Anyone else genuinely not got a clue what to do re covid?

[lemonnandliime]

So my understanding is that although the legal requirement is no longer there, you are expected to stay at home and isolate if you have covid.

You should test from day 5 and when you get two consecutive negatives you can go back out up-to day 10.

My DP and I tested positive on Friday.

My partners work (small office of 12 people) told him if he is asymptomatic he can just go into work as normal. (He didn't, he pushed back and arranged to work from home which he can do with no impact on his work).

Now the legal requirement is gone, it appears some people think this means there's no need to isolate? Or are they correct?

Am I being daft? Have I missed or misunderstood guidance changes?

Tbh I don't feel too poorly, had it not been for covid I'd have gone about my day as normal with a minor cold without a second thought, so I do feel silly roping my mum into the school run etc. (I have to go inside the school daily as I have an autistic child that needs help from me with personal care so not just a quick drop in the playground).

Feeling inconvenienced and annoyed about having to stay at home when there's nothing really wrong with me, but also absolutely going to do the right thing by teachers etc in school and not pass it on.

[quote Waxonwaxoff0]@Porcupineintherough and lots of people ARE doing it through sheer necessity. Just because some people aren't doesn't negate the fact that lots of people are on the bones of their arse right now, or are you unaware about the huge increase in living costs lately?[/quote]
This.

When people can't wfh and are only paid SSP then what choice do they have? Whilst "staying at home doing the right thing", may be an inconvenience to some, for others it's the very real prospect of not being able to pay the rent that week/month.

@TimBoothseyes they have the choice to shop online, not go to the public library, skip the mummy and me class this week, wear a mask, warn their customers (youd be amazed how many are happy even eager to reschedule if you know you're positive), let their colleagues know etc

"When people can't wfh and are only paid SSP"

Some don't even get that as they are self employed/ "self employed".

I think the govt would like us all to catch it, to build up that so important immunity. It's the only way out of this other than vaccines every 6-12 months.

[quote Porcupineintherough]@TimBoothseyes they have the choice to shop online, not go to the public library, skip the mummy and me class this week, wear a mask, warn their customers (youd be amazed how many are happy even eager to reschedule if you know you're positive), let their colleagues know etc[/quote]
How is any of that relevant to not what I said? The choice for some (many), is go to work or don't get paid. What has shopping online, mother and baby classes etc got to do with that?

don't know where the random "not" came from.

You haven’t misunderstood. The government dropped the legal requirement to isolate (because Boris’ legal authority was due to run out in April and he knew no one would renew it after his lockdown parties scandal). The government said we SHOILD isolate with covid but it’s no longer a crime to not isolate.

So now some schools are telling off kids with covid for staying home and saying “unless you’re too poorly to work you should be in even if you’re testing positive.”

People are dumb.

@Newnormal99

I'm positive but my daughters not (she had 6 weeks ago so confident she won't get again soon soon) I've been dropping her to school etc but not getting out the car. So not isolating but equally not actually coming face to face with anyone. As she's too young g to get to school by herself it's the best I can do!

Don’t worry, that’s fine re drop off, it’s what lots of schools recommend

Adults going to work with Covid is SO unfair to colleagues, I’ve mostly been in bed for 2 weeks, most definitely not ‘just a little cold’ for me

The current confusion/people interpreting the guidance to suit is clearly behind the current rising numbers: I know more people with it now than at any time in the last 2 years, apparently it’s 1 in 30 now

Guidance in attached picture

@Waxonwaxoff0

It's easy to say "do the right thing and stay home" but many people can't afford to do that. It's a privileged way of thinking.

No it isn't a privileged way of thinking.

It's always been the expected thing to do, to stay at home if you have a contagious illness.

If you had the shits, or vomiting, chickenpox, shingles, hand foot and mouth etc you'd be expected to stay at home for the period in which you are contagious then go back to work or school.

I think it was the right thing to do to stop silly isolation periods for close contacts, and constant testing for close contacts, closing whole classes because one child had covid, but I do think if someone knowingly has covid they should treat it as they would any other contagious illness.

I disagree. You are totally thinking of this from privileged position.

If you are self employed or work for an employer who won't pay you sick pay, how many times would you expect someone to self isolate for 5-10 days? Thats almost half a months income lost. I can imagine someone might do the 'right thing' once, but then if they get it again 2 or 3 months later is it really realistic that you would expect them to self isolate again?

People just can't afford to do this multiple times unless they are financial supported by their employer. The criteria for getting a self isolation grant is not very broad either.

I wouldn't blame anyone for not self isolating if it means them missing out on a large chunk of their monthly income, especially when the cost of living is so high right now.

Also the examples you've used are very dissimilar to covid:.
D&V - only 48 hours so not as long an isolation period.
Chickenpox - usually a one off
Hand foot and mouth - again, not very frequent, especially for adults.
Shingles - usually people are actually too unwell to work when they get this anyway, and I don't think there is a requirement to self isolate with it, unless meeting specifically vulnerable people
Covid on the other hand, you can get multiple times and not even have symptoms