Current rules on isolation are counter-productive

[Warhertisuff]

I can't be the only one who isn't doing lateral flow tests or overlooking mild symptoms because of the consequences to, not just my family, but the school community.

For instance, last week my 9 year old son had a headache and sore throat... nothing serious and a good night's sleep meant he was well enough to go to school the following day, and he was fine in the days ahead. I didn't do a LFT or get him tested as, had he been positive, he, and his entire year group, would have missed the last 10 days of school, with all the activities and end of year shows etc.

I took the view that the possible damage caused by him having Covid - if he indeed did have it which he probably didn't - and passing to other children (and other adults who largely would have had the chance to have been vaccinated) was less than having the end of the school year ruined for everyone.

If the rules were similar for other illnesses, which I'd argue they can be now that vaccines have made the impact of Covid more like the flu, then more people would take common sense precautions about keeping their kids off school if unwell.

@WeWantAMackerelNotASprat

I'm speechless that someone could be so thoughtless, who cares if your child gives me covid right, just think of yourself!

You'll be mute before too long then. Newsflash: people have been transmitting all manner of respiratory viruses to each other for thousands of years and this is another one of them we'll have to learn to exist alongside. Life continues.

@ChequerBoard

I have vulnerable people in my family and work with cev patients. I care an awful lot about both of them.

But things are unsustainable as they are and things are opening up- fact. People who want others to isolate long term are in for a shock unfortunately.

The cev are generally vaccinated and those who aren’t need to make their own risk assessments and decisions on what to do now.

As a teacher doing ivf and still waiting for my second jab I am angry reading your post.

If I have to isolate because I've been close to a covid case then my treatment would be cancelled and I would be emotionally broken and would have lost thousands of pounds. People who work in schools have their own shit going on. Some might live with vulnerable people who can't have the jab. His classmates might have similar at home. At least wait until September when all adults will have had the opportunity to be double jabbed. That's more important than missing the end of term!

I'm floored by how nonchalant you are about this, if I knew another parent had been so irresponsible for the sake of the kids missing out on basically nothing I'd be furious.
So so stupid.

You'd all be so floored and speechless if you realised how many in real life are no longer bothering about this anymore.

@osbertthesyrianhamster

You'd all be so floored and speechless if you realised how many in real life are no longer bothering about this anymore.

No, not floored just bitterly disappointed with their utter selfishness and stupidity.

@toomanyplants

I'm floored by how nonchalant you are about this, if I knew another parent had been so irresponsible for the sake of the kids missing out on basically nothing I'd be furious. So so stupid.

Well I wouldn't have a problem if I knew another parent in either of my DCs' bubbles was risk assessing as the OP has done, so I guess we're all different.

I suspect Osbert may be addressing herself to the posters affecting to be astounded.

@toomanyplants

I'm floored by how nonchalant you are about this, if I knew another parent had been so irresponsible for the sake of the kids missing out on basically nothing I'd be furious. So so stupid.

I disagree that the end of year play they've worked so hard on, school trip they didn't have last year etc. are "nothing" to be jettisoned yet again due to Covid... Despite it dominating our lives for the past 18 months or so. Covid is not the only thing that matters in life.

And your kids play doesnt matter to the child whos mum dies as a result of idiots like you

No, not floored just bitterly disappointed with their utter selfishness and stupidity.

That's entirely your lookout and choice to be, waste of emotion as no one really cares if other's are 'bitterly disappointed' or anything else when it comes to Covid.

@Covidworries

And your kids play doesnt matter to the child whos mum dies as a result of idiots like you

So the whole world are idiots then. Honestly, people respire and spread disease. The murder hyperbole is laughable.

There’s really not much point in being speechless, shocked, bitterly disappointed, etc, etc. People aren’t playing ball, lots of reasons for that, the question is what should be done from here?

@Covidworries

And your kids play doesnt matter to the child whos mum dies as a result of idiots like you

Do you drive anywhere? You realise you could kill someone's mum when do you so!

Yes virus spread thats life. Deliberatly sending your child to school knowing that you should check if the are covid positive but wont because you want them to do a school play is absolutely wrong on every level.

OP you have to be the vilest person ever to post on MN!

Yea i drive.
I dont text while driving. I dont drink and drive.
I dont deliberately dangerous drive just for fun

If i did the above then yes im aware this would increase the risk of killing someone - so i drive carefully to reduce the risks

@finished31

OP you have to be the vilest person ever to post on MN!

really?? shes being honest and to be fair saying what many people think

No. Out in the real world what OP is doing is pretty normal. Most people aren't bothering to test mild symptoms any more.

covidworries - how do you feel about 2 weeks time? will you still be preaching to people assessing their own risks and lives?

When the requirements change, i will accept that and risk assess based on that.

No - most people haven't been double vaccinated yet. Those under 45 have most likely only had one, if that.

@finished31

OP you have to be the vilest person ever to post on MN!

Oh, please.

End of year play 😂😂
Yeah that's really important when you consider that you could have potentially made a bunch of people seriously ill.
Crack on, hope you get a front seat.
🙄

@Covidworries

Yea i drive. I dont text while driving. I dont drink and drive. I dont deliberately dangerous drive just for fun

If i did the above then yes im aware this would increase the risk of killing someone - so i drive carefully to reduce the risks

Exactly, you make a risk assessment. You judge that the benefits of driving somewhere, even if just for pleasure, outweigh the risks of killing someone else, and you assess that drink driving would be too risky. Fair enough.

I took the view, now that vaccines have been widely rolled out, and that there were no CEV children whose immunity was suppressed in the small year group (small school where we all know each other), the risk was worth taking as I wanted to minimise the chance of the classes' hard work going to waste in the play they'd worked so hard (that was due to take place in a couple of days). I accept I may have made a poor call and understand why many posters are angry, but preventing Covid isn't the be and end all in life.