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Covid

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Original poster

How many tests /isolations do you think you will need by half term?

103 replies

Keepdistance · 31/08/2020 15:49

In April dd2 had a temp by the saturday after half term

By Apr we would have had about 5 tests as a family

In 2019 sept to dec
We would again have had at least 5.

Also people tend not to get symtoms on the same day so for eg in dec dd2 got a temp mon then by thurs i had a fever then dd2 a cough. So even if dd2 tested neg so could have gone back by thurs then i would have to get tested and us all be back isolating. And potentially 4 trips to testing centres
The gov will run out of tests and bubbles will continue.

OP posts:

Vinoonasunnyday · 31/08/2020 21:13

But it’s not guidelines if it presents as a cold so kids don’t need a test

A temp with cough
Temp without a cold suggests covid

Temp with snotty nose is s cold it’s common sense!

Timeforanotherusername · 31/08/2020 21:18

@Vinoonasunnyday

But it’s not guidelines if it presents as a cold so kids don’t need a test

A temp with cough
Temp without a cold suggests covid

Temp with snotty nose is s cold it’s common sense!

Strange that you are mentioning common sense...........

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/

Have you read it?

A temperature requires a test. End of.

It does not state, but if you also have a runny nose then don't get a test.

It may change if they can't keep up with demand for tests but it would be completely irresponsible for you to send a child to school if they have a temp of any shape or form.

twinkletoesimnot · 31/08/2020 21:20

Temp =get a test.

If you don't send your child in with a temperature you can make your own mind up @Vinoonasunnyday (which I would hope you wouldn't do anyway!)

Poorly kids are miserable at school and it's so selfish to inflict even a standard cold on others by sending them in regardless.

MillieEpple · 31/08/2020 21:23

Well my eldest normally starts to cough towards the end of Sept with asthma. But its not always obvious at the start. Then in the run up to christmas we normally get coughs.

Lumisade · 31/08/2020 21:23

Vinoona, a runny nose does not mean you definitely do not have covid. It may mean you're unlikely to have covid but this disease presents differently in different people. Also co-infections can occur.

A temperature over 37.8°C is a symptom, if the symptom is present a test is required.

AveEldon · 31/08/2020 21:23

none

ineedaholidaynow · 31/08/2020 21:25

Some schools are asking children to stay at home until symptoms go even if they get a negative test as they don't want other bugs going round the school.

ineedaholidaynow · 31/08/2020 21:26

And many schools don't have a supply budget to cover the potential staff absences they may have. They may have to close until they have enough staff in.

MillieEpple · 31/08/2020 21:30

ineedaholidaynow - it makes sense. Children may not pass covid on to teachers but they sure as hell pass on normal coughs and cold. Sending a child in with any contagious virus that has a temp and cough will mean teachers will end up with time off and having to test. Normally they just work through.
People need to be really responsible with this to keep schools open.

Timeforanotherusername · 31/08/2020 21:31

ineed how would that work for siblings?

ineedaholidaynow · 31/08/2020 21:38

I assume siblings stay off as a contact, then if their sibling has a negative test and they don't have any symptoms of anything they can come back in

Vinoonasunnyday · 31/08/2020 21:42

Honestly covid tests are not pleasant

You know your own child

By all means don’t send them in if they have a cold but that doesn’t mean order a bloody covid test every five minutes. Keep them off couple of days then send them in once they feel better

Use common sense. Suddenly kids aren’t allowed to have a cold anymore?!

Shitfuckoh · 31/08/2020 21:46

@Vinoonasunnyday
Of course they are. They just aren't allowed to attend school with one.

twinkletoesimnot · 31/08/2020 21:47

@Vinoonasunnyday if your child is sent home with COVID symptoms you have to isolate or get a test.

You can of course lie about getting a test as we are not allowed to ask to see proof of a negative test before allowing the child back.

Kids are not allowed colds at school at the minute no - IMO they shouldn't even in normal times. Snotty kids are miserable!

yawnsvillex · 31/08/2020 22:02

You can of course lie about getting a test as we are not allowed to ask to see proof of a negative test before allowing the child back

So what is the point!?! Seriously ... what is the point?

we've had a round of colds already. 1x DC has a perm runny nose due to allergies

Also .. wouldn't you have to test daily or even more? As soon as you get a negative test, you could easily catch it the in the next hour!?

yawnsvillex · 31/08/2020 22:03

@Shitfuckoh my DC would never be a school ....

