School says 'use your discretion'

[Weirdomagnet]

Hi,

I've kept my child (8) off today- she rarely gets ill (thankfully) but was up in the night with stomach pains, then this morning burning with fever, headache, neck ache, spine ache. No cough or sore throat though. But definitely fluey. Normally the most she gets is a runny nose.

I work in a school - feel uncomfortable about taking time off as it I'm sure people will think I'm just jumping on the bandwagon, and several others in my dept are already self isolating. I emailed in and mentioned the 7 day isolation guidelines, and was told it's now 14 days so 'see you in 2 weeks'.

Anyway- phoned daughter's school, who said it's up to me re isolation - they are telling parents to use their discretion, and as long as she doesn't have a cough/sore throat, I can send her back in when I feel she's better.

I feel more comfortable with that given my work situation- but is her school being irresponsible with this advice, or am I ok to follow it? (Civilised disagreements only please!)

So irresponsible, you should all be off for 2 weeks

Her school is directly contradicting the only clear bit of government advice which is if anyone has a fever, they and their family are to isolate. I would point them to the guidance and do the right thing.

The school are being irresponsible, it isn't a case of follow the advice if you feel like it. Send them the links to the NHS guidance and say you will be following that.

This is what I thought- I was pretty surprised when they said that.

From a selfish point of view (and completely missing the point) I wish they'd just close schools down so we don't have to make these decisions, and to avoid awkwardness! (Obviously realise it would cause more than awkwardness for many though...)

No, you both stay at home for 14 days.

People are still not getting this, are they?
I wonder what Syrians, hunkered down in basements for 7 years and teaching their children to laugh and clap when the “fireworks” go off, would make of our doesn’t apply to me attitudes?

I am surprised by some schools thinking.
My daughters school apparently (and I realise this may not be entirely accurate as it came from the mouth of a 5yr old) told the children that staying at home with a cough isn’t a good enough reason to be off. You have to be really very sick to not go to school.
My daughter is fine so she is in, we just keep telling her to not share lunch and wash hands all the time 🤷🏻‍♀️

I wonder what Syrians, hunkered down in basements for 7 years and teaching their children to laugh and clap when the “fireworks” go off god this is heartbreaking.

@Chocolatedaim - that's the thing, we're so conditioned to carry on regardless that it feels almost too easy to take time off at the moment. I realise it's important that we do, it's just that stigma of feeling judged for it.

Don’t for a moment think anyone is being “judged” for adhering to official advice.

Shame on the school. They’re putting everyone else at risk.

There used to be such a thing as a notifyable illness and if you had it there were strict restrictions on you.
We need this at least. Even better, close the schools!

Yes- I remember being sent promptly home from a temp job years ago, when I casually mentioned I had a spot of conjunctivitis! (I was secretly delighted)

It is classed as a notifiable disease.

@Duchessofblandings thanks- that's how it should be at least.

@halcyondays I agree, they shouldn't be putting this on parents. I'm guessing they feel responsible though for parents who don't have much choice- this is why I think the government should just take away all choice and uncertainty, and shut the damn schools- and help out those who really need it.