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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Covid in 2025

131 replies

zoeb92 · 09/09/2025 14:47

Hi all,

Long story short, my parents got back from holiday on Monday and both have Covid. Mum’s been unwell since Tuesday, Dad started feeling rough on Friday. Mum is better now.

They’re both retired, in their 60s, and usually look after my toddler two days a week while I’m at work.

They’re meant to be going to a funeral 150 miles away on Friday and, while there, also planning to visit elderly relatives.

I dropped tests over yesterday evening – Mum’s came back negative, Dad’s positive. I’d spent Saturday with Mum and, after feeling off last night, I tested again (negative the day before) and now I’m positive too.

I’ll be working from home until it clears – luckily that’s not an issue as my boss is lovely and very understanding.

Here’s the problem: Mum is determined to go to this funeral on Friday (it’s her friend’s partner who has passed, not a close relative). I’ve told Dad he needs to stay well away since he’s still testing positive. I’ve said he can travel down with Mum if he really wants, but he should let her attend alone, avoid staying overnight with Mum’s friend, and absolutely not go near my grandparents, who are in their 80s.

Mum insists I’m being dramatic – she says Covid is just like a cold now, and everyone’s vaccinated. I’m angry because I think she’s being selfish. Dad is listening to me (secretly relieved, I suspect, that he doesn’t have to go). What frustrates me most is that Mum is normally straight-laced, she never breaks rules or takes risks. She isn’t technically breaking any rules here, but in my opinion her attitude is irresponsible.

I’m 5 months pregnant and can’t take anything for the symptoms. Not only am I annoyed that I caught it from her in the first place, but I’m also worried she or Dad could spread it around like jam on toast and make a lot of people poorly.

AIBU? Thanks.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
Delatron · 10/09/2025 21:06

I think they are renaming Long Covid Post Covid Syndrome. They can call it what they want but lots are going to be affected if it’s as indiscriminate as it seems to be (fitness and good health is no protection).

justasking111 · 10/09/2025 21:01

Was my birthday this week. My son came down with COVID or flu at the weekend. I'm going into hospital for a replacement hip, which would be cancelled if I was unwell. Son and wife are staying away until they're both in the clear.

My BIL has come down with similar his cough is awful, all because a friend visited and coughed all over him last week.

I wouldn't go to a funeral full of older people.

MaurineWayBack · 10/09/2025 20:53

Pragmatism · 10/09/2025 19:07

GP survey puts it between 4% - 5% of patients with long covid and an additional 9% of patients who are unsure. I know this is lower than a lot of research shows, but that makes sense to me too - how many patients are scanned for organ damage or microclots or even consider the possibility that their breathlessness/fatigue/behavioural changes etc may go back to that mild infection they had a few weeks ago?

Recent studies show that 30% of NHS HCP show symptoms associated with LC (whether or not they’ve been diagnosed - many wont have made the link between their symotoms and the weird virus they had 2 months ago).

My experience with GPs is that theyre not keen on using the LC label tbh.

Delatron · 10/09/2025 19:13

Exactly. The tests for organ damage are very expensive and you can’t scan your nervous system. I think it’s a big scale from mild to severe Long Covid. Mild being you can do lots but you can’t exercise or do what you used to do (still has an impact) and severe is bed bound. Lots of people won’t have been officially diagnosed and therefore count in the figures.

I don’t think we’ll ever know the true figures. But I expect we’ll just hear of more and more people suffering (and then hopefully there will be treatments and research).

Pragmatism · 10/09/2025 19:07

GP survey puts it between 4% - 5% of patients with long covid and an additional 9% of patients who are unsure. I know this is lower than a lot of research shows, but that makes sense to me too - how many patients are scanned for organ damage or microclots or even consider the possibility that their breathlessness/fatigue/behavioural changes etc may go back to that mild infection they had a few weeks ago?

Delatron · 10/09/2025 17:27

Mutability · 10/09/2025 17:10

Some posters on MN are still a bit bonkers about covid and behaves like it’s something far worse than it is. I think our government really did a number on some people’s mental health.

In RL, nobody I know even mentions it let alone tests for it.

I tell you what does a number on your mental health - Long Covid.

