Another school dilemma

[HotButteryPopcorn]

DS had a cold on Friday, started a cough on Saturday, he is getting better. Kept him off school yesterday, he is much better today. Called the school, they say because he had a cough either isolate for 10 days or do the test. We are trying to book a test since Saturday, nothing available either walk in or drive through. Now we both work, I work at a different school. Now do I have to isolate with him for 10 days? Or can me and DH share the childcare, take the days off alternatively and look after him? I don't know how we can manage a week and 3 more days. What should we do

We have a DD who is 10 in the same school, do we keep her off as well? She is fine though. No cough or temp

Technically, you, DH and DD have to isolate for 2 weeks from first symptoms. DS for 10 days.

You all need to isolate as you don’t know he is negative and he has symptoms.

You all should isolate until he gets a negative test result if he had/has one of the main three Covid symptoms.

All isolate as you don’t know if he’s positive or not. You could also be asymptotic

Today would be day 5 to get a test after symptoms started, so if you don’t get a test today, then they won’t let you, so you will have to all isolate. If I had school age children I would be tempted to just ring and say they are just not feeling well and see how they go, as soon as you mention cough or cold you will be told get a test and isolate.

You all need to isolate, your son for 10 days and you for 14 unless you can get a test in time.

The rules surrounding the whole family having to isolate when someone has symptoms haven't changed since March (the length of time has but the fact that you need to isolate hasn't). The guidelines are clear on gov.uk and NHS websites.

The whole family has to self solate. It's difficult but atleast the rules about this is easy and hasn't changed much.