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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

DS (5) recovered from covid - WIBU to send him to school tomorrow?

51 replies

AnotherEmma · 07/07/2022 16:33

DS is 5, symptoms started on Monday evening, we tested him on Tuesday morning and the test was positive. He was ill (fever and other symptoms) for about 36h. Was OK on Wednesday, raised temperature but no longer tired or complaining of any pain. Today (Thursday) is back to his usual self - that is to say, very loud and energetic.

The official guidelines say that children should self-isolate for 3 days after a positive covid test result. So following those I should keep him off school tomorrow. However, symptoms started on Monday and if we'd tested on Monday evening it would have been positive.

WIBU to test him in the morning (LFT) and send him to school if it's negative?!

For context - DD (toddler) and I also have covid and I could really do with sending him to school (DH would take him). I also think he would have a better day at school than stuck at home with us, almost literally bouncing off the walls.

YABU - don't send him to school tomorrow
YANBU - send him to school

OP posts:
chilledbubble · 07/07/2022 16:56

Up to you. It's guidelines so makes sense for you to adapt it in your circumstance. I would say however to make sure he doesn't over do it and rush back into playing football etc, lots of people crash back down on day 4-5.

Vallmo47 · 07/07/2022 17:08

I’m currently suffering with covid for a second time. My daughter’s school has taken the same stance, 3 days off authorised with covid but then they should back if well enough. I addressed this with the receptionist as covid is so incredibly rife in the school and she said they can’t tell people what to do but they’d prefer if kids are kept off for longer. I don’t even know if they understand how much they are contradicting themselves??
I can totally see both sides of this but how unfair to give it to other kids and families because you want a break. Also when my daughter had it last time she had a couple days in the middle where she seemed absolutely normal and then she crashed. Covid is strange like that.

Original poster
AnotherEmma · 07/07/2022 17:13

"how unfair to give it to other kids and families because you want a break"

Hmm

Why do you think I've kept him off school despite having covid myself and a toddler to look after?! It's not for shits and giggles, it's to stop him spreading it.

My main concern about sending him tomorrow would be the risk of spreading it, obviously. Hence only considering it if he has a negative LFT in the morning. Also, the guidelines say that children are much less likely to be infectious after 3 days. It is a tough call though, hence my post.

OP posts:
passport123 · 07/07/2022 17:16

Everyone knows that the 3 day rule is bull and people are still infectious by then. It's purely political. The decent thing to do would be to keep him off and send him in on Monday, if his test is negative. And you know that, or you wouldn't be posting.

chilledbubble · 07/07/2022 17:16

I think only you can make that call, I know that's not helpful. Personally I would keep him off to recover more. But I have long covid so am bias.

Original poster
AnotherEmma · 07/07/2022 17:21

passport123 · 07/07/2022 17:16

Everyone knows that the 3 day rule is bull and people are still infectious by then. It's purely political. The decent thing to do would be to keep him off and send him in on Monday, if his test is negative. And you know that, or you wouldn't be posting.

Everyone doesn't know that, I don't! I think I will do a bit more research into other country's guidelines. I agree with you about politics and have zero faith in the government!

TBH, I am expecting to be told to keep him home, which is what I feel I should do, and if I get a majority vote it will help me to survive the day knowing I'm doing the right thing Grin

OP posts:
BluePonds · 07/07/2022 17:22

YABU. I'd keep him off tomorrow.

Blondeshavemorefun · 07/07/2022 17:23

I would keep off school tomorrow as Friday

but go Monday

Original poster
AnotherEmma · 07/07/2022 18:27

Interesting, the votes are quite close so far.

OP posts:
floweringpoppies · 07/07/2022 18:29

If it's negative send him in!!

itsgettingweird · 07/07/2022 18:32

I would be guided by LFT results.

I think that's a sensible compromise with very wishy washy guidance.

The risk with sending them all in when still infectious is that it spreads and they end up with class closures which has happened in schools already.

Underhisi · 07/07/2022 18:41

Ds's school said until test negative. He didn't test negative until day 6.

floweringpoppies · 07/07/2022 18:43

Also I've got covid but didn't test until a couple of days after symptoms started but I'll count my day one from symptoms so I'd count your sons day 1 from Monday.

ofwarren · 07/07/2022 18:46

He's very unlikely to be negative on LFT tomorrow. If he is though, you aren't wrong to send him in.

Tiddlywinkly · 07/07/2022 18:48

Another vote for keep him off tomorrow

Svara · 07/07/2022 18:48

Unless there's something very important on tomorrow then for the sake of one day I'd keep him home. Earlier in the week I'd be more inclined to send him.

Hm2020 · 07/07/2022 18:57

please don’t do this you have no idea of the other children In your sons classes medical status my cev 7 year old ds sits next to a girl who’s parents sent her in he in similar circumstances my ds has been sent home ill today a common cold can end up with us blue lighted to hospital it’s selfish.

Flopisfatteningbingforchristmas · 07/07/2022 19:00

Positive monday - day 0
tues, wed, Thursday- isolation
fri - fine to go to school if no symptoms
According to the current rules you can send him to school.

TwilightSkies · 07/07/2022 19:02

Keep him off. It’s the right thing to do.

orkneyisthebest · 07/07/2022 19:07

I would send him in. All 5 of us tested positive on monday but since no one has been unwell apart from slight cold symptoms. We just got on with it. Dh still went to work. Ive taken the kids out etc Going to visit family tomorrow for the weekend and will travel by train. I treat it as any other illness tbh

Original poster
AnotherEmma · 07/07/2022 19:10

ofwarren · 07/07/2022 18:46

He's very unlikely to be negative on LFT tomorrow. If he is though, you aren't wrong to send him in.

Yes i think you're probably right sadly. We'll do the test expecting a positive.

OP posts:
Original poster
AnotherEmma · 07/07/2022 19:14

Svara · 07/07/2022 18:48

Unless there's something very important on tomorrow then for the sake of one day I'd keep him home. Earlier in the week I'd be more inclined to send him.

Well, it's sports day tomorrow, but i don't think it's essential for a 5 year old to attend sports day.

The main problem with keeping him off school for a 4th day is the change in his usual routine; he's all over the place today (as he can often be) and his behaviour has deteriorated massively. He's hard work anyway during weekends and holidays - an unplanned period off school without leaving the house is a nightmare.

Thats not a reason to infect others, obviously, but if he's not actually infectious it would seem martyr-ish to keep him home.

OP posts:
chilledbubble · 07/07/2022 19:20

AnotherEmma · 07/07/2022 19:14

Well, it's sports day tomorrow, but i don't think it's essential for a 5 year old to attend sports day.

The main problem with keeping him off school for a 4th day is the change in his usual routine; he's all over the place today (as he can often be) and his behaviour has deteriorated massively. He's hard work anyway during weekends and holidays - an unplanned period off school without leaving the house is a nightmare.

Thats not a reason to infect others, obviously, but if he's not actually infectious it would seem martyr-ish to keep him home.

Show quote history

Keep him off for sports day. He needs to get back to things like that gradually.

Changethenamey · 07/07/2022 19:21

Unpopular opinion but yes I would send him if he’s ok. Only thing might be if the school decide he shouldn’t be there and ask you to collect him early? If they know he’s been off with covid they’ll be keeping an eye on him.

coconutpie · 07/07/2022 19:33

YABVU. No wonder it's spreading like wildfire if people are sending DC into school after 3 days. And you cannot justify sending him back because he's "out of routine". Plenty of DC have had to stay out of school for 10-14 days after getting a positive test. It is well known that it is 7 days minimum and for the next 3 days, to wear a well fitted mask.