So concerned about schools

[claireyj]

Hi everyone just wanted to express my concern and hear your thoughts as I’m feeling really anxious and so at risk right now re Covid ..

So , like most of you I’m on 2 immunosuppressant meds methx and a biologic so shielded and even gave up my little admin job at the hospital as was always mixing with consultants and felt to risky for a little part time job . Eldest daughter works all over so moved out into her boyfriends much earlier than would have but so as not to put me at risk so all was ok . Now my other daughter has gone back to senior school and here in Essex Covid is going mental in the schools mainly senior it’s chaos .. she tells me no social distancing ( I see that for myself ) the kids are dropping like flies and I have never felt so vulnerable.. she is sensible but I can’t distance myself from her she’s 14 and nor would I want to . I absolutely respect they need their education but a whole year group got sent home today 300 kids ! I just feel virtual schooling will be safer especially for shielding parents and more consistent for the kids on a daily basis as if it’s chaos now how is it gonna be in 2 months ? Just feel it almost makes a mockery of all the shielding we did etc earlier in the year ..

[cpr02]

Is it an option to contact the school and talk to them ? How would your daughter feel about schooling from home ? If it makes you feel safer maybe its something that could be considered? These are unknown times and no one really knows what could happen I think anything that may make this easier for you... you should do xx

[claireyj in reply to cpr02]

Thank you yes my daughter would love home schooling but need to ensure her mental health as in mixing , gossiping etc ( you know girls stuff ) is healthy!! Thank you x

[helixhelix]

I’ve linked a medical assessment tool which helps determine what your risk is for having serious consequences if you are infected. Mine ends up as moderate, in that I am much less likely to get seriously ill if I catch it. So I’m still being careful, but living pretty normally.

Maybe this might help you feel a bit calmer?

It looks horribly complicated, but it isn’t. You scroll down until you find the line in the tables with your age range. Then for each of the next lines you add or subtract years - so for being female you take off 5 years and for having RA you add on 2. You end up with a new age - your “covid age”. Then carry on scrolling until you get to the coloured boxes which sets out the risk for each level of “covid age”.

alama.org.uk/covid-19-medic...

If you are 52 or less, and with no other conditions or comorbidities you will end up as low risk....

[claireyj in reply to helixhelix]

Thank you so much I am 50 ( what a year to have your 50th) 🙈 but already feel less anxious I’ll have a good read defo ..

[bpeal1]

Hello,

I too have a 14 year old daughter. I appreciate your concern but for me her education, and mental health are the greatest concerns. As the scientific understanding of Covid has increased, and as helixhelix has said, it is now thought that unless you have other health issues one biological and MXT only slightly increases your risk.

My daughter worked her socks off during lockdown but even she has commented that it’s so much easier to get instant feedback if you don’t understand something. Starting Year 10 is a big step for them. She also really appreciates seeing her friends.

Have her school told you what measures they have in place? Whilst social distancing is hard, my daughter’s school have tried. Each year group is based in a different area of the school. Year 10 and above have priority for using the science labs, music room and DT rooms and they are thoroughly cleaned between each class. They have been asked to wear face coverings when moving between classrooms, even in their own areas. The school have installed sinks outside so they can easily wash their hands and their is hand sanitiser available in every classroom. They have also staggered lunch and break times.

On top of this my daughter has a bottle of hand sanitiser clipped to her bag which she uses (so she doesn’t have to queue up to use the one in the classroom) and she takes a packet of antibacterial wipes. I’ve also told her not to put face coverings back on when they've been used. She has a plastic zip lock bag to drop them in. She’s bringing home 4 or 5 everyday for me to wash, but that’s fine by me!

[Monkeysmum]

I understand your concern Claireyj, my daughter is 13 and there have already been 3 positive cases confirmed in her school. They are kept in year group bubbles, but with 250 kids in a year, it’s one heck of a big bubble. I check the school website every day for news, but other than that I’m not really sure what we can do about it, school is open and I feel she has to attend? I do understand the worry though. Xx