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Original poster

How do you get a child to school if you're isolating and they're not?

53 replies

WorryBag · 07/10/2020 13:43

My partner and I have just received messages to isolate because of someone we had contact with last week. My children were never in contact with them, so they don't have to isolate, the eldest can get to school, but I have to drive my youngest.

So how am I supposed to get him to and from school? Has anyone else been in this situation? I'm so confused at the moment.

OP posts:
Lougle · 07/10/2020 14:26

I have 3 DC at 2 schools and DH works at 4 schools. Life can get tricky very quickly!!

CruzControl · 07/10/2020 14:45

I thought that you weren't told who the person is, just that you'd been in contact with "a person who has tested positive"? If I'm correct, how do you know your children weren't also in contact with them unless you were never with your children?

Danglingmod · 07/10/2020 14:49

I imagine that the person involved told them!

It's rubbish, OP. I know a few people who are having to keep all their children at home if just one child's school bubble is at home because they can't get the others there leaving the affected one home alone. There is going to be so much missed schooling this year.

Original poster
WorryBag · 08/10/2020 00:18

@CruzControl

I thought that you weren't told who the person is, just that you'd been in contact with "a person who has tested positive"? If I'm correct, how do you know your children weren't also in contact with them unless you were never with your children?
Because there was no overlap. The only people we've spent time with, or places we went to, in the correct timeframe was just us and no children.

Thanks for all the advice everyone!

OP posts:
Mooseflake · 08/10/2020 00:24

Why wouldn't you drive them to school? Surely the whole point of you isolating is that you don't come into contact with anyone else.

If you sit in your car and don't get out - you won't come into contact with anyone.

Your children live with you, so it's not as if you're putting them at any extra risk by being in a car with you.

Just drive them to school.

Original poster
WorryBag · 08/10/2020 00:28

@Mooseflake

Why wouldn't you drive them to school? Surely the whole point of you isolating is that you don't come into contact with anyone else.

If you sit in your car and don't get out - you won't come into contact with anyone.

Your children live with you, so it's not as if you're putting them at any extra risk by being in a car with you.

Just drive them to school.

The rules are not to leave home at all, but also that the kids should be in school unless isolating- so it contradicts.
OP posts:
Mooseflake · 08/10/2020 00:35

The rules are not to leave home at all, but also that the kids should be in school unless isolating- so it contradicts.

Blimey, I didn't realise it was that prescriptive. Surely common sense should come into it - the rules are meant to ensure you don't come into contact with anyone. And you won't if you don't get out of your car.

I feel for you - it's a dilemma. But I'd opt for the pragmatic solution and drive them to school

RoseGoldEagle · 08/10/2020 03:55

The rules are not to leave home at all, but also that the kids should be in school unless isolating- so it contradicts.

I think this assumes that you leaving home is an intention to go somewhere where you could bump into people. I guess there’s always the risk you could breakdown and need breakdown services but it’s minimal. Honestly, I’ve followed all rules throughout but I wouldn’t even question this- drive your DC to school and stay in the car, I don’t get what risk that poses to anyone.

RoseGoldEagle · 08/10/2020 03:56

(And don’t get me wrong I wouldn’t just go for a random drive for the sake of it, but on balance to get your child to school I would)

SansaSnark · 08/10/2020 06:58

If you drive your child to school, would you be risking a fine though? It's easy to say just drive and I agree common sense says this is fine, but if you were reported and fined obviously that would be rubbish.

Also, could you drive to school for 2 weeks without ever putting petrol in the car?

Original poster
WorryBag · 08/10/2020 07:04

@SansaSnark

If you drive your child to school, would you be risking a fine though? It's easy to say just drive and I agree common sense says this is fine, but if you were reported and fined obviously that would be rubbish.

Also, could you drive to school for 2 weeks without ever putting petrol in the car?

Actually yes- electric car that we charge at home! No need to ever go for fuel.

Also in our case we only have to isolate for 7 days- which means that 7 had already passed since we had contact with the person who has since tested positive. So likelihood is that if we're going to have got and give it to others that it's already happened! But I'm still going to abide by the rules.

