DDs school want me to COVID test her, AIBU to say no?

[mybossisaprick]

Dd, who is in primary school, has got the cold that’s been going round. She’s not too unwell in herself, and is happily playing, but she has a husky voice and a cough. She’s maybe a bit more tired than normal, but nothing that would mean she would need to stay off school. If she was unwell enough to miss school, I’d keep her off.

Her teacher pulled me aside at pickup time and asked me if she’d taken a COVID test. I said no, she hadn’t. Teacher asked me why not, and I explained that she wasn’t unwell enough to miss school, and so there was no point testing her for COVID. Teacher said that I should test her anyway, and if positive she should stay home. I explained that myself and my partner both have to work, we don’t get enough leave as it is, and whilst if DD was actually unwell in herself and couldn’t go to school, one of us could stay off with her, but since she’s not, we really don't have the resources to be taking time off. Also, I don’t have easy access to tests and I’d rather not buy a test when I don’t need to.

AIBU to tell this teacher that I wouldn’t be testing DD?

Maybe ask the school if they supply tests. You know what the answer would be.

Current guidance says children can go to school even if they test positive as long as they are well in themselves. a covid test doesn’t change anything.

The only time testing makes a difference is for vulnerable categories, they can get antivirals if they test positive.

YANBU at all. You do not need to test your dd and the teacher was wrong to even suggest it. I’d be tempted to remind her of this.

YANBU

But if that's the policy of the school, they should be supplying free tests.

https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2023/10/11/what-are-the-latest-rules-around-covid-19-in-schools-colleges-nurseries-and-other-education-settings/.
The school should already know this but direct them to this guidance.

Nope. Not unreasonable. You’ll get some people bleating at you on here but these are the people who can afford to have their kids at home for no reason…

No compromises with the staff. Good to see the old traditions of asserting your authority to the underlings persists despite the modern trends.

YANBU and school can’t insist on this even if they supply the tests.

Our school told parents NOT to test for covid, that there was no need and as long as the kid was well they could come in.
If they want her testing they can supply the tests. Do they actually want proof you've tested her?

You know as well as I do that children carry all sorts of viruses. For most people, Covid is no more harmful than any other virus. The government expects everyone else to carry on and go to work with Covid, so why not teachers?

Guidance is kids should be in school when well enough, even if positive. I'd just remind her of this and leave it there. I wouldn't be testing my kids anymore unless really poorly.

I agree with the teacher, regardless of what the current guidelines say.

Personally if I knew I was positive my conscience wouldn't let me knowingly potentially expose vulnerable people to a disease that could make them seriously ill.

But then 2 of my partners family died from it so I'm not as complacent as some having seen first hand the devastation it caused.

Everyone saying OP is not being unreasonable... would you be happy to be surrounded by covid positive co-workers (some of whom won't cover their mouths when coughing /sneezing) so close to Christmas? That is essentially what you are expecting of the teacher.

May well be and probably am. I work with the public. Most people aren’t testing any more. Retail staff etc all have to take the risk. Teachers aren’t special.

Are you able to work from home?
Because many people don't have that option and have no choice but to go into work with COVID because their,employers expect it
I have two vulnerable people in my immediate family, but they still.have to go to work and college unless they are too ill.to do so.

I think you sound a bit entitled, OP.

Schools don't have to stick to guidance to the letter, they have to look at their situation. If they have eg vulnerable pupils or staff at the school or a current staffing issue due to Covid then I can see why they'd make that request.

They have to think about all kids, not just yours and certainly not your working hours.

I'm still testing if we're sniffly just because I'm curious and would limit seeing family/friends if positive, but the school insist on them going in if positive as long as they are well. Whereas I can just wfh if positive.

DP has to go in work if positive as long as he is well and he's with the public all day long.

So I'd say YANBU but maybe limit who they are around where you can.

Added - YANBU because I know its not easy to get time off in this situation because she isn't ill.

Teacher or one (or more) classmates could be immunocompromised, hence the request to test.
Up to you whether you consider that of any importance.

You, realise that, Employers expect their employees in regardless of wether they have covid?
It doesn't matter wether they are happy to be surrounded by people with Covid they have no option.

Just ignore the teacher.

I have to go to work covid or not, as do my colleagues. You want my well enough kids to be tested and kept at home, ask the government to provide tests and pay for my time off.

It's highly likely their is a vulnerable child in your dd's class, however school are not allowed to tell you for confidentiality reasons. So test your child , a couple of days of work is not comparable to a chikd ending up seriously unwell in hospital or worse. People have forgotten how serious covid is for some people.

Most are people already are.

I'm
A nurse and we have to go in of positive and well enough.

Lol that's literally everyone who works people facing with the general public in any capacity. Why should the teacher get special treatment if every nurse, shop worker, bus driver, social worker, train conductor etc etc is expected to just suck it up and crack on?