Lying to get a test?

[BatShite]

I cannot believe I am asking this tbh, but here we are.

DSD has been sent home from school because she has a runny nose and a sore throat. No cough, no temp.

Shes not allowed back until she has a negative test. But obviously its near impossible to get one right now (possibly because of cases like ours..). DH called the GP as had been told they are doing the tests. GP has basically diagnosed DSD over the phone with a cold and said the school is wrong for sending her home and expecting a test when she doesn't have covid symptoms.. Shes in her last year so its obviously very important that shes actually there, especially after missing so much!

GP seems fairly sure its not covid. We are fairly sure its not given symptoms too. We could keep her off for 2 weeks but given shes missed loads, it seems not a good plan really. And even after the 2 weeks, school might insist on negative test. BUT to get the test the school insists they need, we have to lie about the symptoms she has!

I know how hard it is for people who need tests to get one, so I don;t want to add to that, but at the same time, the school is insistent. What would you do?

Even if we decide to lie it will no doubt take a week to get one seemingly going off others experiences..I feel shit for even considering lying but..school is so important especially in y11.

This^ is why the tests are running out. People without any symptoms being told they have to test. The government is kicking off about people without symptoms getting tests, but when they are not allowed back to school/work without a test..what on earth are they meant to do?!

We have those guidelines at my dd’s school. Many children have a cold. They have been told to stay home whilst they have cold symptoms and then return to school ie 2 days off and then return which makes much more sense.

@TroubleInSnowland

We have those guidelines at my dd’s school. Many children have a cold. They have been told to stay home whilst they have cold symptoms and then return to school ie 2 days off and then return which makes much more sense.

That would be a hell of a lot better. This is what my neices schol are doing, apparently she was off for 2 days last week but when snotty nose disappeared, she was able to go back without any testing.

Awaiting another reply from the school, hopefully actually answering questions this time instead of just sending a random factsheet that answers nothing really.

Update on this - thanks to those who mentioned exclusion paperwork. That seems to be the thing thats made the school see sense as now they have decided that she can go back tomorrow (assuming she does not develop covid symptoms, and obviously if she actually had symptoms it would be a different matter) and have apologised..and blame shifted slightly to blame 'continually changing advice' from the NHS which I find..weird as NHS site has been clear for months now on symptoms so why they would tell schools differently I dont know But even if that is just passing the blame, its sorted for now. Thanks for all the advice.

Glad to hear it @BatShite. It’s worrying that people like this are in positions that impact other people’s lives. I’m definitely noticing a few people who are leading others with an overblown sense of their own judgement over any official advice...

www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/covid-19-talking-children-families-about-returning-school-guiding-principles

Show them this - official Paed UK guidance last update 18th Sept. no need for test with school age children if cold symptoms nose/throat

This is exactly why the testing service is the state it is. Schools who really didn't want to come back using any excuse to chuck kids out.
As for the no return without a negative test, even after a fortnight, are they suddenly more informed than the NHS, PHE, WHO and Imperial college London? Because all of those have said two weeks is fine, in fact, ten days for those with symptoms and 14 days for those in the same home.

Update on this - thanks to those who mentioned exclusion paperwork. That seems to be the thing thats made the school see sense as now they have decided that she can go back tomorrow

told you
School knew they had to provide it but they don't like to and most parents are unaware they should get it so schools get away. Glad you got it sorted!

This happened at a local school and they are basically telling parents to lie inorder to obtain a test. Good information on here though for future reference.

Well done. What a shit show!

And they say GCSE’s will go ahead as normal

I haven't managed to read the full thread so not sure if other have said it (marked to read later after feeding baby).

I would contact the local authority as this does not seem right. I would be interested to hear their thoughts on this.

@TroubleInSnowland

We have those guidelines at my dd’s school. Many children have a cold. They have been told to stay home whilst they have cold symptoms and then return to school ie 2 days off and then return which makes much more sense.

Reading the start of the thread I was thinking exactly this. Currently it makes sense for people with colds etc to exclude themselves from school and work where maybe they would normally soldier on. Insisting on tests in this situation is wrong, and schools should be prevented from mandating testing or even 14 days off when the child is clearly better after a couple of days.