COVID test every time your child has a cough

[Jenbot78]

Hi, has anyone else been in this position? DD (3) has been back at the childminders for 5 weeks now. She has already had a snotty nose and cough for which we got a COVID test which was negative. We had to get another one last night as she again had a cough.

I understand why we need to do this (to stop spread) but it is SO disruptive! It affects both mine and DHs work as we can’t go back until we get the test results!

Turnaround was less than 24 hours last time but that still meant juggling work around.

Yesterday’s test was a nightmare as DD got wise to what we needed to do (last time PP on the ipad distracted enough...)

I’m just interested in other people’s experiences when their children have developed coughs and snotty nose?

I feel winter term will be a nightmare if every time there is a new cough we have to self isolate until we get test results! My son will be starting childcare so I don’t know what we’ll do as I remember DD being perpetually ill in that first year 😱.

@SqidgeBum yep, honestly losing sleep over the whole thing, There will never be anyone at school at that rate then

@MrsWhites it just isn’t realistic or sustainable. When mine get a cold it’s very rarely they get a temp with it, it’s usually just a cough and a runny nose

@AlaskaThunderfuckHiiiiiiiii

Exactly, if my child is sent home with a persistent cough, high temp etc then of course I would get them tested but I’m sorry, if they cough twice in 4 hours, have no temp and a streaming snotty nose then they clearly have a common cold. I’d be happy to keep them off school to be certain but testing and the whole family isolating seems extreme and unnecessary!

On one hand they want to tell us that schools/children do not spread the virus but on the other hand they want to be able to send them home every time they cough to prevent the spread! Make your mind up!!

Why would you have to stay off school if the test was negative?

I did ask the MP what financial support would be given to parents who had to quit their jobs due to school and nursery closures and self isolation, and was told to ask my employer to be understanding or to utilise the ‘existing generous benefits provision’, so there is that, I guess 😒

I don't understand why the rest of family should have to self isolate for 14 days if there has been a negative test? Isn't that against government advice?

@Notabadger

Why would you have to stay off school if the test was negative?

I guess because the current estimate is that the tests only have a 60% accuracy rate.

Sorry, just checked. That is ridiculous. Why will people even get tested if that is the case?

Maybe they are concerned that parents will lie about positive test or having the test done

@ineedaholidaynow

Maybe they are concerned that parents will lie about positive test or having the test done

Results come via email so they could always request proof of a negative result before returning to school.

Are we supposed to test everytime we have a cough?!

I’ve had a cough recently but it felt like an actual cough and it left after about 3-4 days.

Interesting that you are all aware that sending your dc to school will increase colds etc but this obviously means covid as well - you will have to test for every cough or cold or staff and other children/parents will be at risk

This is going to be the new norm I'm afraid. The return to school in September is not going to be plain sailing. Every time a child presents with a cough the whole class has to stay off until said child receives a negative test then they can resume.....until the next child coughs that it is....its going to be a nightmare

My son has a cough all winter. I was asked to do a covid test on him last week by the gp over a bad viral rash. If I wasnt on maternity I would be unable to manage the constant absenses

I'm a childminder and I'm dreading having to call parents to collect for fear of being called over zealous. I'm also dreading my child returning to school and having to dash out to collect her and the impact that will have on my minded children and they're families.
I'm still deciding on whether to send her back or withdraw her from school due to the impact of her returning and us having to self isolate multiple times. My business will not survive if that's the case.

With Autumn and Winter approaching it's only going to get worse, and with new symptoms being added to look out for it's going to be crazy. Children will not be back full time that's for sure.

@ViperBugloss

Interesting that you are all aware that sending your dc to school will increase colds etc but this obviously means covid as well - you will have to test for every cough or cold or staff and other children/parents will be at risk

I am aware that we will have to test for every cough/cold to avoid risk, yes.

It seems to me as thought you’re not actually allowed to be ill from anything else at the minute

"Every time a child presents with a cough the whole class has to stay off until said child receives a negative test then they can resume."

That isn't government guidance. Ds's school is doing that because of they have an attached care home but that isn't true of ordinary schools.

The governement saying schools being back to normal in September is just policitical speel. There is no way "normaility" is happening in education.

It would be good for the government to work out strategies with the schools to help school manage the risk better and lessen the risk of outbreaks but they are going with the gung ho it will not happen approach.

ONS figures have shown there were more covid outbreaks in schools than care homes or hopsitals in the last few weeks. - and that is with reduced students.....

@Uhoh2020 that's not right. The whole bubble is not sent home when one child coughs. Just that child.

Anyone's school who is asking the child to isolate after a negative test could push back. Again the point of the test is to get people back to work/school more quickly.

It would be good for the government to work out strategies with the schools to help school manage the risk better and lessen the risk of outbreaks but they are going with the gung ho it will not happen approach

Yes, that would be good.

@PotteringAlong

Weve been told that even a negative covid test will result in exclusion from school for a week for a child with symptoms (so temperature, cough....) PLUS 2 weeks for any siblings.

I honestly think schools will ramp that back, if nothing else because they cannot staff it when teachers need 2 Weeks off constantly look after their children.

I hope they don’t for the sake of health, tests need to be done and people with coughs etc at home.

They aren’t qualified medically to make the decision as to whether it’s a general cough or Covid, that’s why we have doctors.

People deserve to be safe at school so if they have symptoms then a test needs to be done. Although you would hope no one sends in a child with a temp or cough.

I imagine autumn / winter will involve us all having to be tested whenever we get a cold. Joy.

Weve been told that even a negative covid test will result in exclusion from school for a week for a child with symptoms (so temperature, cough....) PLUS 2 weeks for any siblings.

I know the tests aren't 100% reliable but I don't think this should be allowed. It will discourage testing (some people will think why bother taking your child to a test centre and putting a swab down their throat if it won't make a difference) and encourage some parents to lie and just send their child in if they had a fever over the weekend for example - if they knew a negative test would allow the child back in in a couple of days they'd be more likely to be honest but if honesty means two weeks off work then people are less likely to do it.