Covid Urghhh

[Sahm121]

My brain isn’t clear so help me out here please.

2 kids had symptoms over the weekend and tested positive yesterday. I woke up coughing, did a covid test and it was negative but then 20 min later a super super faint second line appeared. I went and did a test at a clinic and the same thing happened (it was negative but then after the time, the rep saw the same faint faint faint line that I had seen and wasn’t sure what to make of it) so they’re doing a PCR test.

obviously the positive kiddos have to quarantine. Do I assume im positive too and close for the week? Test again tonight? Wait for the PCR which will come tomorrow?

then new family was supposed to start today. Policy says they pay if closed for COVID (we’ve had only one covid closure in the past two years). Do I mention anything or just assume they know they have to pay?

then final one cause my head feels like it’s in the clouds - do I just close for the week and if the test comes back negative, I reopen?

[e.j.]

I tend to be very cautious when it comes to Covid so if it were me, I would close at least until I got the PCR test results. If that comes back positive, I'd close for the rest of the week and not reopen until I tested negative.

If the PCR results come back negative, I'd base it on my symptoms. If I still had symptoms consistent with Covid and I wasn't feeling well, I'd close and maybe test periodically until I felt well enough to reopen. If I felt ok enough to work, I might give parents the option to bring their kids but I'd be upfront about what's going on and let them make the decision to chance it or not. If I had to close before a new family even began, I wouldn't charge them until they could actually start with me. That's just me, though. I'm sure others will have different advice. Good luck! I hope you feel better soon.

[Michael]

If you see a faint line you are considered COVID positive

[Sahm121]

I tested again last night and it’s positive. Plus, I feel horrible. I have my vaccine and booster and last time I got covid, it took over a year for the symptoms to disappear (covid long hauler), I had decided after posting this to just close for the week and if it was negative , I’d just call the families and tell them they can come with a negative test:
please keep me in your prayers. I feel horrible and my youngest is immune compromised and just got her 4th dose so im hoping she’s spared.

[Snowmom]

So sorry you're feeling horrible! Hopefully the long-haul symptoms will pass you by this time and your daughter is spared!

[Sahm121]

Quick
question - do I tell families also tested positive? I haven’t left the house at all since Friday except to drop off my husband his lunch, so I know the exposure was from here

[Alwaysgreener]

I got Covid at the end of May, I told my families. Kinda regretted it because I was closed for the weekend anyway and I was allowed to reopen after the weekend.

[Annalee]

Several daycares have children with covid around here. I had my annual physical yesterday and I asked about getting the second booster and she said I could if I wanted but there would be another 'formulated' covid shot coming out in the fall that would be available annually like the flu shot. I'm waiting for that one. Not saying the vaccine works but it keeps my daycare open and me sane. for my mental health....all the way!

[JaeB]

If I was you I would have the kids sending temperatures every morning anything 98.9 or higher means they stay home that way you're catching the symptoms a little bit somewhat before they get out of control but the thing is to stop the kids from coming in sick. And if a parent seems to mention to you that they are not feeling good then I wouldn't have the child come back until the parent can prove to me that they themselves don't have something contagious which in turn can turn into something given to their child and then given to the daycare. COVID clearly is not over, and I doubt if anybody can afford to close due to covid unless your getting paid for the child being absent. I may sound harsh but considering the fact that I've taken all of the steps to somewhat insure my daycare kids don't get Colby from me I believe I should be able to give a charge criminally or financial to parents who knowingly bringing their child sick with the possibility that it could be covid prior to testing themselves .

[Annalee]

I'm not sure criminally charging someone is a possibility but I do protect myself by charging 52 weeks per year no matter what....but I also send home for symptoms (all symptoms). There are not many protocols right now with the exception of the 5-day quarantine for the infected. That is the only protocol I follow right now. I vaccinated myself during the time the exposed were having to quarantine as well. At the time, those vaccinated did not have to quarantine. I'm safe within my daycare but I have also let my mindset change a little to avoid 'going nuts' over the pandemic.

[Alwaysgreener]

Yeah, I remember Tom Copeland saying that providers could not legally be held responsible if a child were to get sick. Therefore we would not be able to hold parents legally responsible.