And I was firmly in the ‘lockdown was an overreaction’ ‘it’s not even as bad a cold’ ‘long Covid is not a thing’ camp…

Maybe it’s payback. Anyway, for lots of healthy people it can actually be quite serious and cause lots of issues. People may start to rethink their views soon. Especially as instead of mutating to become more mild like we thought- this latest strain is pretty awful.

I have damage to my nervous system. As per the post above. It can affect multiple systems of the body.

Mutability · 10/09/2025 17:10

Some posters on MN are still a bit bonkers about covid and behaves like it’s something far worse than it is. I think our government really did a number on some people’s mental health.

In RL, nobody I know even mentions it let alone tests for it.

Justsaynonow · 10/09/2025 17:02

Berlinlover · 09/09/2025 16:05

I agree, I’m in remission from cancer and had chemotherapy last year. I work on a supermarket checkout and no doubt am serving people with Covid several times a day. People need to move on from the hysterical overreaction to Covid that existed in 2020/21.

'Hysterical overreaction' ? Not what scientists are finding. Especially for someone in remission.

The virus can be found in all organ systems and can negatively affect the brain, heart and endocrine organs to name a few. While the symptoms may mimic the common cold, the possible longer lasting organ damage is still unknown. We know there are negative effects on the body of other viruses eg hep B C EBV HZV HIV.

Diabetes, cardiomyopathy, stroke and pulmonary embolism are all consequences of COVID. Long covid is real and life altering and the risk increases with repeated infections.
https://www.panaccindex.info/p/what-covid-19-does-to-the-body-eighth

What COVID-19 Does to the Body (Eighth Edition, June 2025)

Your Regular COVID-19 Research Update (90+ Studies)

https://www.panaccindex.info/p/what-covid-19-does-to-the-body-eighth

Skybluepinky · 10/09/2025 14:37

How selfish of her!

WhiskyintheJarr · 10/09/2025 13:43

I think you need to stop controlling and infantilising your parents, to be honest.

Sure, you can voice your concerns and I’m sure you’ve been doing plenty of that. But anything else is an overstep. Your mum can make her own decisions. She’s aware of the risks.

Pragmatism · 10/09/2025 13:36

The figures for flu deaths earlier in the thread are for flu and pneumonia combined. RSV, flu, covid will contribute to viral pneumonia deaths. Over half of pneumonia deaths are due to
bacterial pneumonia. Figures are further complicated as viruses can make you more susceptible to bacterial superinfections. It’s frustrating that flu is rolled up in these figures, especially when flu is the most seasonal.

Teaandbutteredscones · 10/09/2025 13:36

Katheclepto · 10/09/2025 13:24

Why test and then not do anything about the results?
I don’t test and no one I know does because I would only stay home and avoid vulnerable people if I felt too poorly to go out, not just because a test said so!
People need to live their lives. It’s crazy!

I’ve heard of people still staying at home and having constant vaccinations and still catching it and feeling awful. Maybe it’s the vaccines making it worse?

IMO COVID is the same as any virus. If you’re well enough to go somewhere.. go!

'People need to live their lives', but what about the lives of those who are disabled or killed by others who spread covid to them?
Vaccinations aren't making it worse; they just can't keep up with the constantly mutating virus so they don't stop people getting ill. Most people aren't eligible for vaccinations anymore anyway.

MyDogHumpsThings · 10/09/2025 13:34

Delatron · 10/09/2025 10:47

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11281588/

It’s the WHO official figures but there are so many studies on this. All of them finding somewhere between 6-27%.

We can split hairs over the exact number - which to be honest we may never know. But I, like many others, thought that Long Covid was hopefully just something affecting the first wave and as we got immunity less would be affected. Studies are showing each infection increases risk. Doesn’t matter how healthy or what age you are.

I think people just need to be aware and educated about this. There’s around 2 million people in the Uk suffering. I can’t see that number going down with each round of Covid (which is constantly circulating) as more are affected.

I used to previously be sceptical too. Then it happened to me. And unfortunately I know quite a few others.

Thank you for the source, and I agree :-)

Katheclepto · 10/09/2025 13:24

Why test and then not do anything about the results?
I don’t test and no one I know does because I would only stay home and avoid vulnerable people if I felt too poorly to go out, not just because a test said so!
People need to live their lives. It’s crazy!

I’ve heard of people still staying at home and having constant vaccinations and still catching it and feeling awful. Maybe it’s the vaccines making it worse?

IMO COVID is the same as any virus. If you’re well enough to go somewhere.. go!

