How will schools be able to go back in September? (Continued)

irishblessing · 28-08-2020 11:23AM

drunkmonkey wrote: »

They no longer recommend testing asymptomatic people in the states the CDC changed their guidelines the other day.

"someone who was in close contact (within 6 feet) of a person with COVID-19 for at least 15 minutes but didn't have symptoms does not “necessarily need a test.”

Ha. Please. Well we ALL know why that is, and what the Trump administration is doing to undermine testing in the US. He plainly stated so himself like the eejit he is. Please don't quote the US as an example of what to do as we can clearly know and see they are approaching the pandemic the worst of any developed country in the world. Unless it comes from Dr. Fauci himself then you would need to look at the agenda first.

Supercell · 28-08-2020 11:23AM

Work colleagues in Scotland told me that for their kids, if the kids are removed from school due to high temperature they wont be allowed back until confirmation of a test that they are not infected. Doesn't seem unreasonable to me, turnaround time currently is about 36 hours in the south of Dublin/Wicklow (got tested wednesday, got all clear last night) so why not here too?

seamus · 28-08-2020 11:24AM

SusanC10 wrote: »

So Parents don't actually have to contact the GP then ?

At the core of the problem is that you cannot force anyone to get medical attention. You can only strongly advise a course of action, like contacting the GP.

I mentioned yesterday thought that there should really be more formal protocols in place for this. E.g. when a child is isolated and collected, they are automatically excluded for at least 48 hours. That is, if the parent rocks up tomorrow or the next day, they're automatically sent home without discussion.

If the parent tries to put the child back within 14 days they should be asked to sign a declaration that either:

- The child has been symptom-free for 48 hours
- The child has been to a GP who has confirmed they are safe to return to school, or
- The child has been tested for Covid and got a negative result

In any case, there should be a formal process that the parent follows such as notifying the school that the child will be returning the next day, so the school can put arrangements in place to do a "check-in".

It seems to me that a child could be sent home one day and the school will have no idea what's going on until the child is back sitting in their seat the next day.

the corpo · 28-08-2020 11:25AM

Those pictures Gary Gannon tweeted this morning are terrible:

https://twitter.com/1GaryGannon/status/1299270469682704384?s=20

Also, this:

https://twitter.com/Orla_Hegarty/status/1299250432976584704?s=20

lulublue22 · 28-08-2020 11:33AM

irishblessing wrote: »

That isn't correct though. Not according to studies that have been done (S. Korea being the largest). Classes and schools closing in countries all over the world due to spread. How could asymptomatic spread not be an issue when it's the greatest issue of all. That's why we all have to wear masks after all, because this virus actually has the greatest amount of shedding in either asymptomatic or presymptomatic stages. Young children have been shown to have just as much or more viral load then adults, with children aged 10 and older shown to spread the virus "at least as well as adults do."

I know but that seems to be the stance taken by the gov. Not treating classmates as close contacts is ridiculous in my opinion but as many on here will point out what are your qualifications to say so. We are at the stage now of doing our best to ensure hand washing cough etiquette and SD as much as possible and hoping for the best.

downthemiddle · 28-08-2020 11:48AM

average_runner wrote: »

That's not what I said. Someone said a quiet house. Now you don't know their circumstances etc. So if you want to be a d*ck your doing a great job.

There was a time when people recognised satire in this country. I thought that is what you were engaging in when you said FG weren’t in power, but then you doubled down.
Thanks for the moniker. There are those who know me better than you who would say you flatter me.

irishblessing · 28-08-2020 11:49AM

Here's what the school sent us as regards to procedure, from the HSE:

You will need to:
1. Isolate your child. This means keeping them at home and completely avoiding contact with other
people, as much as possible. Your child should only leave your home to have a test or to see your GP.
2. Phone your GP. They will advise you if your child needs a coronavirus test.
3. Everyone that your child lives with should also restrict their movements, at least until your child
gets a diagnosis from their GP or a coronavirus test result. This means not going to school,
childcare or work.
4. Treat your child at home for their symptoms.

When it’s okay to send your child to school or childcare

It’s usually okay to send your child to school or childcare if they:
• only have nasal symptoms, such as a runny nose or a sneeze
• do not have a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or more (as long as their temperature
has not been lowered by taking any form of paracetamol or ibuprofen)
• do not have a cough
• have not been in close contact with anyone who has coronavirus
• do not live with anyone who is unwell and may have coronavirus
• have been told by a GP that their illness is caused by something else, that is not coronavirus.
Your GP will tell you when they can return to school or childcare
• have got a negative (‘not detected’) coronavirus test result and have not had symptoms for 48 hours
Most of the time, you do not need to phone your GP if a runny nose or sneezing are your child’s only symptoms. Talk to your pharmacist instead.

lulublue22 · 28-08-2020 12:07PM

the corpo wrote: »

Agreed, but there has to be a better way of handling it. Not a chance our kids won't come home and tell us that another child or teacher was removed from class, and it'll just lead to rumours and panic while the community hasn't a clue what's going on.
And if parents hear a child has left that day (for any reason), it'll be assumed to be covid related and spread more panic.

