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?

@mybossisaprick

why wouldn’t you just test her op? Like what is your issue with it really?

Out of interest, do you think OP should keep DD off if the hypothetical test is positive? If yes, then it's not a 'just' and OP has explained why that would be a problem. If no, then there's no reason to think there'd be any real point?

Covid is not an illness to be relaxed about. It can cause long term damage, and the more times you get it, the more likely this is to happen. I have two previously healthy friends with heart damage from Covid (one is only in her 30s). I had a totally unexpected stroke - my risk factors are very low - after a mild case of Covid.

There's very little to be done. There are high levels of infection currently and the death rate is going up, but no one is making a big noise about it because of the potential damage to the economy. My advice would be to wear a mask if you're out and about. I'd also test my child because I'd want to know.

'but no one is making a big noise about it because of the potential damage to the economy'

There is this, except that implies current policy is not having a big impact on the economy. Economists have been flagging up the financial burden for a while. We are giving kids a multiple whammy - again.

You don't know that the stroke was caused by Covid, that is post hoc ergo propter hoc.

@VanityDiesHard is there anything you think IS linked to covid infections, apart from hypochondria, or deciding to use a wheelchair for fun of course?

Ehhh I see it from both sides.

Im at high risk from Covid, DS brought it home from school and passed it on to us which has led to a hospital trip plus covid treatment infusion. We have all been knocked on our bums with it this time around, it’s been horrendous and the added fear that I would end up hospitalised and very seriously ill has been an added stress. We have all stayed home since testing positive, we wouldn’t have been well enough to work anyway, but haven’t been to shops, seen people etc because I wouldn’t want to risk passing this on to another vulnerable person.

Having said that, I am also fully aware of the cost of living crisis, the new govt guidelines, and that lots of people don’t have the privilege of being able to just “stay home” or keep their children off school. Ultimately, bills need to be paid, food needs to be put on the table, and for probably the majority of the country, that is their priority, and rightly so.

I think what doesn’t help is the snarking at either side of the debate. I hold no ill-will to those out and about with covid, going to work and school etc, it’s a necessity for most, but equally I don’t feel that those like myself who do test, who do still choose to isolate, deserve to be ridiculed and patronised because “covid is just a common cold now”, or because we are perceived to be oblivious to our privilege and the difficulties others may face.

Because for those of us who need them, you can’t access covid treatments without a positive test 🤷🏻‍♀️

I imagine Technonan is well aware that it can’t be proved that the stroke was caused by Covid and that’s why they have just stated the facts. It has been shown however that Covid attacks the vascular system, and stroke is a vascular event.

You can get them free from pharmacies if you are eligible for Covid treatments.

None of our local pharmacies have “signed up to the scheme” as such, nearest one is 30+ min drive away so it was easier to just buy them from the local pharmacy down the road.