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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want to take this child to school?

94 replies

weend · 07/11/2021 11:11

My friend has an 8 year old son and so do I, she works early shifts of a Monday so I always take her son to school as her partner has to go to work. I don't have an issue with this.

She texted me last night saying her partner has tested positive for covid and it's likely her eldest also has it as he has most of the symptoms, but her youngest is fine and can go to school.

AIBU to not want to take him? WWYD?

OP posts:
AlexaShutUp · 07/11/2021 11:15

I did take my dd's friend to school when her mum and brother had covid. The friend herself didn't actually get covid at that point and neither did we, but there was obviously a risk. For various reasons, I chose to help out and accept that risk.

However, if you're not comfortable with it, I think it's totally fine to say no. Just explain that you'd rather not risk it.

PuppyMonkey · 07/11/2021 11:18

I think you’d be perfectly reasonable to decline and if she is huffy about it in any way just keep repeating: “No, that’s not going to be possible.”

ForensicFlossy · 07/11/2021 11:18

How do you get to school? If you drive I understand your concern, if you walk I would have no issue helping out as you will be outside and the risk would be small. However you have to do whatever you feel comfortable with.

WorraLiberty · 07/11/2021 11:20

It depends on whether you walk or drive?

WTF475878237NC · 07/11/2021 11:22

I'd say no we don't want close contact in case he contracts covid.

TheNoodlesIncident · 07/11/2021 11:22

If you are all outside I can't see the problem, I wouldn't refuse because of that. However I would actually think it wiser to keep the younger one off since their parent and possibly elder sibling have it, just to save spreading it at school.

(Of course there is the possibility that younger dc has had it already and passed it on to his family, if they aren't testing regularly I suppose there's no way of knowing if one member was symptomless.)

TheNoodlesIncident · 07/11/2021 11:23

It is very different if you drive to school rather than walk...

Crunchymum · 07/11/2021 11:23

Walking - I would
Driving or public transport etc - no I wouldn't

JetRocket · 07/11/2021 11:24

I’d respond with something along the lines of ‘really glad X isn’t displaying symptoms but small children often don’t display symptoms. I don’t feel comfortable taking that risk of me or DS catching it. I’m happy to drop off anything you need whilst isolating though xx’

Bimblybomeyelash · 07/11/2021 11:24

Is the youngest the 8 year old that you normally take on a Monday?

DreamerSeven · 07/11/2021 11:24

Text back “sorry, as there’s a good chance he’ll get a positive test too soon, I’m not comfortable having unnecessary additional contact with him. I’m happy to resume our usual Monday arrangement once you’re all clear of it”

JetRocket · 07/11/2021 11:24

Oh good point. I agree with PP if walking to school I would. I assumed you meant driving x

Therealjudgejudy · 07/11/2021 11:24

Just say no...

Sillawithans · 07/11/2021 11:25

I would do it

SinoohXaenaHide · 07/11/2021 11:25

As pp - walking is fine. Yanbu to say you can't have him in the car if the school is a drive away.

StrongLegs · 07/11/2021 11:28

I wouldn't.

Looneytune253 · 07/11/2021 11:29

To be fair it's recommended that they have a PCR test so I prob would after this but not before

SickAndTiredAgain · 07/11/2021 11:31

Well I assume the child will be in school with your child anyway, however he gets there?

AlexaShutUp · 07/11/2021 11:33

Yes, walking is much lower risk.

I drove my dd's friend to school when there was covid in her family. She was doing daily lateral flow tests, we put masks on and kept the windows open. However, I only did this because of other complex issues going on in the family and I was willing to take the risk in order to help. Otherwise, I might have said no.

Tbh, I think it's ridiculous that family members of close contacts don't have to isolate, but those are the rules. Confused

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 07/11/2021 11:34

Our latest recommendation from local public health is PCR on day 3 from family member contracting it (and stay off school until then I believe).

SparklyLeprechaun · 07/11/2021 11:40

I helped under similar circumstances with one of dd's friends. My reasoning was that dd and the other girl spend all day together in a classroom anyway, so a walk to school won't make any difference. But it's up to you. (As it happens, the other girl did end up with Covid, but neither dd nor I caught it)

Original poster
weend · 07/11/2021 11:44

I'd be taking him in the car which is why I'm not sure I want to take him. He has had negative LFTs but I'm just worried in case he is positive later on and will have passed it onto me and DS.

OP posts:
TwoleftUggs · 07/11/2021 11:47

If he has a negative lft in the morning I would probably do it, and all wear masks in the car?

Chloemol · 07/11/2021 11:50

No I wouldn’t be taking him

AlexaShutUp · 07/11/2021 11:51

@SparklyLeprechaun

I helped under similar circumstances with one of dd's friends. My reasoning was that dd and the other girl spend all day together in a classroom anyway, so a walk to school won't make any difference. But it's up to you. (As it happens, the other girl did end up with Covid, but neither dd nor I caught it)
Yeah, that was my reasoning as well, that they'd be together in school anyway.
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