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Original poster

Going back to school .

306 replies

Sallydimebar · 28/12/2021 21:23

Feeling really uneasy on DS 12 returning to school , Just feel this omicron is going to rip through and although I’m told it’s mild 2 people currently with covid are vomiting, stomach pain and feeling dreadful , barely moving out of bed. I’m thinking it’s probably omicron they’ve got .
I feel with out the vaccine I’m sending him in with no protection. Not feeling 100% on the jab but don’t want the risk of long covid and he really seems to suffer quite badly with illness . He had it in October was quite poorly with it , can’t get jab till end of jan . Was poorly 2 weeks ago with headache and temp for four days then cough lft negative . Just don’t want another 8/10 days of omicron . It’s being described as highly contagious so very likely to be in school again in jan .

Are parents going to lft kids twice a week (if test-kit available as I can’t get hold of any at moment) ? Not heard about masks yet , but they were only needed in corridors not in class .

Was hoping if you had delta maybe that would protect you for a bit, if he had antibodies but I’ve read delta gives you no protection from omicron.

Really don’t want schools shut again and so vital for his mental health to be with his peers as well as education.

OP posts:
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5
DemBonesDemBones · 29/12/2021 13:22

Giving myself a stern RTFT, sorry!

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 29/12/2021 13:22

We'll make a decision nearer the time. My youngest will be in the group of 5-11 year olds who are eligible for vaccination but we don't know when that will be.

Covidworries · 29/12/2021 13:22

@remmy123

No i havent taken them old for flu but seeing as we recieved shielding letter as high risk of covid and that in normal times i feel confident about getting good level of hospital care when needed i havent had the need to remove from school. But this is a slightly more extreme situation. If my child was to need medical support for covid highly likely as this was both on shielding letter and said by doctor if numbers are high and rising there is less chance of them getting the care they need. So in sept when pediatric hospitalisations were much lower the gair to risk ratio was much more in favour of gains of being in school. Right now the data is incomplete but the potential risk in our situation is the risk outweigh the gain.
If data is more complete at end of january we may change our view and return to school then.

plm456 · 29/12/2021 13:29

My son caught covid (I'm guessing omicron judging by the spread through school and we're near London) in the last week of school. He received his second vaccination and was wearing masks in lessons. I think it's sadly inevitable.

That said, he felt absolutely fine (in fact, was desperate to use our gym which I said no to as we were trying to keep him away from the rest of us). Lots of my friends (triple vaxxed) have had it too recently.

My son is taking his A levels this year so I wouldn't have kept him off school even though covid cases were high. Of his friends, no one felt ill for more than a few days and most were asymptomatic.

plm456 · 29/12/2021 13:34

To add, appreciate your son hasn't been vaccinated but only a tiny proportion of kids end up in hospital.

qwertypoiuy · 29/12/2021 13:38

I'm also felling very uneasy about schools reopening as there are 1) high number of cases going around 2) lack of immunity even if you had it 3) risk of long covid for adults and children 4) not even possible to vaccinate younger children 5) schools not being supported in getting air filters / better ventilation for classrooms in the winter months 6) a view that masks are not needed, while it would be safest to recommend them in the classrooms too. Last term there were already many classes closed as staff was ill, so that it is also likely to happen again.

neveradullmoment99 · 29/12/2021 13:42

@qwertypoiuy

I'm also felling very uneasy about schools reopening as there are 1) high number of cases going around 2) lack of immunity even if you had it 3) risk of long covid for adults and children 4) not even possible to vaccinate younger children 5) schools not being supported in getting air filters / better ventilation for classrooms in the winter months 6) a view that masks are not needed, while it would be safest to recommend them in the classrooms too. Last term there were already many classes closed as staff was ill, so that it is also likely to happen again.
This. I am really shocked that more are not furious at the government's clear inaction in schools. They don't give a shit about children.
PastMyBestBeforeDate · 29/12/2021 13:42

Was that to me @plm456? He's eligible because of an immunosuppressed household member.

plm456 · 29/12/2021 13:52

No it was in reply to the OP

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 29/12/2021 13:52

OK :)

plm456 · 29/12/2021 13:54

No worries. I was trying to be vaguely reassuring about the concern about kids catching covid. Perhaps I didn't entirely succeed ;)

Blubells · 29/12/2021 14:02

* I* am really shocked that more are not furious at the government's clear inaction in schools. They don't give a shit about children.

