Children's 'cough'

[Lifestooshort1542]

This is hypothetical by the way,
But kids get coughs with colds ALL the time, they have colds ALOT through the winter being at school and nursery etc and I've been out for walks and to the shops (prior to this lockdown) and heard various kids cough around me.
My question is how many of them are actually getting a test? How many parents are thinking 'oh it's just a cough as he's got another cold' how do we know when to test? According to the Gov site it's ANYTIME they get a cough which lets be honest can be often in kids with colds at this time of year.
What are peoples thoughts? Is there a bit of common sense involved or is it a test no matter what scenario?

My son coughs because he has a runny nose he won't blow so he sniffs and coughs its not covid its fucking gross and annoying

My DS (2) has pretty much had a cough since birth but it comes in waves - he'll cough for two/three weeks or so and have a couple weeks free, then it'll come back. He's had two tests in the last couple weeks to ensure he could still attend nursery. Each time we've tested him we've known it was just his usual cough but because of the stop/start nature of it, we wanted to be certain - he's always been negative. I'd rather test to make sure it's not COVID than not test and just assume, all the while spreading what could be COVID around to everyone nearby. I'd like to think others would do the same!
I remember reading an important note that's stuck with me - a runny nose is a symptom of cold and not COVID but how do you know your child doesn't have a cold at the same time as COVID?

Mine got a cough so I got her tested, was pretty sure it wasn't covid as it was consistent with my head cold, she coughs and I get a blocked nose. I didn't have the correct symptoms to qualify for a test and hers came back negative. If either of us have the right symptoms to get a test ie a cough then we will take one.

My kid coughs a lot, as most do. I’m using my common sense on what I class as a persistent cough. From experience, I know what a persistent cough sounds like on her. She coughs all day. If she had a cough like that, I’d def test. But she often just coughs here & there when she’s a bit snotty. It’s chesty usually & she’s coughing to clear her throat. She’s currently got a cold & coughing occasionally at night but not a single cough in the day, it’s just snot dripping down her throat while laid down. 🤷🏼‍♀️ I’ve taken my DD for one test & it was horrific. I made her nose bleed. If I need to test again, I will but I’m not testing her for every occasional cough or she’ll be traumatised!