seeyalater52 , I wish they would at least accept antigen results. Sure, PCR is more accurate but antigen tests aren't bad at all especially when any symptoms are present, which is exactly what they're requiring the tests for. We need to rely more on antigen tests to keep society open even if results may miss some infected people.
And I agree about the childcare market. Demand will remain reduced for some time, so I don't know what that means for the field in general. But there's no way society can fully reopen without affordable childcare options. This is tough.
I agree. Not being able to use rapid results is such an incredible time suck and really doesn’t make sense given the requirements to test based on symptoms.
The crazy thing is that I’m not sure whether the childcare market demand is reduced right now in my area. Waitlists are INSANE. We had a really hard time finding a spot and ended up at a center half an hour in the wrong direction from work because it was the only place that could take him. So many centers have closed or eliminated classrooms (1 infant class vs 3 classes etc) that capacity is way down so even if demand has lowered the competition is still fierce for the spots that still exist. It’s completely unworkable from all angles. I’m also acutely aware of the privileges I have as a WFH professional not in a coverage based role where I even have the flexibility to try to accommodate some of this stuff. There is absolutely no way a shift worker could do this and remain employed.
Here, we can get a doctor's note with an alternate diagnosis of something like an allergy that is causing the runny nose. Is that a possibility?
I agree. Not being able to use rapid results is such an incredible time suck and really doesn’t make sense given the requirements to test based on symptoms.
The crazy thing is that I’m not sure whether the childcare market demand is reduced right now in my area. Waitlists are INSANE. We had a really hard time finding a spot and ended up at a center half an hour in the wrong direction from work because it was the only place that could take him. So many centers have closed or eliminated classrooms (1 infant class vs 3 classes etc) that capacity is way down so even if demand has lowered the competition is still fierce for the spots that still exist. It’s completely unworkable from all angles. I’m also acutely aware of the privileges I have as a WFH professional not in a coverage based role where I even have the flexibility to try to accommodate some of this stuff. There is absolutely no way a shift worker could do this and remain employed.
Here, we can get a doctor's note with an alternate diagnosis of something like an allergy that is causing the runny nose. Is that a possibility?
Under 2 or so they won’t give a diagnosis for anything else as standard (babies apparently don’t get seasonal allergies?) He does legitimately have a cold and not some other diagnosis. They just have to confirm it’s a cold and not covid every.single.time.
Post by formerlyak on Oct 20, 2021 12:48:56 GMT -5
I just learned our school rules the other day since my 7 year old was sick. Fever, vomiting or new cough or congestion not tied to an already documented condition (like asthma or allergies) require a PCR test to return. Luckily there is a place here that takes insurance if you have symptoms and you can pay $25 to rush the turn around. I logged in at 9:45 am, had a 10 am appointment, and we had the negative results by 3:00. We are very lucky that this is available throughout our county.
My kids both have seasonal allergies, but the schools have this documented as both had issues with them pre-Covid at school and we got information put in their school files after the allergy testing.
But I will say, even if we didn't have all this, our school nurse is pretty awesome. The younger one was in her office for an upset stomach and nausea. She asked him a few questions and figured out that it was the day we moved to a new house and was likely nerves. So she called me to confirm that was our move day and asked me to talk to him. That did the trick. Runny nose, she will call and confirm allergy triggers. She really is going above and beyond.
I just wonder how long we’re going to have to test for every single symptom even after the youngest are vaccinated. DD stayed home from preK on Monday because she had a stuffy nose. PCR negative and she was full of energy. DS1 then piggy-backed on her illness and claimed to have a sore throat yesterday though I’m 99% sure he was faking (or it was like a dry throat and not a sick throat). Got him tested, negative, and sent him back today (magically, the sore throat was gone but I figured I’d at least get a test knocked out in case he did start with more cold symptoms). DD’s congestion was so minor that any previous year I wouldn’t have even kept her home one day. But with the positive tests in her class last month being a result of allergy-like symptoms, I didn’t want to take a chance. I really hope COVID just turns into something like a regular cold so we don’t necessarily have to test forever.
