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Covid

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

863 replies

Witchcraftandhokum · 24/02/2021 13:57

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.

OP posts:
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BungleandGeorge · 27/02/2021 12:44

I was under the impression that LFT should not be taken within 90 days of having covid because they can give a false positive (no active infection). The odd people are not infectious.
I don’t see the point in making parents who have genuine concerns feel bad. LFT are a public health measure and if a few people are excluded it really makes no difference overall.

Parker231 · 27/02/2021 13:41

Those parents who are saying no to masks and tests will be the first to complain when their DC’s class gets sent home as a result of Covid cases.

Other countries haven’t had the disruption to education as its no mask, no school. Schools have remained open , f2f education and lower cases.

dividedwefall · 27/02/2021 14:32

@Lepetitpiggy

Personally my feeling is that refusing a vaccine or any kind of testing that can protect and save the population ( without a medical or exceptional reason) negates the hundreds of hours dedicated and committed scientific communities have put in to get the world through this. I loathe our Government but cant people see the work that has gone into this to help people?
I think we can all see the money that has gone into it, that's for sure.
BungleandGeorge · 27/02/2021 14:40

We’ll have to wait and see but I expect the take up will be pretty good. Vast majority of kids in our school wore a mask when requested last term. That alone encourages the ones who are less keen

saraclara · 27/02/2021 14:45

@gamerchick

Because so many parents, especially those with kids with SN underestimate their kids.

I was matter of fact with my youngest about the tests, I said they were uncomfortable but done in a jiffy. Then it's out the way and can get on with his day.

I do understand why. It's very different parenting some of these children, compared to teaching them. What they'll accept at home, and what they'll accept at school when they see their classmates doing it, (and the adults aren't stressed), is often very different.

I'd always suggest giving the school staff permission to try (but not force) because it doesn't really have a downside. The more an SN child manages to do, the more likely it is that they'll start to try to cope with other stuff too (with the usual caveats). And that benefits parents as well.

BungleandGeorge · 27/02/2021 14:53

If parents have considered the advantages and disadvantages and believe that this is not in the best interests of their child as another parent I totally support that decision. My child will still be better off as they will be testing themselves and many of the other kids will be too. I think these measures will improve things even if take up isn’t 100%

Jamboree01 · 27/02/2021 16:32

Another reason that there will probably be another U turn is because they simply haven’t provided a lot of schools with enough tests. What are schools meant to do?

They are also struggling to dispose of used tests.

Erictheavocado · 27/02/2021 17:36

I am a TA in a primary school. Staff have been taking 2 lft since we returned to school after Christmas - at our school, ALL staff are in school and have been since January, unless unwell or isolating. I am also CV. My go has confirmed I am in group 6 for the vaccine, but it is a huge group so it's taking time to get through them. Because I am group 6, I can only book my test via the go hub. So I am still waiting. I am currently doing a very specific job in school which allows me a degree of separation from our pupils, but once they all return on 8th March, I will be back to working in class as usual. It is not true to say, as some pps have, that people in my situation have either had the vaccination or can work from home.

ChameleonClara · 27/02/2021 18:07

Another reason that there will probably be another U turn is because they simply haven’t provided a lot of schools with enough tests.

I would be interested to hear more about this from anyone with info.

MmeLaraque · 27/02/2021 19:22

@PracticingPerson

Which part of that post do you have a problem with, exactly? which part?

Hmm, I don't think we'll agree here. You clearly don't seem to be a Johnson supporter, but you also appear to blame the public for doing largely as told they could by the government.

My view is the government is responsible for governing, which they have done badly. Government failures have caused very high deaths.

Maybe we should leave it there as I'm not understanding your train of thought it appears.

No, I'm absolutely *not a Johnson supporter. I'd never vote Tory, either. They're a vile, nasty party, and their policies have killed thousands over the decade or so they've been in power. At this point, anyone who continues to vote for and support them has blood on their hands. People have starved to death as a direct result of this government's policies. I wouldn't trust them as far as I can spit. Ignore that. I just don't trust them. They're nasty, lacking in humanity, and it shows. Every time they speak, that shows.

Do I blame the public for not understandig/realising that the Tories were lying? Yes, I do. When someone lies all the time.. when they're a compulsive and pathological liar, as Johnson appears to be... this is a person who notoriously wrote two versions of every article he ever submitted.

"You appear to blame the public for doing largely as told they could by the government". You are *shitting me. Of course, I lay the blame at the public's feet. "It's just guidelines". It's not illegal to drive at the national speed limit in icy conditions. That doesn't mean it's a good idea to do so. I do expect people to think for themselves, and apply critical thinking. Especially when there's clearly an incompetent and uncaring person in the role of PM.

People have had over a decade to work just how nasty a piece of humanity this JOhnson fellow is, how awful May was, and the Tories are.. Still they vote for him/them, and follow whatever he/they say. I have no idea why.

"The govt said we could..." The govt don't care whether we live or die. They'll say anything. People either take note of what the science says, or they don't. The tories ignore much of that science.

Caveat: there are times when people do indeed have to do whatever the govt tell them to do. There are also times when people just respond, "bullshit: that's bollocks!". The point is that adults/anyone with critical thinking skills should be able workout which response to apply when. It's frightening and disheartening that so many people *don't know how to do that. That's perhaps a result of the UK state education system: they've been preparing drones to run factories for decades. Same reason they want children back at school: they want their drones back at work, making money for them.

