Would you send DC back to school in these circumstances right now?

[PandaBearBear]

Just wondering what the general consensus is as we feel stuck and unsure.

One school age (primary) DC and one toddler who isn't in nursery yet.

DC meant to return to school in September.

We were having to shield all through lockdown as DH was having cancer treatment. He is now about to go into hospital for a stem cell transplant.

I don't have much idea what is happening with the death rate atm. I don't know how likely it is that we will go back into lockdown. Obviously if DH was to contract the virus it would be fatal at the moment.

Would you be sending DC back to school?

I wonder what information they gave about trying to prevent your DH getting ill from anything at all? e.g. chest infection, flu, stomach bug... perhaps they will say he is just as vulnerable to any of those things?

I hope you can get hold of the team and get the reassurance you need

I wouldn't under these circumstances.

I wouldn't under these circumstances.

I would send them to school when your husband goes into hospital and then probably take them out 14 days before he is due to come home. I know that seems a bit pointless and it probably is educationally but I think it would give them a psychological boost to have a couple of weeks with their friends and in a routine. It could help their mental health going forward into what could be a very difficult and isolated time.

No I wouldn't risk it. However, I think it would be a good idea to talk to your health professionals about the impact emotionally on your older child not going back to school?
If you DH has to self isolate during and after his stem cell transplant could you daughter attend school ? Then come home and isolate? I guess it's tricky as she's still mixing with you? Gosh it's a hard one!

No definitely not. This kind of situation is why this blanket rule of non negotiable return is so awful.