Tested positive but need to get out, is this okay?

[Puffler]

I’ve tested positive for Covid-19. I don’t know where I’ve got it from as I’ve followed the rules rigidly. I wonder if one of my children is an asymptotic carrier.

I feel quite rough but I’m not in bed. One thing I always do is a lot of exercise. I walk or run about 8 miles a day and without it my mental health deteriorates rapidly. I paced round and round the house and our tiny garden to do 10k steps today and the thought of trying to do that tomorrow is making me anxious.

If I set the alarm for 6am, do you think it is acceptable to go out for a walk? I live rurally so can take a head torch and go down lanes and tracks where I’m 99% sure I won’t encounter anyone and there is no need for me to touch anything, no gates etc. I will wear a face mask. DH says it is too risky in case I have an accident of some sort (I’m not sure how) or need aid. He thinks that would be putting others in danger. He does agree the chance of seeing anyone is very remote.

What would you do? I have to stay in don’t I?

I'd go out, you'll be outside and over 2m away from anyone so transmission is impossible. Unfortunately most ppl on Mumsnet don't grasp science well so need to follow the blanket rules.

Stay in ffs

No you shouldn’t but if your mental health is likely to be bad then I’d get up earlier than 6 and avoid lanes as you might encounter someone, open spaces needed.

Just go out and get some fresh air.

Transmission at over 2 m is not impossible.

Keeping 2 m from people at all times is rarely possible. It's the length of a bed , which is wider than most pavements

Please just stay in

Yes you have to stay in. Did you clap for the NHS? Put up a pretty rainbow? I bet you did.
Just stay inside.

Well done for making the right decision to stay indoors .

OP. You do need to follow the guidance and stay in. As others have said (and your DH) if any thing happens you will be putting others at risk. You and your entire household need to stay at home and follow the guidance. I assume that if you live in England you have been contacted by NHS test and trace, so going for a walk would also be illegal too wouldn't It? You could be fined.

Also you need to rest anyway. COVID can have an odd course, you can seem to be doing well and then get worse. Not to scare you as you sound very healthy and I am sure you will be fine, I just mean you should rest and allow yourself to recover. Maybe if you are up to it you could some light exercise at home. I am not sure pacing is the best exercise as it may enhance your feeling of being trapped. Possibly something like yoga or a dance video in the house and then a little time in your garden gardening for sunlight if you are up to it and wrapped up. Also take some vitamin D as someone said (I am sure you will be able to get same day delivery for it if you don't have any). Yoga is my go to when I am not up to exercise, but need to move my body. I open the window and let fresh air + sunlight in, then do very gentle yoga. Obviously if you are not into yoga do something else, but for goodness sake mainly rest (you need to recover), try not to infect the rest of your family, and do not leave the house.

Stay at home. Yes, self isolation is depressing and stressful, but do it because it’s the right thing to do and because your body needs to rest. Many people have been in the same position and have survived. Stressing yourself physically by exercising excessively at this time might make you more ill for longer.

A pp mentioned a cheap exercise bike or treadmill, is this an option if you absolutely must burn off some calories.

Op I am the same as you-do about 20,000 steps a day and was very low when had to isolate but it really is the right thing to do for lots of reasons.

You need to set the right example for your DC as well-what will they think if they can't go out but you go for a run?

I'm glad you have come to the decision to stay home!

@Grobagsforever

I'd go out, you'll be outside and over 2m away from anyone so transmission is impossible. Unfortunately most ppl on Mumsnet don't grasp science well so need to follow the blanket rules.

Or alternatively, obeying the law

Feeling like you need the exercise as me time and quiet away from the noise and to keep you mentally in good health is all understandable and pretty normal. The fact that you say you'll be obsessing if your step count is under a certain number tells a different story, OP.

It doesn’t matter if you don’t get on with online exercise, it will have to do for now and at least you’ll be getting steps in which shoul ease your anxiety plus it will improve your mood.

It's less about going out, more about taking care of yourself...you are ill, so take of yourself, running for a long time surely won't be good for your lungs if you have covid.

My sister has recently 'recovered' from covid and is now on copd medication with severe lung inflammation, 4 months later. So do take care, OP.

for OP and get well soon

@mumsiedarlingrevolta

Op I am the same as you-do about 20,000 steps a day and was very low when had to isolate but it really is the right thing to do for lots of reasons.

You need to set the right example for your DC as well-what will they think if they can't go out but you go for a run?

I'm glad you have come to the decision to stay home!

This is a very good point.

Unfortunately most ppl on Mumsnet don't grasp science well so need to follow the blanket rules.

That is hilarious!

I would do it, I live rurally and often walk miles without seeing anyone and if I do I can easily cross the road/field to avoid them. If I tested positive I would probably do the same, just go early and chances are you won’t see anyone, just don’t touch anything (open gates etc..).

I totally get the caged lion feeling when you use walking/running to settle your mind.

I'd been advised to rest recently. I've found that very very hard. Plotting new routes on viewranger and planning rest stops has helped a little. It means that when I can get going properly I'll be able to select a route and go. Also taking up a new hobby with a steep learning curve has helped too.

Let your body heal from this, then you can come back strong.

Get well soon op and glad you are doing the right thing.

Like others have said, the level of obsessiveness over having to do the 10k minimum is worrying. You say you do it for weight loss- do you have an eating disorder?

I get the needing to go out for mental health reasons, I'm the same, but this seems more than that.

Rest, let your body heal and you'll bounce back quicker. But maybe have a think about this all.

@Grobagsforever

I'd go out, you'll be outside and over 2m away from anyone so transmission is impossible. Unfortunately most ppl on Mumsnet don't grasp science well so need to follow the blanket rules.

ODFOD where do you get off on being so patronising.

Unfortunately most ppl on Mumsnet don't grasp science well so need to follow the blanket rules.

Do you base obeying other laws on how much of an expert you are on the subject? Maybe you think only people who don't know much about cars or the science of stopping distances should obey the speed limit? Or that people who know lots about martial arts should be allowed to attack people with impunity because they know what they're doing?

Unfortunately most ppl on Mumsnet don't grasp science well so need to follow the blanket rules

Neither do the scientists then because they definitely recommend remaining isolated if you have coronavirus.

I realise that the OP has (hopefully) made the right decision.
I am still recovering from Covid which I caught at the end of September. It’s an awful virus, which is extremely unpredictable. I have been very poorly. I would be devastated to find out that I’d been infected by someone who actively knew they were positive.