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Original poster

We have decided....

352 replies

whodunit3 · 15/03/2020 22:48

We have just had a family meeting and made the decision, the children will be kept off from tomorrow

Youngest has a chesty cough so wouldn’t be going in anyway but the other two will also be off for the foreseeable future (two primary and one secondary)

We live in an area where parents and grandparents are older, I have 0 confidence that BOJO, government informants or any scientist in the world really knows how this new virus works and I’m scared!

I read today that the reason behind lots of parents stopping doing what they though was right for their children was fear of judgment, doing the wrong thing, or more importantly doing (for you) the right thing.

I just wanted to share, that we are standing up and doing what feel right for us, do what’s right for you.

OP posts:
zefstar76 · 16/03/2020 10:24

@category12 Irritates people for what reason?

ghostyslovesheets · 16/03/2020 10:27

no idea how keeping your kids shut up at home protects the vulnerable and elderly - unless they live with you.

Mine are in school - I am in work - we are being sensible, social distancing, hand washing etc but are full prepared to get it - non of us are high risk - so better to get it and then offer herd immunity

We are avoiding elderly grandparents and high risk friends - and will continue to do so.

There is no reason for most people who get it to bother the NHS so catching it wont cause them huge issues - it will cause major issue for people with underlying health conditions - so avoid them and let them either self isolate or be cautious but keeping perfectly healthy kids off school is OTT in my view - especial when you act like some kind of saviour of humanity for doing so

WorraLiberty · 16/03/2020 10:27

Can anyone explain why this post has had such a negative reaction and so maybe insults?

To be fair, it is a bit pompous in tone and will more than likely panic WOHP who don't have the luxury of doing the same.

I've come across a few people in real life who've kept their kids off but with no public announcement.

WorraLiberty · 16/03/2020 10:28

'Panic' was the wrong word. I meant it might make them feel as though they should be doing the same but can't.

Balkinfly · 16/03/2020 10:28

Just spoke to my MIL in early 80s about isolating and she said it will be ok she can still walk around the riverHmm

What's the point of this if they are just going to break the rules.

category12 · 16/03/2020 10:31

For me, the tone is irritating because it seems pompous and self-righteous - the "doing her bit" and "standing up" suggest she thinks she's doing something worthy of note and beneficial to others. I associate "doing your bit" with war-time and that comes off poorly, given this is basically sitting at home doing feck all. As opposed to actively doing something for others.

Elisheva · 16/03/2020 10:31

but this only works if absolutely everyone is doing the same which presumably they won’t...
But that’s what we should be aiming for. Protect the vulnerable, everyone else carry on as normal.

T0tallyFuckedUpFamily · 16/03/2020 10:32

What's the point of this if they are just going to break the rules. I have two elderly neighbours and they both have small dogs. I saw one out yesterday and I know the other one has memory issues so will still be out. I think there needs to be some form of education to tell people to make sure they stay well away from any elderly people that they see out, in order to protect them.

zefstar76 · 16/03/2020 10:37

It reads as a supportive thread reaching out to others making the same choice. I've read the first post twice and I'm finding it incredibly difficult to feel offended or irritated.

Original poster
whodunit3 · 16/03/2020 10:41

@WorraLiberty you do realise the likelihood is the schools are going to shut anyway and as shitty as it will be parents are going to have to prepare for kids at home.

If it’s only taking little old me keeping my kids of school to cause people to panic then they really do have their heads in the sand!

OP posts:
mambanumber5 · 16/03/2020 10:41

Op we had the same family meeting yesterday. Gnome the pisstakers. And yes, I'm home so we are able to make the decision without it impacting on my work. My husbands small business is probably going to go under though - all of his staff think they should be able to work from home but have no concept of the fact that it won't be long and there will be no actual work to do. So have no fear we will all be in the same boat soon.

I've sent mine in today but it was noticeably quieter and I suspect they will be off by the end of the week.

category12 · 16/03/2020 10:44

zefstar76, It's all a matter of opinion/taste, innit? You find it a supportive tone, others find it pompous.

