Is it right that Teachers/support staff are expected to carry out testing?

[CheltenhamLady]

Just that?

Is it right or fair?

[quote Cactusowl]@Achristmaspudsskidu what would you like to happen instead - schools closed indefinitely?[/quote]
Some bloody resources and money thrown at the situation so it doesn’t fall down to schools and volunteers to run a testing system that the government took 6 months to do with the added extra of them having billions thrown at it.

I actually think this testing regime IS going to make schools far less safe than they were before.

It would be a fine idea if the tests were reliable - but they're not are they? So there's going to be kids in schools with Covid - as they've just tested negative on the lateral flow test. Am I right?

If you test positive on campus you have to go to a testing centre to get a proper test so there is a failsafe.

I don't think testing positive is the issue - it's the huge number of false negatives that is.

It shouldn't be compulsorily but if make up artists and shop floor staff in Boots are being cross trained to do it then I don't see why not somebody has to.

Yes I think that about sums it up @Elephant4.

No mention yet of what happens to the poor kids who get told their positive.

it's the huge number of false negatives that is.

Yes, so there'll be lots of kids who are in fact positive - but the test tells them they're negative.

This is a recipe for an even huger disaster.

No mention yet of what happens to the poor kids who get told they’re positive.

They need a proper test to confirm it and will have to isolate with their household as before.

Immediately after testing positive they’ll be taken to a room, isolated and their parents called just like if they’d started coughing in class.

@titchy

If you test positive on campus you have to go to a testing centre to get a proper test so there is a failsafe.

I don't think testing positive is the issue - it's the huge number of false negatives that is.

Yes, absolutely.

Schools had very little to protect them in the autumn term-aside from a few open windows and more hand washing-identifying and isolating close contacts was about it.

To remove that, will see schools in huge trouble.

@Elephant4

I actually think this testing regime IS going to make schools far less safe than they were before.

It would be a fine idea if the tests were reliable - but they're not are they? So there's going to be kids in schools with Covid - as they've just tested negative on the lateral flow test. Am I right?

Yep. And then their close contacts will turn up daily and tested and 50% of those will get an accurate test.

Then their contacts .......

It’s not schools close or this. (Well it apparently is at the moment but it bloody well shouldn’t be!)

Are these lateral flow tests swabs up the nose and back of the throat?

Or do they work in a different way?

Yes 🐘.

Lots of Cocky children, elated that they are negative, even harder to keep windows open, wrestle them into a mask..

But we are negative!

The whole class is negative we don't need masks..

The safety blanket has been pulled away.

@PurpleDaisies

No mention yet of what happens to the poor kids who get told they’re positive.

They need a proper test to confirm it and will have to isolate with their household as before.

Immediately after testing positive they’ll be taken to a room, isolated and their parents called just like if they’d started coughing in class.

It’s more about the emotional impact on finding out at school that you’re positive. That’s very different psychologically, to being put in a room because you have a cough.

Normally, when a child is told they’re positive, it’s by their parents and they are at home. I’m betting a lot of children will find this happening at school quite hard.

I’m sure someone soon will come along and tell me I know nothing about children and that they are all really hardy and will all just say, ‘fine’, when told though.

As an ex-teacher I would absolutely refuse to do this. It's bloody ridiculous to expect teachers, TAs, office staff, volunteer parents or anyone else other than trained medical staff do this.

As a parent I would absolutely refuse consent for anyone other than trained medical staff to do this.

This is just crazy. And dangerous on various different levels.

@Elephant4

Are these lateral flow tests swabs up the nose and back of the throat?

Or do they work in a different way?

That’s the ones.

Do you think it will make life easier to just not give consent?

I'm leaning towards this idea ...

A christ..

But what is classified as huge trouble any more.

I mean will we literally see schools turned instead into field hospitals before they are allowed to be closed?

@PurpleDaisies

No mention yet of what happens to the poor kids who get told they’re positive.

They need a proper test to confirm it and will have to isolate with their household as before.

Immediately after testing positive they’ll be taken to a room, isolated and their parents called just like if they’d started coughing in class.

My two dd would find this quite upsetting , much more so than being asked to go home with a cough.

I thought lateral flow tests might involve spitting on something for some reason - instead of swabs.

But if they're swabs there's no way I'm giving consent for my child. She wouldn't let anyone swab her anyway.

🐘

Personally I'm not consenting for my primary age dd to be subjected to this unless it's by properly trained medical staff.

I wonder if there is threshold of refusers though.

@Elephant4

I thought lateral flow tests might involve spitting on something for some reason - instead of swabs.

But if they're swabs there's no way I'm giving consent for my child. She wouldn't let anyone swab her anyway.

Those were trialled but they were even less accurate than the ones we’ve got now.

Yep by which time they will have also mixed with their peers... How will they feel?

We have had children in tears when they have been sent home to self isolate due to being a close contact never mind being told it’s them that are actually positive.

It's ridiculous to expect teachers to carry out these tests, it's really not their job and they have enough to squeeze into the day as it is. The test itself is also really hard to do on Children and can be quite painful for them so I imagine some teachers will find that uncomfortable.

I also worry about kids with additional needs and what provision will be made for them. My DS has sensory issues and every year he flat out refuses the flu spray at school, we have to take him to a separate clinic and pretty much sit on him, the same situation with the covid tests we have had to do on him.

If children have symptoms they should be sent home and get parents should then arrange their own child tested.

Teachers are not trained nor insured to swab numerous children, there are plenty that could go wrong without training and guidance.

I really feel for teachers across the UK right now who have worked incredibly hard to ensure schools are open and as safe as possible. Now their christmas holidays are being upheaved so they can arrange online learning, key worker systems, and swab testing systems. All at the drop of the hat.

Its another unrealistic idea that wont work and will continue the spread of the virus as people will refuse testing (rightfully so) it wont be possible for schools to maintain and boris will just go back to the drawing board.