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Covid

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Original poster

Shielded children.. can we let them back to school if we choose?

41 replies

BuyorRent · 10/05/2020 23:18

I don’t want to be blasted if people feel different, I take every opinion on board BUT can I send my child back to school even if it’s medically advised not to? Is it a judgement call or do you think we will be banned from doing so?

OP posts:

Clemmieandareallybigbunfight · 11/05/2020 00:29

Thought it must be. Given that covjd seems relatively mild in kids in general your son probably runs more risk every winter at school. There's no way to know for certain of course but he's got to live with CF. Shielding indefinitely would be bleak for him.

SavageBeauty73 · 11/05/2020 00:40

How old is he?

Why would you risk it?

nether · 11/05/2020 06:19

Shielding indefinitely would be bleak for him

Shielding indefinitely is bleak for everyone who is asked to do it. As you can vaccinate against flu, then the risk is higher at present. Because it's not a case of 'maybe there will be a strain not in the vaccine in circulation here' but 'there's definitely something which has a typical 10% chance of death for the shielded going around right now'

It's not remotely like a normal winter season for respiratory viruses if you have one of the exceptionally risky co-morbidities. Yes, you do tend to worry more when it's winter virus season. But those annual 'maybes' are somewhat outweighed by the current 'definitely here'

Original poster

BuyorRent · 11/05/2020 07:18

He’s 5 and in reception. We manage his condition primarily with exercise. On a normal week he does swimming, gymnastics, football, rugby and trampolining. The school have also been fantastic in implementing physio (of sorts) at school.
My husband will have to go back to work soon which means lots of public transport so I feel it would be pointless keeping him off school.
I’m tempted to wait until September but I can’t shield him until next year and if he was to get it I’d rather it be in the summer when he’s not bogged down with winter coughs and colds.

OP posts:

Clemmieandareallybigbunfight · 11/05/2020 07:58

I think you're doing the right thing speaking to his consultant and their risk assessment is the key one? There are lots of parents of physically 100% healthy kids on here who don't want to send them back to school so you will always get very strong views

PrivateD00r · 11/05/2020 08:07

I would advise you not to base your decision based on your DH going to work. Families who wish to continue shielding with one parent working have no choice but to split the family to keep the shielding person safe. Many are doing this already, it can be done. Therefore DH working is not a factor in making your decision here. Yes it is shit, but health is more important of course.

You need to talk to the school and the consultant and go from there. You need to accept that the school can only do so much to protect him. This year group will not fully socially distance.

Given that he is only 5, I personally would just keep him home as he is of an age where it won't be hard to catch up with his work. I appreciate you are concerned socially, but remember the other children in years 2 to 5 will be staying off as will all children in the rest of the UK (at the moment, only England seem to be going back in June?). So he wouldn't be doing anything different to the majority of other children in the UK - if that makes sense?

flapjackfairy · 11/05/2020 08:15

The thing is if it is CF he may be doing well but if he picks it up he will most likely get v sick and he will not have the same resources to fight in terms of lung function.
I get your point about mental health. It is v hard. I have 2 vulnerable kids one of whom is on the shielding list. We have been in lockdown for nearly 9 weeks already with at least another 8 to go but I would rather that than take any risks myself.
But obviously your consultant should know the best advice . But as a school governor I would be surprised if the school would entertain it unless lockdown and shielding are over.

Spikeyball · 11/05/2020 08:40

I don't believe legally a school can refuse when his year group return to school unless they make it a child protection issue. The current guidance is clear that shielding is an individual decision so it should be the parents decision.

Incrediblytired · 11/05/2020 08:46

It sounds like you’re being really sensible.

Original poster

BuyorRent · 11/05/2020 09:24

@PrivateD00r you’re right of course and I would never ever want to jeopardise his health. It makes no difference to me having him at home (I selfishly love it) as I’m on maternity leave so no childcare issues etc I’m just so worried about what to do for the best. We’ve worked so hard getting his condition completely under control and establishing so many different exercises/setting him up in school that I guess I’m worried about upsetting the apple cart. It would help if he hated school but he is chomping at the bit to go back!

OP posts:

Original poster

BuyorRent · 11/05/2020 09:28

@flapjackfairy that’s absolutely my worry, that I send him back and he gets very unwell.
All hypothetical at this point of course as they haven’t even announced a date for schools to re open and the likelihood is that I wouldn’t send him until September anyway. I worry that if he remains on the extremely vulnerable list they might ask us to shield until there’s a vaccine and I just don’t know how I feel about that. You make a good point though, the school could refuse him back. At least that would be decision made though!

OP posts:

Itisbetter · 11/05/2020 12:00

I had an extremely vulnerable child who couldn’t attend school for large parts of KS1. Long before Covid or lockdown. Obviously that’s not ideal but I think you parent the child you have not the one you thought you were going to have. It was an odd time especially because I had other children in school full time but we got through and now it’s just part of her story.

flapjackfairy · 11/05/2020 13:18

@BuyorRent
I know we feel the same dread of being stuck in until a vacine is available . I am just thinking about one day at a time and trying not to think ahead at the moment . I can only cope that way ! Personally I think it will be a gradual return for most kids in Sept with the most vulnerable staying home until they see how it all pans out and I think if cases stay low it will be time to brave it with the option to withdraw again if it ramps up again. That's my best guess anyway .

Muchtoomuchtodo · 11/05/2020 13:23

I can totally understand wher you’re coming from but if he has CF, getting pneumonia could decrease his lung function forever.
It’s a tough call.

ItsSpittingEverybodyIn · 11/05/2020 13:31

Consultant knows better than anyone.

Lostmyshityear9 · 11/05/2020 13:37

You need to speak to the Head. I feel really nervous about that as a teacher. It's a huge responsibility and the likelihood of contracting it is still high.

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