School Illness in These Times

[noTAGlove]

So my teenage school heads back to school. Immediately half the school (including my son) picks up some cold, cough and/or sore throat because they haven’t mingled in months.

My son picks up a cold and by Monday had a persistent cough. Ok, we’ll keep him off school and get him a COVID test. No chance of that over the 2 days we try.

His cough goes away, so he goes back to school on Wednesday. He comes home and tells me there are kids in the class snorting, coughing and spluttering.

Then his cough comes back again. You can’t get a test, so you either have to keep your kid off for 2 weeks, or send them back to school.

We’re trying our best, but it is no easy.


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[JasonM]

It’s mad isn’t it, my wife has a cold, coughing and sneezing and sniffing but nothing out of the ordinary and in past times wouldn’t think anything of it, she is only scheduled to go to the office one day a week but was told not to come in as it ‘would freak the
other people out’ according to her boss.

[SimonH]

Same experience here only we did manage to get a test surprisingly, which was negative (which I would have bet on).

[Bootsy]

Same here, picked my lad up Thursday - (he’s 11
on Sunday) - terrible cough all night, slightly elevated temp.

Managed to get him tested Friday and result came back negative today

we were fortunate to get a test and results so quickly otherwise following he’d have been off school, I’d have been self isolating as would my partner

[oldoakknives]

Can’t really see the point you’re making here to be honest? What would make these scenarios better for you?
Perhaps if there was no virus then everything would be easier. But there is.

[noTAGlove]

What would make these scenarios better for you?

The ability to get a symptomatic son a test might be quite good.

[wileeeeeey]

The ability to get a symptomatic son a test might be quite good.

Not too much to ask is it?

[murkeywaters]

Same situation with my son, although he sneezed and was sent out of class to the medical room, there he sat with lots of other kids coughing and generally looking rough, school called me and I picked him up..

Couple days off and no chance of a test we call the school, they say sneezing isn’t a sign of COVID so he shouldn’t be off school, I say you sent him home for sneezing!!
They just palmed it off and I get the impression they don’t really know what to do.

Crazy times..

[Stilgoe1972]

Colds are ripping through my daughters class at the moment. It’s that season. Teachers should be tested each week not every sneezy kid.
The kids missed out on 40% of the teaching last year too. Parents became teachers whilst teachers topped up tans. I’m surprised they went back in September as I presumed the teaching unions were going to step in again and block it.


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[oldoakknives]

The ability to get a symptomatic son a test might be quite good.

Fair enough, if you need a test then you should be able to get one pretty quickly, perhaps there is a high demand at the moment. I guess the only other option is to isolate for 10 days according to guidance.

[noTAGlove]

perhaps there is a high demand at the moment.

I think that is an understatement. Have you been watching the national news?

[oldoakknives]

I think that is an understatement. Have you been watching the national news?

Yes, but you seemed surprised about the difficulty in getting a test.

[noTAGlove]

Yes, but you seemed surprised about the difficulty in getting a test.

Perhaps there is high demand at the moment.


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[ach5]

Then his cough comes back again. You can’t get a test, so you either have to keep your kid off for 2 weeks, or send them back to school.

Plus everyone else in the household must also isolate and stay home; don’t forget that. I know of at least one set of self employed parents being ruined by this.

Apparently only 1 in 10 people who are told to isolate actually are isolating. Another reason to wear a mask and touch nothing when out and about.

PS, don’t start a post or a sentence with ‘so’ (you’re spending too much time around teenagers!!)

PPS https://www.gov.uk/government/public...n=backtoschool

[Lammylee]

My daughter was in school for 2 weeks before the entire year 11 and 10 were sent back home to isolate for 2 weeks because a pupil in each year had been tested positive. At home it’s like looking after a caged tiger!

[Phil Lee]

One girl in my daughter’s year 8 class tested positive after being off since Monday. On Thursday we got the call that her class now has to self isolate for 2 weeks (backdated) and had to pick her up. My daughter was one of 8 identified as having no close contact but because there was PE lesson during the period the school decided to send the whole class home. At least they are well set up to teach via Teams. My daughter had school work to do within a couple of hours of getting home.

