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Original poster

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

484 replies

Puffler · 28/11/2020 23:08

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?

OP posts:
Iamtooknackeredtorun · 29/11/2020 08:56

I almost can't believe you're asking tbh. Everyone can make a case for why the rules, in whole or in part, shouldn't apply to them. If you fall and break your ankle (however unlikely) you will need to go to hospital and put others at risk in so doing. Feeling well in yourself doesn't mean you're not highly infectious to others.

I do understand the point about your mental health but millions of people have been stuck at home not seeing their family and friends because they are vulnerable. Two weeks in the grand scheme of things, especially if you are fortunate to get a very mild dose, doesn't seem like such a sacrifice.

Coffeesnob11 · 29/11/2020 08:57

I bought a second hand walking machine (it doesnt go fast enough to be a running machine) and between this and hiit in my front room i have survived lockdowns. As long as its dry you could even put it in the patio andwalk or run in the garden. I know its not the same but we have all had to adapt this year. Could you maybe do a family challenge too like can we walk, skip,run etc a certain distance? I hope you are all better soon.

JinglingHellsBells · 29/11/2020 08:57

@Susanwouldntlikeit

We have online shopping You could have caught it from parcels or post, unless you are leaving them untouched for days? Utter nonsense and been proven untrue.
@Susanwouldntlikeit Well, that's odd because I've read exactly the opposite. Where is your evidence?

You do know the virus can live on plastic and paper for days? That's why many stores are not accepting cash as it involves touching plastic bank notes.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Covid-19
Hoppinggreen · 29/11/2020 08:57

The risk of passing it on is very small but you are not actually allowed to do it.
You dont need to go, you want to

JinglingHellsBells · 29/11/2020 08:58

@Puffler You need to organise some kind of support and treatment for your mental health. That's the real issue here.

You are clearly addicted to exercise so the way forward is to deal with whatever is behind your need to get out and do the equivalent of 10 miles a day (20K steps) or whatever.

Are you getting support for this at all?

Sarahandduck18 · 29/11/2020 08:59

I think PPs could be more empathetic to OPs mental health issues as that is really the crux of this.

OP you seem to have a ‘need’ for exercise as an escape. Are you not getting any downtime from the dcs? Does DP never have them on his own? Is exercise your only alone time? If you get tearful at not exercising I think you should talk again to your GP as they may up your dose or get a MH referral for you.

Wales34 · 29/11/2020 08:59

Stay in !!!!! You could pass someone on your run , this post makes me angry . Its only for a short period of time

Moulesvinrouge1 · 29/11/2020 09:00

I know mental health is important but your right to mental health doesn’t trump someone else’s right to stay safe. My mum has to stay inside her house for three months, she lives alone. You’ve got two weeks. You can do it!

Suzi888 · 29/11/2020 09:01

You are risking a fine of you go out. I hope you feel better soon.
There must be some kind of exercise you can do at home and around the garden. This cold weather won’t be great on your lungs and if you go alone and have an accident or fall, that means someone will have to come to the rescue.

OutComeTheWolves · 29/11/2020 09:05

@Poppystars

People like you are why the country is in a mess.
No you aren't. Please ignore this one op. I wouldn't go for a run in case you trip and need help but I think a walk very early in the morning is fine.
Peridot1 · 29/11/2020 09:05

Doesn’t anyone read threads anymore? Or at least the OP’s posts? Or have any empathy for someone who is struggling?

The OP has said she has poor mental health which she manages through outdoor exercise. She asked if she could go running at a time she thought it might be safe. As well as some helpful suggestions she got slated. Even after posting that she is NOT going to go out.

The whole point of asking for advice is to sanity check an idea or thought. Which is what the op was doing.

She hadn’t thought that people who are vulnerable or shielding might be out at that time. She knows now.

She hadn’t known that exercising is not recommended if you actually have COVID. She knows now.

It might not have been the wisest idea of hers but in desperation we all sometimes do the wrong thing. The OP didn’t. She spoke to her Dh who advised her against going out. She then came here to ask advice. Which she has taken.