Not sure what the solution here is, but do think the Department is handling it incorrectly, especially when the ECDC guidelines state that any child in the class of a confirmed case is considered a close contact.

If they're recommending family members of a suspected case restrict their movements, I don't see why class mates shouldn't have same rule apply.

The more information that is being released re not necessarily treating classmates as close contacts the less confident I am of the dep of ed and healths handling of the situation in relation to schools. Schools for whatever reason seem to require a totally different set of guidelines and recommendations.

drunkmonkey · 28-08-2020 12:09PM

SusanC10 wrote: »

So Parents don't actually have to contact the GP then ?

Btw, if this happens to either of our Kids, I will be on the phone to the GP. But it's not me I am thinking about.

Have you done it already Susan, the feeling I'm getting from people who've had the test they don't be putting themselves, friends or family through it again unless there pretty sure it's covid.

SusanC10 · 28-08-2020 12:14PM

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Have you done it already Susan, the feeling I'm getting from people who've had the test they don't be putting themselves, friends or family through it again unless there pretty sure it's covid.

No, we have not been tested. But I trust my GP to make any decision on testing if the time comes. I would rather know if any of us get it.

drunkmonkey · 28-08-2020 12:20PM

SusanC10 wrote: »

No, we have not been tested. But I trust my GP to make any decision on testing if the time comes. I would rather know if any of us get it.

GP won't entertain you, any sympton and it's a test. You'll see how farcical the whole thing is if one of the kids is sent home for sneezing etc. You'll know it's not covid but if you call the doctor it will result in a test, you'll have to assume you all have it at that stage. Were testing way too may when 99% of tests are coming back negative.

s1ippy · 28-08-2020 12:24PM

Are you joking, don't contact the GP and say you did? I seriously pity a child who has to rely on a parent who would not call the doctor when a child is sick with symptoms of the active virus circulating during a pandemic.
Just to note, you will be reported to Tusla if it turns out you lied about contacting GP, especially if it happens that there is an outbreak and you've said you contacted them but they have no record. I would even imagine it comes under the legislation they brought in enabling them to take legal action against a person refusing to self isolate or get a test.

lulublue22 · 28-08-2020 12:25PM

drunkmonkey wrote: »

GP won't entertain you, any sympton and it's a test. You'll see how farcical the whole thing is if one of the kids is sent home for sneezing etc. You'll know it's not covid but if you call the doctor it will result in a test, you'll have to assume you all have it at that stage. Were testing way too may when 99% of tests are coming back negative.

Children won’t be sent home for sneezing :rolleyes: There are 4 symptoms any one of which indicate possible covid 19 - high temp of 38 or over , any form of a cough dry or chesty , shortness of breath and loss of taste or smell. The guidelines are clear around that. Runny noses and or sneezing is not listed as one of the 4 symptoms.

SusanC10 · 28-08-2020 12:29PM

s1ippy wrote: »

Are you joking, don't contact the GP and say you did? I seriously pity a child who has to rely on a parent who would not call the doctor when a child is sick with symptoms of the active virus circulating during a pandemic.
Just to note, you will be reported to Tusla if it turns out you lied about contacting GP, especially if it happens that there is an outbreak and you've said you contacted them but they have no record. I would even imagine it comes under the legislation they brought in enabling them to take legal action against a person refusing to self isolate or get a test.

I just don't know about some of the Parents in the school. Some of them think the whole thing is a conspiracy.

Supercell · 28-08-2020 12:39PM

drunkmonkey wrote: »

GP won't entertain you, any sympton and it's a test. You'll see how farcical the whole thing is if one of the kids is sent home for sneezing etc. You'll know it's not covid but if you call the doctor it will result in a test, you'll have to assume you all have it at that stage. Were testing way too may when 99% of tests are coming back negative.

You say that like its a bad thing, would you rather 50% came back positive????

s1ippy · 28-08-2020 12:52PM

SusanC10 wrote: »

I just don't know about some of the Parents in the school. Some of them think the whole thing is a conspiracy.

Same as in this thread. It's vile that some people actually wear their negligence as a badge of honour.

So long as you're vigilant with your own you'll go some way to protecting them. If you have suspicions, there's no harm keeping them out for a week or two under the pretence of something minor like a stomach issue. Wider school contacts having to eventually get tested will result in the cases coming out, it'll hopefully just be a matter of when rather than if. There will be a huge increase in testing now that schools are open so it'll be interesting to see if the backlog can be managed at all.

wirelessdude01 · 28-08-2020 12:55PM

lulublue22 wrote: »

The guidelines are clear around that. Runny noses and or sneezing is not listed as one of the 4 symptoms.

Assume the same applies to us teachers as well. So basically work away with the standard aliments that we always work through.

lulublue22 · 28-08-2020 01:05PM

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

Assume the same applies to us teachers as well. So basically work away with the standard aliments that we always work through.