[Boss13]

This must be going on nationwide at the moment. My son came home with a high temperature around 10 days ago. He also had a stuffy, runny nose and sneezing. We were sure it as not COVID, but he is too young to be tested. The next development came last week when we were told a teacher in the next class tested positive, so the particular 'bubble' she came in contact with would isolate. I don't think they have isolated the whole class but not 100% sure as my son is not in that class.

The next 3-4 months are going to be tricky for all families with children in school, university, etc. There is no easy solution!

[JasonM]

I presume that parents who both work, not from home, are going to run into problems at work if they have to stay at home because their kids are isolating.

[Onelasttime]

I give it to October half term before the whole thing collapses and we're back to teaching at home. It's an absolute joke at the moment.

[ach5]

I presume that parents who both work, not from home, are going to run into problems at work if they have to stay at home because their kids are isolating.

Those in contracted employment will be mostly protected, but will likely have to use up their annual allowance of annual leave, unless they have *very* generous employers.

Self employed parents are going to be in big trouble.

[ryanb741]

TBH I know a now retired chap who used to be a Partner at KPMG specifically working with the government and he still has some contacts at Whitehall. His take from what he hears is that schools will be the last places to shut. They'll shut everything else first.

Obviously this is anecdote but thought I'd share anyway.

[KingKitega]

The government position is that children are less likely to get infected, and that they are not as infectious. Is this correct? From what I read, this is despite viral loads in children are similar (if not higher) to levels in adults. Does anyone have links to papers that give definitive proof that children are just as infectious?

I've kept both my kids out of school since the start of the new school year. My daughter has a heart & lung condition which though not on the official list of medical exemptions, we feel it best to err on the side of caution and continue homeschooling. Today we received a written warning that this cannot go on indefinitely and if we don't come into school and see how 'safe' the school is and send our kids back into school, there will be legal consequences... which presumably means fines/court orders.





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[chrisparker]

My youngest was in school 2 days before being sent home with a runny nose. I’d just got to work and had to leave to look after the poorly child.

School said they’d twice checked her temperature and it was fine but as a precaution they send her home anyway. The following day I sent her back to school as she’s fine.

This week it’s cold and pissing down and the kids aren’t allowed to do PE inside, so they get piss wet through and cold, and then go inside but can’t get warm because all the doors and windows have to be open. So it’s fine if they get hypothermia and pneumonia as long as they don’t spread Covid.

[Brighty]

Confirmed case of covid in my kids school. The whole of nursery and reception years have to stay home for 2 weeks. Won't be long before it spreads to other year groups due to siblings etc

[thieuster]

The government position is that children are less likely to get infected, and that they are not as infectious. Is this correct? From what I read, this is despite viral loads in children are similar (if not higher) to levels in adults. Does anyone have links to papers that give definitive proof that children are just as infectious?

I've kept both my kids out of school since the start of the new school year. My daughter has a heart & lung condition which though not on the official list of medical exemptions, we feel it best to err on the side of caution and continue homeschooling. Today we received a written warning that this cannot go on indefinitely and if we don't come into school and see how 'safe' the school is and send our kids back into school, there will be legal consequences... which presumably means fines/court orders.





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As a teacher and school's vice-principal, I'm absolutely on your side when it comes to homeschooling a child with a heart & lung condition! Those 'who can come in vs who stays at home'-rule is only a rough guideline. Not a personalized one. What does her doctor say about this? When her doctor's advice tips the balance towards you, there's less chance that you'll be fined. Authorities aren't medically schooled.

Apart from that: I was homeschooled when I was young. My parents moved a lot from town to town and my parents didn't see a good reason why I should visit a school and then move on within 9 - 12 months to another spot. When I remember correctly, I moved between Flanders and The Netherlands 6 times in 5 yrs. Ultimately, when I started visiting a 'normal' school, I hadn't missed anything. Homeschooling appeals to parents' responsibility for proper education. My mom had to come up with a curriculum that she'd figured out herself. Nowadays (Dutch situation) one can apply for online support. E.g. expats with children wanting to return to the Netherlands during the school year can start a 'Dutch' school year before they return, giving the kids a 'soft landing' once they start on a Dutch school. Same goes for parents + kids wanting to travel the world with a yacht.

When you make sure that your child is eductated by you and prove it in court, things will be easier for you as well. Make sure, that when the school is reluctant to help you with homeschooling (because they think you should bring her to school), to keep record and a dossier over what has been said and written. Don't get cornered by the system.

