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Original poster

AIBU to be livid about this?

44 replies

MyGhastIsFlabbered · 02/07/2021 19:02

On Wednesday someone in DS1's class had a positive lateral flow test. All year 6 were sent home and told to self-isolate until the PCR result came back. I've just been told that rather than immediately go to a walk-in/drive in testing centre, the parents of the child opted for a postal test, delaying the result for days. IF (and I admit it's a big IF the PCR was negative DS could go back to school)

AIBU to think this is completely selfish by the parents? Both drive so attending a centre wouldn't have been impossible. DS is year 6 so can't be left alone so I have to try and juggle work and hone schooling.

OP posts:

ItsJustASimpleLine · 02/07/2021 19:07

Incredibly selfish however nothing surprises me any more.

Someone sent their child to school while they waited for a test result having had symptoms for a couple of days (and the child displaying symptoms but not tested). They were positive ), child was then tested and also positive. All the year group got sent home. It was 3 days after schools returned after the last lockdown so 3 days of education after 3 months the off. Heartbreaking for the kids.

Original poster

MyGhastIsFlabbered · 02/07/2021 19:14

That's absolutely shocking. I despair of people sometimes

OP posts:

Clickbait · 02/07/2021 19:16

YANBU OP. It will probably be positive anyway but if it's negative I would be so annoyed!

blissfulllife · 02/07/2021 19:21

Do you know the parents? Their situation? Or why the chose a postal test?

I say this because my daughter did this a few weeks back. She's heavily pregnant and doesn't drive. Luckily it only meant one day out of school as she got the tests next day (Friday) and results came late Sunday night.

Come on op not everyone can get to a test center. That's why we have postal tests

Findahouse21 · 02/07/2021 19:23

I think it depends on the situation - my dd is younger (y1) but got very anxious about the test, doing at home where it was easier to both distract and comfort her was much easier. I don't think I could confidently test a y6 child if they were going to fight me in the car, but may be able to do it at home in their own time and lots of reassurance/support. Especially if any sen etc

OliveTree75 · 02/07/2021 19:24

Do the parents have it too? Maybe they feel unwell and didn't feel up to driving.

MouldyPotato · 02/07/2021 19:24

Is it possible the whole going to a drive in centre would have been too overwhelming for the child? I agree it's quicker to go to a drive in place if you can, but I'd assume they'd thought of that and decided it wasn't a possibility.

Hallyup6 · 02/07/2021 19:35

How the heck is it selfish? They've done what is necessary to ensure their child gets the test they require. You know nothing about their situation other than 'they both drive'. There are a whole number of possible reasons why they didn't immediately go to a testing centre. They could be working, they might be anxious, the child might be anxious, the car might be unavailable, they might have other things arranged, they might be ill too. You have no clue. It takes a couple of days for a postal test. It's hardly going to make a huge difference.

Longestfewdaysupcoming · 02/07/2021 19:36

You’ve no idea of their personal circumstances

Persephonegoddess · 02/07/2021 19:40

You are correct if there was no reason to not attend a drive in test centre they should have done, all the other parents were affected for the wait for the results.... yes it was selfish if there was not a good reason.

Persephonegoddess · 02/07/2021 19:44

The reason it was selfish is that it could have cost those other parents their day rate for two extra days if they could not work due to having to have child at home. So three days instead of one!

Dontfuckingsaycheese · 02/07/2021 19:45

Ds is 18 and he had to test before I could go back to work. He refused to do it at a centre and would only do one at home. They're coming back amazingly quickly.

Longestfewdaysupcoming · 02/07/2021 19:46

So what if you’ve a child likely to be hysterical who you know you can manage better at Home? Or who gets car sick?

OliveTree75 · 02/07/2021 19:51

@Persephonegoddess

The reason it was selfish is that it could have cost those other parents their day rate for two extra days if they could not work due to having to have child at home. So three days instead of one!

And that would be fair and reasonable if the OP actually knew for a fact that their decision to get a postal test was because they are "selfish", and not for one of the many other possible reasons for making that decision.

Cric · 02/07/2021 19:55

My friend had to get a postal one the other day because she couldn't get a space at a test centre

ravelston · 02/07/2021 20:17

Although I get how frustrating this is for you unless you know exactly why they didn't go to the drive through/walk in testing centre I think YABU to complain about it

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 02/07/2021 20:18

I don’t think it’s selfish, they needed to arrange a test so did.

Save the anger for those refusing to test or failing to follow isolation.

BlueSurfer · 02/07/2021 20:20

Do the parents have a car they can use? Are they ill with covid?

DH did a drive thru once whilst I was asked to do a random test which was by post. My postal result came back less than an hour after his.

IDidntFloatUpTheLaganInABubble · 02/07/2021 20:21

I sent a postal test back yesterday, posted at 4pm and got my results back today. It may not delay things as long as you think.

Original poster

MyGhastIsFlabbered · 02/07/2021 20:42

I have it on good authority that there is no good reason not to go to a test centre, they just chose not to. That's what's annoying me. I've had DS1 hysterical because he can't see his dad this weekend and he's had a tough week as he lost his grandma last week and now this. So maybe I'm a bit over sensitive and quick to judge.

OP posts:

toocold54 · 02/07/2021 20:55

Remember they are in the same situation as you so they would want to know as soon as possible whether he is positive or not so they don’t need to have time off work. So they must have a good reason for getting it through the post.

Quartz2208 · 02/07/2021 21:01

Why do you think the postal test would be so much slower? How do you think the drive in tests get to the lab? Yes there is a delay in getting it (24 hours) but it isnt that much. In fact when DH had it we only booked him in to the drive in (Sunday) realising my mistake and that we all should I ordered postal tests (Monday) received Tuesday did and sent. Our results appeared on Wednesday night his Thursday morning!

BlueSurfer · 02/07/2021 21:08

@MyGhastIsFlabbered

It’s a valid reason not to. It possibly won’t even cause a delay, let alone the one you seem to be envisaging.

MRex · 02/07/2021 21:14

@MyGhastIsFlabbered

There may be vulnerability issues preventing this, but you and his dad can agree to send him. If that's what you both agree you want to do because that's in his best interests. commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-8901/

Rainallnight · 02/07/2021 21:17

I’d be annoyed too, OP. Of course there could be all sorts of reasons that going to a test centre would be less convenient/palatable to them, but they’ve clearly chosen that over the inconvenience to so many people of having their kids at home for three days.

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