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 am struggling to catch my breath

And this is exactly why people are telling you to stay home. For your safety and the safety of others. Hope you’ll feel better soon. It’s grim.

Go out, just avoid people.

Just stay home for Christ sake. It's a very short amount of time. What has happened to people.

No, stay in.
You need to let your body rest, but also you need to be responsible.
You might feel like you could go for a walk, but it can have negative effects in the long run.
I had COVID in March, and I still have lasting effects even now, and I'm not sure they'll ever go away.

Stay in FFS.

When do you think clinically extremely vulnerable people might go out to exercise? Really early so they don't come across other people.

Also you are unwell, what if you faint or have an accident? Just stay in. If you really need exercise, do some in the garden.

Mind yourself OP. Don’t go out - when you run you are raising your metabolism and it might put your system under pressure. Covid is tough on runners as it rips through the lungs very quickly in some people. you could become very unwell very quickly. Could you do some meditation after you do your exercise in the garden to help with your mental health?

Imagine if everyone with Covid went for a jog. Just stay in it’s for ten days only and you can get fined.

Jeez people need to RTFT

Sorry you’re feeling so rubbish OP but yes you’re right to continue following the rules as you have been. I hope you recover quickly as it sounds like once your isolation has ended you’ll need to be out and about for your MH

What led you to being tested for it in the first place, OP?

I understand completely about needing the peace and tranquility that exercise outdoors gives you. Was going to recommend you put something on the TV like All aboard the Sleigh Ride or a nature programme that you could walk/jog to and could be a substitute for exercising outdoors.

As much as I hate to say this...stay in. You cannot be sure that you wouldn't take a tumble and break or strain an ankle, which means anyone coming to your aid would now be in danger.

For me, staying home is like throwing someone suffering with the opposite onto a tube at rush hour (pre-Covid!). For me seeing a vast space and very distant horizon calms me down.

I’m completely the same OP, so understand.

Personally, I would do what you suggested if I/my kids had to isolate as someone in their bubble had it.

However, if I tested positive I would stay home.

I’m glad you’ve made that decision and hope the Time goes Quickly!

The rules are clear! Stay in

Stay in. It’s hard for anyone

Glad you’ve made the right decision OP. Hope you feel better soon.

@Puffler

I hate exercise videos or classes. It’s the peace I like and moving forward. I’ve never got on with classes. I don’t mind a bit of outdoor yoga but know come the evening I’ll be obsessing over my step count if it under 10k.

I think you have an obsession which is never a good thing, OP. If you are really questioning whether it's ok to put your exercise obsession before the health of the nation then that is unbalanced isn't it?

You need to stay in, one of our crews had 2 week isolation and their partners caught covid and their children after treating someone who was covid positive- patient had slipped down a country path and dislocating their shoulder.
It's really selfish.

I leave the house at 6am to walk to the hospital every day and would have a professional duty to stop and help you if you needed first aid. Its pitch black at 6am and the roads are very icy and you have an acute respiratory condition making you fairly likely to take poorly on your walk. Please stay at home.

When did people get so self absorbed that they think its OK to not self isolate with a positive covid test?? I'm sorry you are struggling with your MH but that doesn't mean you just get to flout the rules and risk others. I have a range of health issues that means not exercising can cause long term injuries and issues but I've had to adjust and do what I can not just insist my old routine is the only way forward.

Glad you've made the right decision OP.

Sadly many many people who rightly have to isolate due to a positive test will find it incredibly hard mentally and physically. But the right (and legal) thing is to isolate- and for good reason.

There's a a chance you yourself caught it during your exercise, and a chance that you'd pass it on does exist no matter how small.

I feel really bad right now and physically wouldn’t be able to run, I am struggling to catch my breath. I obviously won’t leave the house.

Are you sure this is anxiety and not Covid symptoms? The last thing you need is to go for a run, you need to rest. If the breathlessness gets any worse please phone 111.

Also fet some ear plugs from Amazon, and use them for periods of the day, so you get a complete rest from the children.

No, it's not ok!! You need to stay in.

You sound really stressed OP, have you got any other techniques for calming down? You do need to rest up for the time being.

I wouldn't think twice about going out if you can stay away from people easily.

I wonder what people with dogs do when they are self isolating and if there is no one they know who can walk the dog....