates of staff illness. I don't suppose that would make you very happy either.

@charliesbookmarker

Its nothing to do with the kids - its all about protecting the doubly vaccinated and maybe even booster vaxxed adults.

We are at a point now where adults who may have had THREE vaccine shots are putting the responsibility on to children to stop them from catching a virus they could pick up at the shops/bars/resturants ect.

Exactly this.

Why should kids bear the brunt of these restrictions? And make no mistake, they do.

If people don't want kids to bear the brunt, tell the adults to start acting like adults. Wear the fucking masks, don't act like dicks and don't pretend it'll go away if you wish it so.

@charliesbookmarker I completely agree. The way kids, and what is best for them, has been treated and sidelined over the pandemic has been horrific.

I think in decades to come, when people look back at 2020/21 the lockdown hardliners and those trying to eliminate any covid risk whatsoever at the expense of anything else, will not be looked upon as positively as they’d like to think they’ll be.

@Chessie678

A recent study showed that 75% of children have already had covid. In that context I can see very little rationale for damaging and disruptive measures which slow down but don’t stop the spread in the other 25%.

And flu is more dangerous than covid for young children and those comparing covid and flu death rates are looking at covid deaths pre vaccination. With the vaccine covid deaths are likely to be comparable to flu.

I agree op. I think all of these measures are damaging to children for very little benefit. They aren’t going to stop children getting covid in the long run but might slightly delay it. It seems very unfair that adults can live their life normally while children are still subjected to this. I think children have been the lowest priority for the last 18m and the measures we’re continuing to subject them to are much more damaging covid, which they will all get anyway.

I agree with this and other posters saying the same

Ok it’s frustrating but I’m sure you’d be quick enough to complain if they had to close the school due to an outbreak…

@Lightswitch123

But all the points everyone is making to keep restrictions going could be applied to other illnesses . Vaccine efficacy / feeling unwell etc etc

Flu being the easiest parallel. Feel rubbish. May need a couple of weeks off.

School doesn't shut down because of it though.

2020 - yes was proportional

Coming into 2022 - no. It's not proportional. It's just the easy argument as you dont need to weigh up the other harder / impossible to measure costs and impacts . You just need to shout "but you don't care if someone dies!"

But we have a flu vaccine every year to at least curtail some of the transmission! The comparison only works if you ignore the fact that we have a flu vaccine, released and updated yearly, to help minimize infections. Younger kids cannot yet be vaccinated for covid, and so these additional precautions are taken to a) minimize risk to clinically vulnerable children, b) protect teachers and c) minimize the chances of otherwise healthy children bringing covid home to their potentially vulnerable parents/grandparents/others. It might be unlikely that your kids are badly effected, but I bet you'd be feeling differently about this if you were at risk of losing your child because other people thought after school activities were more important than your child's health. It's so depressing.

@Lightswitch123

If kids really got that ill from covid they would all be vaccinated now as per adults.

Yes kids might have symptoms but they don't get seriously ill unless they sadly have other medical problems

The mortality amongst children is teeny. Hospitals are not full of kids with covid. Stop exaggerating.

Your explanation of kids don't get ill probably won't go far with a parent in my school. Her 9 year old died from covid, no underlying issues, nothing else just covid. So actually children do get ill and some, like adults, can get seriously ill. Many staff in my school have contracted covid the last half term, they are all double jabbed, but have still been quite ill. Luckily not needing hospital but we have 2 staff who are suffering longer term effects and who won't be back for many weeks. I am fed up of people minimising covid now we are getting towards 2022. Yes we are better off due to the vaccine but it is still a serious virus, and what about those who can not be vaccinated due to serious allergies. Why can't people wear masks and stay at home if a family member is positive? I know that wasn't part of your op but it is part of a bigger problem.

@Chessie678 good post.

We started to get an outbreak at DS's school before half term.

One of the problems was that they had over a quarter of one year group come down with it at the same time - prompting PHE to get involved.

The Head has always been proactive about warning parents of the number of cases, which is in line with guidance.

When the number of cases shot up, the reintroduced masks for staff and a least one pregnant teacher has mysteriously 'disappeared' seemingly with the full support of the head. The maternity cover has been brought in early to 'help with change over and because there is a shortage of supply cover'. I think the Head is fab for having managed to do that and protect one of her most vulnerable members of staff.

I know that the neighbouring county had already brought in enhanced measures because they were having particular difficulties there.

Ironically, it seems that upon return to school, there has been a massive outbreak of chicken pox. It seems like kids that would normally have got it in the last couple of years - particularly at nursery - because they've not socialised and have been in closed bubbles have suddenly all got it at the exact same time. Which does demonstrate the effect of all the restrictions pretty well and the need for children to be exposed to normal childhood viruses.

I have to say, I am personally much more worried about this aspect of things, at this point, because not having any immunity to certain things - certainly the under 5 is a risk. They are much more vulnerable to all these type of illnesses than covid.

The school have handled things well in my opinion. Telling parents about the large outbreak of covid meant that one parent who was heavily pregnant pulled her kids out for a few days (she was due imminently so obviously was going to hospital in the next few days or so) which I think is actually fair enough for all concerned. They haven't gone over board. Masks for pick up and drop off have been reintroduced which is no skin off my nose (interesting to see parents who did last time just ignoring it this though).

They've not cancelled after school clubs, but have cancelled events which are not educational/care related and are 'just for fun'. It seems reasonable - and again in line with the official guidance in the situation.

I am kind of hoping that covid cases will now drop off - I get the impression it was probably rife in other classes but parents are less willing to test younger kids and there's been a series of bad coughs and colds going around anyway. The Head has been pretty hands off in terms of being draconian in sending home kids with a cough tbh.

