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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this is ridiculous (School & PCR)

114 replies

ffscovid · 12/12/2021 09:48

So I've woken this morning to an email from school saying that due to the current situation, they'd like every child to take a PCR test and will only be allowed back to school this week if negative.
Even if we all rushed to the test centre this morning (450+ kids in the school!), it's bordering on unlikely that the results would be back before school tomorrow, meaning most families will now have to take short-notice leave as it's a primary school so childcare will be an issue if we can't send the kids in.
We're actually away for the weekend which makes this more complicated as I need to find a test centre near to where I'm staying and probably mess up our plans for the day (or do one when we're home which would be tomorrow now as we're not due back until late, delaying our likely return to school as it will probably be Tuesday before the results would come back).
Are school even allowed to do this?

OP posts:
Coronachristmas21 · 12/12/2021 14:32

Problem is a child could be negative one day and positive the next day or two. This is our experience this week. Ds was negative on pcr on Wednesday afternoon and positive Friday. Also, Dp has covid after catching it from close contact. He was negative Friday evening on pcr (results Saturday) and positive by Sunday morning on lft and confirmed by pcr.

Even if your kids tested negative, it might help the situation somewhat but it could have just been too early to tell in my experience and they could be positive just a day or two later. They could be positive between doing a test and getting the result!

Lacedwithgrace · 12/12/2021 14:42

We had an email this morning too, I'm glad they're actually doing something good about it

Willyoujustbequiet · 12/12/2021 14:45

Our school did this and I was pleased tbh - too many selfish parents not bothering as it inconvenienced them and then their kids passing it on

viques · 12/12/2021 14:47

@ffscovid

So I've woken this morning to an email from school saying that due to the current situation, they'd like every child to take a PCR test and will only be allowed back to school this week if negative. Even if we all rushed to the test centre this morning (450+ kids in the school!), it's bordering on unlikely that the results would be back before school tomorrow, meaning most families will now have to take short-notice leave as it's a primary school so childcare will be an issue if we can't send the kids in. We're actually away for the weekend which makes this more complicated as I need to find a test centre near to where I'm staying and probably mess up our plans for the day (or do one when we're home which would be tomorrow now as we're not due back until late, delaying our likely return to school as it will probably be Tuesday before the results would come back). Are school even allowed to do this?
I had a PCR yesterday at 4.00 pm. Email this pm at 12.02. (Negative thank goodness) very impressed, just hope it’s accurate!
LolaSmiles · 12/12/2021 14:53

Another day, another thread where someone is moaning about schools trying to do things in order to remain open for as many children as possible and to reduce the risk of outbreaks over Christmas.

It's like the start of the pandemic where some people were having a good old moan at the idea of schools wanting appropriate mitigation measures in place to remain open.

Remind me how keeping schools open with almost zero mitigation measures went last time... oh yes, wait... nobody point out that schools had to substabtially limit on site teaching for months, that would be awkward

luverlybubberly · 12/12/2021 14:57

My school asked on a Thursday for the whole school (1800 kids) to get tested at the weekend. They didn't check results and whether or not a PCR was taken (I don't think that they are allowed to) My child wasn't tested as he had Covid a month before the request so it would be a waste of money, time and resources if he'd got one.

ghislaine · 12/12/2021 15:18

I had a result this morning from a PCR test last night - 12 hours was a great turnaround.

Original poster
ffscovid · 12/12/2021 15:21

@Senmumm2021

I would just do LFTs
School need (want) us to email or print out and bring in evidence of a negative PCR result before children are allowed back.
OP posts:
Original poster
ffscovid · 12/12/2021 15:23

@maddening

Do the test, but as it is just community testing you should be able to still attend school while waiting on results, as this is not due to symptoms.
School won't allow them in until they can prove a test has been taken and the results is negative. This is my issue. Not the testing, but the fact that the timing means that they almost certainly won't be able to go to school tomorrow and possibly not Tuesday either.
OP posts:
Blueeyedgirl21 · 12/12/2021 15:23

Why is getting a pcr so bloody hard for some people, just go online book the nearest one (I’ve just looked and I can literally do one in a center 15 mins away by car in 15 mins so not difficult), the test takes ten mins max it’s not even like it takes up all of your day. My workplace is besieged by people off for A WEEK because they’ve ‘had to get a test’. Do people really live so far from test centers that it takes three days planning to figure out how to get there.

