Shouldn’t there have been more info for the vulnerable?

[Creativebee]

The “28-page government plan published this morning says that “we are all susceptible to catching this disease”. It states ... “there could well be an increase in deaths”, particularly among the elderly and vulnerable”.
I have an immunosuppressed child, who has a long and complex health history. If what the above is true (which we know it is), that the elderly and vulnerable are at increased risk, shouldn’t there be more advise for parents of children who are vulnerable? The school my child goes to is a special needs school and there are a lot of children in the school with complex health issues. I’m wondering if maybe I’m just panicking and thinking too much about it 🤔 but I can’t help myself panicking.

What kind of info are you looking for?

We have similar issues
Don’t wait or look for official advice make your own judgement you’ll know when it’s time to quarantine yourselves as a preventative measure we will be keeping dc off of the school stays open

NewNameEveryWeek information such as even though school is open, if your child falls under the vulnerable category, quarantine your child to decrease the chances of being infected. Something along those lines?

Just do it. Like marshgame says - don't wait for their advice, trust your own judgement on this.

The government has other motives. They're not interested in protecting people's health. They want to protect the economy first and foremost.

marshgame at what point will you take your DC out of school? I’m only asking as I don’t know when I would do that. In my opinion it would be too late after a confirmed case within the school, but would it be too soon once there is a confirmed case in our town?

I think part of it is the we just don't know yet. Many people are suspicious of China's figures. But looking at the rates in Italy probably gives a better idea of the seriousness.
Like other said- don't wait for advice if you are that worried.

We are watching and waiting. If the numbers significantly increase and the advice is given officially to work from home and things start getting cancelled then We are going to keep them at home
Just can’t risk it but I’m taking it on a day to day basis and seeing how things go and at any point I feel anxious enough we will go ahead if rather be overly cautious than have a already unwell child suffering complications

Yes if we had cases in our town I would consider that a good time to keep them off school

Cynically I think that as soon as they start advising these actions then they will be expected to allocate funding to cover the costs of these actions for example paying SSP (or more) to working parents that need to stay home with children and that they are not willing or able to do that.

We have spent a huge amount on Brexit, more than we ever paid to the EU in the decades we were members, that must have hit any emergency funding available.

I'm not saying it is right, just what I think is happening.

Use your own judgement.

In these situations the decisions made are not necessarily in the interests of the most vulnerable- you are in the best position to safeguard your child.

I just think that if they are saying that 1 in 5 people could be affected, that figure has to based on some solid proof, then they should be isolating the people who are more at risk from now but as Dusty01 said, the
government has different priorities.

It is worrying, I agree, you are mum do what you think is best. I have MS and I am taking a disease modifying drug which effects my immune system, so I totally get your concern.

We have already cancelled our outpatient appts and will reschedule as and when
Not using the bus either so clubs are being missed for the time being

Coronavirus isn't the only virus out there, and it's less infectious than many. If you aren't worried about flu or colds, or have procedures to reduce the risk, then just carry on doing what you're doing to avoid those.

Coronavirus isn't the only virus out there, and it's less infectious than many.

I know it's not the only virus out there - but is it less infectious than many? I was under the impression that Covid19 was highly highly infectious.

jackparlabane The flu and cold doesn’t attack your respiratory system in the same way that Coronavirus does. I agree that there are deaths from the flu but nowhere near this scale. The only procedure in place to reduce the risk from the flu is that children who show signs of it are sent home and we are advised so we are aware. I do believe that the Coronavirus, for vulnerable people, will have a much bigger impact on their health so I don’t think it is a good comparison.

Also some people who have been infected don’t show signs of the virus so the they could pass it on without even realising.

This must be a scary time for you when your child has additional health concerns, I have adult loved ones I am worried about but it must be harder when it is your child.

It sounds from what you are saying though that the information is out there but advice about school attendance is not. I think the premise of a Conservative government is to avoid too much that could be called nanny state and to just share information and let people make up their own minds what to do with that information.

Maybe the next step will be to say that the usually school attendance requirements will be relaxed so if parents feel they want to temporarily withdraw children they and the school will not be pressured to maintain attendance figures.

So if you were to withdraw your child from school now, how long would you keep them off for? Presumably until all chance of being infected has passed? Which could be months and months, there's no way to know.
Since only 40 people out of a population of almost 70 million have been infected so far I'd say hold off for now!