My sister was going out this afternoon with a friend but was cancelled. Her friends son has been home these last two weeks as a child in his year had covid. He and 3 of his friends were board so they decided to get a covid test. Very naughty no symptoms so they lied.. well 2 of them tested positive one her friends son.
Frightening : My sister was going out this afternoon... - NRAS
Frightening
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76 Replies
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Not great that they have it.
Given that people are struggling to book at test, also not great that they chose to do so because they were “bored”
in reply to Eiram50
Agreed... I’m just glad they found out before my sister met up with her. My brother in law is vulnerable he had stomach cancer... these things happen for a reason
Eiram50 in reply to
I agree it is fortunate- particularly in these circumstances. And for you and yours, I’m glad that’s the way it’s worked out.
Absolutely cannot agree, given I’ve seen seriously unwell people, who have had to wait and then travel miles for a test, that it can ever be seen as acceptable, anyone booking a test because they are “bored”- sorry.
in reply to Eiram50
Yes .. teenagers and boredom a dangerous mix. They have been told off
I was no angel at that age.. not telling you what I did 😁
Thank goodness they found out! At least you will be safe now too. Take care💐
Wow that is weird and naughty all in the same moment. BUT in the long run shows how little it can show on people i.e no symptoms.
I know they shouldn't have done it just because they were just bored but that aside, I think it provides an insight into why the virus is still going strong and so many more people have caught the virus in the last few weeks. How many more young people are walking around with no symptoms infecting unsuspecting people, young and old. I am not blaming the youngsters because how are they supposed to know if they have no symptoms to alert them to it. Thank goodness they found out and owned up.....it could have saved your brother in law's life.
But they Presumably have the common sense to know they should be washing their hands wearing a mask and keeping their distance ....obviously that was not the case!
in reply to AgedCrone
Trying to distance at school just doesn’t happen our classrooms are too small and poorly ventilated and class sizes too big . They can wash and sanitise as much as they want but when they are sitting shoulder to shoulder and touching it really doesn’t help.
I'm pretty sure they were made to wash their hands and and social distance as much as possible in school. But as J1707 says and she should know because she is a teacher that it is difficult to subdue children's enthusiasm when they have been apart from their friends for so long. The layout in schools doesn't allow for pandemics and whatever you do to try and distance children, human nature , especially in children, is to socialize and enjoy each others company. They are not to blame for the situation they find themselves in. I worked in a primary school for 7 years in a socially depressed area and believe me when I tell you their friendships were their lifeline and I would imagine even more so now. It is not as simple as just washing your hands and socially distancing. When you have a school of 500 pupils who arrive at the same time and leave at the same time it's very difficult to socially distance as I witnessed when I passed a secondary school at home time where I live. All the children were wearing masks and no doubt were made to wash their hands before they left. Please don't judge them. They are children.
I don’t judge anybody......I wasn’t talking about young children ....the young people mentioned were presumably not children as they were allowed to get a Covid test because they were bored. I don’t think they test young unaccompanied children do they?
But as they lied to get the test then that is disgraceful.....when care home workers are begging for tests to protect the people in their care.
in reply to AgedCrone
Tests were sent to their homes separately they didn’t rock up for a test all together.
I've told lots of lies throughout my childhood, it would be mighty difficult to find someone who hadn't !
Young people get such a hard time from everyone, blamed for everything....yet, just look at their leaders....hardly shining stars of morality and fairness.
I've got more issues with flagrant disregard for the Covid guidance imposed on the rest of us from our leaders than the shenanigans of the young 😎
Yes like Dominic Cummings and his trip to Barnard Castle during lockdown. No shining example there and he is no teenager.
...and the longer opening / drinking hours at Westminster...and Tony Blair not fulfilling isolation...and our prime ministers family...and the reckless behaviour of a Scottish Minister....
How long ave you got ?
