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?

@ImPrincessAurora

I'm low risk but have caught it twice I was told by a health care professional that the chances of getting a positive test twice within 3 months was practically zero and to test again within that time was a waste of nhs resources.

We were told after the first time we had no choice but to get a test individually by post as we had a positive case. Both times

OP “ I'm surprised more people would do whatever it takes to see their child at Christmas. She is 16 and putting a brave face on it, but it's my job to make sure I can see her.”

But you can see her without isolating.

Did you worry that might get a bug and be presymptomatic or asymptomatic the last time you saw her before covid?

Why are you working in a freezing conservatory?

@Catawaul

Why are you working in a freezing conservatory?

Because my house isn't big enough.

I work somewhere with sensitive data and calls. I've got 2 screens and a laptop.

During first lockdown the children were in the kitchen at the table whereas DW could work from the sofa.

It's not ideal but it has carried on as I start work the earliest and finish the latest.

OP, there have been proven cases of false positives due to antibodies from the original infection. A lot more than of actual reinfection.

I work for a medical charity. It is highly unlikely you will re catch it. You are in the best possible position, it is like you have already had the vaccine! Just enjoy your Christmas....

We swore by furry elcetric throws. We practically lived under them. Low energy usage and very warm. Use on a sofa or bed.www.dreamlanduk.co.uk/uk/overblankets-throw.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiAqo3-BRDoARIsAE5vnaIRBrbxF8708EYcjpJfjl4s8c1Ed36uzbtplHA8HNEiQ1ZIvX4SYNEaArh0EALw_wcB
Also maybe borrow a tent for sleeping (inside conservatory). Will hold in your own heat.
Heat your body not the space - so thermals and heated gilets etc

Why not buy a private test before seeing your mother?

Once you’ve had it you are likely to test positive again if it’s within 90 days. That’s why we can’t wait for a negative swab to send patients back to care homes, they’d spend 3 months in hospital!

Just because the antibody test didn't show antibodies, it doesn't mean she wasn't still immune. Immunity is more complex than that.

OP, I would do the same. Miss my kids so much.
I am also wfh in freezing conservatory, heated throw helps plus hot water bottles.
Please don't fall asleep with the heated throw switched on.
I lived in completely unheated bedrooms until I was nearly 30. It's perfectly possible to sleep well in a cold room.

I hope you have a lovely Christmas.

I think you are right to be so careful, and it can be caught twice. My friend is on her second round, and very poorly. Her husband also. They both had it first in April/May.

My friend is on her second round, and very poorly. Her husband also. They both had it first in April/May.

Confirmed positive both times?

@CunnyLingus

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

Don't do this. Lovely funeral ambience, but you might burn your conservatory down.!!!

Husband confirmed +ve both times, yes. Hospitalised 1st time. Paramedics out to family last night but they are still at home.
Friend not tested 1st time ( and not really very ill that time either.) Little boys also have tested +ve.

@Lou197 that sounds so lovely! Really hope that is the case. Really appreciate you replying

It is very unlikely you will get it twice in a short period of time .

Not impossible neit very unlikely.

Maybe just visit your daughter in a few months when a vaccine is available.

Get a gucci coat

But if your daughter who lives with your mother is at college, surely she is the main source of any transmission?

Or am I confused?

I don't know why you can't have a socially distanced meeting outside just to give gifts and keep your mother safe.

Lots of people are not seeing loved ones - it's far better to keep them safe and communicate in other ways.

Can you insulate the windows with something? Even if it is some of those tinfoil heat reflective blankets. Otherwise all the heat from the heater will just go straight out. Apart from that, thermals, hot water bottle and warm sleeping bag with extra duvet on top.

I think this is absolutely mad, but on the other hand it's not the maddest thing I've heard this year. I know some people who are talking about camping in their parents' garden with their toddler over Christmas and having Christmas dinner outside (three children so too many households to meet inside).

@JinglingHellsBells

But if your daughter who lives with your mother is at college, surely she is the main source of any transmission?

Or am I confused?

I don't know why you can't have a socially distanced meeting outside just to give gifts and keep your mother safe.

Lots of people are not seeing loved ones - it's far better to keep them safe and communicate in other ways.

Her college course has been online for a while now. It's dsd who got it. To be fair everyone but me and DM are most likely to get it.

[quote Saymename]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[/quote]
Have you anything more recent? That article was from April.

If you have children in your house now and your partner works in a school, you are at risk anyway of catching it (and if you have had one + test it's unlikely to get it again in 4 weeks.

You will have to have all the windows open in your house and sanitise your kitchen, door handles, bathrooms etc etc.

But if you have all had it anyway I don't actually see the problem.

And if there IS a risk I'd just avoid being in your mother's house at all until she has a vaccine.

I thought even if you’ve had it you can still carry it? I’ve had it and was advised that having had it doesn’t give me licence to go visit people thinking I can’t pass it on. i guess I could still touch a contaminated supermarket trolley etc, and then pass it on by touching someone or something else.

Saymename
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

Have you anything more recent? That article was from April.

Didn't let me requote. But would be interested to see if that is still the case. We have had it twice, nasty tests and the texts both times!