I think that is up to each individual themselves. My point is in relation to a suspected covid 19 case - symptoms and procedures are clear around that. I presume sick children / staff will be sent home as per usual just not treated as potential covid 19 cases unless showing 1 of the 4 symptoms.

drunkmonkey · 28-08-2020 01:31PM

Supercell wrote: »

You say that like its a bad thing, would you rather 50% came back positive????

I'd prefer some due diligence going on at a GP level. There's too many people being sent for tests which is slowing everything down.

drunkmonkey · 28-08-2020 01:34PM

lulublue22 wrote: »

Children won’t be sent home for sneezing :rolleyes: There are 4 symptoms any one of which indicate possible covid 19 - high temp of 38 or over , any form of a cough dry or chesty , shortness of breath and loss of taste or smell. The guidelines are clear around that. Runny noses and or sneezing is not listed as one of the 4 symptoms.

One girl was yesterday I know of, her mother going bonkers as she had to leave work to collect her.
There are way more than 4 symptoms to be on the look out for.

wirelessdude01 · 28-08-2020 01:37PM

drunkmonkey wrote: »

One girl was yesterday I know of, her mother going bonkers as she had to leave work to collect her.
There are way more than 4 symptoms to be on the look out for.

We all know there are more than 4 but we have only been given a very narrow 4 to look out for.

Same way they have narrowed the bands for very high risk children and staff.

Horrendous stuff.

the corpo · 28-08-2020 01:41PM

I asked that in lieu of a negative test parents would need written confirmation from the GP that the child can return, and the Department haven't covered this it seems. School will have to take it on faith that child has been given the all clear by a GP

drunkmonkey · 28-08-2020 01:42PM

That's madness, so many different rules are being made up by everyone.
I see they have fast tracked an Abbot test in the US, results in 15 minutes and won't need a labatory. https://www.irishtimes.com/business/health-pharma/abbott-s-15-minute-covid-test-gets-emergency-authorisation-in-us-1.4340261
Get them to GP's or even a School assigned nurse and we won't be long about seeing what's what.

lulublue22 · 28-08-2020 01:50PM

drunkmonkey wrote: »

One girl was yesterday I know of, her mother going bonkers as she had to leave work to collect her.
There are way more than 4 symptoms to be on the look out for.

There are 4 symptoms outlined on HSE website and under dep guidelines that is what forms the basis of a suspected case of covid 19.

Having overheard a conversation yesterday ( by two staff members nicely ensconced behind a protective screen , with limited numbers (15 max , only 2 there when I was there, all wearing face coverings ) in a space that is the same size as 4 of our classes) bitch about having to label children’s school items and complain that no parents are allowed stay in the class for the first day of school I’m taking everything thats said re schools with a large pinch of salt. If I was a betting woman Id be putting money on the child actually being sick as opposed to being sent home for sneezing.

josip · 28-08-2020 01:51PM

drunkmonkey wrote: »

I'd prefer some due diligence going on at a GP level. There's too many people being sent for tests which is slowing everything down.

It's been a long time since GPs in Ireland were anything more than a referral service.
When I was a kid, my cuts were stitched by the GP.
Can you imagine that? A GP, stitches?

drunkmonkey · 28-08-2020 02:05PM

josip wrote: »

It's been a long time since GPs in Ireland were anything more than a referral service.
When I was a kid, my cuts were stitched by the GP.
Can you imagine that? A GP, stitches?

My one usually sits down and does a Google with me, needed to go a week ago for a follow up check but said I needed a covid test first, went to Holland and Barret instead...all better now.

HotMama89 · 28-08-2020 02:16PM

My child is back on Monday had to get them tested as has a headcold and cough - came back negative thankfully just didn't want the situation where i was called in on the first day to collect because of them coughing!

drunkmonkey · 28-08-2020 02:20PM

HotMama89 wrote: »

My child is back on Monday had to get them tested as has a headcold and cough - came back negative thankfully just didn't want the situation where i was called in on the first day to collect because of them coughing!

This is where it all goes wrong as the have something they can pass on which match with the symptons, they've the all clear but when they pass it on the next person needs the all clear.

JDD · 28-08-2020 02:21PM

Those 15 minute tests will be a game changer. You could test a child in school and if it's positive, send the whole class home. If it's negative they could probably stay at home for 48 hours and if symptoms worsen then be sent for a HSE test. If symptoms don't worsen, just wait for the child to get over the cold and then they can be sent back to school.

You could get the whole family tested at the local pharmacy, even without symptoms, just before Christmas and then feel safe having your older parents for Christmas dinner.

HCW in nursing homes could be tested once a week. Visitors could be tested before they came in.

Total game changer. This might be the product that rescues the economy, before any vaccine arrives.

drunkmonkey · 28-08-2020 02:29PM

Hopefully, gives us a sporting chance to wipe it out without a vaccine, won't be much issue doing it at airports either. We've got MM and they've got Trump so not counting on us having it any time soon.

How will schools be able to go back in September? (Continued)

Comments