Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Me & DH tested positive. How will kids get to school?

128 replies

Asvan · 05/01/2022 22:07

Hi,

My DH tested positive on Monday and since then I've been doing all the school and club rounds etc. Kids are aged 12, 10 & 5. They all go to different schools.

I tested positive just now and have no idea how I'm going to get the kids to school tomorrow (they are allowed to go in if they test negative on the lateral flow test every morning).

Me and DH have always done all the runs ourself and all the schools are quite a distance away. What can I do? Have schools been understanding about this? Also would it be awkward to ask another parents to take them especially as we both have Covid?

OP posts:
Caulidop · 06/01/2022 00:35

We were offered the option of dropping off in the car slightly later than normal, with a member of staff meeting our DD. Maybe an option for your youngest? But also ask around school friends.

gg12346 · 06/01/2022 00:55

You are breaking isolation rules ,if you are dropping them

saraclara · 06/01/2022 01:02

@gg12346

You are breaking isolation rules ,if you are dropping them
OP will never leave the confines of the car. Isolation is from other people. OP will never be in the presence of people outside her household. Front door to car - inside car - doors open to let kids out - inside car - car to front door.

Assuming that her house has a drive or parking immediately outside the house, how is she risking anyone?

Booklover3 · 06/01/2022 03:10

I wouldn’t send mine personally.

ToManySnacks · 06/01/2022 03:30

I would follow the rules
Which state :

Do not leave your house
Do not take your children to school, even in the car
Ring the school and explain the situation
They are more than likely going to become positive within the next few days anyway

workingtheusername · 06/01/2022 03:58

@Asvan

Thanks everyone, some good ideas there so will probably figure something out once I've tested them first thing in the morning.

I may have to resort to dropping the older two off in the car and let the youngest stay home. My kids dont like having days off for now so it's a really difficult one.

I'm feeling ok so far but DH has been quite bad with it.

Ignore the trolls. Sensible and safe solution hope you all feel better soon.
workingtheusername · 06/01/2022 03:59

@CoastalWave

Seriously???

You have Covid and you're willing to send your children into school?

Let me guess. You're fully vaccinated too and very anti those who haven't had their vaccines?

Keep them at home. It's actually idiots like you who are spreading covid. COMMON SENSE says keep the hatches shut and keep your front door closes until EVERYONE is all clear (you do know LFT aren't 100% accurate?!)

The problem is school is mandatory and government guidelines state children should attend.
Hotyogahotchoc · 06/01/2022 04:16

It does seem bonkers to me that the kids should go to school but I get that's what the current guidance says.

And why are PPs saying the children should sit in the back of the car wearing masks? Shouldn't OP be wearing a mask too?? And trying to not to spread it at home.

Ivyonafence · 06/01/2022 04:24

I think im a good friend but no way in hell would I agree to drive children living with an active Covid case in my car.

Would anyone seriously agree to that?

The responsible thing to do is to all stay home until you're clear. I can't believe how selfish people have become.

workingtheusername · 06/01/2022 04:42

@Hotyogahotchoc

It does seem bonkers to me that the kids should go to school but I get that's what the current guidance says.

And why are PPs saying the children should sit in the back of the car wearing masks? Shouldn't OP be wearing a mask too?? And trying to not to spread it at home.

Presumably the children are with op in the house so can't see what masks in the car is doing
Hotyogahotchoc · 06/01/2022 04:52

Presumably the children are with op in the house so can't see what masks in the car is doing

I agree but a few PPs have said die kids to wear masks in the back if they car with windows open...

imsanehonest · 06/01/2022 05:13

@Oblahdeeoblahdoe

The DC don't have to stay at home but you should not leave the house to take them to school. Schools have a 'Covid related ' code so it won't be an unauthorised absence. Most schools will send work home but don't worry if you are too ill to support them.
Schools don't have a Covid related code any more. From the day a child gets a positive result it is now marked down as any other illness absence. As per government guidelines. A child will only get a 'Covid' absence mark if they have gone for a PCR and while they wait for the results.

