Is anyone planning on refusing to allow their children to have the lateral flow tests.

[Witchcraftandhokum]

I'm really not looking to start a bunfight. Just tying to better understand the reasons if you are not planning on allowing your child to be tested.

@CutePixie children are mostly asymptotic. So how does only testing those with symptoms work!

I don't assume that - it's what most of the comments on here imply, which I why I evinced surprise! I'm not saying my kids won't have them - I'm just blathering on in a mildly related way about whether in reality the number of correct positives offset the potential risk of people thinking they're safe (and the difficulty caused to some kids, particularly SEN, by having it).

@TinaYouFatLard

My children cannot and I do not consent to any regular, invasive and dehumanising procedures to be carried out on my perfectly healthy children.

If they show any sign at all of illness, then I would test.

Which aspect of a swab is dehumanizing? Do you not go for your smear tests then?

@Notavegan

I would not consent the throat swab on my daughter. She would be very distressed. They need a non invasive test for this to be practical. I barely managed the test myself.

Our state secondary school have the tests where you just swap the entrance of the nostril. Which is not exactly difficult for anyone. Have you asked your school what tests they are going to use?

[quote icanbewhatiwant]@CutePixie children are mostly asymptotic. So how does only testing those with symptoms work! [/quote]
Usually their parents/guardians will have symptoms. That is when the child is tested (or simply isolates with their family) and the school is contacted.

My Year 7 son’s consent form was emailed to me today. I’ve not given consent based on him being distressed at the thought of having it done. I don’t blame him to be honest. He’s seen tests being done on the tv so knows they look awful. The email said they have three tests at school then have packs to take home. I wait to see what comes from me not giving consent.... 🤷‍♀️

I consented and first one is on Monday he's 16

Yes why not?

Just another one sample of the controlling and dystopian world that we are now living in.

@Truelymadlydeeplysomeonesmum. No, my answer was partly theoretical as she's in primary school. I would consent to that version of the test. I did specify the throat swab is the one she can't manage.

So are people not worried about false positives then? In a school of 1000 with twice weekly testing there will be about 6 false positives a week. That's going to cause a lot of disruption.

Wouldn't it be better to

a) confirm a positive lateral flow with a pcr before triggering self isolation and contact tracing
b) actually test children who feel unwell with pcr tests. A lot of asymptomatic spread from children isn't asymptomatic at all they just have different symptoms like stomach upsets

I don't think this screening program sounds very well thought through.

Lateral flow tests are just nasal swabs, they need to be done regularly to be efficient. As a healthcare professional I do them twice a week, I feel that it's my personal and professional responsibility to complete the tests and actually I'm lucky that I'm able to do these tests. My children (9 & 12) know this, they don't have any additional needs, are clear that doing the tests may need to be a regular occurrence for them too understanding that it's the responsiblething to do. If you can do it why wouldn't you?

The lateral flow tests my dds school are doing are nose and throat - Its a bit of a nightmare, as one is an anxiety vomiter and one is emetophobic (and terrified of gagging and vomiting)!!

I haven’t signed the consent for for dd2 and it’s very unlikely dd1 will be able to cope, both have ASD and SPD, I have attempted a couple tests on dd2 but now she knows what to expect she point blank refuses, especially the nose swab. I haven’t spoken to the school yet, i a, happy for them to try and test her at school but I’m not happy doing it at home (DD is likely to hit me or refuse, I haven’t got anyone to help me pin down a 15 year old).

Boris has made an announcement. For those that won't consent (with the exception of children that are sen or unable for other acceptable reasons). Parents are to be tested instead of their children. The test kits are the same ones China are currently using. The anal covid test 😳🤣

@Witchcraftandhokum

To original question... no as that would be selfish stupid and irrational. The be honest.

And any one how disagrees is demonstrating to that to the world.

@greenlynx

Testing is not compulsory but strongly encouraged. It’s how DfE put it.

If they're not compulsory for attendance than what's the point? No test, stay home should be the rule unless there is a genuine, truly genuine, reason certified by a doctor.

Cute as a teacher you should know a positive LFT must be confirmed with a PCR test. So a glade positive will cause max 48 hours unnecessary isolation for that person if it happens.

Far better than asymptomatic spread that's out of control before it's caught?

The complete idiocy of those who are going to refuse to make some kind of point is unbelievable. I am sure they have spent the last three months refusing to make their children home school or refusing to answer school photos or letting their kids go round other peoples houses. Unless you child has a disability that means they can't attempt a test, they should be giving it a go. Staff will talk them through it. My severely autistic dd has been doing it twice a week for some time now. She has the mental age of a 5 year old and has managed just fine. There will be some who can't and that's fine but the brass neck of those who are refusing for the sake of it is staggering.

@SpringHasSprung12

So are people not worried about false positives then? In a school of 1000 with twice weekly testing there will be about 6 false positives a week. That's going to cause a lot of disruption.

Wouldn't it be better to

a) confirm a positive lateral flow with a pcr before triggering self isolation and contact tracing
b) actually test children who feel unwell with pcr tests. A lot of asymptomatic spread from children isn't asymptomatic at all they just have different symptoms like stomach upsets

I don't think this screening program sounds very well thought through.

Staff and children with symptoms are still suppose to go for a PCR test. Like before they still should isolate no matter what the result of the test PCR test. As even they can give false negatives. This is just an added safety measure. To help catch people without symptoms.

@SpringHasSprung12 yup!

@Truelymadlydeeplysomeonesmum They have removed the need for a PCR test
A positive LFT = isolation

www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak

In the operational guidance for schools - applies from March 8( page 9)
"They must immediately cease to attend and not attend for at least 10 days from the
day after:
• the start of their symptoms
• the test date if they did not have any symptoms but have had a positive test
(whether this was a Lateral Flow Device (LFD) or Polymerase Chain Reaction
(PCR) test) "

What happens about the pupils who have had a vaccination.

Obviously I know there is a theoretical chance of transmission in someone vaccinated, but it is tiny and only theoretical.

My DS is CEV, had the vaccine, so what's the point of putting him through all this and taking up the school's capacity?

Could I just send them proof of vaccination?

@croci, there is no compulsion to do the tests, so I would just not sign the consent forms as an opt out.

@Tessabelle74

No test= stay at home It's totally pointless if not all pupils attending will do it. I appreciate some will have additional needs so wouldn't cope but they shouldn't be putting others at risk by still being able to attend

The tests are voluntary and children who do not have the tests are not required to stay at home.

Thanks @HazeyJaneII

I do think someone needs to establish a proper policy about vaccinated pupils going forward though.

As the weeks/months go by, more and more of the pupils will have been vaccinated.

It should be the same as for teachers - what is happening to the teachers who have already been vaccinated? There must be quite a few of them already. Are they doing LFTs?