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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To just want to go for a walk

400 replies

Fedupmummy88 · 02/01/2022 10:01

Whole household tested positive for covid Christmas Day (Dh, me, dc1 7 years old and dc2 8 months old) luckily we seem to have had relatively minor symptoms (cold and flu like for a few days for me, same for DH for a bit longer, coughs in the children) and now thankfully all feel fine

Dh is now testing negative on day 6 and 7 do is back to work today as per the government guidance. The children are both negative as well.

I however am still testing positive despite having less symptoms than DH and feeling fine since about Tuesday.

Children aren't sleeping well especially the 8 month old and I definitely think it's the lack of fresh air. With school runs they are used to being out on a walk at least an hour a day and now they have barely left the house.

I know it is but would it be totally unreasonable to go out for a short walk through the woods at the back of the house? We live in quite a remote area and rarely see anyone in the woods and I just want to get out. Have no interest in going anywhere else (luckily we had a food shop delivered Thursday and have had family drop anything we need at the door.)

Also feeling sorry for the eldest DC as this is the second Christmas holidays we've been isolating as DH got Covid at the same time last year! It's also my last couple of weeks off before returning to work after maternity leave next week.

I probably won't go out as I'll feel too guilty but just wondered if anyone would in these circumstances?

OP posts:
sirfredfredgeorge · 02/01/2022 10:38

Who is going to approach a random person walking in a field/the woods, and demand to know their covid status

I've already informed the local covid marshals to look out in the woods, and they've upped the patrols, we'll catch the bugger!

CharityDingle · 02/01/2022 10:38

@TooWicked

Woods at the back of your house where you hardly see anyone - yes absolutely I would.
Agreed.
cptartapp · 02/01/2022 10:40

Risk v benefit? I absolutely would. Wouldn't think twice.

parrotonthesofa · 02/01/2022 10:40

Just go. It's fine.

Kshhuxnxk · 02/01/2022 10:43

Genuinely I would go very early morning or very late night if I really needed to but I would in the first instance, have DH take kids out regardless. To be fair though your whole 10 days are up tomorrow also so you could hang on?

Pinkfluffyunicornsandrainbows · 02/01/2022 10:43

Just go for a walk, life's too short to be stressing over whether you should go out for a walk with your children. If you do see anyone then just make sure you stay well away from them. If you were going to a busy park i would say it's not a good idea but quiet woods at the back of your house then yes! The children are testing negative so are fine to go out and mix again so if they seen someone and got close that would be fine. Enjoy your walk 🚶🏼‍♀️

shivermetimbers77 · 02/01/2022 10:45

I am in the same position OP:
Also tested positive on Christmas Day although symptoms started in Christmas Eve so I’m on day 9. Thought I had tested negative today but then a very faint line came up after about 5 minutes 😥 Feel fine in myself so the urge to go out for a walk tomorrow is strong . Considering I will be allowed to officially go out to work the following day anyway makes it all seem a bit bonkers.

Bagamoyo1 · 02/01/2022 10:45

Definitely go for a walk

hivemindneeded · 02/01/2022 10:45

I was told yesterday that after day 7 if you feel fine you can go back into the community because LFTs give lots of false positives after that. If you have no symptoms after Day 7, legally you are allowed out. This isn't widely known but should be. A GP told a friend whose son was still testing positive on Day 10.

notanothertakeaway · 02/01/2022 10:46

I'm naturally law abiding, and cautious about Covid. But a short walk in woods behind your house sounds to me

Jacketpotato84 · 02/01/2022 10:46

Go for it you need to put yourself and family first, I don't judge you for a second. I'd say a walk down the woods is a happy compromise.
Not selfish
Not going to get caught by the covid police
Not morally wrong imo

2389Champ · 02/01/2022 10:46

When we both tested positive in mid December, we went for walks. Providing you’re sensible and do the obvious by avoiding direct contact with others, I don’t see an issue. Statistically, open air transmission is incredibly rare - and the very few cases recorded outside were as a result of face to face conversations for a period of time.

I’m convinced ‘the rules’ have to appear be black and white because some idiots need it spelt out for them and wouldn’t use common sense if they were told they could go out but to be careful. Exercise and fresh air are vital for physical and mental well being and no doubt contribute to quicker recovery as well.

Don’t forget, you’re allowed to walk to a priority post box to post your PCR if infected, so there is an element of leeway.