I work in a school and only found this out last term when parents complained when they got absence warning letters - they had been keeping their children off when they had Covid, thinking they would get a 'Covid' mark when the amount of illness absence (coupled with other odd days off) actually triggered an attendance warning. It's all wrong but nothing as a school that we can do.

Okbutnotgreat · 06/01/2022 05:54

Drop them off in the car. All wear masks and keep windows open and it will be no worse than getting a bus or train with who knows what and less ventilation. You’re all living in the same house anyway so do what you can, what else can you do.

pompomsgalore · 06/01/2022 05:58

I wouldn't want to take any children in my car whose parents have Covid but I'd happily walk them to school in the fresh air.

FourTeaFallOut · 06/01/2022 07:29

@pompomsgalore

I wouldn't want to take any children in my car whose parents have Covid but I'd happily walk them to school in the fresh air.
That's your choice but your child will still be sat in the same room as this kid all day if the op fulfills her legal obligation to get him or her to school in the absence of symptoms or a positive result.
kkr168 · 06/01/2022 08:25

My husband tested positive on Friday, the rest of us had negative lft's, I'm triple jabbed so as allowed carried on as normal. Spent Saturday with SIL at her house, she knew dh had covid.
The next morning (Sunday) myself & 1 year old were testing positive, yesterday SIL tested positive. I had clearly given it to her whilst testing negative!
After both of us testing positive we took the decision not to send dh son to college, he is in a special needs class with vulnerable children, it's just not worth the risk.
As it is myself & baby have only had a runny nose, I also have some sores on my tongue but perfectly fine otherwise. DH was very Ill for 24 hours with fever, muscle aches, headache, congested, but symptoms eased with 24 hours. SIL is currently very Ill, similar symptoms to DH so hoping her symptoms pass soon too.

Frazzled2207 · 06/01/2022 08:37

@pompomsgalore

I wouldn't want to take any children in my car whose parents have Covid but I'd happily walk them to school in the fresh air.
Normally I’d agree but there are an awful lot of families around who’ve literally just had it so I imagine they will be flexible I would be
TenoringBehind · 06/01/2022 09:14

I would take the secondary age child in the car and drop off at a slight distance from the school.

Whether or not I’d take the others would depend on whether or not they were happy being dropped off and walking in on their own. The 5yo maybe has more direct physical contact with you than the others?

Most important thing is that you don’t leave the car. Of course you could break down, have an accident etc….

middleager · 06/01/2022 09:36

My son, 15, went to school when his brother and I had Covid. This was Govt policy and school policy, that he be in school. My husband or other son did not catch Covid from us, even when DH drove us individually yo be tested.

I suggest the 12 year old gets the bus, the other two stay home.

Marmite17 · 06/01/2022 22:12

Myself and other contacts have had low level symptoms but all tested negative. For me was resting ill but OK with easy cooking for about a 2 days.
Think Lateral Flow tests do not pick up on low viral load.

Marmite17 · 06/01/2022 22:14

Wasn't a normal cold. More like a short burst of mild flu

isitnewyearyet · 06/01/2022 22:16

Give the schools a call and ask for advice.

5zeds · 06/01/2022 22:28

I’d just keep them at home

Justrealised · 06/01/2022 22:34

We had similar, me, my dh and my youngest son tested positive. I also have an older child at high school who was negative. Me and dh were Ill and at one point definitely wouldn’t have been able to drive even if allowed. We spoke to the school and pointed out that if our eldest started to show symptoms during the school day we wouldn’t have been able to collect him and he wouldn’t be able to get the bus. School let him do remote working.

I hope you all stay well and recover quickly.

saraclara · 06/01/2022 22:50

We spoke to the school and pointed out that if our eldest started to show symptoms during the school day we wouldn’t have been able to collect him

Now that is the tack to take! Make it clear that they will be inconvenienced and put at risk if he comes in and it turns out that he has picked it up..