People referring to covid as a cold

@suburberphobe - I think you've misunderstood- the child is refusing the covid test, not the dad

.we dont know if its covid as he wont let me test him

You have a much bigger problem than Covid I'm afraid.

If you want to test him, go right ahead. Who made him the boss of you and your son?

It’s not a cold. People aren’t dying from it in the millions now. I’ve been a bit surprised what a huge impact it has had in sport this year, particularly cycling. It has actually changed the season. Seems that it’s still a lot more contagious than a cold, no masks now so we’re seeing it.

Although the common cold is usually caused by rhinoviruses,[94] in about 15% of cases the cause is a coronavirus.[95

Wikipedia.

So it's still very sensible to think of vulnerable people if you have a "cold"

I’m currently recovering from covid - it’s been a month so far. This illness has been nothing like any cold I’ve ever had!

Most people aren’t testing for Covid so would say “I have a cold” rather than “I have Covid” because they don’t know which one they have and the treatment is usually the same for both.

I had Covid in July four weeks after finishing chemo and would actually say it’s milder than a cold. I haven’t had a vaccine since 2021.

Is this a normal reaction now? People have covid and its just brushed off as a cold, therefore people are out spreading knowingly?

I think people are spreading it UNknowingly because for most people (fortunately) it is like a cold and while I don't think people brush a bad cold off (you can still feel pretty rotten), they do need to get on with things (living with the virus).

People who say covid isn't real are a ignorant. I don't know how I'd handle one of my family members saying something like that.

I'm sorry it hits you hard, OP. I think if people are able to modify their behaviour to minimise the risk to others then that's a good thing.

I would stay away from my vulnerable family members when unwell, and I would test if I thought it was covid as I would want to inform the care home if I knew I might have visited while contagious but not yet symptomatic. I'd also inform others so they could make their own decisions if say we were planning on visiting. I am able to do this. I wfh, my son is old enough to look after himself. I appreciate others have to carry on regardless.

It’s so disappointing that so many people are still so stupid

yes it is. People willingly believe the lies that were fed to them and the fear that was instilled is still there.

Exactly.

My dad is in his 90s and I wouldn't visit him if I had anything at all contagious.

However, I have to follow my employers rules and go to work if I'm well enough.

Which has always been the case since long before Covid anyway.

It's so weird how people have gone from willingly locking down for months to not even thinking someone should avoid their vulnerable elderly relatives while they are infectious. I'm not in favour of lockdown but you would think it would have left a feeling that we should be careful about not spreading it to those most at risk

It knocks me out every time. Dh and the kids - it's just a cold.

There will always be divided opinions on this based on personal experience.

That's great for you and your kids but not so much for the countless people you're all potentially spreading it to in work and school. A common cold will not put me in hospital, covid probably will. People should also have some empathy even with colds and limit contact for at least a couple of days. Relative works in a care home. 12 residents and 6 staff currently have covid. Some are very ill... But no worries as long as people get to walk around in the community, knowing they have covid that's all good the vulnerable don't matter...

I’ve had it twice. Both times it was the mildest of colds. Barely registered. My 89 year old mother had it last month (she tested only because she’s having hospital treatment) and it gave her only the slightest of symptoms.

I’m so thankful that for the vast majority of people, covid IS nothing more than a minor cold now. Also that the vast majority no longer test.

it’s a dick move to know you’re ill with a cold even to go spread it in the office for example

Truthfully, are you one of these people who think all office workers can WFH?

Or are you one of these people who think if you get the sack for taking too much time off work, you can 'just get another job'?

How do you think anyone can survive in the workplace if they take time off every time they get a cold, especially if they're prone to catching them?

Government advice:

"Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days after the day you took your test"

Covid may feel like a cold for many. But for many others it's more like the flu. And each infection carries an increased risk of LongCovid. But a lit of people try and pretend that's not real too.

You do what feels right for you and your child - and the elderly relative.

The first time I had it, I've definitely had worse colds. The second time, I wouldn't have known at all, if we hadn't had to test before going into the office. Tested positive for 11 days, and I was fine throughout.

I've never knowingly had flu, but it can be asymptomatic, as can covid. And like flu, it can also kill.

The trouble is, now you don't have to isolate, people might have to go to work or school unless they are really quite ill with it. My manager used to object to us coming in with a cold, even long before covid, but we could always WFH, so it didn't mean we couldn't work. But some jobs, you have to be physically present.

Exactly

“you don’t have to isolate now”

really? What a dick! Like we don’t know this? Like those idiots on here who quote the OP? We’ve ALL fucking read it you numpty, it’s literally the opening post, it’s why we’re all here.

it’s a dick move to know you’re ill with a cold even to go spread it in the office for example, Covid isn’t a cold for everyone. It’s basic manners to consider someone with an obviously weaker immune system

is Norovirus just a tummy bug? Chicken pox a few spots?

no. Neither of these would be welcome in someone’s home

it’s so disappointing that so many people are still so stupid

My brother and sil had it two months ago, both healthy, fit and in their 40's, both were very sick particularly my brother, thankfully they took it seriously and stayed away from our elderly father, a month ago myself and my husband got it, a colleague of my husband had it but didn't tell anyone until others started to get it, my husband ended up in bed for a week and off work for two, I was very weak and breathless for over a week. It may be like a cold to some but for others it can be serious and dangerous. My father was waiting on surgery to remove a kidney, getting covid could have been catastrophic.

Well what it normally means is you have to go to work in order to keep a roof over your head.

And you have to take your kids to school so they get educated and no-one threatens to fine you/take you to court.

As with even the common cold, during your day to day business you'll come across vulnerable people who may or may not catch it from you.

I think that the issue is that is the same family of virus as the cold virus. So it is a cold, but not a type our bodies are accustomed to in general. Maybe some people have more exposure to exotic cold virus varieties and can brush it off but most people in the UK cannot. It is very serious, just like measles was for the native Americans so many years ago if it's something, or something similar you have never encountered before.

I'd be furious if someone turned up and gave me a cold, yet alone flu or covid, and would probably not see them again, as people who intentionally make me ill aren't my idea of nice people.

However, your in laws clearly feel differently.

I suppose, then, it depends on the individuals concerned. However, going out in public there will be plenty who will be very seriously affected by covid as well as plenty who see it as like a cold, so it's still important to isolate if possible.

I didn't realise people were still testing themselves for covid

last time I had it it was sick a sick bug, felt rough for 24 hours. Mild cough.
gave it to DH who was off work fir two weeks felt awful fir almost a month.

if I knew I had Covid, I would stay at home.