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Covid

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Original poster

Should there be an option to opt out of lateral flow tests for secondary school students?

74 replies

Dailywalk · 25/02/2021 10:05

Assuming a child has no issues in terms of SEN, should it be optional?

Personally i don’t have a problem with my children being tested. If that’s what is required for schools to reopen and for staff to feel a bit safer then that’s what has to be done. It will be time consuming and it isn’t a pleasant experience but it’s playing your part in society and staying home if you are found to have the virus but not displaying symptoms.

Or...if rates are low, is it unnecessary?

Wondered what other people think?

OP posts:

CheeseJalapenoBread · 25/02/2021 10:07

Unless there’s a very good reason not to, I can’t understand why you’d opt out. It’s a small price to pay for getting them back to school.

ragged · 25/02/2021 10:07

it's voluntary, requires consent, there already is an option out

ineedaholidaynow · 25/02/2021 10:08

You can opt out by not consenting. They are not mandatory and you can come into school whether you did the test or not.

Original poster

Dailywalk · 25/02/2021 10:09

@CheeseJalapenoBread

Unless there’s a very good reason not to, I can’t understand why you’d opt out. It’s a small price to pay for getting them back to school.

I personally will not be opting out I’m trying to get my head round why some people are taking this option.

OP posts:

Original poster

Dailywalk · 25/02/2021 10:09

@ineedaholidaynow

You can opt out by not consenting. They are not mandatory and you can come into school whether you did the test or not.

I know you can. I’m just questioning why you would.

OP posts:

ineedaholidaynow · 25/02/2021 10:10

So are you saying children shouldn’t be allowed back in school if they don’t consent to the test?

Original poster

Dailywalk · 25/02/2021 10:20

No I’m not saying that. I’m trying to understand reasons why.
Perhaps I’ve not explained myself very well. A friend of mine has opted out for her kids. I can’t understand why and we are in danger of a heated argument if I push my question. So I’m hoping someone can shed some light onto the reasons why you might opt out.

OP posts:

AledsiPad · 25/02/2021 10:24

I haven't consented. I wouldn't consent to any unnecessary medical procedure: and it is unnecessary.

MRex · 25/02/2021 10:30

If a child had a recent confirmed covid infection, they are at risk of a false positive and might be best to wait before joining the test scheme. If a child has additional needs then they might find it simply too challenging. In all other circumstances you're right that it's both foolish and selfish not to join in, and kids might feel quite left out with their friends all getting tested but them not.

She might have good reasons if you ask her, or she might not, perhaps you could ask but be prepared with whatever response you want to give if she's being an idiot (e.g. I'd be passive aggressive "Oh what a shame, your kids will feel so left out when the others do it and you guys at home won't know to protect yourselves if they get infected").

GU24Mum · 25/02/2021 10:30

interesting to think what they'd do either if too small a percentage consented or someone who refused the test then developed symptoms and burst the bubble. It would be pretty frustrating to have your child back at home for two weeks if that could have been avoided by a classmate agreeing to do the test.

Enb76 · 25/02/2021 10:32

People opt out because they are paranoid and suspicious. A lateral flow test is not invasive and I personally have no problem with it. There are other hills to die on.

I'm not really concerned about transmission in schools so would possibly question why they are required at all but understand that there are also people out there who are deathly frightened of the not very deadly virus and until everyone realises that Covid is something we will have to learn to live with we are stuck with being overly cautious. The probability of getting seriously ill if you are under the age of 60 is so very low that my risk awareness barely registers it.

ClaudiaWankleman · 25/02/2021 10:32

What is the alternative? Either children having swabs forced up their noses or denied education?

I don't think people should be opting out, but I don't believe the alternatives are acceptable either.

If enough pupils choose to get tested, the opt outers will not make a meaningful difference anyway.

JoeBidenIsGreat · 25/02/2021 10:36

I’m hoping someone can shed some light onto the reasons why you might opt out.

the moment anyone says those reasons, they'll get called "selfish twats" and their reasons are wrong. Stop the premise that there is any respect for dissenting opinions. There's no benefit in someone like me saying anything truthful. Satisfy your "curiousity" elsewhere.

Giveronyoursausage · 25/02/2021 10:39

There is an option to opt out its called not consenting

NoSquirrels · 25/02/2021 10:42

@Dailywalk

No I’m not saying that. I’m trying to understand reasons why. Perhaps I’ve not explained myself very well. A friend of mine has opted out for her kids. I can’t understand why and we are in danger of a heated argument if I push my question. So I’m hoping someone can shed some light onto the reasons why you might opt out.

