School contact tracing stopping from tomorrow

[UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername]

We got a message from the school this evening, saying that public health are going to stop working with schools from tomorrow, and there will no longer be contact tracing within schools.

Is it just me, or did that sneak up on us rather quietly?

I wasn't aware that this was ever a thing.

We didn't get a message from the school, but I'm aware of it. I didn't think that there will be zero contact tracing though. Close contacts who are asymptotic won't have to isolate. I thought that was it.

Asymptomatic... sorry!!

There hasn't been contact tracing in school since July when test and trace took it over. They've never been interested in school contacts round here.

Sorry. Didn't see this was in craicnet, my information is obviously wrong for you. Sorry

My son's school stopped this at the end of July (last week of term). Everything is back to normal so no bubbles and close contacts only isolate if told to by track & trace.

It was definitely a thing till friday. We've had various letters home about cases in the classes, including one last week that there was a case in DS's class but saying he didn't need to stay home because he wasn't a close contact.

The letter definitely said no contact tracing within the school, only outside it.

Test and trace isn't Ireland, which is where I'm talking about.

My DD's primary school has had three cases since the start of September. Not her class, but we got the notification that they were in the school. I'm not happy that it's going to completely stop. It seems very reckless.

Being honest anyone I've spoken to seem happy that it's happening. People seem to just want to learn to live with it and try get on with things.

@SparkyBlue

Being honest anyone I've spoken to seem happy that it's happening. People seem to just want to learn to live with it and try get on with things.

Yes. I'm sure most people in my DD's class feel the same. I still don't want her to catch it though and she's eleven.

Got email with updated guidelines from the school too but it still refers to Mandatory Hotel Quarantine which has been finished, so not so up to date after all

It does seem slightly mad.

No contact tracing in the school I work in or my dc school since we came back.
Once government announced there was no isolation of close contacts either double jabbed or under 18 in August, it hasn't happened in any schools round here.

Will schools still notify parents of cases in their child's classroom or is that stopping too?

@ineedanewbum I'm not sure how it will work now. I think people are fed up at this stage and it's still only September . Almost everyone I know has had a child miss days already for runny noses or whatever. Stuff that you'd have sent them to school with previously.

@ineedanewbum

Will schools still notify parents of cases in their child's classroom or is that stopping too?

It looks like we won't be told at all.

I agree that it needed to change as too many days are being missed and could stay happening over and over during the winter months with all the usual bugs.

However I'd still like to know if there's a case in the classroom as I could then decide to test my kids off my own back. Surely it would be good as lots of kids have vulnerable family members so could be a safety net in that way.

It seems mad that we will be told if there is a case of head lice in the class, but not a case of Covid 19.

@IsFuzzyBeagMise

It seems mad that we will be told if there is a case of head lice in the class, but not a case of Covid 19.

Absolutely. I just feel like there has been no logic or sense in restrictions or lifting of them in the last 6 months. Just seems to be about what makes it more convenient for the government or what makes the most profit rather than actually about health or making sense.

@ineedanewbum do you have someone very vulnerable in your household? I can totally understand you being anxious if that's the case. Maybe have a chat with the teacher or the school. They might be able to let you know if there are cases in the class.'

It was announced on Thursday or Friday and irate teachers unions in the news since.
My friend with DD in creche is thrilled. She's been home 2 weeks since term started and had so many Covid tests, all negative.

[quote SparkyBlue]@ineedanewbum do you have someone very vulnerable in your household? I can totally understand you being anxious if that's the case. Maybe have a chat with the teacher or the school. They might be able to let you know if there are cases in the class.'[/quote]
A vulnerable grandparent who is recovering from heart failure and pneumonia. And although the GP doesn't childmind or anything I suppose I just thought it would make sense that parents would know if there's a case so they can be extra careful in such situations. Although I do understand that this isn't really the schools issue so there's that. And it is a good thing that kids won't miss as much school and ease the pressure on parents when they have to isolateeither regards to work etc.

Hopefully this time next year we'll be back to relative normality and all these little niggles will be worked out 🤞

*isolate with regards to work that should read.

It's an absolute load of shite. There are 2 known cases in my class at present (symptomatic) and we are not allowed to notify parents at all. That includes some parents who are vulnerable due to health issues.

What's particularly ludicrous is that on one hand, we're being told that there's nothing to see here lads, kids don't transmit Covid in schools. On the other hand, schools have been told to double down on the handwashing/bubbles and pods/distancing etc. Surely if kids don't get Covid, there's no need to panic over Covid measures.

The govt want parents able to send kids in for childcare tbh and get the economy back up and running. Let's call a spade a spade. I'm happy enough to be teaching in my class - I'm vaxxed - but the dishonesty irritates me.

@SionnachRua

It's an absolute load of shite. There are 2 known cases in my class at present (symptomatic) and we are not allowed to notify parents at all. That includes some parents who are vulnerable due to health issues.

What's particularly ludicrous is that on one hand, we're being told that there's nothing to see here lads, kids don't transmit Covid in schools. On the other hand, schools have been told to double down on the handwashing/bubbles and pods/distancing etc. Surely if kids don't get Covid, there's no need to panic over Covid measures.

The govt want parents able to send kids in for childcare tbh and get the economy back up and running. Let's call a spade a spade. I'm happy enough to be teaching in my class - I'm vaxxed - but the dishonesty irritates me.

I'm glad you think so, Sionnach. I agree. I've heard that some schools are still notifying parents. I don't know if it's true or not. Are principals obliged to tell teachers?

I'm glad you think so, Sionnach. I agree. I've heard that some schools are still notifying parents. I don't know if it's true or not. Are principals obliged to tell teachers?

I'm not sure - I think not but as my principal was in touch reassuring us all that she'd tell us, it wasn't that relevant to me personally and I didn't look into it.

I do think having kids out for weeks at a time as close contacts wasn't working - it's not fair on them to miss so much school - but the secrecy around it all now doesn't sit right with me.