OP posts:
middleager · 08/10/2020 07:17

Is this the rule just because of the risk of leaving the house (and maybe breaking down, having a bump etc).

Or is it also in place to avoid being in a confined space (car) with others (just in case you develop symptoms)?

My DC was in SI and the advice is ideally for that person who's been in touch with a positive case, to keep separate. Clearly whoever wrote the rule has never had kids or lived in a small family home. We did not do this. Kids have had enough upset without being ostraciszed at home.

I second calling the school. Is a taxi an option? Ridiculous I know, but just trying to think of options.

Lemons1571 · 08/10/2020 07:18

Was this a message directly from test and trace? I believe that legally you can only be fined if t&t asked you to isolate. I don’t think a fine is legally enforceable otherwise.

chopc · 08/10/2020 07:19

You are with your children at home. Driving them to school in your car when you won't get out of the car is OK if you think sensibly about the risk to others

QueenofmyPrinces · 08/10/2020 07:29

Mask on, Windows open and drive your child to school.

You aren’t going to come into contact with anyone so your child really shouldn’t have to miss two weeks of school when there’s a perfectly fine way of getting her to school without anyone else being out at risk.

I know it’s difficult when you are told you must not leave the house, but you’ve also got to use your common sense too.

ThankyouPeter · 08/10/2020 07:51

@CruzControl

I thought that you weren't told who the person is, just that you'd been in contact with "a person who has tested positive"? If I'm correct, how do you know your children weren't also in contact with them unless you were never with your children?
Whilst the OP is happy this isn't the case in their particular situation, it is a very good point. You can't download the app if you are under 16 so children won't get the notification in that way that they have been exposed
justanotherneighinparadise · 08/10/2020 07:51

I’m absolutely sure you can drive your child to school. Both wear masks in the car, don’t exit the car at school.

Feminist10101 · 08/10/2020 07:53

@Pelleas

Wouldn't your children have to isolate too?

You have been in contact with someone ill so could have caught the virus; you have been in contact with your children so could have passed it to them.

No. Because they weren’t in direct contact with a positive case.
Original poster
WorryBag · 08/10/2020 07:55

@Lemons1571

Was this a message directly from test and trace? I believe that legally you can only be fined if t&t asked you to isolate. I don’t think a fine is legally enforceable otherwise.
Yes it is x

I now have the lovely countdown on the app. I've got to admit, it works incredibly smoothly. I had the updates on the app whenever my data was checked, and then one of those checks it then immediately notified me that I had been in close contact and needed to isolate. When you click on that notification it gives you details of how long you need to isolate for, and the app then start a countdown after you confirm that you've understood what it says.

OP posts:
Original poster
WorryBag · 08/10/2020 07:57

I managed to speak to the headteacher who is really lovely, and we've made arrangements for somewhere that I can pick my DC up without having to get out of the car. Only two specific staff members other than her need to know about it which is even better.

OP posts:
Lemons1571 · 08/10/2020 08:06

Got to admit this is the number one reason I haven’t downloaded the app. Can’t do right for doing wrong. The thought of getting fined no matter which option you go for is so depressing.

Original poster
WorryBag · 08/10/2020 08:22

@Lemons1571

Got to admit this is the number one reason I haven’t downloaded the app. Can’t do right for doing wrong. The thought of getting fined no matter which option you go for is so depressing.
That's true, and if I couldn't be so completely certain that the kids haven't had contact with whoever it was, then that would make it even harder!
OP posts:
loutypips · 08/10/2020 08:50

I don't understand all the "wear a mask in the car" comments. Your children are living with you are the people who are saying wear a mask in the car implying that you need to wear them indoors too?

notevenat20 · 08/10/2020 08:54

Honestly? Id drive them. Mask on, dont leave the car.

This is the only practical and honest answer.

OpheliasCrayon · 08/10/2020 08:57

@WorryBag

I managed to speak to the headteacher who is really lovely, and we've made arrangements for somewhere that I can pick my DC up without having to get out of the car. Only two specific staff members other than her need to know about it which is even better.
Ah that's so good OP. I'm glad your school have been pragmatic and helpful