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Covid

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Original poster

When should I send my DC's back?

20 replies

Beebityboo · 02/03/2021 15:27

As some of you might know I have posted here a lot over the last year with worries about schooling and my disability/covid. I feel like I once again need advice and some help putting things into perspective.
I was lucky enough to be vaccinated nearly two weeks ago, I will have the full three weeks first dose immunity on the Thursday after my youngest two go back to primary school, so I am trying to decide what to do.
Do I send them back on the 8th or ask if I can keep them off a little longer/until after Easter to develop my immunity a bit more, just in case? I am supposed to shield until the end of March.
We chose to home school my eldest but my younger two do really need to go back soon as they have been so miserable these last couple of weeks and are desperate for some normality/to see their friends. While I am completely terrified of them getting ill, I don't see any other option but to let them go back, only question is when.
Any advice/thoughts/reassurance would be appreciated!

OP posts:

GetOffYourHighHorse · 02/03/2021 15:51

Oh op I would send them back next week. We know 3 weeks after the first vaccination the risk of serious illness is massively reduced. They need to get back to school. It isn't easy, many people will feel anxious, but you've got to put their socialisation, education and wellbeing first now you are protected.

MrsMackesy · 02/03/2021 15:55

3 weeks after your first vaccine dose would be a good time.

QuidditchQueen · 02/03/2021 15:56

Schools are safer than they have been in the last year.
Data today from PHE showed that teachers were less likely to get it than the other occupations so obviously minimal danger to the DC as well. In December when schools had been open for 3months 14% teachers had antibodies compared to 18% overall in their local area.

3littlewords · 02/03/2021 16:11

Monday

RosieLemonade · 02/03/2021 16:13

My school has made it very clear all children must be back Monday. Unless they are shielding.

purplebagladylovesgin · 02/03/2021 16:19

You wait until you are at least 21 days post first vaccine. Do not under any circumstances risk before if you are highly vulnerable.

They need their parent to be healthy. Even if you don't die the chances of getting complications is much higher when you are in the vulnerable category. Long covid is hard to manage and parent at the same time.

You are talking a few days, not weeks or months. It's just not worth the risk.

I'm speaking from experience. Don't risk it for those few days. The school won't do much in those few days. You may even find they aren't in straight away, our don't start back until 10th and 11th but we only heard last night.

DuchessOfHastings123 · 02/03/2021 16:19

I agree with Monday

NiceTwin · 02/03/2021 16:22

Monday is as good a time as any.

Layladylay234 · 02/03/2021 16:36

I'm a bit confused. You talk about yourself being CEV but you mention that you're terrified of them getting ill? Are you hesitant to send them back in case YOU get ill or they do?

Re: waiting until Easter until you've built up your immunity...I'm not sure that's how the vaccine works. I thought after 3 weeks,you then had as much protection as you'd get from that vaccine. So I don't think waiting until after Easter would mean you'd build up MORE immunity.

Maybemay123 · 02/03/2021 16:52

No earlier than the 3 weeks I'd say. A relative of mine was in the Oxford trial and got covid-19 2 weeks after first dose. I wouldn't risk it for a weeks worth of education.
I'd speak to the school and explain your situation and agree a date for returning to school that way your less likely to be fined/chased by council and you've got a proven dialogue.

Original poster

Beebityboo · 02/03/2021 17:17

I'm worried about myself but due to crippling health anxiety, I'm worried about then too, although rationally know the risk to them is low. DH thinks we should send them on Monday as its only four days short of three weeks and it's unlikely they'd catch it and then give it to me in four days, does that sound right?

OP posts:

Original poster

Beebityboo · 02/03/2021 17:21

I should also say that the school should support them going back a week late now I have a shielding letter.

OP posts:

GintyMcGinty · 02/03/2021 17:21

I'm in Scotland so mine don't go back till 15th ish of March. I had my jag today. I will be sending mine back to school as soon as school will have them

Twizbe · 02/03/2021 17:27

Monday is as good a time as any.

From the moment that vaccine went in your arm it's been building your protection. After 2 weeks your risk of getting seriously ill is dramatically reduced.

You say yourself you have health anxiety and I'm sure that if you did say you'd keep them off until Easter, there'd be another reason then you wanted to keep them off.

It's time for them to go back.

inappropriateraspberry · 02/03/2021 17:31

Monday. They'll be perfectly fine at school, and as pp said, you are already building immunity - it won't suddenly change at midnight exactly 3 weeks from vaccination.

Cornettoninja · 02/03/2021 17:36

On balance I think you should send them back on Monday.

Immunity won’t suddenly kick in at the three week point, it’s a gradual build up (as a PP pointed out) and you also have lower infection rates in your favour (less people to catch it from). If covid did make its way into your household then you’re already much better protected than you were before your vaccination.

Keep an eye on your local infection rates and use that as a measure of if/when you might need to consider pulling them out again.

Bsmirched · 02/03/2021 17:38

@Beebityboo

I should also say that the school should support them going back a week late now I have a shielding letter.

No...the guidance clearly states that children of people who are shielding should go to school on the 8th. I am shielding and mine are going back.

User1511 · 02/03/2021 17:42

Monday. Even if they catch it on their first day back, the likelihood of them passing it to you before Thursday is very unlikely.

Original poster

Beebityboo · 02/03/2021 17:58

@bsmirched the guidance may say that but I have spoken to the head before about this and I am pretty sure I would be allowed a week's flexibility. Probably unlikely I would be allowed to keep them at home until Easter, however, and I think they would be beyond miserable and fed up by then.
I was just so worried for so long and now even though I have had the vaccine I am having trouble adjusting from fight or flight mode. On balance it would be better for them to go back on Monday, DD has SEN and needs to get used to the new routines etc, and what's better for them is what I should do.

OP posts:

Original poster

Beebityboo · 04/03/2021 21:34

After a particularly bad day with DD2 we've decided to send them back on Monday. She desperately needs to go back to school and see her friends, this last week has been so hard with her and her behaviour.
I'm going to be really worried about them getting ill, there's no getting around it, but I feel like I have to now weigh up the pros and cons particularly as I have had my first vaccine.
I just really, really hope I am doing the right thing and I desperately hope they don't get covid, we've managed to avoid it so far. I just wish I wasn't so worried .

OP posts:

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