Shitfuckoh · 31/08/2020 22:06

[quote yawnsvillex]@Shitfuckoh my DC would never be a school ....[/quote]
I must admit when I saw ''Any cold symptoms'' and when the headteacher even mentioned sniffles, I did automatically think that's mine out between October & March then.

I suspect they're playing it safe to begin with but it's not going to be possible to achieve the 97% or above figure if so. So I wouldn't be surprised if they changed that pretty quickly. I'm happy to go with it though. It's not even about COVID, but if I sent my DC in with a cold that they passed on to a friend. If that child did then get a cough with their cold, it would cause worry for that childs parents & on it goes.

Kaktus · 31/08/2020 22:15

[quote twinkletoesimnot]@Vinoonasunnyday if your child is sent home with COVID symptoms you have to isolate or get a test.

You can of course lie about getting a test as we are not allowed to ask to see proof of a negative test before allowing the child back.

Kids are not allowed colds at school at the minute no - IMO they shouldn't even in normal times. Snotty kids are miserable![/quote]
The problem is, we’ve been told by our school that they expect at least 96% attendance as usual.

Original poster

Keepdistance · 31/08/2020 22:51

You need to test for any temp
(A runny nose doesnot exclude it being covid!)
And off until negative test. You do not wait till temp gone then send in (test or 10d absense)
This is why people are saying this is going to be such a hassle.
Same if you think its say a uti or ear infection i presume you do both test and get antibiotics if needed.

I can understand kids not getting temps but would think many get a cough at the end of a normal cold?

Though i guess at that point kids would have been in with a runny nose for about a week.

OP posts:

Beebityboo · 31/08/2020 23:00

DD will maybe let me test her once but I'd never be able to get near her with a swab again. She is five and has SEN and there is just no way I'll be able to do it more than once. Not sure what I will tell the school then as our only choice will be to self isolate for two weeks.
It's going to be such a nightmare

twinkletoesimnot · 31/08/2020 23:11

@Kaktus

Then your school are being unrealistic and naive. Possibly even dangerous.

ineedaholidaynow · 31/08/2020 23:15

I think there is a special COVID attendance code schools can use, which does not impact attendance statistics

middleager · 31/08/2020 23:28

One of mine returned from Italy after Feb half term and was ill on the last 2 days of school. That meant his brother at another school had to miss school - we were already wfh and had to isolate.

Two weeks later, I was ill. Rinse and repeat (only homeschooling had started then).

We are rarely ill!
Can't imagine what it's likr for a larger family.

We have been eating out occasionally but now thinking we are going yo have to be careful due to track and trace, so hairdressers, restaurants etc. might have to be avoided as it's more contacts.
I work at a school and kids at different schools so three schools in the mix, all in different (high risk) areas.

Char2015 · 01/09/2020 05:45

@Vinoonasunnyday

Honestly covid tests are not pleasant

You know your own child

By all means don’t send them in if they have a cold but that doesn’t mean order a bloody covid test every five minutes. Keep them off couple of days then send them in once they feel better

Use common sense. Suddenly kids aren’t allowed to have a cold anymore?!

It is this type of parent behaviour that concerns me about sending my children back to school. If a child has a temp (or any other listed covid symptom), they and their household need to isolate for the 10 days and 14 days unless tested negative after symptoms occur. I can guess that this is type of parent behaviour will apply to around 75% of parents in my child's school. You don't test for just a runny nose. You can test for a temp even if this is accompanied with a runny nose. I guess it is parental choice if they test their child or not but it is not a choice to isolate, this is something that should absolutely be done with no excuses. Testing helps confirm diagnosis, but also helps to protect others by informing close contacts including school bubbles of any positive test for the right action to be taken. Any parent that sends their child to school with a temp or any other covid symptom is extremely selfish IMO.

Camomila · 01/09/2020 07:08

DS1 is starting reception next week, he rarely gets temperatures but gets a llingering cough with all bugs plus has hayfever...I'll be testing him a lot I guess as I want him to not miss half of reception ideally.
Luckily he is fine with medical things as long as I bribe him with sweets!

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