Blueeyedgirl21 · 12/12/2021 15:28

Meant to add op if you’d gone this morning first thing to your nearest test center they’d probably have results back by about 8/9am tomorrow so you could just take them in late. Easy

Original poster
ffscovid · 12/12/2021 15:30

@Blueeyedgirl21

Why is getting a pcr so bloody hard for some people, just go online book the nearest one (I’ve just looked and I can literally do one in a center 15 mins away by car in 15 mins so not difficult), the test takes ten mins max it’s not even like it takes up all of your day. My workplace is besieged by people off for A WEEK because they’ve ‘had to get a test’. Do people really live so far from test centers that it takes three days planning to figure out how to get there.
It's not the PCR that's inconvenient, it's the fact that the school isn't allowing the kids back until the results come back. As this isn't a legally enforced self isolation and DH and I both work in roles where time off in December is forbidden and don't / can't WFH (next week is our busiest time of year for both of our jobs - different companies), it's going to be very difficult to take the time off work and not be disciplined. 'Because the school says so' isn't a valid reason. If school had told us on Friday or even yesterday I wouldn't have had an issue with it at all.
OP posts:
Blueeyedgirl21 · 12/12/2021 15:33

I’d argue with your work this is legally mandated isolation. If you have it in writing your kids cannot attend school until their negative pcr is back then what can your work do, sack you? This is more that your workplaces are inherently family unfriendly than the school is trying to ruin your life by making sure there isn’t a covid outbreak a week before Christmas break.

Can you not do some sort of favour with another school parent and offer a day of looking after theirs over Xmas if they can have yours tomorrow whilst you wait for your results.

Original poster
ffscovid · 12/12/2021 15:33

@Blueeyedgirl21

Meant to add op if you’d gone this morning first thing to your nearest test center they’d probably have results back by about 8/9am tomorrow so you could just take them in late. Easy
No appointments available this morning. Unsurprising as it's not a big site and 450+ kids have been asked to do one. Nearest centre with spaces was 45 mins drive away. Not everyone drives and our rural location means that public transport isn't an option. So for many, it will mean doing a postal test which is a minimum 3 day wait.
OP posts:
Blueeyedgirl21 · 12/12/2021 15:34

For example what would you do if one of your kids came back from your weekend away with a temp or sniffle, who would have them then?

Original poster
ffscovid · 12/12/2021 15:37

@Blueeyedgirl21

For example what would you do if one of your kids came back from your weekend away with a temp or sniffle, who would have them then?
I'd take time off work of course. My employer would allow that but they won't be happy that school are not allowing my kids in tomorrow when they're not ill / don't legally have to isolate etc.
OP posts:
ThinWomansBrain · 12/12/2021 15:39

I've had a PCR test at 5.30 in the evening, results back in the early hours of the morning.
The longer you delay organising the test, the less likely you are to get the results back tomorrow morning

user1496146479 · 12/12/2021 15:39

@ffscovid
Have you the ability to drive to a test centre and get tested? Stop focusing on the 'many that might not drive etc' and sort out your logistics.
The many that cannot drive may have more understanding employers!

Skittles98 · 12/12/2021 15:49

I wish my child's nursery had done this last week. Im double vaxxed and sat in bed coughing and in so much pain thanks to the asymptomatic children at nursery. My own child tested positive too but no symptoms. We are struggling so much trying to look after her while both DH and I feel so shit and get out of breath doing the smallest things.

It's fortunate it didn't happen a few days later as that would have meant cancelling all our Xmas plans!

The school is being reasonable. You're not.

Original poster
ffscovid · 12/12/2021 15:49

[quote user1496146479]@ffscovid
Have you the ability to drive to a test centre and get tested? Stop focusing on the 'many that might not drive etc' and sort out your logistics.
The many that cannot drive may have more understanding employers! [/quote]
Yes I have. I'm actually away for the weekend so it was a pain in the arse as I'm not familiar with the area and don't have a car but managed to find a walk-in that we could get to this lunchtime. They said 48-72 hrs for results.

OP posts:
Original poster
ffscovid · 12/12/2021 15:50

@ThinWomansBrain

I've had a PCR test at 5.30 in the evening, results back in the early hours of the morning. The longer you delay organising the test, the less likely you are to get the results back tomorrow morning
I've been for the test (well DC, not me myself!). Glad to hear that yours came back quickly.
OP posts:
Skittles98 · 12/12/2021 15:51

Also results from PCR tests at a test centre usually come back by 7:00am the next day.

Hercisback · 12/12/2021 15:59

If its a state school they can't refuse your child in the morning regardless.

Original poster
ffscovid · 12/12/2021 16:06

@Hercisback

If its a state school they can't refuse your child in the morning regardless.
It is a state school, yes.
OP posts:
martim · 12/12/2021 16:11

Why do you think the school/PHE are doing this?
Do you think they want to ruin your Monday?
I appreciate it is inconvenient, but far less inconvenient than your child testing positive in a few days time, or the school closing early for Christmas because of too many cases in staff.