I think by (hopefully) keeping schools open the Government do care about children.

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 29/12/2021 14:02

No, you're right. Most of my teenager's friends have recovered quickly and well from their encounters with covid.

Blubells · 29/12/2021 14:03

I would be furious at the Government if they forced schools to close!

DolphinFC · 29/12/2021 14:25

By allowing people out on NYE whilst the number of infections is rising it makes it more likely not less likely that schools, either individually or all together, will close towards the end of January.

cantkeepawayforever · 29/12/2021 14:37

I think by (hopefully) keeping schools open the Government do care about children.

If they really cared about children's EDUCATION, they would consider the health of their teachers as well, by attemptiong to make their workplaces a tiny bit safer.

But no....

So yes, your child might physically be in the school building. Taught by their regular specialised teachers - less likely, unfortunately. Particularly an issue for e.g. A level students who require those specialists.

cantkeepawayforever · 29/12/2021 14:49

I am not asking for schools to close.

Pretty much all other close-contact face to face workplaces have guidance about mask wearing, distancing / restricted occupancy, ventilation, screens etc - while interacting principally with vaccinated members of the public.

I'd like to feel that at least as much effort, thought and investment is being put into making schools as safe as they can be as has been put into other workplaces, especially as primary schools in particular involve prolonged close contact with an unvaccinated population.

Blubells · 29/12/2021 15:02

By allowing people out on NYE whilst the number of infections is rising it makes it more likely not less likely that schools, either individually or all together, will close towards the end of January.

End of January? Isn't the incubation period 2-3 days for omicron? With any luck they'll be back at school/work by the 10th! Fingers crossed 🤞

Sherrytriflestrull · 29/12/2021 15:06

@cantkeepawayforever

I am not asking for schools to close.

Pretty much all other close-contact face to face workplaces have guidance about mask wearing, distancing / restricted occupancy, ventilation, screens etc - while interacting principally with vaccinated members of the public.

I'd like to feel that at least as much effort, thought and investment is being put into making schools as safe as they can be as has been put into other workplaces, especially as primary schools in particular involve prolonged close contact with an unvaccinated population.

Hear hear.

The government do not care about children. If they did they would have put investment into keeps schools, children and staff as safe as possible so they are more likely to be able to open and run as normal.

A politician standing up saying 'we are prioritising schools' when actually they are doing absolutely nothing means nothing!

CallmeHendricks · 29/12/2021 15:08

"With any luck they'll be back at school/work by the 10th!"

What? Have you ANY idea how transmission works?

SaussageRollPuzzle · 29/12/2021 15:17

Ah, we have those highly strung Mumsnet teachers out again. Moaning about their work. How predictable Xmas Biscuit

Sherrytriflestrull · 29/12/2021 15:18

@SaussageRollPuzzle

Ah, we have those highly strung Mumsnet teachers out again. Moaning about their work. How predictable Xmas Biscuit
What a treat you are.

Not moaning, being realistic.

CallmeHendricks · 29/12/2021 15:24

@SaussageRollPuzzle

Ah, we have those highly strung Mumsnet teachers out again. Moaning about their work. How predictable Xmas Biscuit
Who? Can you be specific about exactly which posters are moaning about their work?
gogohm · 29/12/2021 15:25

Looking forward to ours going back, they are older, university aged, and I will be dropping them back next week! One was angling for staying here so I can supervise online learning, err no.

DolphinFC · 29/12/2021 15:28

I don't see teachers here moaning about any aspect of teaching.

Many teachers have concerns about the lack of mitigations in the classroom.