Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Covid Dilemma, 1st day of school

80 replies

typingcake · 14/08/2023 10:19

I've caught Covid – probably at the Fringe last weekend when I took DS to some shows. Started feeling unwell on Thursday morning, felt like a stinking head cold. Tested positive on Friday. Tested DS who is 5 and he was negative.

I've self isolated myself as I don't want DH or DS to get it. Both are still testing negative. I'm still feeling horrendous 5 days in with all the usual symptoms plus jaw and tooth pain, earache and muted hearing etc.

We are in Scotland and my son starts P1 on Wednesday this week. I seriously doubt I'll be negative in 2 days… what should I do!? Surely I can't stay home and miss his first day of going to school? Should I mask up (which I have been doing when I've had to go downstairs) and go to the school gate and let my husband take him in?

What would you do?
Am I being unreasonable to want to be there while I have Covid!?

OP posts:
HollyGolightly4 · 14/08/2023 10:21

I think masking up and letting your husband take him in sounds reasonable!

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 14/08/2023 10:23

I would just go. Dropping off at school is in the playground and you don't go very close to other parents anyway.

I also wouldn't have even tested

x2boys · 14/08/2023 10:24

Lots of people have no.option but .to.to.work ,even with Covid ,I assume you Will.be outside ?

redskytwonight · 14/08/2023 10:25

I'd just let your husband take him. Take a nice photo at home. Watching him go in through the school gates is really not that big of a deal.

I don't think going out when you know you may be contagious (with anything) is very responsible.

Peony654 · 14/08/2023 10:26

If you feel well enough, just go. It’s outside anyway. And bin the tests - no idea why anyone still tests

x2boys · 14/08/2023 10:28

redskytwonight · 14/08/2023 10:25

I'd just let your husband take him. Take a nice photo at home. Watching him go in through the school gates is really not that big of a deal.

I don't think going out when you know you may be contagious (with anything) is very responsible.

Many people have no.option to.self isolate
My son goes to.a,special school.for children with severe and profound learning disabilities some children are extremely clinically vulnerable their policy is if staff and children are well.enough to.come into.schoo!.they should .

PuttingDownRoots · 14/08/2023 10:28

Honestly... First day of school is a bit of an anti climax. Have a nice breakfast at home and send him with DH

Original poster
typingcake · 14/08/2023 10:31

Thanks all

He is suspected ASD and we are on the long waiting list for assessment… he doesn't always cope well in new situations, on induction day he would not let me go and I had to go in with him then try and sneak off. This is a big deal for him and for us and I'd like to be there to support him.

I think I'll do what I originally said and my husband can take him in – if that's needed at all. Hopefully he'll just go in with the other boys and girls and leave us outside.

I guess I was curious about what it was and had tests still in date. I won't be getting any more after this. I WFH anyway so while I feel terrible I'll be working on as usual.

OP posts:
Mrsjayy · 14/08/2023 10:50

Ah bummer, I'd probably put a mask on and wave from the playground.

redskytwonight · 14/08/2023 10:51

x2boys · 14/08/2023 10:28

Many people have no.option to.self isolate
My son goes to.a,special school.for children with severe and profound learning disabilities some children are extremely clinically vulnerable their policy is if staff and children are well.enough to.come into.schoo!.they should .

Show quote history

But the OP does have an option so that's not really relevant.

redskytwonight · 14/08/2023 10:52

on induction day he would not let me go and I had to go in with him then try and sneak off.

That sounds like another good reason not to go with him.

Fotophrame · 14/08/2023 10:54

Surely I can't stay home and miss his first day of going to school?

Surely you can. It's his first day and not yours.

Original poster
typingcake · 14/08/2023 11:00

Fotophrame · 14/08/2023 10:54

Surely I can't stay home and miss his first day of going to school?

Surely you can. It's his first day and not yours.

you're just so lovely, aren't you.

OP posts:
Curtains70 · 14/08/2023 11:08

Peony654 · 14/08/2023 10:26

If you feel well enough, just go. It’s outside anyway. And bin the tests - no idea why anyone still tests

This.

Fotophrame · 14/08/2023 11:22

typingcake · 14/08/2023 11:00

you're just so lovely, aren't you.

Show quote history

You're ill and want to possibly inflict that on others when unnecessary.

You have another adult to ensure your child is adequately cared for and has his needs met.

I have an opinion on that and you're sarcastic towards me, as if I'm in the wrong!

Sugargliderwombat · 14/08/2023 11:23

redskytwonight · 14/08/2023 10:52

on induction day he would not let me go and I had to go in with him then try and sneak off.

That sounds like another good reason not to go with him.

Gate sounds fine but you could always do the first pick up instead? If you think it'd be too hard to get him to say goodbye to you at the gate? X

ittakes2 · 14/08/2023 11:47

I tested for covid recently too and I was positive, and very ill, so isolated from my family. But in reality people don't test anymore and someone with a virus would not be as considerate as you ie masking up etc. Go with a mask as you have suggested. You don't legally have to do anything plus in theory after 5 days your infection rate is much lower I am guessing (as we used to have to isolate for 5 days at one point).

Fotophrame · 14/08/2023 11:53

It's interesting how one the one hand, legally everyone can and should do what they want, so going out near strangers is fine, but on the other hand, the overwhelming choice is to go through the inconvenience of self isolating to protect your own family members from suffering.

Prescottdanni123 · 14/08/2023 11:53

I don't know what the rules are in Scotland but in England it is only recommended that you isolate for 3-5 days.

EmilyBrontesGhost · 14/08/2023 11:54

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Houseplantmad · 14/08/2023 12:00

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

It’s not just a cold. I’ve just had it and my breathing is in a terrible state. It had only just got back to normal after the previous bout in 2020.
My colleague at work can’t walk the 10 minute walk to work now as she has been so badly hit by it’s attack in her nerve system, and is now only able to work two days a week which is financially crippling her.
It may be just a cold to some but for others it is devastating and life-changing.

With regards to OP, mask up, keep your distance and go along. Hope you’re feeling better soon.

PinkCherryBlossoms · 14/08/2023 12:11

This seems like a non issue to me. You'll be outdoors, can wear a good quality mask properly and can make sure you don't get too close to other people if you're concerned. As a fellow parent of an ND child, I certainly wouldn't be staying away when he might need me, so the question would simply be whether he's likely to be ok with just DH or not.

Mariposista · 14/08/2023 12:25

Check your calendar - we are now in 2023 and not in 2020!
Be there for your child!

Mrsjayy · 14/08/2023 12:28

Prescottdanni123 · 14/08/2023 11:53

I don't know what the rules are in Scotland but in England it is only recommended that you isolate for 3-5 days.

Yes it's 5 days

QuietDragon · 14/08/2023 12:29

Just go if you're well enough. No drama needed.