Again, if the UK govt told you/other people to jump off a cliff, would you/they do that, too? Alistair BDF Johnson/the Tories are arseholes. Just what would they have to do to persuade people they're full of shit? Or that they really don't care about you/your loved ones?

Whatever you don't understand, please ask. I don't mind questions. If I can't answer those questions, I'll tell you. Unlike Johnson, who will bullshit his way out of anything.

You do realise this PM has a stage name, too. His real name is Alistair Boris de Pfeffel Johnson. He chose "Boris Johnson" precisely because he knew working class peopel and everyone struggling would perceive him as "one of us". He is not.

Jamboree01 · 27/02/2021 19:27

Headteachers are the best port of call. I doubt any would discuss it freely in the media.

Trumplosttheelection · 27/02/2021 19:31

Dd is happy to wear a mask, we are undecided re testing. I have them for work and tbh it feeds my anxiety which isn't helpful. Dd is quite anxious so we are thinking it over. If it's going to prey on her mind I'm very happy for her not to do it. My child's mental health has to be my priority.

FreekStar · 27/02/2021 19:46

So many excuses! It's pathetic! No wonder kids have more mental health issues these days- whatever happened to building resilience?

ChameleonClara · 27/02/2021 20:18

@FreekStar

So many excuses! It's pathetic! No wonder kids have more mental health issues these days- whatever happened to building resilience?
Do need to be careful that 'building resilience' isn't used by some as code for 'bullying people'.
BungleandGeorge · 27/02/2021 20:24

And that we don’t dismiss mental health conditions which are just as real and disabling as physical conditions...

ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia · 27/02/2021 20:34

Very simply mandatory (tests/masks/other risk mitigation measures) equals some health and safety risk mitigation and possibly more sustainable longer term face to face schooling.

Optional (testing/masks/other risk mitigation measures) means likelihood of non sustainable full reopening of face to face schooling and further dangers of incubation super spreading and more lockdowns.

We know over the past year seeing with our own eyes that the UK is evidently world beating at ignoring Covid rules and hence the correlation with world per capita worst Covid fatalities and infections statistics. It's simply British entitlement exceptionalism and unique and world beating in Britain. Ironically Brits overseas are "forced" to observe strict local Covid lockdown rules due to enforcement. Here in the UK many/nobody cares or scared of fatalities as there is (still) "free" healthcare unlike most overseas where it literally costs an arm and a leg.

saraclara · 27/02/2021 21:14

We know over the past year seeing with our own eyes that the UK is evidently world beating at ignoring Covid rules and hence the correlation with world per capita worst Covid fatalities and infections statistics.

We're actually one of the more compliant countries. Compliance in most other European countries and the US, is not as high as here. The problem is more that the rules we were asked to comply with weren't as strict as those of other countries. Importantly, we were/are allowing people to fly in from the most infected countries while others were closing their borders, or at the very least, checking the temperatures of those arriving.

Our high rates aren't down to no-compliance at all.

saraclara · 27/02/2021 21:16

...and of course other countries had a decent tracing service.

BungleandGeorge · 27/02/2021 21:21

@saraclara

We know over the past year seeing with our own eyes that the UK is evidently world beating at ignoring Covid rules and hence the correlation with world per capita worst Covid fatalities and infections statistics.

We're actually one of the more compliant countries. Compliance in most other European countries and the US, is not as high as here. The problem is more that the rules we were asked to comply with weren't as strict as those of other countries. Importantly, we were/are allowing people to fly in from the most infected countries while others were closing their borders, or at the very least, checking the temperatures of those arriving.

Our high rates aren't down to no-compliance at all.

I agree with this, there’s actually not that much rule breaking, although we’ve been encouraged to blame all our problems on this. The reality is also that we have a very high population density and a lot of inequity in income and standards of living. Both these factors contribute hugely. And I agree we’ve been far too lax with our borders
Flossie44 · 27/02/2021 21:31

Urghhh this is awful!! So many parents putting their foot down and refusing testing or masks for their children.
What does this teach those children..that they can do what they like and not conform to rules because they don’t fancy it??!!
Testing and masks ultimately save lives!! And SOME are stopping their children have it because they don’t fancy it?!

Sorryusernamealreadyexists · 27/02/2021 21:41

I would consent if there were cases within a bubble for example but not regularly just for the sake of it.

I have to have them with work once a week and they aren’t pleasant

Trumplosttheelection · 27/02/2021 22:09

I'm very comfortable with teaching my child that their mental health is more important than unthinking compliance with an optional behaviour.

FreekStar · 27/02/2021 22:29

If having a simple swab test affects mental health then you need to be questioning why?

BungleandGeorge · 27/02/2021 22:40

Just looked up the stats. False positive in 3 out of 1000 tests. If the infection rate is around 1 in 150 that means for a school of 1000 there would be roughly 3 false positives, 3 false negatives, and 3 true positives. The false negatives are more likely to be asymptomatic. And results won’t be confirmed by PCR tests. I had no idea the false positive rate was so high tbh

Truelymadlydeeplysomeonesmum · 27/02/2021 22:57

@Sorryusernamealreadyexists

I would consent if there were cases within a bubble for example but not regularly just for the sake of it.

I have to have them with work once a week and they aren’t pleasant

The idea is to stop the cases in the bubble happening. By the time you consent your child would be isolating anyway.