Last year when preschool closed for two weeks, they gave us a full refund but this year she made a new policy that they’d only refund 50% tuition if a student had to be in quarantine. She funds her payroll 18 months in advance so I completely understand not doing full refunds and honestly, I would have been okay paying full just because the teachers there are amazing and get paid peanuts and I know this has been hard.
DD (11) got sent home today to quarantine. We almost made it w/o one. She's lucky we're not still going to Hawaii next Monday or her ass would be staying home!
She was exposed on Friday, can test starting today and can go back Monday if negative or Tuesday if she doesn't test. Regardless though she's on modified quarantine until the 30th. I'm not sure if I'll make her get a test or not if it's only the one day of school difference, assuming she stays symptom free. WWYD?
lea I'm guessing we'll be testing for all cold symptoms through at least this school year, if not until the end of 2022. I mean in places where people believe covid is real that is. :-p Ultimately though it'll depend on what variants potentially take over Delta in the future.
It is already super annoying to keep DS home for multiple extra days for colds though... it's going to be a long school year in that regard. He's on cold #2 in three weeks. DS' totally fine except for a cough and slight runny nose. His kinder teacher just sent an email yesterday reminding parents to keep kids home for cough, runny nose or congestion.
Post by karinothing on Oct 20, 2021 18:03:46 GMT -5
The no return with a cough even with negative test is BS. I had a cold in June and had a cough for 8 weeks. It sucked. I had multiple negative tests. I couldn't get any doctor to see me in person because of the cough and had to cancel so much (pt, ortho, etc).
Clearly I did not have covid and even if I did I would not have had it for 8 weeks!
The no return with a cough even with negative test is BS. I had a cold in June and had a cough for 8 weeks. It sucked. 8 had multiple negative tests. I couldn't get any doctor to see me in person because of the cough and had to cancel so much (pt, ortho, etc).
Clearly I did not have covid and even if I did I would not have had it for 8 weeks!
My co-teacher has a cough every fall that lasts through winter- it’s a combination of allergies and reflux. It’s been 5 years of working together and 5 years of my yelling at him to stop coughing already (lovingly, jokingly) but with those rules he legit wouldn’t work from end of October through February.
The no return with a cough even with negative test is BS. I had a cold in June and had a cough for 8 weeks. It sucked. 8 had multiple negative tests. I couldn't get any doctor to see me in person because of the cough and had to cancel so much (pt, ortho, etc).
Clearly I did not have covid and even if I did I would not have had it for 8 weeks!
My co-teacher has a cough every fall that lasts through winter- it’s a combination of allergies and reflux. It’s been 5 years of working together and 5 years of my yelling at him to stop coughing already (lovingly, jokingly) but with those rules he legit wouldn’t work from end of October through February.
Karanothing, same over the summer. I was diagnosed with presumed pneumonia (and the treatment worked so I'm pretty sure it was correct) but they wouldn't let me actually come in and be seen because cough. Despite multiple negative tests. It suuuuuucked.
Post by picksthemusic on Oct 21, 2021 12:33:26 GMT -5
We got T-boned yesterday taking the kids to their appointments. We’re fine, but it was a woman who took an illegal left turn and slammed right into us. Kids are okay, and I took them to the doctor after and got them checked out. Now they’re complaining more about their flu shot shoulders hurting.
I took the day off to see how I respond to the accident. I hate being in accidents.
Which is exactly why I hope I can just go to CVS or something.
I do not want to wait on the Pedi's office at all.
I agree. I’ve just been reading so much about how pediatricians will be key - I thought there might be some sort of plan.
I wouldn’t count on it. My kids had a check up a month before the oldest turned 12. When the oldest was getting his shots I asked “so should I bring them in next month?” “Why?” He asked. “For his Covid vaccination.” “Why would you do that?”
