Parents choosing not to test symptomatic children

[TheWildRumpyPumpus]

DS (Year 6) told me that the child he sits next to at school had been off since Monday as he was sent home with a cough and temperature. Since the child wasn’t back in, everyone in the class presumes he is positive (other kids have been tested and had negative results in the meantime).

I had presumed that since DS sits next to him all day we would be told if he had returned a positive result - there’s no social distancing going on in their classroom. I spoke to their teacher this morning who said the parents have chosen not to test and are just sitting out the isolation period. Not sure what DS and all the kids who sit around this child are supposed to do in this instance - test or not test? No advice given by school, so if he is positive it’s just going to sweep through the whole class.

I don't know, but my DC's HT made me feel neurotic for not sending mine in with a cough and wanting to get them tested, then got the arse when I suggested just sending them in as they just have a cough and cold. Can't win and I say that as a concerned teacher.

I agree it's ridiculous it should be part of the agreement of sending in.
Obviously tests available too though.
I see it's not easy with asd etc but otherwise it's pretty selfish as the poor teacher and other parents who could be ECV.
But it is the gov guidelines.

The kid may well have had a test and not got the result yet. DS was ill over the weekend, coughing on Monday. Earliest we could order a test was Tuesday morning, it arrived so late Wednesday we couldn't do it until Thursday so they only received it today. At least another day to get a test result.

Look either everyone will remain asymptomatic or he doesnt get it. Or someone else will get symptoms and can test and then you know. Given that other children have had similar symptoms and tested negative it seems that it must be a non covid virus

They are making a choice to self isolate for the required time and not test.

All you can do is just go on and assume he doesnt have it and then if symptoms occur test

My son has been off since Monday year 4. We couldn’t get a test till Wednesday and only got the negative result today. I called the school this afternoon and let them know it’s negative and he will be back on Monday.
I don’t expect the school will advise any of the pupils of this and obviously as the result is negative no action will be taken.

Testing is crap atm and just because this child hasn’t been back in doesn’t mean he is positive it’s more than likely they haven’t received the results yet.

Oops sorry just read they are not testing!.. maybe they couldn’t get a test. Who knows but you can’t assume he’s positive.

If he’s staying at home for the required isolation time what’s the issue ?

@Potterpotterpotter

If he’s staying at home for the required isolation time what’s the issue ?

Because presumably if he is positive there might be consequences for those who sit next to him - the supposed workings of Test and Trace or whatever it’s called these days.

If people choose not to test then how do those chains ever get broken?

@Potterpotterpotter

If he’s staying at home for the required isolation time what’s the issue ?

The issue is if he was positive all close contacts would need to self isolate. The parents are selfish for not testing and even worse if they have tested but have not told the school.

A lot of kids i work with wouldn't get a test due to asn so we would only know if a family member or members of staff were to get a positive. However this would be the case for those who don't display symptoma so try not to worry too much. I understand what op is saying and it can be problematic especially if you have high risk people at home. Hopefully though this child is ngative nd it is just the cold.

Absolutely, if he’s had a test and is waiting for results, or is having issues getting a test for whatever reason then I completely understand and have every sympathy for what must be frustrating.

Teacher seemed certain that they weren’t testing - I do recognise that there could be difficulties with testing that I’m not privy to such as ASD.

@Torvean32 and maybe they aren’t testing because they can’t get a test. They are like rocking horse shit to get at the moment.

spoke to their teacher this morning who said the parents have chosen not to test and are just sitting out the isolation period

I think it's highly inappropriate for the school to say this to you. They should have simply replied that if the child tests positive they will follow the protocol.

That's looking like our only option, wait it out for 10 days as we can't get tests. I have spent hours refreshing and trying to get one. I have only once had an option to book and that was in the Isle of Wight, nearly 200 miles and a ferry ride away.

It's none of your business whether they test or not.

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz

spoke to their teacher this morning who said the parents have chosen not to test and are just sitting out the isolation period

I think it's highly inappropriate for the school to say this to you. They should have simply replied that if the child tests positive they will follow the protocol.

yeah, the school shouldn't be telling you this at all!

Maybe he hasn't got COVID but just a cold or another virus?

The school are breaching data protection law , what is going on with the child isn’t your business.

If your child develops any of the three symptoms then get him tested - that is your business.

We've had to test our DS 4, and I don't think there is any way we will be able to tests him again, let alone his elder brother. So after this I sympathise with families who are unable to perform a test on DC. Also tests are bloody hard to come by.

I agree that the head was in the wrong sharing this information.

I had my son tested today because he has a cough and cold. I won’t be rushing to do it with the next one, two weeks at home would be less traumatic by far.

The tests are meant to be quite horrible arnt they.? I think I'd maybe let mine give it a go but if it was too much for them I'd just put a stop to it and self isolate.

@Elephanttrunk

I had my son tested today because he has a cough and cold. I won’t be rushing to do it with the next one, two weeks at home would be less traumatic by far.

How old is he? DS (7) did his own nose after of done his throat. The first time he did his throat as well. I assume it's worked ok as he's got a negative result rather than inconclusive.

If you hadnt mentioned the year, this could have been us.
Off since last week, still awaiting test results.
In the meantime, a child that was at school after us, has got a test result and closed that bubble.
There seems to be no rhyme or reason for how long the results take to cone back.

The difference now between results and no results will be one day of missed school. If tests were still difficult to get hold of next time round, and he was an only child I wouldn't bust a gut to get a test. Its the none symptomatic child who is being punished through this resting regime - DH can work from home, and I'm the childcare.

I wouldnt get my child tested either whats the point its not gonna change the outcome an theres no treatment for it an infact all the positive test results are just pushing us bk into lockdown just isolate if showing signs of it. if your that concerned about your child being round this child get him tested. People need to remember the weather is changing an every child will be ill soon coughs an colds do still exist.

Maybe they don’t have symptoms, don’t want to waste a test and are stuck between the rock and hard place that the government has made for people with vulnerable family members in the family/bubble.