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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder if anyone is bothering with quarantine?

47 replies

Bagelbabies · 01/09/2020 17:53

Preparing for an absolute flaming for this but...We got caught up whilst in a remote part of France where infection rates are lower than our home town, but now ‘doing the right thing’ and quarantining. I’ve got in trouble at work and now on unpaid leave (can’t work from home effectively) and DD has had to miss her first day of secondary. DS has to miss his favourite sports clubs and best friend’s birthday celebrations. Wondering if I should have just lied as on top of everything so called friends are being very judgey despite going to parties and crowded beaches throughout the summer...Is there anyone out there also being a social pariah and paying the price for attempting to support the tourist industry?? Or just us...? Feels very lonely here with almost everyone I know occupying moral high ground.

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InDeoEstMeaFiducia · 01/09/2020 17:56

I'm sure plenty of people aren't bothering.

Sara2000 · 01/09/2020 17:57

There's alot of double standards and nonsense going on, so it's your call. The only thing I would say is it's not just about how low the rates where you were. But what about the journey to and from there ?

Janus · 01/09/2020 17:58

I’m on day 14!! We were in our own house in Portugal and it looked as if Portugal wasn’t ever going to get on the air bridge so we came home and the next day they announced the air bridge!! Because we came hone that day we still had to quarantine. 🙄
Do you know what, it’s done, haven’t been to the supermarket etc but have done the odd late walk with the dogs. So glad it’s nearly over to be honest.
Not one call btw, the government have been useless throughout imo.

Original poster
Bagelbabies · 01/09/2020 17:59

@Sara2000

There's alot of double standards and nonsense going on, so it's your call. The only thing I would say is it's not just about how low the rates where you were. But what about the journey to and from there ?
We travelled by the eurotunnel in our own car...so again low risk
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RandomTree · 01/09/2020 18:00

I know three families who went to Spain recently. Two quarantined strictly, one didn't bother. I also know several families who cancelled their holidays because they didn't want to quarantine.

So I think most people are sticking to the rules, but that's just my experience.

BonfireStarter · 01/09/2020 18:03

I doubt many people are bothering to quarantine, the people I know who havd had covid didn't even realise it wasn't a cold until they were brought in for testing

Ethelfleda · 01/09/2020 18:04

I know a family that has just come back from France. Sent one member of their family (who didn’t go to France and doesn’t live with them) all of their shopping lists upon their return (no ‘please’, just an expectation - they also went over knowing full well that they’d have to quarantine on arrival)
And yet aren’t actually quarantining. Figure that one out.

Janus · 01/09/2020 18:05

Ethel - if they aren’t quarantining why are they sending out shopping lists then??

2020notQuiteAsPlanned · 01/09/2020 18:08

We knew there was a risk when we went, chose not to join the mad rush when it was announced but got home just in time for 24 days to be over before school starts.
It wasn't great being stuck for so long but we knew the risk when we went and so no one's problem but ours!
We were also in an area with no recent cases and drove, stopping only once for fuel, so no real chance of infection on the way home either.

Another family we know have done the same.
But a third has been in and out of their house lots!
🤷‍♀️

Ethelfleda · 01/09/2020 18:08

@Janus

Ethel - if they aren’t quarantining why are they sending out shopping lists then??
My point entirely.
2020notQuiteAsPlanned · 01/09/2020 18:09

14 days!!!! (I wouldn't have gone if 24!)

Original poster
Bagelbabies · 01/09/2020 18:10

I should probably also add that DH developed a cough when we returned so to err on side of caution we got all of us tested with home kits (as now advised on NHS website even if only one family member has symptoms). All negative, so actually we are probably lower risk in the community than my ‘mates’ who’ve been partying on packed beaches for the last few weekends...I sent their schools the negative results and they said they appreciated that our children were probably safer than lots of others but “thems the rules”...

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Janus · 01/09/2020 18:13

Ethel, I hope the family member finds that out and tells them to stuff the shopping list then! I’d be fuming!

Bluewavescrashing · 01/09/2020 18:13

I think you just have to suck it up unfortunately. The whole situation is full of double standards but you have to do the right thing!

yolio · 01/09/2020 18:15

Oh well it is only those who have no school going children and can afford it that will travel from now until half term I reckon. So for the next 14 days it is up those who just came back before schools opened again as to whether they will do it or not. Reckon most won't bother because they came through the tunnel or whatever.

Not being smug but we didn't go abroad and didn't miss it one bit TBH.

Didn't do us any harm at all.

As for quarantine. I personally think people should. But it's your choice, not many will know whether you did or not. But I doubt many actually did TBH.

damnthatanxiety · 01/09/2020 18:15

Is there anyone out there also being a social pariah and paying the price for attempting to support the tourist industry??

Please don't try to make out that you went on holiday out of the goodness of your heart to support the industry. Hmm

yolio · 01/09/2020 18:17

damnthatanxiety

Agreed. And I am sorry but I snorted when I read that, I am BAAAAD.

StillGardening · 01/09/2020 18:17

Ooooh we’re same as you. Remote part of France. Self catered, didn’t eat out. Cautious. Eurotunnel. Now in quarantine and it’s miserable. Can’t decide if it was worth it, but holiday was amazing and it was so nice to be away.

Think we should have testing after 7 days and then, if clear, lockdown Conditions for second week (I.e allowed out to exercise etc). Being at home is difficult for the kids - daily bike ride around the village would have been v helpful. Would have been Happy to mask up to do this.

yolio · 01/09/2020 18:19

StillGardening,

You sound quite observant and I admire you for that.

ScarMatty · 01/09/2020 18:21

Didn't quarantine.

Went and got a test 2 days after returning to check I wasn't asymptomatic.

EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 01/09/2020 18:22

My neighbours came home from portugal a couple of days before the air bridge was lifted too - and yes, they did isolate, but must have been irritating!

tigger1001 · 01/09/2020 18:23

I do think quarantine is a known risk of going abroad so if you go abroad into a country that requires quarantine when you get back then you should. Personally couldn't care less if someone goes abroad as long as they follow the rules on their return.

That said, I do think there are a lot of double standards and the government doesn't help as not all the rules are clear. But you cannot control other people's actions only your own. Personally I would hate to not quarantine then fall ill. So I would quarantine.

It's the same with track and trace.

nosswith · 01/09/2020 18:26

Any chance of a high level of compliance of this and any other rules went out of the window when Dominic Cummings made his Booker Prize entry on the Downing Street lawn.

I expect that people will not go into work as anyone they don't get on with would shop them immediately, but I expect going for walks and to the shops etc happens.

Testing as happens for example in Madeira with a quick result would be the sensible thing to do.

2020notQuiteAsPlanned · 01/09/2020 18:30

It would be good if they tested after 5 days of quarantine (or whatever the required number is!) and then people could get back to normal.
If you came back over a weekend then if could be only 3 days off work then if ter was negative.

Better for all?

Original poster
Bagelbabies · 01/09/2020 18:32

@damnthatanxiety

Is there anyone out there also being a social pariah and paying the price for attempting to support the tourist industry??

Please don't try to make out that you went on holiday out of the goodness of your heart to support the industry. Hmm

Actually, with several friends (not the judge ones obviously) whose livelihoods in travel, tourism and leisure in are serious jeopardy I feel pretty strongly that those of us who are fit, well and financially able to should continue to support the economy wherever possible. If we all just hide until this is all over society will collapse...
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