When would you take your child out of school?

[Lucy830]

Hi,

my daughter is in secondary school. I am absolutely on the side of the children must be in schools and deserve an education. I have been fairly relaxed about COVID in recent months and I am quite rational about it. I am aware that most people who contract it are absolutely fine and as such I haven’t been worried about the odd school case.

However, in the last week there have been 11 cases of positive COVID cases In school. I have sent her to school today as I feel the risk is quite small still, but she is extremely worried. She is not worried for herself but for me. I have an autoimmune disease, it doesn’t hinder my life or cut down life expectancy but I am in the ‘at risk’ group. I still feel I would be ok as I’m young and healthy but I also have a young baby and I am aware it could go the other way.

I’ve had a few messages from other parents saying they are keeping an eye on things but they are prepared to pull kids out of school in the next week. I now feel as though I’m being slightly irresponsible to not be more cautious.

I feel she should continue to go to school until the end of next week (school holidays), but have compromised and have said if the numbers double this week, so another 10 cases, I will keep her off school.

Is this reasonable, what would you do?

Also as a side note, my husband thinks this is all ridiculous and if we get it it’s fine.

Do you know what year groups the cases have been in? If they get a lot of cases in one year group they usually send the whole year home for two weeks. Eleven in a week is a lot.

What Halcyon said - decision may be made for you.
My son's school just had similar numbers this last week, but a cluster in his year group so year group has shut for a fortnight.

There have been two in her year and two in each year other than year 7 and two teachers. We received an email last night to tell us about a year 8 case and two teachers but they have said they are being very cautious and following very strict tack and trace. No talk of shutting any year down.

I really don’t know what the best thing to do is. One part of me thinks it’s silly to consider pulling her out as we will likely be fine, but the other part of me thinks ‘what if’. But I suppose that’s just fear and what if applies to all things.

There were 4 cases since the beginning of term before last week.

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer here as everyone's circumstances are so different. Don't let the parent WhatsApps whip up fear in you though. If you feel ok to send her in, send her in and don't mind what they are saying.

Hi OP we have DC in secondary also. My DH also has an autoimmune disease and been put in the CEV group.

I wondered if it might interest you to read this which I found very reassuring. Of course we are all individual though, however in DHs case it seemed to be other conditions such as diabetes in combination with the condition were more of a concern than it itself iyswim.

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200914160746.htm

www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/advice-and-guidance/2020/03/coronavirus-covid-19-tailored-advice-for-those-who-live-with-specific-medical-conditions/documents/immunosuppressant-therapies-shielding/immunosuppressant-therapies-shielding/govscot%3Adocument/Immunosuppressant%2Btherapies%2B%2528shielding%2529%2B-%2B7%2BAugust%2B2020.pdf

Also I personally found this reassuring about families in general with children

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-54794904

You may also have heard that an immunosuppressant drug is being used as a new treatment for covid...it is similar to the biologic DH is on already

I don't think I would be getting too worked up to be honest. Perhaps some of these are sibling groups rather than spread in school? I think the fact they are spread out over the year groups is reassuring as you have no reason to think it is running rampant through the school. It is unavoidable that there will be isolated cases as many of the parents will be highly exposed in their jobs so passing it to their DC. Personally I would keep going, but it is totally up to you

Babies snd children do not die from this - no need

[quote Orangeblossom7777]Also I personally found this reassuring about families in general with children

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-54794904[/quote]
Study was done between February and August when few children were at school. I wonder if any studies have been done since then?