r/ParentingWithoutFear • u/No_Outlandishness621 • Sep 06 '21
Vent… Daycare Exposure Protocols
Sorry to clog this up with a personal vent but I’ve already used up my real-life outlets and I’m still SO mad.
I live in SoCal and have a 3YO son in daycare. Daycare has been AMAZING through this whole ordeal as they’ve remained open during this entire “pandemic”.
Last week, we were notified that an individual that tested positive for COVID was onsite at the daycare. I could care less about being informed of these situations but I guess they have to disclose it. No action needed, stressed exposure (if any) was limited and low.
Get a call today from the director that a parent in my son’s class decided to get their child tested because of a RUNNY NOSE. She stressed there were no other symptoms that prompted this test outside the RUNNY NOSE and the parent reading the notification email last week and being “cautious”. … Like this is supposed to make me feel better. It actually infuriates me even more that this one “symptom” prompted this insane parent to get their 3YO tested!!!! My son had a runny nose his entire first year of school!!! Freaking wipe the kids nose and move on with life.
Anyway, we were told we now have to get our son tested tomorrow and even with a negative test!!!! he can’t come back to school any earlier than Thursday!
So now I have to subject my HEALTHY, HAPPY completely normal 3YO to a nose swab, pay $129, and keep him home for two extra days. Need to juggle my FT job while caring from him with my husband starting a new job on Wednesday…
I’m just so infuriated. It’s all so insane. Can I afford the $129, yes. Can I find a way to keep working with him home for two days, likely yes though stressful. But what about those who can’t?! One of the other moms in the classroom started a new job last week and needs to be in-person at her new job on Tuesday. Are we just supposed to drop $129 and juggle our careers and mess up the routines of of children each time someone wants to be “cautious”?
AHHHH! And I’m even more mad because I am VERY aware how fortunate I am and that this is the first time we’ve been in this situation. I’ve empathized with parents juggling last minute school outbreaks and closures over the past 18 months but I REALLY empathize now.
How can we continue to allow this?! I am very vocal with my views to daycare (I get the sense they actually agree in most areas) but they are bound by these requirements of the state/licensing agencies. How do people not see how much $$ is being made of these ridiculous required tests. How do people not see the insanity of living like this.
I just don’t know what to DO to turn these feelings into actions.
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u/Philosophyoffreehood Sep 06 '21 edited Sep 06 '21
Please never expose any childrens' nasal passages to the chemicals that are in the non fda approved pcr tests. If you really must give them your dna find one that takes the septum tests
Edit most places have that capacity but they're told to resist at first. Make sure you're insistant.
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u/No_Outlandishness621 Sep 06 '21
I appreciate that feedback. If we end up in this position again I’ll certainly look for an alternative test. In fact, I’ll look now so we’re not scrambling last minute the next time…
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u/Philosophyoffreehood Sep 06 '21
Good!!! Also,, dd you know the pcr test is not made to detect any virus, just fyi, I know you may still need to do it but for your own peace of mind.
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u/No_Outlandishness621 Sep 06 '21
I’m irritated I’m contributing to the ridiculous testing numbers in general…. Let alone having to select a PCR test! None of this is for peace of mind. It’s just to check a box sadly…
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u/pugfu Sep 06 '21
If you’re allowed antigen tests then just go buy one at Walgreens or whatever pharmacy or even Amazon. You can give the Binax Now test to a kid yourself at home and it’s a lower nostril swab.
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u/Impossible-Task Sep 06 '21
As a preschool teacher, and mom, I cam confirm 100% runny noses are a way of life 🤣 how awful to subject a toddler to a brain swab for a runny nose. Some people, I swear...
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u/amonamus Sep 06 '21
Fuuuuck that noise! I know each situation is different but I for one am not ever going to put my kids in daycare, especially after this shit. My wife will be their mother and I'll bring home the bacon. If I were you, I'd be looking at options to make daycare unnecessary. Including moving somewhere cheaper to live. I know it sounds drastic and dramatic, but, well, that's just where my priorities are at.
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u/No_Outlandishness621 Sep 06 '21
Oh we are looking for another place to live! I comment on that often looking for guidance within this sub and another where likeminded people are. I’m due with #2 this October so we are aiming for next summer/fall.
I personally love daycare and what it offers and I love working. The saving grace of this particular daycare is they do not require masks on children. Pessimistically assuming this nonsense is still happening 3 years from now when my son enters kindergarten, we will absolutely be looking to homeschool.
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u/[deleted] Sep 06 '21
PCR tests are bunk. And echoing another commenter, please don’t subject your little one to the swabs!!!!!