I shared this in a thread on MMM, but our pedi's office posted a preemptive update on FB yesterday. They have been vaccinating in office since summer, gradually going down in age from 16/18 (Pfizer/Moderna) to 12 as approvals roll in, and hopefully soon to 5. But I am a little worried about the delays associated with needing different product for age 5-11.
“Tests of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in younger children are following close behind, and data are expected before the end of the year — first on children between 2 and 4 years old, and then on children as young as 6 months.”
WellI had to hold my 5 year old down for her 3 shots so not sure she will be so enthusiastic about her covid shot 🤦🏼♀️
I’m worried about how clinics will handle non-compliant kids. We had to get a covid test once at urgent care. It didn’t help that the MA administering it had zero patience from the beginning, but ultimately she sent us away without doing any covid test. That wasn’t even the brain swab test either. So I’m hoping the clinics will have much more patient staff, bribes on hand, and flexibility to help kiddos with needle fears. Because of this, I plan to find a kid-centric place or go to my pharmacist friend who has kids too because even if we have to try another day she won’t be mean to my kid about it. I’m also considering finding a friend to join us, hoping that each kid will want to be brave in front of their friend, use peer pressure a bit to my advantage. I do know this method has worked with older kids with needle phobia when they all went as a group to get their shots. My kid is old enough for this to work, but also young enough to still not care what her friends think…
WellI had to hold my 5 year old down for her 3 shots so not sure she will be so enthusiastic about her covid shot 🤦🏼♀️
I’m worried about how clinics will handle non-compliant kids. We had to get a covid test once at urgent care. It didn’t help that the MA administering it had zero patience from the beginning, but ultimately she sent us away without doing any covid test. That wasn’t even the brain swab test either. So I’m hoping the clinics will have much more patient staff, bribes on hand, and flexibility to help kiddos with needle fears. Because of this, I plan to find a kid-centric place or go to my pharmacist friend who has kids too because even if we have to try another day she won’t be mean to my kid about it. I’m also considering finding a friend to join us, hoping that each kid will want to be brave in front of their friend, use peer pressure a bit to my advantage. I do know this method has worked with older kids with needle phobia when they all went as a group to get their shots. My kid is old enough for this to work, but also young enough to still not care what her friends think…
I think thats up to us as parents.
My kids are incredibly difficult about vaccines. The clinic staff have never been mean (that isn’t okay) but they don’t do bribery or anything like that. It’s my job to get them to comply. We physically had to restrain my 7 year old to get her flu shot (big bear hug while they administered it in her leg). I’ll probably dress them in short sleeves dresses or shorts to increase the limbs available. The volunteers are going to have enough going on staffing a free 1000 shot a day clinic. They won’t have time or bandwidth to coddle my kid.
I’m worried about how clinics will handle non-compliant kids. We had to get a covid test once at urgent care. It didn’t help that the MA administering it had zero patience from the beginning, but ultimately she sent us away without doing any covid test. That wasn’t even the brain swab test either. So I’m hoping the clinics will have much more patient staff, bribes on hand, and flexibility to help kiddos with needle fears. Because of this, I plan to find a kid-centric place or go to my pharmacist friend who has kids too because even if we have to try another day she won’t be mean to my kid about it. I’m also considering finding a friend to join us, hoping that each kid will want to be brave in front of their friend, use peer pressure a bit to my advantage. I do know this method has worked with older kids with needle phobia when they all went as a group to get their shots. My kid is old enough for this to work, but also young enough to still not care what her friends think…
I think thats up to us as parents.
My kids are incredibly difficult about vaccines. The clinic staff have never been mean (that isn’t okay) but they don’t do bribery or anything like that. It’s my job to get them to comply. We physically had to restrain my 7 year old to get her flu shot (big bear hug her while they administered it in her leg). I’ll probably dress them in short sleeves dresses or shorts to increase the limbs available. The volunteers are going to have enough going on staffing a free 1000 shot a day clinic. They won’t have time or bandwidth to coddle my kid.