Menno

[Alansmithee]

The government position is that children are less likely to get infected, and that they are not as infectious. Is this correct? From what I read, this is despite viral loads in children are similar (if not higher) to levels in adults. Does anyone have links to papers that give definitive proof that children are just as infectious?

I've kept both my kids out of school since the start of the new school year. My daughter has a heart & lung condition which though not on the official list of medical exemptions, we feel it best to err on the side of caution and continue homeschooling. Today we received a written warning that this cannot go on indefinitely and if we don't come into school and see how 'safe' the school is and send our kids back into school, there will be legal consequences... which presumably means fines/court orders.

The law allows homeschooling but your problem is it does not allow it both ways - you need to deregister them from the school - as it legally stands them, you are not home schooling them, you are keeping them from school. The school currently is obligated to follow this up.

(There is a slightly more complex route around flexi-schooling but most headmasters will not agree to it).

[mr.chef]

When your kids are told to self isolate is that a requirement for the whole family?

[village]

When your kids are told to self isolate is that a requirement for the whole family?

Not in the first instance but then if they develop symptoms,yes.
The exception to this is if your child is the one who has tested positive and triggered the instruction for other kids in the school to self isolate. In this case the whole family has to self isolate.
Quote from the Government guidelines:

"Self-isolation means staying at home and not going outside your home at any time. If you live with other people, they do not need to self-isolate, but they should avoid contact with you as far as possible and follow advice on hygiene.
"If you go on to develop symptoms, anyone you live with must then self-isolate and you must report your symptoms and get tested."

[mindforge]

My five year old son is having to self isolate which is clearly a nonsense as you cannot distance from a small child you are looking after. Siblings can continue to go to school apparently. So it is just an inconvenience and I cannot see how it really helps contain the virus without the whole household isolating.

[Onelasttime]

We got the alert today – our son's school Year 11 is already shut down and now his Year 9 group is being told not to come in tomorrow and Tuesday because they have too many teachers self-isolating or waiting for tests.

I'm not sure why the school thinks they'll suddenly have enough teachers on Wednesday? More supply teachers maybe? He's had pretty much 50% supply teachers since he started back anyway. They are at least running a full timetable on Classrooms for the two days so fair play to them.

We're going to pull him out at half term if the situation doesn't improve, but as I said earlier, it can't go on like this for much longer. He's currently not getting an education of any note and the only reason he goes in is to see his friends.

The whole situation is untenable for children, parents and teachers.

[nr73]

At my sons school, within the first 2 weeks of starting there was a child who tested positive in year 1. He had a sibling in year 2, so both entire years had to isolate for 2 weeks.

Heard from another friend earlier in the week, her daughter had coughed whilst choking on some crisps in the canteen - guess what, 2 weeks isolation.

This is not sustainable.

[noTAGlove]

Email from my son's school this morning. A pupil has tested positive for Covid so the whole year has been excluded from school for today and until PHE determine they are safe to go back. And this is in a relatively low Covid infection part of the country. God only know how anyone in Manchester, Liverpool, Bolton etc. with very high rates are going to get much education this year.

[thieuster]

Email from my son's school this morning. A pupil has tested positive for Covid so the whole year has been excluded from school for today and until PHE determine they are safe to go back. And this is in a relatively low Covid infection part of the country. God only know how anyone in Manchester, Liverpool, Bolton etc. with very high rates are going to get much education this year.

My youngest had symptoms last Sunday. We were judging: covid or a cold? To be sure, we asked for a test on Monday. First chance? Tomorrow, Friday morning. Luckily he's getting better so he has cancelled the test. At the same time, 3 kids in his school tested positive. 4 classes X 25 pupils are sent home in quarantaine until Monday.

Online lessons are a farce. I've sent my collegue of my son's school a nasty email telling him that he should get his staff in line with the school's policy about online lessons: "When you're at home, you'll be expected to join the online lessons on Teams!" Yeah right, only his maths teacher sends him an invite.

