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.

@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 100% understand your position

Those saying you’re being selfish must of never had to not eat because you can’t afford for all of you to eat. In which case your children come first

My mum often didn’t eat so I could. I’ve been there. I get it.

@FreekStar

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.

We are also doing them twice weekly.... a swab of the throat and nose. Unsure why you would just do nose?

Currently the testing has to be consented to by parents (unless over 16)) as it is voluntary.

If people want their children tested/ don’t want their children tested they are not required to give a reason for their decision either way.

Children do not have to be home schooled just because they aren’t being tested.

The OP asked for reasons for people not consenting and stated they didn’t want a ‘bun fight’ over it.

Some people may not think it’s safe enough for their children to return- that is fine as well.

People aren’t commenting so that they can be flamed over their decision. It’s a matter of choice and they are giving their reasons as that is what the OP asked for.

We were told to just do the nose.

Sorry see others up thread had said the same

@TinaYouFatLard

You do realise approx 30% of those with covid are asymptomatic?

Does that not change your mind ?

@ittakes2

My children are not keen but I think it would be unfair if we opted out since we want schools to be as safe as possible. Although for those of you who say your kids are healthy and will only test if they have symptoms...does that mean you don't accept lots of kids wth Covid are asymptomatic?

I think it means they don't give a toss about anyone else and transmitting the virus, personally, because it would inconvenience them to keep their children at home for (yet more) isolation periods.

Those refusing are relying on others to do it to keep their kids safe and to minimise disruption with the exception of SEN.

There are new tests being trialled that are mouth swabs only . Hopefully no one would refuse those .

@cuddlymunchkin

Refuse the test and homeschool instead.

Going to school = consent to testing, the testing is to keep all children safe.

This isn't true at all. Students who refuse consent to testing will be in school as normal.

Not saying this is right or wrong, but people need to be aware this will be the case.

@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.

The tests won't give a false positive; they're not pregnancy tests. But they can give a false negative.

Wondering whether those who think these procedures are invasive and dehumanising have had their kids vaccinated.

@noblegiraffe

Wondering whether those who think these procedures are invasive and dehumanising have had their kids vaccinated.

That's a non sequitur.

The more you test, the better you get at it and the less awful it becomes. I like getting my negative result back and knowing I’m safe that day.

I work in an Academy that’s had all its KW and vulnerable s testing since L3 began. The kids just crack on with it.

Which leads me to reflect that there are some adults that could take a leaf out of their book.

If you think a cotton bud up the nose is dehumanising and invasive, what about a needle in the leg/arm?

Are your kids vaccinated, rawal?

My training, the NHS video and the paper instructions all categorically stated nose and throat.

There are clearly two kinds of lateral flow tests, as at least one poster has tried to explain.

It would be much easier for everyone if it was nose only. I’m not keen on the twice weekly retching if other teachers have different tests!

Those if you who will not consent to their precious children having a test. (Not ASD) do realise that if they are a close contact of a case they will have yo isolate for the whole period whereas those doing 2 negative LF can return sooner. I apologise if this is wrong but that is my understanding of it.
Hard on the ASD child who can't tolerate a test of course though

My children will not be being tested. I’m not sure why there is to be more testing now those at risk have received their vaccinations? There is a slight chance with these tests of a false positive so on mass scale means there will be plenty of kids testing positive who do not have covid and then their whole family have to isolate plus all the kids they have been near. I’m not doing it! If they shown symptoms yes but don’t get why we are mass testing at this end stage! Then when the numbers go up will it delay lifting restrictions! We need to just accept the virus for what it is. Minimal risk for most and those at risk will now be more protected so let’s just end this madness and get back to our lives!!

I have given consent but my 15 yo autistic DD probably won't cope with testing. We have been told she can still go to school.

@noblegiraffe

If you think a cotton bud up the nose is dehumanising and invasive, what about a needle in the leg/arm?

Are your kids vaccinated, rawal?

One is to prevent a disease, the other is a test, noble. That's a non-comparison . But you can't see that because you're trying to push an agenda. Thank you for playing, please try again.

@Bagamoyo1 that is my understanding too.

Both my children attended special schools, and have been in throughout this lockdown.

I already consented to my eldest being tested as her school are already doing the lateral flow tests, and she is fine with them.

With my youngest, we will give it a try, but I dont think he will let us perform the test. We had to test him last year when he had a cough, and we had to restrain him to do it

From a moral pov, I don't agree with performing unnecessary medical procedures on a non consenting child if it causes distress.

Youneverknowwhatyourgonnaget

A significant number of at risk are not getting vaccinated because the government have slimmed down the list.

One is to prevent a disease, the other is a test

But they're either dehumanising and invasive, or not, right?

So if you think a cotton bud up the nose is dehumanising and invasive then you must also think a needle in the leg is dehumanising and invasive. So either you have refused both, or you're going to have to explain why 'dehumanising and invasive' is acceptable in certain circumstances.

Simply handwringing about it being dehumanising and invasive isn't going to cut it if your kids are vaccinated.

And if they're not vaccinated....well then.

My DD is 11 and has been having them since January. She struggled with the first few but now it's not a bother. It's quickly done and at it gives the staff peace of mind. I guess better they try and do that and potentially limit the frequency of the whole year group being sent home because parents have still let them go in either feeling unwell or worse have had a covid a swab and sent them in only for them to be positive all along.