Covid and daycare

What are parents doing?

My daughters daycare is open but there are kids and teachers positive...so we've taken her out. I know it's unlikely to make a difference as it seems unavoidable...but I just don't have the heart to send her knowing the virus is there and she'll definitely get it. I guess it's in most places....plus no vaccination for 3yr olds. Her lungs aren't the best from birth too, though much, much better now and will be normal in a few more years.

Conflicted here.

What are other parents doing?

 

Was she born early?

 

If staff and kids are positive, definitely try and keep her away from it. Especially if she is not school aged yet.
It looks like infections are starting to drop down, so maybe once the kids and educators in question are better, you’ll find that the centre is virus free.

We will probably all get it in the end, but the longer you wait, the better. Especially for a little body growing up.

 

It’s a much harder situation when school starts as the kids really have to attend. But childcare, it’s still “optional” if you can call it that, given she still need you or someone to look after her.
But I would play it safe here mate - not worth the risk. If it happens outside your control, then so be it, but if you let it happen knowing it’s there, you might look back and regret it.

good luck !

 

You are doing the right thing @Sackie
Only you would be in the best position to make that decision.
My sister is planning to send her little one to day care and will assess as the situation as it unfolds, but will have no hesitation in pulling her out if needed.

 

Totally get it. It's a fricken nightmare. We took our 4 year old out of childcare in September last year. Planning to send her back to kinder soon, because it's mostly outside but not sending her back to normal childcare for a bit.

It's a horrible position to be in where you have to choose between your child's health/safety and their development/education.

Cannot wait for the <5 year old vaccine.

 

We've mentioned it to our GP and she thinks it shouldn't be a major issue, though she understands our concerns from a "but who really knows for sure" standpoint. She used to handle the flu pretty badly as her lungs were developing but the last time she got a bad flu she handled it much better. Objectively speaking, I'm sure we are just over concerned... But we both feel too guilty to send her knowing its all over the daycare..

 

Yeah.... thats our instinct...

 

Our thinking too. Try to avoid it as long as possible..

 

Yeah its crappy....

Are you worried about the vaccine for under 5s when it eventually comes out.,.?

 

Yes, a couple of weeks.

 

My only worry is how long it will take to get.

 

Do they have under 5s anywhere in the world?

 

Not yet. Pfizer were on track to have their trials completed late last year, but they hit a snag - safety was fine but effectiveness wasn't because the dose was too low. That was with a 2 dose schedule. They are now doing trials with 3 doses (same amount, effectively extending the 2 dose trial to a 3 dose trial) .

Moderna is also doing trials with a higher dose. I reckon mid-2022 is probably about when we'd be likely to get it here, all things going well.

 

UAE, Chile, Cuba have been doing under 5s for a while, that's why their vax rates are so high, over 90%. Only Portugal has got to 90% without vaxing young kids.

I think a lot of countries won't do under 5s, Germany and the UK not even recommending under 12s, unless they have some other condition.

 

Got an email from the daycare saying there are 4 more positive cases in the daycare today. They won't tell you anything more. They won't even tell you which class...

 

Keep your child home if you can.

Many families don’t have that option.

 

We are. It is very tiring tbh but we feel it's safer. She actually misses it and wants to go as she loves playing with her friends there...sigh...

Another birthday around the corner with no friends. We'll take her to an animal place with big outdoors to celebrate with just family.