But phoning up ....lying about symptoms and getting a COVID-19 test sent to your home because you are under age is beyond telling the odd porky.....it is as I said disgraceful.
I absolutely agree all the people in public office who think they can do what us decent law abiding citizens are being asked to do, should be locked away until this is all over and then dealt with in the courts.......In my dreams!
But these days it seems anything that takes a bit of backbone & downright common sense is mocked & thought of as “unfair” to some group or other.
We can only hope somebody, somewhere comes up with an acceptable plan soon.
Yes absolutely, any breaking of guidance is a poor show. But people in positions of privelidge and large public remuneration are the biggest issue, if you are a leader, lead from the front and be squeaky clean in your role modelling.
Teenagers are teenagers and long may they be so, I enjoyed my carefree teenage years, I hope the young of today do so too. A great learning ground for adult life, so long as lessons are learned.
Hardly think what these young people did was disgraceful just thoughtless. Much worse are those who do not wear masks or sanitise hands in shops not to mention the many who gather in large non socially distanced crowds to protest they really are endangering other peoples lives.
I absolutely agree with all you say, with regards schools.
I know in my girls school they have staggered entry times, staggered breaks and breakout rooms etc and that they sanitise regularly and wear masks in all communal areas ( mandatory)- but all bets are off once in the classroom.
It is in no way, the fault of the young and in no way should they be blamed for any of this.
However, I’d still hope that as teenagers, they’d recognise the seriousness of the situation, and manage to find more suitable outlets for their boredom.
in reply to Eiram50
At my sons school they are bussed in. The area covers a wide area over many districts. All years go on the bus. They have staggered starting times. Eg year 7/8 start school at 8.50 . They leave the bus. Years 9/10 start at 9.00. Years 11/12 start at 9.10. 13 work from home. This is repeated on the way home. They are all still on the same bus crammed in together. Schools are trying but it’s pointless you just can’t separate them many have siblings 🤷🏽♀️🤷🏽♀️flippin nightmare. It’s their only time to interact. No clubs or social interaction. If we are feeling the restrictions and loneliness of all this how is this effecting them. We are asking a lot. I agree with you Eiram they are getting blamed for a situation not of their making. Getting a test with no symptoms is wrong but this is in their face 24/7 . They may have been curious or just becoming desensitised. What is obvious is the contradictions they have to deal with they haven’t s clue whether they are coming or going .
Eiram50 in reply to
Yep, I would agree with all of that. X
Biofreak in reply to
Absolutely agree with you J.
Mmrr in reply to
It is unreasonable to expect teenagers or anyone to follow guidance when those at the top, with privelidge cannot / will not do so.
I'm not advocating that people tell lies to get a Covid test, but how fortunate they did I this instance. Scary stuff.
My worry is that if they were bored enough to have a test they will be too bored to self isolate for 2 weeks. I hope someone is making them stay in.
in reply to Sheila_G
Their families have to isolate as well.. double edge. Parents 🤬 but at the same time they can keep the elderly families safe ., difficult one
Sheila_G in reply to
I know. Nothing about this horrible virus is easy is it?
I know it’s mean but if they did that because they were bored - it wouldn’t surprise me if they think it’s ok for those of them infected to meet up - well they can’t spread it to each other.
Really can’t say I’m impressed with ‘bored’ teenagers pretending they are ill to get a much prized covid test - to me shows a total lack of responsibility, the ‘what can we do for a larf’ mentality, ‘I know, let’s go online and book a covid test’ - in my day bored kids rang doorbells and ran away.
If they had actually thought they might well have had covid - I could understand that, but not just to liven up their boring day - I know it has turned out that they will ‘save granny’ but imagine if everyone who is bored (and I think by now there are a lot of bored people about) does that. Still I suppose it makes a change from stockpiling toilet rolls.
in reply to Fruitandnutcase
Ooo harsh .. these are 13 years old and have been confined to a house for 6 months then confined again for another 2 weeks because Covid was in their bubble. If they hadn’t told their parents for fear of being told off then things would be so different. MP tested positive but still traveled the length of Britain on a train. Fine example...Personally I think it was more curiosity a bit like dismantling a clock to see how it works as my hubby did as a child it’s just a more modern version.