Pragmatism · 10/09/2025 13:12

Cynic17 · 10/09/2025 11:47

Yes, it is a good idea, because we don't want medical services to grind to a halt, and because the impact on others is minimal. It's a risk assessment, and therefore the tiny amount of risk involved is absolutely worth it. I couldn't give a flying wotsit if I caught Covid in hospital (but I wouldn't know, as I would never test, so all good).

Viruses put pressure on the NHS. Illness and long term illness is rocketing amongst staff. People are in hospital because they have a health issue - covid on top of that is not going to help that issue. Ten percent of people who catch covid in hospital die from it. Some people will be in hospital because their health issue(s) came about because of a covid infection. How are people in hospitals meant to protect themselves? There are vulnerable people who are scared to access treatment, because of the risk of catching something else. It is healthcare - to deliberately spread illness within it is very wrong.

Oh and I’m one of those who went to a funeral this year for someone who caught covid in hospital - their other issue could be dealt with, covid couldn’t.

Smallsalt · 10/09/2025 12:51

My daughter has been floored with it, it's going round school. Much worse than when we all had it during the pandemic.

DrPrunesqualer · 10/09/2025 12:48

MrsSkylerWhite · 10/09/2025 12:38

This. No idea if cases are increasing but we’re seeing many more masks out and about.

From Gov.uk tracker
This is just hospitalised cases though up to 2nd Sept 2025

Covid in 2025
DrPrunesqualer · 10/09/2025 12:45

MrsSkylerWhite · 10/09/2025 12:38

This. No idea if cases are increasing but we’re seeing many more masks out and about.

Agree MrsSkyler I’ve noticed this too

MrsSkylerWhite · 10/09/2025 12:38

JollyGreenSnake · 09/09/2025 14:55

YANBU. Your mother is being unreasonable. People with weaker immune systems still end up with long complex hospital admissions, some reliant on special mask systems to help them breathe, and some still end up needing a ventilator in ICU. And some people still die because of COVID infection. She can support her friend another way.

This. No idea if cases are increasing but we’re seeing many more masks out and about.

Allthings · 10/09/2025 12:35

@Easyozy superspreaders infect more people than the general population. Like anyone else, they may or may not have symptoms.

There is a greater risk in some environments than others. The risk is less when you have a fleeting contact in say a supermarket than at a funeral where people will be sat next to each other for at least 30 mins and lots of hugging and kissing will be going on. It’s not just about the funeral, it’s staying with friends and visiting very elderly grandparents of the OP. The mother should be fine to go having tested negative, it’s the OP’s DF who was testing positive. Although there doesn’t appear to be any indication as to what he wants to do, or even if he feels well enough to travel and visit.

Easyozy · 10/09/2025 11:53

Having a positive COVID test doesn't mean you're automatically infectious. Didn't they say that only certain people spread it, super spreaders they called them . My ds has it for the 4th time and I've never got it from him despite taking zero precautions. Of course there's no way of knowing. But I voted YABU. You're treating your mum like a child. She's an adult capable of making her own decisions.
It's going around at the moment, loads of people have it, she likely won't be the only one at a large gathering like a funeral. You're at risk anywhere there's other people.

Allthings · 10/09/2025 11:52

@Cynic17 you would not be saying that if you have lost friends and family members who then died due to having caught covid in hospital having been in there for something completely unrelated. If you had a broken leg and came down with a nasty respiratory illness, you would be aware of it regardless of any testing.

Cynic17 · 10/09/2025 11:47

Pragmatism · 09/09/2025 21:33

I’ve seen this justification before, but do you actually think it’s a good idea that some medical professionals go to work when they have covid? Is there not even a miniscule part of you that thinks deliberately spreading covid in healthcare is wrong?

Yes, it is a good idea, because we don't want medical services to grind to a halt, and because the impact on others is minimal. It's a risk assessment, and therefore the tiny amount of risk involved is absolutely worth it. I couldn't give a flying wotsit if I caught Covid in hospital (but I wouldn't know, as I would never test, so all good).

user9064385631 · 10/09/2025 11:36

Ah, yes, just what the grieving widow needs, a dose of Covid. 🙄

DrPrunesqualer · 10/09/2025 11:35

Personally I’d keep away. Your mum could pick it up again from your dad and pass it round
New strains coming through all the time and we have no idea of their short and long term effects