Parents of primary aged children - are you doing regular LFT’s?

[Shibees]

I’m a little unsure on what we are supposed to be doing as parents of a primary aged child.

School sent a letter regarding return to school with the usual info on drop off times, mask wearing etc and just a short sentence at the bottom saying that we are able to order LFT’s online.

No guidance or information on whether we have to do these. Other mums at the school are not doing them so I just wondered if others are?

I live in a fairly remote area where cases are low. My DD’s secondary school has gone from Aug - Christmas without any pupil/staff member testing positive and no one has had to isolate.

Initially I thought LF testing was a great idea, but recently the local social media pages were like a witch hunt at the mere suggestion someone had tested positive. I wonder if this attitude is due to the low numbers? It really was awful and it’s put me off.

Parents of primary or secondary aged school children can get home tests, the recommendation is to take them (adults and children over 12) twice a week about 4 days apart. Then report the results.

DD is at secondary school. She has been doing the tests herself, but DH and I are now doing them too.

I really don't like doing them if I'm honest, but if it helps to protect school staff and other families, then it's a small price to pay.

Yep and have been since 1 March. Got a box of home LFT ordered through the gov website and they delivered the next day to my house. Really easy and quick to do and log result online. Honestly can't understand why more parents of primary kids aren't participating (I'm very much in the minority at DCs school).

Primary really don't have many measures in place to make them covid safe at all. No masks. Just a "bubble" and some hand sanitizer if the school is well funded enough.

We are testing. Our school has given clear messaging. Most parents I know are testing as a result.

Out of interest, for those who are refusing to test, how many of you would take a test if it enabled you to see your family or visit an event or restaurant or something?

Because if your attitudes stay, I suspect some of you could be hanging out home alone for a long time.

I hope the majority of parents at my child’s primary are doing them. I do it twice a week and it was easy to get seven delivered next day through the gov website.

@Gee29

First I’ve heard of it with primary schools? Teachers and school staff are testing twice a week but that’s it isn’t it? I do live in an area with barely any cases though!

The government and DfE post about the home kits of]]for parents, though it hasn't, ime, neem widely promoted.

But yes, all parents of school aged children can access LFT kits for use at home.

@Gunpowder

I’m put off because of that comment from a minister that you have to isolate even if a positive on the LFT is followed by a negative on the PCR. I would be upset if the children have to miss more school for a false positive.

We are all on the Zoe app which asks us to do a PCR test for the merest sniffle these days. I have more faith in that TBH.

This was the case at the start for LFT done at school. Silly, if you ask me, but luckily it does not apply to tests done at home.

Yes, we’ve just started. We have secondary and sixth former too.

I think some primaries are concerned about parents using them in the kids rather than themselves, so haven’t made a big deal about it.