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Covid

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Original poster

DD identified as close contact at school, guidance please!

20 replies

MumbleCrumbs · 10/09/2021 15:24

Have been informed today that my 6yo DD has been classed as a close contact at school and we need to give her a PCR test. However she has Sen and short of holding her down she will refuse to be tested. What do I do in this situation as they are now meant to go in even while they await their test results. Thanks!

OP posts:

dementedpixie · 10/09/2021 15:26

Would she tolerate just swabbing her nose?

justdotherightthing · 10/09/2021 15:26

It's only advice, not mandatory.

There is no requirement to do the test. Under 18s do not have to isolate if they are a close contact and the test is only advice.

justdotherightthing · 10/09/2021 15:28

The new LFTs are just nose swabs (no more throat required). Maybe she would tolerate a new style LFT as a compromise, seeing as there is no requirement to test at all.

HollyBollyBooBoo · 10/09/2021 15:29

I don't think you need to, i.e it's not a legal requirement so if you think it's going to be that distressing don't do it.

dementedpixie · 10/09/2021 15:29

The old style could be done with just a nasal swab too; it says so in the instructions

Notonthestairs · 10/09/2021 15:31

I'd try swabbing the nose. DD (LD & ASD) can just about tolerate that - I let her do it herself and make lots of bogey jokes which she thinks is hilarious.

Otherwise ring school and tell them it can't be done.

toomuchlaundry · 10/09/2021 15:32

Can you tell school that she can't take the test.

DS's school have said they need a negative test if they are a contact, if they don't test they need to isolate at home

trevthecat · 10/09/2021 15:33

Our 3 Yr old had one this morning, the staff at the testing centre said we could get him to blow his nose and wipe the swab in the snot on the tissue 🤢 we did that. He was beside himself crying and shaking after remembering the last one he had

TwoLeftElbows · 10/09/2021 16:18

My son is autistic, very sensory round his mouth, and just turned 12. He's been doing LFTs regularly for months. We figured he probably will have to do them at some point and it would be better to go through the learning curve/getting used to them while he's well and has more capacity to cope with it. The first couple were difficult but with special sweets and lots of understanding he has adapted quickly. Same with a couple of other friends with SEN. My son does nose only, the others don't. It costs me a fortune in the special sweets mind!

Original poster

MumbleCrumbs · 10/09/2021 17:31

The school have said they can't force parents to test and as long as she doesn't have symptoms then it isn't compulsory. It is true though that it will probably be eventually required she does this so maybe it does make sense to make every effort to get her used to taking them.
We're only four days into term here!

OP posts:

Original poster

MumbleCrumbs · 12/09/2021 09:55

DD has come down with a sore throat so it looks like we'll need to send off for a pcr. However I know she will not allow us to test her. She will scream and fight if I try as that what happened before and I tried everything. I don't know what to do as I can't keep her home for ten days every time she gets poorly, but neither can I risk infecting others with covid! I categorically refuse to pin her down to test her forcefully. She has hospital trauma and I can't do it to her.

OP posts:

Hercisback · 12/09/2021 09:56

Would you be able to nostril swab her in her sleep?

Original poster

MumbleCrumbs · 12/09/2021 09:58

We tried that the first time and she woke up really upset .

OP posts:

Original poster

MumbleCrumbs · 12/09/2021 10:01

If I tried getting her to blow her nose in tissue and swabbing that, would that void the accuracy completely? Because that's the only way I can see her doing it (though she doesn't have a runny nose at the moment).

OP posts:

SirVixofVixHall · 12/09/2021 10:09

If you all test positive this time, then that maybe gives you a few months grace where she can’t catch it again ? If the rest of you are positive and she has symptoms even if v mild, then that is overwhelmingly likely to be what she has and she isn’t likely to get it again for a while.
Longer term I don’t know, other than gentle persuasion over time with rewards.

CarrieBlue · 12/09/2021 10:13

Send her in. She’ll probably never show symptoms so even if positive no one will ever know.

SirVixofVixHall · 12/09/2021 10:38

@CarrieBlue

Send her in. She’ll probably never show symptoms so even if positive no one will ever know.

So she can give it to many other families ?

CarrieBlue · 12/09/2021 10:55

@SirVixofVixHall - that’s what the government says. People can’t be bothered to wear a mask or socially distance because they don’t have to, they don’t have to stay off school either.

It’s utterly bonkers btw, but that’s what we’re supposed to do.

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 12/09/2021 12:11

@CarrieBlue

Send her in. She’ll probably never show symptoms so even if positive no one will ever know.

I’ve not read anything that says if you have symptoms to not bother testing and go to school or work regardless.

CarrieBlue · 12/09/2021 12:18

@IceCreamAndCandyfloss - I hadn’t noticed the update but regardless, sore throat isn’t an official Covid symptom, so still no requirement for a test.

To be perfectly clear, I think the whole thing is stupid, of course the OPs DD should stay at home, of course the family should isolate, but that is not what we are being directed to do.

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