So no need to further slate her.

The first few shitty comments were probably enough.

JellyStrudel · 29/11/2020 09:07

You really do need to stay in. As you have seen yourself this virus is very contagious- you said yourself you don’t know where you got it from

Abetes · 29/11/2020 09:08

You don’t need to go out. Yon want to. That’s different. You’re not allowed and you would be extremely selfish if you did.

PaddyF0dder · 29/11/2020 09:09

Glad you’re doing the right thing.

I can really empathise. I rely on exercise for my mental health. Without daily exercise my mood declines quite rapidly. I’d really struggle in your situation.

But you’re doing the right thing. Good luck.

AlbusSeverusMalfoy · 29/11/2020 09:14

You're not not going out to protect yourself. You're doing it to protect others. You have covid, a deadly virus, you go out early for a run, you slip you fall, you knock yourself out, little old Mavis who was out walking her dog or getting a paper, comes to help you, she's not wearing a mask, neither are you. Mavis calls 999, emergency services dont know you've got covid. Well done for passing it on because you just had to go for a run. Stay home you self person. Might be a little dramatic but you never know. Just stay home ffs. People like you are the person for the rise.

AuntieStella · 29/11/2020 09:14

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

That's a great way of thinking

BlueBrian · 29/11/2020 09:15

I wouldn't go for a run in case you trip and need help but I think a walk very early in the morning is fine.
It doesn't matter whether you think it's fine, the rules are quite clear, it's not allowed.

PinkDaffodil2 · 29/11/2020 09:16

Thank you for staying home, I wouldn’t be surprised that you’ve caught it with primary aged children - they’re very likely not to have symptoms so I think one probably has passed it to you as it sounds like you’ve been really careful yourself.
Do call your GP if your mental health is suffering, it sounds like your anxiety might get worse over the next few weeks and they might be able to offer support (GP trainee having a lot of consults recently for people in similar situations). I hope you and your family keep well Flowers

Backbee · 29/11/2020 09:19

It's hard isn't it OP, I don't mean to sound twee, but have you tried mindfulness? I feel the same as you when I run, and although not as good physically, it took my mind to a similar place.

iVampire · 29/11/2020 09:21

I am CEV and a runner, and went went weeks doing online classes and running virtual events in my (tiny) back yard.

Then we were allowed out for daily exercise at the start of June, went for a run, stuck my foot in a pothole, went flying and ended up with a broken foot (leading to 12 weeks enforced test, though I could walk as much as I wanted after the first 4)

So yes, Sod’s law can bring accidents at exactly the worst times

It’s tough being indoors for any length of time. But you’ll get through this OP and as OYBBK says, come back stronger

AuntieStella’s advice about looking at this as an opportunity to cross train and improve your running is worthwhile too

megletthesecond · 29/11/2020 09:22

You can't go.Flowers. But you'll be back to it soon. I'm desperate to not catch it like you as I can't be stuck inside.

Although if more people were active like the OP we'd be a much healthier country.

captainprincess · 29/11/2020 09:24

Aww @Puffler I do get it, I need to be out in fresh air. I would find it really hard if I had COVID so I do feel for you. Not sure why people are being aggressive, you haven't been out you are just asking.
Maybe this is the prefect time to try some mindfulness and like others said take off the device that counts your steps. Things change and we have to adjust.
I know you said you hate online exercise classes but maybe give one another go, there is such a huge variety out there, it can't hurt. Maybe even Yoga or Pilates.
This isn't forever, it's not even for that long, how long do you have left?
Take each day at a time, cliched advice I know. But it does work.

Vickles20 · 29/11/2020 09:24

Thank you OP. Take care of yourself. You’re a good person. God bless x

GetOffYourHighHorse · 29/11/2020 09:25

Glad you're doing the right thing and are staying at home op. As pp said hope you are getting support and treatment for your anxiety.

'DH says it is too risky in case I have an accident of some sort (I’m not sure how) or need aid.'

I don't think anyone who has an accident sees it coming.

LadyCatStark · 29/11/2020 09:27

Do a workout on you tube.