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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think in a support bubble this is ok

43 replies

Differentcorner · 21/12/2020 16:30

My child has been asked to self isolate from school, he has no symptoms and we are in a long established support bubble with my brother. He lives alone, works from home, and our mum died a couple of weeks ago. Is it right that as we are a single household whilst everyone remains asymptotic ( we are 7 days in) that if we wanted to it is acceptable for him to still visit us? I am a pharmacist so still working in a large hospital because of lack of symptoms within our home. I’ve read and read the guidance and I think he can still come over as we have the privileges of a single household. His mental health is poor and I just feel so torn. Thank you for reading to end

OP posts:
xmasfairybuns · 21/12/2020 16:35

I think you are allowed to continue an existing support bubble but not form a new one.

Angel2702 · 21/12/2020 16:57

The person isolating shouldn’t be mixing with anyone else so I wouldn’t be having anyone in the house.

Heffle · 21/12/2020 17:05

Yes he can, support bubbles stand regardless of tier, agree with PP it’s up to all of you to agree the risk (to your brother) is acceptable.

Original poster
Differentcorner · 21/12/2020 17:22

Thank you for that

OP posts:
CrispySeaweedIsReallyCabbage · 21/12/2020 17:25

I think the existing bubbles still stand regardless of TIER, but no, I don't think you can mix with someone who has been told to isolate. I'm sure I read that in the recent guidance. May have changed of course.

Wheresyourclapham · 21/12/2020 17:26

No, as your child and your household (you) have been instructed to self-isolate.

Wheresyourclapham · 21/12/2020 17:27

*I meant ‘Yes’!
YABU.
Is that not what self-isolating means?

Carrotcakey · 21/12/2020 17:29

You cannot see your support bubble while isolating.
Has buggered up our Christmas plans too but you definitely can’t.

Original poster
Differentcorner · 21/12/2020 17:29

No our household does not have to isolate as he had no symptoms- we would if he or any of us became symptomatic.

OP posts:
Cotswolds10 · 21/12/2020 17:30

Support bubbles count as one household in terms of the rules so he is still able to be in your home. I’m sure plenty of people will tell you he SHOULDN’T but yes, he is allowed, just as you are allowed to continue going to work. People make all kinds of decisions which are driven by factors other than risk of infection, such as mental health. It’s not always a straightforward decision, I feel for you.

Shieldingending · 21/12/2020 17:31

@Wheresyourclapham

No, as your child and your household (you) have been instructed to self-isolate.
The household doesn’t have to self isolate, only the child
Brighterthansunflowers · 21/12/2020 17:32

I’m sorry for your loss OP Flowers

As long as he isolates as if he’s in a household with someone who has tested positive I think it’s allowed although it’s a risk to expose him to a positive case when it’s not necessary. He can’t take public transport to visit you though as he would need to isolate as if he lives with someone who has tested positive. It would be much better if you can support him by phone if at all possible

Original poster
Differentcorner · 21/12/2020 17:32

Everyone else in the household goes about life as usual to work etc- this is the guidance

OP posts:
Eskarina1 · 21/12/2020 17:33

As others have said, the household doesn't have to isolate.

A support bubble is essentially one household

Original poster
Differentcorner · 21/12/2020 17:34

Thank you, we will risk assess with him.

OP posts:
Brighterthansunflowers · 21/12/2020 17:34

Sorry OP I misread that your child had tested positive.

In that case yes he can although still not really advisable. But if you do see him and then DC or any of you develop symptoms, he would need to isolate as if he’s one of your household (and vice versa you all would if he developed symptoms)

CrispySeaweedIsReallyCabbage · 21/12/2020 17:34

@Carrotcakey

You cannot see your support bubble while isolating. Has buggered up our Christmas plans too but you definitely can’t.
Yes, this is what I thought...trying to find the damn thing.

My dc is currently isolating as well and yes, the rest of us can go about our usual activities...not that we can do anything in Tier 4 but hey ho!

MinnieMountain · 21/12/2020 17:34

You are not aware that anyone in your household has it, so he can see you. The case affecting you is one removed from you.
Likewise if he came over and anyone in your household got it, he would have to isolate too.

Brokenchair1 · 21/12/2020 17:36

We had this situation. We're in a bubble with DM. We were still allowed to have DM in house (although decided against it). If your dd is self isolating due to close contact then you're family can see their bubble and go about their business. If she develops symptoms i think it might change.

Fwiw noone else in DDs class got covid AFAIK. They all self isolated for 2 weeks after someone in their year group got it.

Original poster
Differentcorner · 21/12/2020 17:36

He lives a few doors down and can walk to our house. Obviously we know if ANYONE gets symptoms it would mean the start of a new and full isolation period for all of us and testing. So far he has not seen us but I don’t know how much longer I can ask him to be alone

OP posts:
Carrotcakey · 21/12/2020 17:38

@CrispySeaweedIsReallyCabbage Exactly the same here. Tier 4 and child in DDs class has it. We are currently all fine (touch wood) but not seeing my support bubble (Mum) until the 27th now. I really thought this was right. Maybe she can come for Xmas day?!

Original poster
Differentcorner · 21/12/2020 17:42

@Carrotcakey it’s a personal risk assessment I believe for you and your support bubble

OP posts:
Carrotcakey · 21/12/2020 17:44

@Differentcorner interesting. Thank you!

scammedmum29 · 21/12/2020 17:46

Given you can go to work and go about your business as normal OP, I’d see your brother provided he was comfortable with it.

MinnieMountain · 21/12/2020 17:46

This is on my radar as a friend has it and her DD is in DS’s year bubble at school.
If any of us have to isolate, we’re continuing our single person support bubble with MIL as otherwise she’d be lonely (also tier 4).

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