Self isolating in the cold conservatory

[coldconservatory]

Hi all,

We have had covid recently and I need to self isolate before Christmas.

AIBU to think that I can sleep and work in the conservatory for the next two weeks so I can then visit my daughter for Christmas.

It's large and I already work in there everyday as working from home.

My partner and the children all go to school which is how we got covid in the first place.

There is a downstairs bathroom that I can use. I would only have to go upstairs to shower. Which I could possibly do every 3 days so or.

I'm the only one home during the day so I can make food, do washing etc after cleaning.

My main issue is that the conservatory is so, so cold! I usually wear several layers to work in there during the day.

I can bring a mattress down and we have lots of duvets and blankets I can use.

Need to possibly get gloves and a hat.

Any ideas of how else I can keep warm overnight please?

I’m no scientist and I know there are still questions around immunity but if you’ve just had it the chances of getting it again so soon must be tiny?

Indeed or else there would be no point in a vaccine.

Lighten up, OP.

Thanks Nancy, they all sound like good ideas.

Spending the day with my gorgeous DD is very definitely worth it. I've not missed a Christmas with her yet and I'm not planning to this year either.

Completely understand that everyone thinks I've lost the plot, if I'm going to then I think 2020 is the year to do it!

So would your advice regarding keeping warm in the bloody freezing conservatory be any different depending if I've lost the plot or not?

I'm thinking of getting a plug in heated throw...

I want to make sure I don't have it or any lurking symptoms before I go. Once everyone is back at school there is a chance we can recatch it.

But you're sharing a bathroom and kitchen with all these people, so what difference will sleeping in the conservatory make?

xmas is 4 weeks isnt it so i dont get that an yway

and even though we dont need for sure you prob wouldnt get it that quickly again

You can't re-catch it so quickly OP. Don't worry.

I don’t hi k you’ve lost the plot OP. I’m desperate to see my Dd too and would do similar to what you’re proposing if it meant I could.

Do you have electricity in the conservatory? If so buy could you buy a heater, I know conservatories don’t keep the heat but it would be something! And yes to lots of duvets and a hat!

Don't be daft. Christmas is a month off. You really really don't need to self-harm in this way. Stay in the house and be comfortable. You won't have it by Christmas.

Could you get some insulation boarding and attach it to the ceiling? That would make a huge difference.

Get an electric heater in the conservatory and loads of layers and blankets/duvets.

@underneaththeash

You can't re-catch it so quickly OP. Don't worry.

Honestly that's how I feel, that I must have some immunity.

Can't find anything that actually says it officially rather that vague mentions of it. DW had an antibody test after we caught it previously (from school again) and she had no immunity after 6 weeks.

Who knows during that 6 weeks when it waned?

I appreciate all the replies though!

Also food, am bring the kettle and microwave in. It's a really large room.

Have gloves, bleach etc. No tinfoil hats left in Sainsbury's though unfortunately

Go and sleep in your own bed. Sleeping in a cold conservatory is hardly going to do your health much good.

You should have immunity for at least 3 months I think? It doesn't hurt to be careful as that doesn't mean you can't transmit it. I'd say self isolating in cold conservatory might be a bit much though!

About four large church candles, keep them lit for several days. really does make a difference and very ambient too.

We have an electric mattess protector that goes on the bed. Ours is a fitted sheet that you sleep on rather than a throw to sleep under. It really warms you up.

Sounds pretty intense though!

My advice, OP, is to forget about the conservatory and sleep in your own bed.

It's not just you - the world has gone completely batshit.

Do you have a warm sleeping bag? That plus duvet should have you nice and cosy!

DW had an antibody test after we caught it previously (from school again) and she had no immunity after 6 weeks.

I might be reading this wrong, but are you saying you’ve all had it twice?

To put it simply, the antibody tests don't pick up all of the very specific ways your body will fight off a virus it's already been exposed to.

You really don't need to be sleeping in the conservatory if you've not long tested positive.

@LizzieSiddal

I don’t hi k you’ve lost the plot OP. I’m desperate to see my Dd too and would do similar to what you’re proposing if it meant I could.

Do you have electricity in the conservatory? If so buy could you buy a heater, I know conservatories don’t keep the heat but it would be something! And yes to lots of duvets and a hat!

Thanks Lizzie, we have electric and I can unplug the Christmas lights to plug a heater in as well.

I really will do just about anything to spend time with my daughter. She isn't much for chatting on the phone, doesn't like FaceTime.

I want to see her, hug her, tell her how amazing she is and how much I love her.

I then want to see her open her presents and enjoy the surprise on her face.

2020 has been shit for everyone, including her, she has gone though a lot. I just want one day where she has no cares or worries. A day I get to look after, treat and feed her.

That's all.

Sounds heavenly to me, OP. No kids, no snoring, no being disturbed. You can make sure you are really warm with duvets, blankets. HWBs, etc. and still breathe that lovely cool air. That's what I like, albeit in a bedroom!

I agree that it seems unnecessary but if you are determined to do this then I would try to put some insulation over the conservatory something like bubble wrap you get for greenhouses over all the Windows and hang some blankets over that like curtains using some washing line.

But an oil filled plug in radiator. Cheaper to run and less dry heat than a blow heater. You’ll be toasty! Though sharing downstairs loo, kitchen, bathroom isn’t going to keep you 100% free from
Infection though x

OP
Jason leitch, Scotlands clinical director has made it clear that studies around the world have shown you cant get covid twice

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.scotsman.com/health/jason-leitch-you-cant-get-covid-19-twice-masks-dont-work-public-2527911%3famp

even if you go you still sholdnt hug her

Answering your actual question rather than speculating as to whether you need to do this.

I used to camp in Scotland every new year (ice climber - oh the madness of youth) and it used to get down to -10).

Overnight, you will need: a foam roll mat on top of your mattress for extra insulation (specially if you're planning on using an air mattress); a second duvet (I used to put a down sleeping bag inside a synthetic one); bed socks and warm PJs; and I'd recommend wearing a woolly hat. At typical English winter temps, your biggest problem will be damp so see if you can get hold of a dehumidifier