I have just done a safeguarding course on the vulnerability of children and what’s available on the web and media . That’s frightening.. having a Covid test is minor. People adults or children having Covid symptoms and not being tested is far more irresponsible..
Biofreak in reply to
In my area which is highly populated children are in and out of school like a fiddler's elbow. One child tests positive and obviously the whole bubble has to isolate, quite rightly. Parents panick, understandably and get tested themselves, especially if they are vulnerable. Some are positive some are negative. Some people don't get tested because they have no symptoms but it doesn't mean they haven't got it. We have plenty of examples of that. This is happening in all schools not just once but multiple times They go back to school after isolation. It happens again in a different bubble and the merry-go-round goes on and on. Meanwhile people are losing their jobs adding extra stress and worry. It's a wonder the kids can function at all in these conditions and I know for a fact that psychological problems, especially with those children on the autistic spectrum, are a real worry. Somehow there needs to be a more systematic approach.
in reply to Biofreak
👏👏👏
allanah in reply to
I agree. Ok they broke the rules. I think your post was more about people walking around asymptomatic and unknowingly spreading the virus to their contacts.
If and I mean IF the government can get these 20 minute home tests out asap it would save lives and businesses. But of course they are going to nhs and care homes first , in reality they are needed in their billions . The government are saying people need to work, well people should develop and manufacture and distribute the tests , the UK could gain economic and scientific advances from this .
We have been promised these 20 minute ‘pregnancy test’ type covid tests for months now, that really is what we need but still no real sign of it unfortunately.
Way back at the start of all this I was full of hope that what we are going through would produce a kinder more caring society. I hoped that it would boost British industry and help bring our manufacturing industry back but as time goes on unfortunately I’m really not sure now that the U.K. will indeed gain the economic and scientific advances I thought and hoped would come out of all this. I don’t think that will happen.
People no longer acknowledge each other the same way when we are out walking, contracts seem to be being given to ‘preferred suppliers’ many of whom have a track record of incompetence, we are still hearing of small labs willing to help test etc but who are not being given the opportunity and every face mask I see in shops seems to have been made in China. Sadly I’m not sure my hopes for our country will ever be realised.
I said the exact same thing to someone the other day! Strange how , as you say, all the face masks, visors, hand sanitisers, gloves and forehead thermometers ( to list but a few) all come from China ???
Fruitandnutcase in reply to
That politician is an absolute disgrace. She obviously has no shame, hopefully she will lose her seat at the next election but then she will get a big, fat, golden send off that she definitely does not deserve.
Then again you’ve got Tony Blair who was at the White House recently not doing his quarantine - I mean the White House of all places, then you’ve got Cummings(!) who is probably responsible for most of the people not being willing to follow the rules, you’ve got MPs who were up until very recently, when the Speaker put a halt to it, drinking out of hours and with subsidised booze presumably paid for by the great British tax payer.
I do feel sorry for kids, particularly those who have just started at a university and then been locked in an accommodation block and being taught online - they are getting a extremely poor deal for their money and that is a disgrace but I still think it is irresponsible for kids of 13 to do that - I imagine if they had told their parents in advance the parents would have told them not to and it is good that they have been found and their families quarantined but loads of people have been in lockdown since March then locked down again and don’t do that.
On the other hand as you say there is real need to have more testing done. I imagine there are probably huge numbers of asymptomatic kids all over the place - no symptoms and likely as not spreading the virus.
They are only young boys and I am sure they didn't do it with any malicious intent. I am sure one day, if not today, they will regret their actions. It is an awful time for children too. They are having an unusual childhood at the moment. I do feel for them but they need to understand the consequences of their actions. Hopefully they do.
