Should we all stop using GPs for childcare?

[WhereIsTheLove1234]

Luckily tomorrow is a nursery day but GPs help us with childcare twice per week so will need to make a decision soon. They are both over 60 but with no existing health conditions. Should we stop the kids going over there and keep ourselves away too? I'm worried one of us will infect them, on the other hand it sounds like were all going to get it anyway. I really dont know what to do!

[Devlesko]

I told mine under no way would I be able to help them.
They told me they never would ask, as I'm in at risk group.

Speaking to friends I get the impression that had we shutdown earlier for a short spell they would have helped with childcare.
After the announcement of 10k plus cases out there, they can't risk it now.

[Sweatheart]

I cant get an appointment with my GP nevermind childcare out of them.

*I dont have kids but I wont be seeing my gran for now.

[GrumpyHoonMain]

But again it depends on health. A healthy 80 year old doesn’t have the same risk as one who has diabetes and heart failure.

[GrumpyHoonMain]

You need to balance this up to the risk. If you follow preventative handwashing then the risk to the elderly is low. If you turn the stats on their head then even when they get the illness 4 out of 5 over 80s will make a complete recovery (assuming they get care). However the risks of social exclusion at that age can be severe (dementia etc). In India and China where GP care is prevalent nobody has been advised to stop it.

[divafever99]

This is a concern for me too. Work have said we must sort out plans for childcare now. Our only option is grandparents, but I explained to them I don't want to leave my dc with those most vulnerable to this virus. We are planning that I will have to take unpaid leave.

[Kittywampus]

My parents are over 70 and have health conditions, however they are still going out and about including shopping trips in the city. I don't see much point in keeping my children away from them. Obviously if any of us had symptoms, or if they decided to restrict social contact generally, then we would rethink.

[SorrelBlackbeak]

My parents live with us - they don't provide childcare but I help my dad care for my mum. The children will stay out of their way ( the WiFi isn't great in their part of the house) but not avoiding them - mum wouldn't eat any salad or vegetables if I didn't make her lunch and dinner...

[Sunshinelollipops1]

I spoke to a doctor today and he was saying his biggest worry about school’s closing was grandparents providing childcare and it in fact having the opposite effect to that hoped for.

[fezzesarecool]

WhereIsTheLove1234 I would rather FaceTime them than put them at risk of exposure IMO the government doesn’t give a shot so I’m doing what I can not only to protect my loved ones but to protect and help vulnerable to the best of my ability

[Tootletum]

It's up to them. My in laws don't want to see us for months, whilst my mum won't be prevented from seeing her GCs. Might change, it's up to her, her attitude is that there are risks everywhere and she still does just as much at church, which is as risky.

[Stuckforthefourthtime]

So are you all literally not going to see the GPs at all? For weeks? or months?

Yes, on the basis that we'd rather see them for the years after! My mother has a health condition that means she'd be at greater risk, my father is older, and I would never want to be the one who caused them illness whether directly or by making them travel to us.

[SpaceDinosaur]

I had this conversation with both sets of GPS this week. They both have DD one day a week.

Both sides in 60's. Both in good health. Both have said "don't be so silly".

I have explained that DD if a carrier will likely be either asymptomatic, a little unwell, totally fine. However, because they are in the "at risk" groups (over 60) we don't want them to be in a difficult position. I have said that there is no expectation on them to continue to have DD. That they can change their minds at any time...

It's worrying.

[GruntBaby]

No way am I endangering my parents. DD is in isolation due to a persistent cough so I can't work properly (managing a bit from home). My DF has nearly every comorbidity on the list and is over 70. If he gets it it looks like a 1/4 death rate, DM is still 1/10.

Even when we're not symptomatic I am not letting our DC anywhere near their grandparents until this is all over.

[ValleyoftheHorses]

DH is now WFH for the foreseeable so no more grandparent childcare. I will see them but not much and no hugs etc.
If schools close then I will take unpaid leave and drop to one day a week with DH covering that day.

[MaomiMak]

I'm not having my niece near me.

Children are germ magnets.

[quirrels]

@Applesandpears23 I have said goodbye to my parents and I will see them on the other side of this crisis. That's heartbreaking.
I'm thinking my young adult DC might need to do the same. I am 61 and have multiple health issues.

[ClubfootMaestro]

Depends. Are they isolating themselves? If so then putting a child who has been in a nursery setting with them puts them at a greater risk. If they are going about their lives as normal, they could well catch it anyway so I don’t see why not, as long as they’re happy to continue.

[ihaveaquestionplease]

An 80 year old in less good health, less fine but then they probably wouldn't be looking after young children anyway

I don't know about that. Someone I know has her 79 MIL staying with her 3 days a week to look after her 1 and 2yo

[MsTSwift]

Absolutely. Couldn’t live with myself if my child passed it on to them with a bad outcome just so I could save abit of cash on childcare.

[AccountAntsy]

My parents look after DD one day a week, with nursery on the other days. I asked them about whether they want to stop that arrangement for a while; I can manage with annual leave / compressed hours for a couple of months or so.

They weren’t having any of it and were pretty affronted by the suggestion so that was that. I’ll keep the offer open and it may be that they change their minds but I’m not going to refuse to let them so it’ll be continuing for now.

[ihaveaquestionplease]

60s with no underlying health conditions is fine I think.
Older and / or health conditions I'd be thinking seriously about it.

[InescapableDeath]

My mum offered to come and look after my kids if the schools close. She'd have a seven-hour coach journey to do first! I said no chance. And try to stay somewhat isolated with my dad. My dad is happy to do that. My mum is way more social and will still be going here there and everywhere. They are so far away from us they can't do regular childcare anyway, so I don't know what I'd do for sure in that situation.

I have said I'm not visiting them for weeks at least, until we know more about what's happening.

[cologne4711]

Depends how old they are and if they are vulnerable. A 60 year old in good health will probably be fine. An 80 year old in less good health, less fine but then they probably wouldn't be looking after young children anyway

[Applesandpears23]

I have said goodbye to my parents and I will see them on the other side of this crisis, however long that is. With their health I am worried that if they get the virus it will kill them. I wouldn’t want my children to suspect it was them who had passed it to them if the worst happens.