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Covid

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Original poster

Taking positive child out in the car

29 replies

BrutusMcDogface · 13/01/2022 09:26

Is it ok for someone to take their covid positive child out in the car, to take siblings to school? Even if they don’t get out of the car at all? Adults and other children all testing negative on lateral flows and don’t need to isolate.

I’m thinking it’s probably not allowed.....

OP posts:

gingeristhenewblack43 · 13/01/2022 09:55

Probably not allowed, but I would. Similarly if I was positive and my DD negative I'd take her to school in the car and drop her at the gate without getting out of the car myself.

My only concern would be if my car broke down and I had to get assistance.

Mindymomo · 13/01/2022 10:03

It is illegal for anyone to leave their house who has covid, unless for medical reasons, but then again those telling us this seem to have other rules. We all have to do what we consider necessary.

Katie517 · 13/01/2022 11:54

Sorry if this sounds harsh but use your common sense if they come into contact with no one the risk is nothing! Therefore it’s fine also how else are you going to get the other children to school. We really need to move on from asking for permission for everything, who do you think is going to stop you from doing this?!

PineappleWilson · 13/01/2022 11:57

I was negative before my DC and I wondered about this, whether I could drive them to a car park whilst I nipped into a shop. I decided against it in case we had a bump in the car or if there was a problem with the kids in the car. Someone approaching the car wouldn't know there were positive people in it, which wouldn't be fair.

skgnome · 13/01/2022 12:02

It’s a very grey area… technically they shouldn’t leave the house… then again if they are not in contact with anyone (don’t leave the car) it’s not an issue
Risk asses it - what’s the bigger risk, leave the child alone in the house vs car breaking down and child will be in contact with others / child alone in house, you car breaks down, child needs to stay longer alone…

stitchmaker85 · 13/01/2022 12:09

You have to take them out in the car to get a PCR test so I would, it's the same risk for a necessary purpose

LetsGoFlyAKiteee · 13/01/2022 12:13

If that's the only way to get them to school don't have much of a choice.
Know different circumstances but you're allowed to leave the house for various reasons going by the NHS guidance such as a funeral which could all involve cars breaking down so no different in a way.

Footnote · 13/01/2022 12:16

If you bring wine and cheese it’s fine.

BlueSky8 · 13/01/2022 12:17

Not leaving the car then absolutely fine.
You won't be the first or last to do it.

Aria999 · 13/01/2022 12:23

It's ok if you're going to an outdoor party at Downing Street.

ineedsun · 13/01/2022 12:24

I’m the only driver in the house and all the buses are on strike.

I take my son to college and work in the car (big van), he’s in the back I’m in the front with windows open and mask on.

Things are bad enough as it is, without him missing out on college and losing a job.

Mokoloko · 13/01/2022 12:24

This was what I was going to do for my eldest when my youngest was positive but then my eldest tested positive before we could try it out!
But I don't see any problem in it, they are staying in the car

Whitefire · 13/01/2022 12:25

If the other children have to get to school then there is no alternative option.

IHaveToSay · 13/01/2022 12:26

We did. There was no other way round it.

Blue565 · 13/01/2022 12:29

Sometimes, what’s legal and what’s practical/required do not line up

Sallydimebar · 13/01/2022 12:32

Probably only need to do it today and tomorrow till siblings test positive after spreading it round class.

liveforsummer · 13/01/2022 12:36

How old is the dc and how old long is the school run? I'd consider leaving them at home briefly depending on the answer to these 2 things. Otherwise, no it's not allowed but people will do what they have to. Agree dc will probably test positive by Monday though so won't be an issue for a few days

daisyjgrey · 13/01/2022 12:40

As long as it's under 25 minutes and two of you are wearing something which classes as work wear, you'll be fine.

treeflowercat · 13/01/2022 12:52

Surely you just apply some common sense here and take the positive child along with you! I'm surprised there are so many who seem determined to follow so rules fanatically!

The Covid risk here isn't the positive child, it's the other children. All the LFTs mean is that none of you swabbed enough virus for the test to turn positive. They are pretty accurate but far from 100%. They could be infectious and the test just didn't pick it up, or they may become infectious during the day, but that's just life...

Chances of your positive child being responsible for transmitting Covid in the circumstances you describe = virtually zero

Chances of the rest of your children transmitting Covid despite testing = moderately high.

It's like worrying about whether the skimmed milk you put in your tea will make you fat, whilst eating a big slab of cake.

mangoandraspberries · 13/01/2022 12:55

Agree with previous comments - use common sense. Ultimately sending your other children to school with a covid positive person at home is a far bigger risk than taking your covid positive child in the car. But important they don't miss out on education any more, so I understand why this is done.

treeflowercat · 13/01/2022 12:56

@liveforsummer

Surely if the child was old, well and responsible enough to be left at home the OP would be doing that already?!

If not, then obviously the risk of leaving a child who's not old, well or responsible enough to be left at home FAR ourweighs the risk of taking them in the car, and potentially is a FAR more serious legal matter (in the very unlikely event it should it ever come to that).

liveforsummer · 13/01/2022 12:59

Surely if the child was old, well and responsible enough to be left at home the OP would be doing that already?!

Not necessarily- people have widely varying opinions on these things and especially if it's her eldest may have been something simply not considered. We know they are both school age

Sallydimebar · 13/01/2022 13:02

A bit of common sense would be just keep siblings home for 2 days . Take it you are staying home with positive child anyway .

Guidelines say if positive case in household others work from home if possible or wear mask and keep distance when out , if siblings in primary doubt they will be doing that .

A positive case should not be leaving the house you can get a pcr delivered and post box should be in walking distance .

Scottishgirl85 · 13/01/2022 13:04

At this stage, common sense must prevail. That would seem very low risk to me. The risk of your other children (as contacts) being in school is far greater, and that is allowed per guidance.

Original poster

BrutusMcDogface · 13/01/2022 13:24

@Footnote

If you bring wine and cheese it’s fine.

🤣🤣🤣

OP posts:

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