GoodbyePorpoiseSpit · 16/03/2020 10:45

I find it a bit virtue signally. No need to announce your plans just crack on.
Same with all the public posts- ‘I’d just like to say to all the elderly people in the neighbourhood that I am available for shopping etc’ on Facebook. Firstly - elderly isolated people rarely use Facebook and secondly just do the good deed without posting it on your own wall.
Still I guess the intention is good. Everyone’s just a bit crabby atm.

Original poster
whodunit3 · 16/03/2020 10:46

@Elisheva I agree but I can’t enforce it with everyone else, only my own so while in a perfect world everyone sending their kids to school only is the ideal whole people until people start taking this seriously I won’t add my children’s germs into the mix when I have the option not to do so!!

OP posts:
willdoitinaminute · 16/03/2020 10:52

Pandemic does not refer to how deadly the virus is, it nearly categorises it above epidemic ie it is present in 3 or more continents. Hollywood have so much to answer to.
Most flu viruses are pandemic most years but we don’t bat an eyelid.

zefstar76 · 16/03/2020 10:53

@category12 Lots people reach it out to connect with others in a similar position during difficult times, it's really not unusual. I guess if you choose to apply a certain tone to written word that does want relate to you at all you are kinda making yourself mad for no reason.

Scruffyoak · 16/03/2020 10:54

How long for?
Will they mix with other people still?

zefstar76 · 16/03/2020 10:55

Wow, all the typos - skills

MrsBobDylan · 16/03/2020 10:58

We are self isolating as from today because one of my kids would be fucked if he got it.

There is no point people piously pointing out they couldn't afford to stay home - if the Government closes school they everyone will have to find a way to survive.

I am not being paid now and we will struggle a lot. But I don't want to send my kids into school for one of them to get it, only for the Gov to shut everything down in two weeks anyway. Then to watch my son struggle to breathe and if he does survive, for his lungs to be buggered for the rest of his life.

Go ahead and laugh at op but your time would be better spent planning what you will do when the country is closed and half of us not able to earn.

Inniu · 16/03/2020 10:58

Can I ask how posters in the U.K. are able to say there are only so many cases of Covid19 in their area if symptomatic people are no longer being tested?

WorraLiberty · 16/03/2020 10:58

@WorraLiberty you do realise the likelihood is the schools are going to shut anyway and as shitty as it will be parents are going to have to prepare for kids at home.

Yes I do and that's why I'm guessing your family meeting and 'doing your bit' announcement got people's backs up.

If it's not that, then I'm stumped.

category12 · 16/03/2020 10:59

zefstar67, Or maybe you're missing someone that others are reacting to. As I said, it's a matter of opinion.

AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 16/03/2020 11:00

rhino the official advice the DfE is giving to schools around the issue is this:

Where a pupil doesn't attend school despite the school operating as usual and is not self isolating, the pupil will be marked as absent. It is for headteachers to decide whether or not the absence is authorised depending on the individual circumstances. Where a pupil is in self isolation, in accordance with latest info and advice from DoHSC and PHE, the pupil should be recorded as unable to attend due to exceptional circumstances.

So the take home is, declare self isolation. However, its not clear if there's a limit to how long SI would be accepted before tipping over into general absence.

Original poster
whodunit3 · 16/03/2020 11:00

Look...

I’m sorry if I came across as pompous, self important or made anyone feel rubbish, that was never my intention.

Truth is I’m not sure I have ever had to make a decision this big and that affects my kids lives so directly, because despite the criticism we are self isolating correctly, and it was hard and I’m still questioning my judgement.

I thought though, there might be others in a similar situation and that they might find it reassuring someone had, despite the current (IMO wrong) government advice, worry of judgement, fear or getting wrong for their kids, gone with their gut and made the choice to take their children out.

OP posts:
zefstar76 · 16/03/2020 11:01

@MrsBobDylan exactly the same for my son.

On a side note, you will never steal Bob from me :p

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