Parents should stop doing lateral flows on their kids unless they're actually unwell

[onlytuesday]

Unpopular opinion perhaps, let's see!

I have a child in year 6, 10 days left of school. Really want her to have a good ending and be able to do all the leavers stuff planned next week but terrified of getting that ping from school!

Given that next week the government are basically saying f* it, would it be unreasonable for parents to stop doing lateral flows unless their child is clearly unwell, in order to keep as many of them in school as possible til the end of term?

If your child is unwell, you should get a PCR. That is not what lateral flow tests are meant for.

I thought primary kids were too young for LFTs?

I am doing them on my secondary DC as requested, but I understand your point of view for sure. I have the feeling there aren't many DC at our high school doing them now.

Isn't the point to pick up those with no symptoms
Some parents will test some won't
Not sure of the point of the thread really some people will continue to follow the guidelines others won't 🤷‍♀️

LFTs are to pick up infection in people who are symptomless,

So would be pretty pointless parents doing them on unwell children.

I have a child in year 6, 10 days left of school. Really want her to have a good ending and be able to do all the leavers stuff planned next week but terrified of getting that ping from school!

The problem with that attitude is that there is still the chance of her being off if one of her bubble is unwell and has a positive PCR test.

in order to keep as many of them in school as possible til the end of term?

so what you want is that people without symptom go undetected?

Year 6 aren’t doing LFTs are they?

Anyone with symptoms shouldn't be doing a LFT but getting a PCR.

I thought it was just secondary students who had to do the twice weekly LFTs (not that many here are doing them any more)

Only primary parents are supposed to do LFT tests secondary age is parents and children. Also if they have symptoms it's a PCR not LFT.

You seem oddly uninformed about LFT so it's odd you felt strongly enough about them to start a thread about it.

But the point of them is that children especially can be asymptomatic.

We did LF on our 8 yo for the first time on Sunday because her school has that many cases(most bubbles closed) school asked us to as an important measure so they could keep school open. I felt awful doing it so wouldn't do it otherwise. The thing is your child may not have symptoms but unwittingly pass it on to another child who could be very ill

In answer to your actual question, OP. Yes, if your primary goal is to keep school open for the leaver’s events then stopping testing would be advantageous.

Basically you want your child in school for the last week so no one should test their kids?

What a great idea, not. Lfts have picked up 4 cases in my older daughters year that would have been missed last week. I’m sure the vulnerable parents and teachers would really love your attitude just so your child enjoys their last week.

My year 6 daughter is currently self isolating and I’m not expecting her to be in school much when it ends on Friday. Yes it’s sad they miss out but I’d rather do our bit to stop it spreading.

Tbh lots of pupils will be missing the last week because of self-isolating and school bubbles being sent home. The numbers are so high atm. Your fantasy leavers' events won't happen anyway.

Absolutely my opinion. Also have a child in year 6 that was desperate to stay in school however we got that ping yesterday. DC is gutted and I'm gutted for them that they're missing out on all the fun of the last part of the year.

I've never tested any of my kids, primary nor secondary and will ne fuming if my middle one misses his last few days of school because some muppets are still testing

@thenakedmolerat

I've never tested any of my kids, primary nor secondary and will ne fuming if my middle one misses his last few days of school because some muppets are still testing

I mean never mind the vulnerable adults and children🙄

Great way to show you don't understand what LFTs are actually for 🤦‍♀️

As others have said, you use a PCR test if you have any symptoms...

The problem is, if symptomless child spread the virus, the children who caught it may not always be symptomless. So, if the virus is in school, it may not go according to your plan.

I don't test 8yo DS. I do LFT on myself for work, no need to go through the whole rigmarole with DS too as if Delta variant is so contagious then it's safe to assume if either one of us gets it then the other will too.

@onlytuesday

Unpopular opinion perhaps, let's see!

I have a child in year 6, 10 days left of school. Really want her to have a good ending and be able to do all the leavers stuff planned next week but terrified of getting that ping from school!

Given that next week the government are basically saying f* it, would it be unreasonable for parents to stop doing lateral flows unless their child is clearly unwell, in order to keep as many of them in school as possible til the end of term?

Do you even have a child, OP?

In England LFT's are for secondary schools so Yr 7 up.

PCR's are for children/adults that have symptoms.

LFT are actually more accurate when someone has symptoms than when they don’t. It is not as if they suddenly stop working when someone gets a cough! I do realise that you should get a PCR if you have symptoms though.