Same. I will sit on my kid...and have...in order to get a shot in them. I don't care and I don't have empathy for it.
My kids are incredibly difficult about vaccines. The clinic staff have never been mean (that isn’t okay) but they don’t do bribery or anything like that. It’s my job to get them to comply. We physically had to restrain my 7 year old to get her flu shot (big bear hug her while they administered it in her leg). I’ll probably dress them in short sleeves dresses or shorts to increase the limbs available. The volunteers are going to have enough going on staffing a free 1000 shot a day clinic. They won’t have time or bandwidth to coddle my kid.
Same. I will sit on my kid...and have...in order to get a shot in them. I don't care and I don't have empathy for it.
I have empathy for my child. I know she is genuinely scared. But it’s still on me to get her to behave.
And frankly I have as much, if not more, empathy for the person administering the shot. She’s just trying to do her job and protect my kid’s health while having to deal with my kid screaming and squirming. It feels like a recipe for headaches and hearing loss.
WellI had to hold my 5 year old down for her 3 shots so not sure she will be so enthusiastic about her covid shot 🤦🏼♀️
I’m worried about how clinics will handle non-compliant kids. We had to get a covid test once at urgent care. It didn’t help that the MA administering it had zero patience from the beginning, but ultimately she sent us away without doing any covid test. That wasn’t even the brain swab test either. So I’m hoping the clinics will have much more patient staff, bribes on hand, and flexibility to help kiddos with needle fears. Because of this, I plan to find a kid-centric place or go to my pharmacist friend who has kids too because even if we have to try another day she won’t be mean to my kid about it. I’m also considering finding a friend to join us, hoping that each kid will want to be brave in front of their friend, use peer pressure a bit to my advantage. I do know this method has worked with older kids with needle phobia when they all went as a group to get their shots. My kid is old enough for this to work, but also young enough to still not care what her friends think…
My almost 10 year old is severely needle phobic and generally non compliant in medical situations. He has already had multiple breakdowns at the mere thought of having to get the covid shots. I had to find FluMist this year to avoid another needle for him. Etc etc etc. The pediatrician can prescribe a numbing cream called Emla for vaccines. I went ahead and had the pedi prescribe it so it’s sitting in my cupboard ready to go when it’s covid shot day. Also I bought something called a shotblocker that is a flexible plastic thing with like little plastic “spikes” that you can use when they get a shot that confuses the body into not feeling it or something (something called a buzzy bee ahas the same effect, but costs like $50 instead of $10). In any case, we are preparing for this needle phobic kid in ways we never have before because 2 shots so close together is more than he can handle even thinking about at the moment. If you have a needle phobic kid I’d recommend talking to your pedi about what you can do (emla cream, buzzy bee, etc) to make your kid more comfortable. Beyond all that DH will probably be the one to take DS because he can hold him down more effectively than I can at this point.
ETA: DS knows we have these things and that has helped calm his fears a little bit. Just the psychological benefit of feeling like he can do something to make it better and also that we understand this is stressful to him and are helping him do something is hugely beneficial if that makes sense.
Post by formerlyak on Oct 22, 2021 10:46:26 GMT -5
I had my younger one go with my older one when he got his to see it wasn’t a big deal. He’s so excited about it now. Would it help to show some of the commercials with 12 year olds getting the shot while smiling to the nervous kids so they can see that kids are doing it and it isn’t bad?
Post by picksthemusic on Oct 22, 2021 12:05:13 GMT -5
As someone who gives kid shots regularly, I appreciate it when parents and/or caregivers are willing to help restrain their children to get shots done. Also, it does help talking to them a lot beforehand and letting them ask questions. I tell kids having a hard time that it’s my job to make sure they’re safe when getting vaccinated, and if they can’t hold still we will need to hold them down.