My day was mostly spend trying to explain a mother my school's policy about wearing a face-mask. This week it's only an advice to wear one (we want to learn the kids to wear it) - as from next week it's mandatory. The mother came in, all guns blazing, why her -supposedly asthmatic- son has to wear a facemask. "He can't breath, and a facemask is against the personal freedom!" I first reacted that I did not have the idea that her son's asthmatic, since he burns a pack of fags per day... 15 yr/old and a cigarette addict. No response... About personal freedom: I told her that being in high risk group, I hate coming in school every day, being afraid to get infected. I then suggested (very bad...) how her son would feel when he realizes that he's responsible for my death. That was a show stopper.

Then I suggested a plastic mask. "He's not on Mars, is he!? Who's responsible for these rules?" As if she didn't know. It took me the best part of two hours to get her outside again. Result: she's going to find another school for her boy "Where the rules aren't like the Nazi rules during the war!" I absolutely agreed with her I am more than willing to help her.

Menno

[Estoril-5]

It's been said many times in the school newsletter and on the Parents App, that anyone collecting a child must wear a face mask, but at a rough guess id say 50% of parents aren't, and then you get some who moan when the year group has to isolate due to a confirmed case, its just baffling.

Last week i saw two parents chatting outside the gates (waiting for them to be opened) and they were not distancing, wearing masks or visors etc, and then as soon as the gates opened they both put their masks on..... i remembered corona only operates on school grounds and not outside

[oldoakknives]

It's been said many times in the school newsletter and on the Parents App, that anyone collecting a child must wear a face mask, but at a rough guess id say 50% of parents aren't, and then you get some who moan when the year group has to isolate due to a confirmed case, its just baffling.

Last week i saw two parents chatting outside the gates (waiting for them to be opened) and they were not distancing, wearing masks or visors etc, and then as soon as the gates opened they both put their masks on..... i remembered corona only operates on school grounds and not outside

We live 100 yards from the village primary school. Every day the parents all crowd together around the gates. No masks.

[Brighty]

Half term this week, so I've used the last of my spare holidays to take the week off, have some nice days out.
Email today, confirmed covid case in my sons class, he has to stay home and isolate for 2 weeks. Bloody great.
Guess we'll be taking it in turns to take his sister out, while the other stays home with him all week. Xbox gonna take a pounding

[ryanb741]

Reading back through this thread and the predicted 'it'll all collapse by half term' hasn't (yet) happened although there is noise from some science-types that having classes of some age groups conducted remotely could be an option.

[Onelasttime]

Half term this week, so I've used the last of my spare holidays to take the week off, have some nice days out.
Email today, confirmed covid case in my sons class, he has to stay home and isolate for 2 weeks. Bloody great.
Guess we'll be taking it in turns to take his sister out, while the other stays home with him all week. Xbox gonna take a pounding

Although they are considering changing the ‘rules’ to seven days, which indicates that seven days isolation is more than adequate?!?

And actually, could you not go out as a family but just keep away from everyone else?

Keeping a child indoors for 14 days is cruelty.

[catch21]

Although they are considering changing the ‘rules’ to seven days, which indicates that seven days isolation is more than adequate?!?
...

I think the situation is that seven days isn’t adequate but more likely to be effective as more people will stick to 7 days whereas they are ‘casual’, for want of a better word, about 14.

[nr73]

Both my kids are off school for the next week. No significant cases at their schools recently.

My niece, who is 30 and a nurse, has contracted covid along with 14 other nurses at her hospital on non-covid wards.

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[julian2002]

My sons school has been great, as normal as possible but with staggered entry / exit times to reduce crowding, a one way system during pickup again to reduce crowding, mandatory masks for any adult on the premises and kids go in in their PE kit if they are due a PE lesson. So far I've not heard of any cases in the school this term.
Everyone follows the rules.
We are supposedly a high risk household, I have some medical issues (under control via medication) and my wife is a nurse however she has had CV-19 already and we isolated for 2+ weeks and both myself and my daughter (at home doing uni lectures online) both believe we had it at the start of the year (classic cough, temperature and loss of taste / smell) although at the time there was no testing as this was pre-lockdown so can't say for sure.

If I had just my own observations to go on (no one in my monkeysphere has been severely effected) I'd say it's a storm in a teacup but having heard what my wife has had to deal with at work I understand that what I can personally observe is not the whole story and that there need to be measures in place to protect us all. Unfortunately this government are the masters of imprecise, vacuous twaddle.