CharityDingle · 02/01/2022 10:47

@shivermetimbers77

I am in the same position OP: Also tested positive on Christmas Day although symptoms started in Christmas Eve so I’m on day 9. Thought I had tested negative today but then a very faint line came up after about 5 minutes 😥 Feel fine in myself so the urge to go out for a walk tomorrow is strong . Considering I will be allowed to officially go out to work the following day anyway makes it all seem a bit bonkers.
I would, if I were you. Go early when everywhere is likely to be quiet.
Thesearmsofmine · 02/01/2022 10:48

I would OP. I also have a wood behind my house that nobody else uses(I’ve only seen a couple of other people in there in 10 years) and we treat it like an extension of our garden.

ChargingBuck · 02/01/2022 10:48

@PurpleDaisies

Who is going to approach a random person walking in a field/the woods, and demand to know their covid status? Does that change the fact that it’s against the law with a large fine if you’re caught?
It doesn't change the fact @PurpleDaisies, it mitigates it.

OP is simply not going to be arrested & quizzed about her covid status simply for taking a walk in secluded woods, no matter how much anyone believes she ought to have the Pandemic Stasi on her back.

Also ... it was against the law when Cummings & No 10 staff broke the rules. Can you show me a single government employee who has been fined for covid law-breaking?
So why should OP not have her walk?
She will infect precisely ZERO people out on a walk - it's not as if she's demanding a cheese & wine party ffs.

Topseyt · 02/01/2022 10:49

In your circumstances I would absolutely go.

It is a solitary walk. You are unlikely to meet anyone and you will feel so much better for it.

I honestly wouldn't give a shit about silly and arbitrary laws / guidance (I'm no longer sure which it is and no longer care). If you are unlikely to see or meet anyone then how are the police going to know? Few people give enough of a shit now to call them anyway, and they don't have the manpower for this sort of bullshit.

Normski67 · 02/01/2022 10:49

@hamstersarse

I’m on day 6 and have been for a nighttime walk every day from day 3. I haven’t seen anyone for any of them. I also live near woods/ fields.

Last nights was about 5km and I saw no one

I guess my risk was more from being a lone female out in the dark, but those sort of risks don’t matter anymore. @PurpleDaisies will be more concerned about how my covid breath might linger by a tree for 6 hours and infect an elderly person, or something incomprehensible like that

Can someone explain to me how the ‘breath’ thing works then? I realise we’ve come a long way since 2020 but the thinking was then that particles hang around in the air. Has this been disproved? Not trying to be goady - genuinely interested if this understanding has changed?
2022HereWeCome · 02/01/2022 10:50

Yes I would. I walked to and from the Covid testing centre today when I needed a PCR. I just kept miles away from everyone.

User2638483 · 02/01/2022 10:50

So you’re day 9 and no symptoms?
Very low chance of being infectious.
I would do it but keep away from people.

shrunkenhead · 02/01/2022 10:51

Go for a walk. Some laws are meant to be broken and in the whole scheme of things I think it'll do you the power of good to get some fresh air into your lungs and you'll feel better quicker.
We can't go on with this lock down/isolating nonsense forever - enough is enough now. People need to get back to work/ school/life and we need to start treating covid like the common cold and just crack on with life.

escapingthecity · 02/01/2022 10:52

I would go

Terminallysleepdeprived · 02/01/2022 10:52

@PurpleDaisies thousands of people break the law every day...speeding, smoking in public places ie entrances to shopping malls, cannabis use. Police generally do bugger all about most of it. They have done bugger all about the variety of politicians who broke the law during lockdown so they are certainly not going to waste resources hunting down a mum and her small kids going for a walk in a deserted wood behind her house. Ffs get a grip.

@Fedupmummy88 as a single mum with a dog I had to walk the dog daily. First thing and late at night. My dog walker is CV and helps my neighbours is CEV so couldn't risk taking in too. I have a big garden so dd was able to play when it wasn't raining and the dog went out when needed but she still needed a walk. If you are sure you won't see anyone then go ahead and enjoy your walk!

User2638483 · 02/01/2022 10:52

Sorry no you’re day 8 aren’t you. But my answer still stands

ComDummings · 02/01/2022 10:53

Go for a walk

LessTime · 02/01/2022 10:53

I’m usually a stickler for the rules but I’d go.

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