Lateral flows for younger children?

[Scoutingformygirls]

My DC were meant to be going on cub/scout camp in a few weeks but we've just had an email requesting that they take a lft before they travel and pack enough to be tested daily while there.

Neither have ever done an lft before as they are at primary school, and I thought they weren't meant for younger dc?

Are they accurate in younger children? Are younger dc meant to do them to themselves?

Traumatised? Were they done by you/your child or a health professional?

There's a particular tone going on on this thread isn't there?!

Thanks to those who have talked it through and helped iron out some of my thoughts.

To those who have some vested interest in noone ever querying anything....

To reiterate, my DC are completely new to lft. I have followed all guidance to this point and they have had pcrs performed by me when symptoms required. They have never tested alone, never used an lft and never been required to as they fall into the category of too young I was surprised to see the testing regime that is required as it is over and above anything required of me for eg going to work, and concerned as to how young children may manage it.

As for them being old enough to camp, who knows if they are? They've not had the chance due to restrictions and have had all preceeding residential and camps cancelled until now. They may be incapable of doing all that is required of them and this is an added issue.

It's completely reasonable for us all to want to understand and think through the constantly evolving requirements of existing in this pandemic, and nothing extreme or overly negative about discussing those concerns with peers.

For those who have absolutely no issue with anything this strange new world presents us with, congratulations. To those who tried to see what i wanted to talk through, thank you.

Maybe traumatised is bit strong. But they are deeply anxious about the whole process and we have had tears, screaming, panic, outright refusal. It has been very stressful. If I pushed it there would be trauma. I have always had to test them myself and I am quite patient. I have tried everything - but it has got to the point where it is not worth the upset and we have had to self isolate without testing. Just my experience, and I know all kids are different. Actually spoke to my gp about it and he was really sympathetic and said he had great difficulties with his own children. Appreciate the importance of testing, but like I said it would be a deal breaker for us and my kids wouldn't be able to go if that was a requirement..

I would think the leaders would supervise but not actually do the tests.

How long is the camp?

Lots of younger children have done LFTs, and PCRs too.

The process of getting the swab is exactly the same for LFT and PCR. Neither are dangerous or not advised, just do them with supervision at younger ages.

And if they can't do the throat swab as a valid alternative you can swab both nostrils instead, though lots of people, children included, prefer the throat to the nose anyway.

I'm afraid it's up to the scout camp if they want to implement testing. They may have more vulnerable people going too so it could help to reduce the risk for them. Plus younger people are increasingly catching Covid.

I'm afraid the children will have to make a choice:

Test daily and go.
Decline testing and stay home.

Yeah, they aren't pleasant to do but it's a very brief moment of discomfort. And most children will just get on with it, especially if with a bunch of friends all doing the same.

@3WildOnes

I find it pretty unpleasant. There is no way my children would be OK with daily testing. Luckily none of them have needed a test so far. I did get my oldest to do a lft once and there is no way he poked it far enough up to be accurate.

It actually doesn't need to be too deep. I had a couple. of my tests done in hospital by medical staff and they were nowhere near as deep into the throat or nose than I had done myself.

Still worked. Still came back positive.

If not done deep enough or properly to get enough sample the result would come back inconclusive.

I would try find out how from the camp exactly how they will be supervised and how much help they will have setting the test up. Then maybe get your kids to try one at home on their own, make an assessment and take it from there... really depends on the age and ability of the child. If they only do the nose, the test isn't very accurate (and lft isn't very accurate in the first place!) but it's a box ticking exercise for them and I suppose some testing is better than none.. provided your kids are happy to do it!

The instructions cover how to swab younger children. You’re able to do both nostrils instead of the throat and nostrils. My six year old has done them twice a week without complaint since March and understands it’s to help keep those around her safe. Children are pretty adaptable, it’s no different to taking nasty tasting medicine etc just approach it positively and don’t make them aware that you’re not on board with it. I’m not sure how easy it would be for a child to process the sample accurately though especially squeezing the liquid out of the swab properly. You don’t want it accidentally flicking around! I always do that bit for my child.

I can see why the volunteers would want this as part of the conditions. Not only to minimise risk to themselves but all the children they are responsible for.

I would think they’d need to heavily supervise as you need to set up the test first, not easy for say an 8yr old so I can understand your concern. Agree re the tone, makes me laugh really, some people hey? Hope you’re able to teach them so they can comfortably do their tests and enjoy their camp

@Abraxan I have also had it performed on me by medical professionals and I honestly found it so uncomfortable. I would much rather have a smear test than another COVID test. Maybe I have especially sensitive nostrils?! I have managed to give birth three times without any pain relief so I’m not normally such a wimp.

It depends on the child. I would maybe practice at home with them. You do the first one for them or do one on yourself and get them to do their own at the same time. See how they do. That's how we did it with our older primary children.

Interesting SpringRainbow - leaving it up to individual organisations to create policies is surely unfair as some will have relevant skills/experience or knowledge and others won't?

These organisations aren’t making the policies up themselves. The requirements to LFT children at camps, e.g. Scouts and Guides has been advised by the National Youth Agency who have been working with the government on behalf of youth organisations such as Scouts and Guides to work out how they can continue their activities within the current guidance.