I can well see going into this half term, there being a high number of absences for sicknesses of all different types though. A triple whammy of something like chicken pox, noro and covid isn't that unlikely in primaries tbh.

So I'm for informing parents and measures for covid, but not going insane over it, because I think this half term is going to be pretty damn tough as it is for a lot of people.

I think this is crazy and I'm with you. My nieces go to a school like this and my sister is pulling them out.

@Ewock as cruel as it is, we cannot base decision in the whole country on the tragic death of a child. I cannot bear the thought of this parents grief and it is absolutely tragic. Unfortunately people die everyday from preventable conditions, but we cannot completely take away all risk. The risk to children is there, but it is minimal.
I could equally argue that my friends daughter who committed suicide during the second lockdown is proof that they shouldn't happen. Yes, probably to some extent. But it holds as little power as your argument. Both deaths are absolutely tragic.

My point is, this obsession around taking away the risk of infection, you are inadvertently increasing the risk to vulnerable children who rely on clubs for a safe space. The list is endless.
For your fear of contracting the disease, there will be another parent who is in fear of losing their jobs due to lack of childcare. And yes, unfortunately for millions, school is childcare.
It is a horrible position to be in when making these decisions around lockdown etc but those decisions have to be weighed up. Every single decision will have a consequence.
I do believe that in the context of the current situation, OPs school is being completely out of order.

How many times do we have to point out that school isn’t childcare?

This is such a ridiculous comment.
Everyone knows that society is set up in a way that school also doubles up as childcare.
Or would it be better if women didn't work ... because that's what happens when schools are closed and wraparound care doesn't exist.

Isn't the school open?

Not all breakfast clubs etc are run by the school - ours is an external provider shared across a number of primary schools so that does make it difficult for both provider and school.

Kids take in their own pens & water. Staggered pick up/drop off is a pain but not the end of the world.
Don't open the parent mail if you find it too much.

I'd rather do that than closed schools due to staff illness(which is what happened here)

@SpinsForGinb i understand the sentiment behind it but it's one of the phrases on mumsnet that makes my blood boil. Its So incredibly entitled and horrible. In a perfect world it wouldn't be childcare, the reality is it is and it so horrible reading people be belittled by this comment.

@Chessie678

A recent study showed that 75% of children have already had covid. In that context I can see very little rationale for damaging and disruptive measures which slow down but don’t stop the spread in the other 25%.

And flu is more dangerous than covid for young children and those comparing covid and flu death rates are looking at covid deaths pre vaccination. With the vaccine covid deaths are likely to be comparable to flu.

I agree op. I think all of these measures are damaging to children for very little benefit. They aren’t going to stop children getting covid in the long run but might slightly delay it. It seems very unfair that adults can live their life normally while children are still subjected to this. I think children have been the lowest priority for the last 18m and the measures we’re continuing to subject them to are much more damaging covid, which they will all get anyway.

Completely agree with this

Yanbu. We have about 25 cases apparently, the school have confirmed we are in an outbreak and have requested masks in the playground. The "25" cases is just from parents who know each other adding it all up, the school haven't confirmed how many.

The only thing we are having to do differently as requested by PHE is if one person in a household has symptoms the children have to stay off and everyone in the house gets tested.

Yeah I think you're school are over reacting.

Is this my school?! What area are you op? Identical situation here!

@Lightswitch123

I understand the sentiment of those saying IABU, but with everyone who wants to be vaccinated, 90%+ of the population having antibodies and the boosters avaliable to those who need them...

What are you waiting for??

Just when do you propose we stop penalising our children!?!

If that's your approach to risk then we should immediately ban all cars, sugar, tree climbing, swimming, lock up parents who drink or smoke etc....

It's now wildly disproportionate and punative to continue with these measures- yet some people just can't see how illogical and damaging it is to carry on like this.

I really can't understand or relate to that

What about the other 10% of the adult population who have had their vaccines but developed no antibodies or were unable to have the vaccine due to medical conditions ?

You say that children don't get ill from Covid? Tell that to my neighbor who's 10 year old has been extremely ill for the last 5 weeks.

I have a friend who is a head teacher at a primary school. He told me last week that this last half term has been the most challenging of his 30 year career. The number of children with Covid has been increasing weekly, he has staff who are cev but because shielding has ended they are back at work, children are taking Covid home to cev parents and grandparents.

What is your solution to the problem?

What about the other 10% of the adult population who have had their vaccines but developed no antibodies or were unable to have the vaccine due to medical conditions ?

You say that children don't get ill from Covid? Tell that to my neighbor who's 10 year old has been extremely ill for the last 5 weeks.

I have a friend who is a head teacher at a primary school. He told me last week that this last half term has been the most challenging of his 30 year career. The number of children with Covid has been increasing weekly, he has staff who are cev but because shielding has ended they are back at work, children are taking Covid home to cev parents and grandparents.

What is your solution to the problem?

What is YOUR solution to the problem? Do you really think indefinite restrictions are feasible?

Sorry, quote fail!! I was asking .sugarplumfairy65 if she thinks we should have restrictions indefinitely. It was her post I was quoting, they are not my sentiments

I have a friend who is a head teacher at a primary school. He told me last week that this last half term has been the most challenging of his 30 year career

To be fair, he's either had an unusually easy time for the past 4 terms or an unusually difficult time this half term then. There's no way this Autumn term can even begin to compare to Summer 2020, Autumn 2020 or Spring 2021 for schools in general. Summer 2021 was more normal. But not as normal as this term.

YANBU
As a primary school teacher, OH who is a primary teacher and parents of primary and preschool aged children, I believe that it is a complete overreaction to Covid. Last year apparently school stuff (not including myself or my OH in this...) were demanding that they were offered the jabs as a priority. Well, all those who can and want to have had them now. Time to pipe down and put children first. Totally ridiculous.