I think generally boys at that age are on the cusp of childhood and adulthood and things that were looked on fondly by adults when they were very young suddenly aren’t quite so cute.
I can remember having to point that out to my own son and his friend. Can’t remember what they were up to but it was something that would have been ok when they were little but which wasn’t at their age when they would have been expected to know better - whatever it was they thought it was just a joke. It wasn’t anything like phoning up to get a difficult to get covid test though.
On the other hand I’d prefer to think that the boys involved in that did it because they were actually quite concerned rather than that they were just ‘bored’ and doing it for a laugh.
Most cases will test accurate though, no reason to believe it was a false positive ?
I asked my husbands son who is a sensible lad what it was like at school. He's 14. He said there was no social distancing and no one wore masks in the corridors. Teachers weren't enforcing anything.
I have a friend who's a primary school teacher. She said everything is pretty much as it was before.
It is frightening.
It is. My son’s friend has a little girl in Y3. He takes her to and from school every day and when they all started back he was complaining because he was the only parent wearing a mask to go to the playground and he was getting funny looks.
Then last week he was complaining and saying that he watched the head teacher out talking and laughing with parents - no social distancing, no masks. They have already sent Y2 and Y4 home because children in both had covid.
At the start of it all they were sent a letter saying that they wouldn’t be informed if children in the school had tested positive - which seemed a bit much to me - now they seem to be getting letters telling them which classes are not going to be in school. It all sounds a bit difficult for everyone concerned.
My neighbour who is a primary school teacher was saying she has booked a couple of days away with her kids in half term next week and is really hoping things stay ok and they can get away when the time comes- she worked with key workers children all through lockdown and has children of her own so she really deserves a break.
My only comment is that it's harsh to point the finger at anyone who catches it; I'm sure that there are plenty of people who do so having taken all the precautions they can and who have no idea where they caught it. They still don't know exactly how it's transmitted and when we look back I'm sure that we'll realise that some of our precautions didn't help at all and that we missed some risk factors that no one was aware of.
As I understand it, no one in the general population can easily get a test if they're asymptomatic but I'm sure that many do (or at least, try.) Equally, some universities have set up their own testing centres on campus which accept asymptomatic staff and students which is good for getting more to self-isolate but may go some way towards explaining why their numbers are so high....
Agreed. The numbers went up in August ...when schools and unis went back ...obvious ...
Yes, obvious - so it's unfair to now point the finger 🙄
I had an interesting conversation with a statistics university lecturer about the fact that there could be some useful numbers produced by the university experience and as the students are meant to be at less risk than many others, a cynic could think that someone in power thought that it might be a useful by-product of getting education started again; a way of testing the "herd immunity" theory..😏 A bit like the thought that the north of England is being used as a petri dish..
Agreed. And those poor kids. Stuck in those tiny student rooms, away from their families for the first time, maybe ill and scared , lessons online.
They could have done that from home and it's all to save the uni money and landlords from losing rent. £9000 a year for that misery . I really feel for them
It's an interesting one.
There's a lot more f2f teaching going on than people realise. My teaching (which is usually one to one) is all online as it's impossible to provide it in a Covid-secure way but as it is usually one to one, I'm often the one they chat to about problems and most of them are happy to be back. For most of them, it's easier to work in their student accommodation than at home although there are a few who are used to working in study spaces on campus and are missing that.
If the students hadn't returned, many universities would have struggled to survive (most have had to offer staff redundancy packages anyway) so unless the government had been willing to finance them, some would have closed. This is the problem with the idea that universities have to be run as businesses (not their choice); they need the student fees and even the accommodation fees simply to survive.
I don’t really think anyone is pointing the finger at young people?
And I certainly agree with points made
Re the impact in the young - I have teenage daughters myself.