My 10 y-o DD screamed in my face while getting her shot, so it’s not like my kids do much better. DS did well enough, he got distracted enough to not notice.
As someone who gives kid shots regularly, I appreciate it when parents and/or caregivers are willing to help restrain their children to get shots done. Also, it does help talking to them a lot beforehand and letting them ask questions. I tell kids having a hard time that it’s my job to make sure they’re safe when getting vaccinated, and if they can’t hold still we will need to hold them down.
My 10 y-o DD screamed in my face while getting her shot, so it’s not like my kids do much better. DS did well enough, he got distracted enough to not notice.
Thank you for saying this. I had to do this when DD1 (6.5) got her flu shot and I felt like a terrible parent for forcing her to do it when she was so upset. The nurse was really nice about it but I felt awful for her too. We talked about it a lot ahead of time, I promised her a treat after, had her little sister (3) go first since she didn’t want to. She calmed down pretty fast afterwards (within 5-10 mins, she had to kind of cry it out). I think its the anticipation that makes her so upset. I’m worried about getting her Covid shots. Any other advice? Or just keep forcing her to do it even though it sucks?
Post by gretchenindisguise on Oct 22, 2021 13:14:49 GMT -5
My eldest has hated hated hated getting shots. Things that have helped us are letting them be in charge of when it happens, so now they'll tell the provider, "I'd like you to give me the shot on 3, not before 3, but right on - 1..2..3." This was after some trial and error where they would count to 3, and some well meaning providers would do it early on 2.
Also after one of their more recent shots over the summer, I recorded them on my phone telling their future self it's ok. Walking through how worried they were and how little it ended up hurting and what a small deal it was in the end. I think just the recording of the video helped to cement it into their brains because their next shots were way easier - but I have the video ready to pull out during future shots if we need it.
My eldest has hated hated hated getting shots. Things that have helped us are letting them be in charge of when it happens, so now they'll tell the provider, "I'd like you to give me the shot on 3, not before 3, but right on - 1..2..3." This was after some trial and error where they would count to 3, and some well meaning providers would do it early on 2.
Also after one of their more recent shots over the summer, I recorded them on my phone telling their future self it's ok. Walking through how worried they were and how little it ended up hurting and what a small deal it was in the end. I think just the recording of the video helped to cement it into their brains because their next shots were way easier - but I have the video ready to pull out during future shots if we need it.
This is genius! I’m going to try to do this after shot #1 for shot #2.
My kids are incredibly difficult about vaccines. The clinic staff have never been mean (that isn’t okay) but they don’t do bribery or anything like that. It’s my job to get them to comply. We physically had to restrain my 7 year old to get her flu shot (big bear hug her while they administered it in her leg). I’ll probably dress them in short sleeves dresses or shorts to increase the limbs available. The volunteers are going to have enough going on staffing a free 1000 shot a day clinic. They won’t have time or bandwidth to coddle my kid.
Same. I will sit on my kid...and have...in order to get a shot in them. I don't care and I don't have empathy for it.
Yup, I have had to physically restrain my kids for shots and covid tests. With covid tests we go through a drive thur place and they are strapped into their car seat lol
I’m really angry today at all of the misinformation and political shit that has led to people being so passionately anti-vaccine. And then the religious (false) teachings that some preach that God will protect them.
PDQ: Just this week, I know of 9 kids who will never again hug one of their parents because the parents fully believed that God would protect them and they didn’t need to get the vaccine. One was a woman who helped us frequently at her place of employment. The other is a very young pastor who is connected to a good friend of mine. To my knowledge, the only “risk factor” that people had was being overweight.
I’m just so sad. And so angry. These anti-vax people don’t seem to think about what life will be like for those who love them once they’re gone. Sure, the person who dies believes that they are “going to a better place”…but they fail to see that they’re leaving their loved ones in a special kind of hell.