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.

I've been volunteering with the testing at my children's school since the beginning of the year. A small number of parents have refused consent but the majority are participating and it's become a routine that they've pretty much taken in their stride. I can understand why people are anxious about it but I think the difficulties have been over exaggerated in some quarters.
Yes, it would be too difficult to test very young children and some of those with additional needs and I quite understand why some parents would decline. But in my experience, the vast majority of neurotypical secondary school pupils find it straightforward. I don't suppose anyone exactly enjoys it - I don't much like it myself - but it's not that bad and takes seconds. Even if the parent has consented the child can decline on the day and their consent is checked at several points every single time.
My own children have not done it as yet as obviously we're currently only testing boarders and key worker /vulnerable children plus staff, but having been involved for a couple of months I have no worries about them participating when they go back.
Whether it's cost effective, especially as numbers drop, is another matter, but that's for those with expertise in the field to decide.

It's a cotton bud swab up each nostril. How can any child, special needs excepted, be frightened of this?

@zoemum2006

Sending the children back before Easter us utter madness.

The lateral flow tests are notoriously poor.

I want no part of any of it.

I want the option to continue homeschooling until the numbers are better.

There is always an option to homeschooling. Covid didn’t bring it in as a new thing.

@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.

Good Grief How is it dehumanising?

I don't think that anybody should be allowed to refuse for ideological reasons, exemption should be for diagnosed health reasons only.

@TinaYouFatLard

I am so far past caring what you sanctimonious lot think. I think lining up children, to stick swabs up their noses is a dehumanising process.

But hey, got to keep those case numbers up. Add to this the new symptoms (fatigue? headache? FFS) and we’ll be back up shits creek before we know it.

Surely it would be more dehumanising to be comatose in a hospital bed?

I have already not consented. Reason is I am on zero hours contracts with 2 places, and will simply have no income if I cannot work. I'm not prepared to risk DC getting false positives on those tests, meaning I have to isolate. (get no benefits, totally in a loophole of worry and no income). DH similar scenario.

@ditsyprint

My year 10 dd has emetaphobia so she is very scared about taking the test. So as far as I'm concerned she doesn't have to take it. She can put the swab up her nose but not the back of the throat.

I’m the same - I just do my nose. It does say that’s OK to do.

I hadn't considered not consenting however its not me that needs to consent its him its his body. Fortunately he isn't bothered about getting tested regularly and is happy to do it.

DC got offered the tests at school this week, said about 80% of pupils appeared to be taking them. No pressure from school to do it, just encouraged to.

@Changethetoner

I have already not consented. Reason is I am on zero hours contracts with 2 places, and will simply have no income if I cannot work. I'm not prepared to risk DC getting false positives on those tests, meaning I have to isolate. (get no benefits, totally in a loophole of worry and no income). DH similar scenario.

I'm not sure I've seen a more selfish reason

The lateral flow tests only require you to swab the nose, not the throat. I am doing them twice weekly for work and they are very easy.

@Changethetoner

I have already not consented. Reason is I am on zero hours contracts with 2 places, and will simply have no income if I cannot work. I'm not prepared to risk DC getting false positives on those tests, meaning I have to isolate. (get no benefits, totally in a loophole of worry and no income). DH similar scenario.

I can’t argue with your reasons. Unfortunately, too many families will be in your position if their children test positive.

@Changethetoner

I have already not consented. Reason is I am on zero hours contracts with 2 places, and will simply have no income if I cannot work. I'm not prepared to risk DC getting false positives on those tests, meaning I have to isolate. (get no benefits, totally in a loophole of worry and no income). DH similar scenario.

What if it's not a false positive???

So do these kids who are dehumanised by sticking something ip their noses never ever pick them then?

What a load of wankery bollocks.

@Changethetoner If they get a positive result they will be asked to go for an NHS test to confirm so there won't be false positives.

Not consenting. Dc suffer with nosebleeds ( bad enough for consultant referral) no one will be wanting dc to stick something right up their nose believe me.

@purpleboy
What are families supposed to do if they cant work? My single parent niece works in a supermarket and has 2 children in different schools, shes had to take 4 weeks off since September as the children’s classes ended up self isolating. She didn't get paid. Her benefits having increased and she didn't qualify for the emergency payment. She’s lucky in that family could support her.

@Changethetoner

I have already not consented. Reason is I am on zero hours contracts with 2 places, and will simply have no income if I cannot work. I'm not prepared to risk DC getting false positives on those tests, meaning I have to isolate. (get no benefits, totally in a loophole of worry and no income). DH similar scenario.

If they do test positive though does it not need confirming by PCR test? That may/maynot change the need to isolate possibly

I can totally understand your reasons BTW my DH is self employed and has expressed the same worries. Its OK to say its for the greater good and all that but the greater good doesn't pay the bills or put food on the table. Yours is a genuine concern and should not be dismissed its a very harsh reality for many people

Yes, the option is either to swab both tonsil areas and one nostril or both nostrils. The commonest "problem" is watery eyes for a couple of minutes afterwards. A few people sneeze or cough but we've had no vomiting, nosebleeds or anything and we must have done thousands of tests by now.

@Robinkitty

Not consenting. Dc suffer with nosebleeds ( bad enough for consultant referral) no one will be wanting dc to stick something right up their nose believe me.

How about throat swabs then?

@FreekStar if you get a positive LFT you have to isolate - there is no PCR test to confirm. The previous tests provided to schools are a nose and throat swab

@Changethetoner

I have already not consented. Reason is I am on zero hours contracts with 2 places, and will simply have no income if I cannot work. I'm not prepared to risk DC getting false positives on those tests, meaning I have to isolate. (get no benefits, totally in a loophole of worry and no income). DH similar scenario.

You’re more likely to get a false negative than positive with the lateral flow test; but I understand your point. I feel for people in your position. Especially the prospect of having to isolate more than once.

I had mild hayfever symptoms. Tested positive. Cv symptoms hit big time after that. Apart from the cough. Dh had a bad stomach one day, felt fine the next then hit with a big load of the classic symptoms.

I suspect a cv denier roaming round this thread.

I think that any child of Secondary school age should be able to make the decision for themselves.