Don’t think it is just the north of England - I’d say the whole country might be a giant Petri dish and I sincerely hope they are not quietly using the return to school as an experiment in herd immunity. I feel really sorry for kids and especially for students who are paying a lot of money for - well who knows what!
That theory is very popular locally
I actually think that they have done the right thing in allowing asymptomatic students and staff to be tested. That way at least you get a complete picture and take the guesswork out. Then you know what you are dealing with and can make decisions based on fact. I wish that system could be adopted for schools and colleges.
in reply to Biofreak
I certainly would be more comfortable. Working in a school and a son at another school ... testing all children as they are super spreaders and have always been for all viruses.
Biofreak in reply to
That's what I meant about a systematic approach. Not only would it give a truer picture of the scale of infection but also the ability to determine a way forward in a more constructive way. Test track and trace ( even if it worked) will only pick up on people who have symptoms and been able to get a test but miss out all those who haven't got any symptoms and are spreading the virus unintentionally.
Why would they think that?
Its been widely publicised that we don't know if people who have had it are immune, and if so for how long
I've wondered should everyone get a test say when the flu jab is administered in the general population because it appears so many are without symptoms it may be that huge numbers of people have already had it and may be potentially immune now. My son and DIL had awful coughs over Christmas and how often do we here from our GP's" there's a lot of it about, just rest and drink plenty of fluid and if no better come back next week"
I know it would be hard to do but not impossible to actually see whats happening really in say Liverpool. It could be over half the population has had it and so advice could be tailored to those who have not.
Good idea x
Definitely.
However, immunity, is another grey area in so far as we don’t know how long this lasts and there. Increasing evidence for re infection
I know but at least its starting point and also if its true that having had a BCG at school might be a factor then who in the population has had one ? I wonder if people whose origins are outside the UK and haven't had a BCG might make them a higher risk factor. To me and I'm just wondering as I never had a BCG because my dad had had Tuberculosis so the red mark come up and didn't need it or it might have been didn't get the red mark so didn't need it. A long long time ago. lol But I can't help thinking sometime they look for the complex and like the Emperors new clothes the answer is in front of them or something like that. But I'm no scientist !!!he he.
Exactly- I was really ill over Christmas. I has so many of the symptoms including loss of taste but it was before we really knew about covid.
I has been using trains and buses and eating out and the nearest large town I was visiting is a hot spot for Chinese and other oriental visitors at Christmas time and most of them come up from London by train ☹️
Then just as I was going to buy an online antibody test the government pulled the plug on them!
Does anyone have any ideas as to why infection is so prevalent in food processing plants? That’s another one in the papers today - a pork processing factory.
Something about covid liking cold wet environments and many workers in the Norfolk chicken plant live together in multiple occupancy dwellings
Perhaps in the long run they did the right thing as a child in their year did test positive, and so did they, probably protecting others, maybe they were not feeling 100% as well, just a thought.
J1707 you are really good at this. Yet again you have sparked a really good debate ( I suspect unintentionally) but very interesting nevertheless. 👏😆👏
in reply to Biofreak
Seems to be a gift I didn’t know I had.. as my mother would say a s**t stirrer 😂
Boxerlady in reply to
😂
Biofreak in reply to
🤣😂🤣 Brilliant.
Fruitandnutcase in reply to
Ha, ha. My father used to affectionately call my mother Mrs Kenwood because she was such a mixer 😉
I wish I still had my old and battered Kenwood the newer and flash Kitchen Aid isn't as good. lol Your mum could now be Mrs Kenwood-Kitchen Aid-Magimix ?
Sounds very posh! Hyphenated name dropper!🌺
allanah in reply to
😂😂😂
Mmrr in reply to
😂🤣
Studies have shown many false positives along with false negatives. We’ve had an employee expose us w/COVID and fail to inform us of personal exposure and to a family member for >3 wks. The family member had shown signs for along time but tested positive... viruses affect everyone so differently.
No such thing as immunity unfortunately, its proven you can catch it more than once 
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