I think your thread title ("Should there be an option to opt out") is a bit misleading, because it's not the same as this question above. I think what you meant was "Should the lateral flow test be compulsory?"

People opt out of stuff like this for all sorts of reasons. My secondary age child I have opted in, for the same reasons as you (suck it up, buttercup, basically, it's just part of what's needed for you to go to school right now, hopefully provides reassurance to others etc) but I wouldn't be worried if there was no lateral flow testing at all, because I think it's pretty meaningless. And if they bring back in the ludicrous "no isolation required as a close contact of a confirmed case if you take the LF tests instead" I will revoke the consent.

In terms of your friend, I wouldn't care if someone else opted their DC out. But that's because I don't think the LF tests are a useful infection control measure. I would care if they were refusing a vaccine, when it's offered to school children, because I think that is a viable infection control measure.

unmarkedbythat · 25/02/2021 10:43

DS2's school have made it very clear it is a request they hope everyone will agree to, but not a requirement and if consent is withheld that will be respected.

I consented; I also talked about it with DS2 in some detail as he's verging on Gillick competency now. He was very clear that he is more than happy to be tested, he wants to go back to school and understands the reasons for mass testing. I do LFTs for work so have a massive stock of them and did one on him so he knew exactly what it would feel like- he said it was more than worth it to get some sort of normal life back.

Original poster

Dailywalk · 25/02/2021 10:43

@JoeBidenIsGreat

I’m hoping someone can shed some light onto the reasons why you might opt out.

I’m not looking for an argument. No need for your aggression.

OP posts:

AradiaGC · 25/02/2021 10:46

People are different.

To some, a swab up the nose is no big deal. To others, it feels invasive, anxiety-provoking, or otherwise unacceptable. The same is true of lots of other medical procedures, and it can be, but isn't always, the result of a special need or disability.

If you're a person for whom it's no big deal, try to have empathy for the other group. If you're a person who hates the idea but does it anyway, it shouldn't be too much of a stretch of the imagination to realise there are people like you, but with even greater difficulties, who can't just suck it up and get on with it like you can. Especially if they're young.

(Personally, I'm autistic and would hate it but probably do it if I had to - I'm WFH so don't have to worry about it right now.)

BlackbirdOtto · 25/02/2021 10:46

Maybe she won’t get paid to self isolate if her daughter tests positive. Will she be able to pay her rent /mortgage with no income ?
Unless you are already on benefits there is no help in this situation. A lot of people fear poverty and can’t afford to do the right thing unfortunately. Maybe ask her kindly.

independent98 · 25/02/2021 10:49

I have opted out for now as i want to see and understand the plan that my child's school has implemented with the tests. They handled the isolation and close contacts poorly so I am monitoring how they handle things when all of the kids return to school.

I am not saying that my child won't ever be allowed to be tested, i have a curious approach and will review at Easter.

MrsWhites · 25/02/2021 10:52

I won’t be consenting to my child being tested either.

I thinks it’s horrible that people seem to think that they deserve an explanation from those who don’t consent. No explanation is required other than its personal choice.

Worknoplay · 25/02/2021 10:53

I bet people who don't want their child to be tested will be the same people complaining that schools have to move to online learning again.

We all need to look at the bigger picture. Nobody enjoys having a stick up their noses. Nobody enjoys it. Zero people. But if it means that we can keep the schools from closing down again, and our (all of our) children to be in school, then it's worth it.

Punxsutawney · 25/02/2021 10:54

I was told by Ds's school that he didn't have to do, it if he couldn't cope. He has ASD and significant sensory processing issues. Not heard anything yet but I think he will probably consent. He will be incredibly anxious and it will cause some upset but he is very rules driven and panics hugely if he thinks he's not following school rules.

levoyager67 · 25/02/2021 10:55

I have consented but school have said quite clearly that DD can opt out at any point.

frozendaisy · 25/02/2021 10:59

Everybody just wants tailored made excuses why the guidelines shouldn't apply to them or their unique children. It's getting so boring.

Genuine, medical reasons for exemption of course. But everyone else just get on with it so schools can open as safe as can be with the fewest numbers of pupils having to miss any more education because bubbles burst, or teachers self isolate.

No one wants their child, their special, unique, amazing, precious darling, tested or in masks. But for 3/4 months it might be necessary.

We all dislike this, but I understand some people's dislike is far more important than others.

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