To just want to go for a walk

[Fedupmummy88]

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?

Go for the walk! I live in a similar kind of place and have often thought I would do this if I was isolating. If you go first thing in the morning or at dusk you're not likely to see anyone at all.

I'd go. No one is going to be quizzing you on your covid status in a wood for crying out loud.

@CremeEggThief, you said yourself that you wouldn’t have liked to have had to isolate with your son, because his opinions and behaviour are clearly rather unpleasant at the moment. Hopefully he will come through it and develop into a nicer person to be around. Teenagers certainly can be twats. I’ve said it about my own two teens at times (about them, not to them).

My local government certainly have their enormous faults, but threads like this make me realise how sensible they've being in allowing covid positive people a 2 hour per day exercise and fresh air window (away from other people, masked, exclusively outdoors. We have vast empty beaches here so it's easy to keep your distance).

The vanishingly tiny risk that OP could pass it to someone else while strolling in empty woods does NOT override her and her children's mental health and well-being.

DCs and I walked the 3-mile round trip to the testing centre to get PCRs because we don’t have a car. We were probably at our most infectious, but this was perfectly within the law and pretty common in London where lots of people are car-free.

I’d do it if I were you.

I personally wouldn’t as I would be furious if I found out someone else who was still testing positive was out and about. It’s called isolation for a reason and to protect others while you are still contagious, so to speak.

Go for the walk! No one is going to fine you and I'm sure you'll be diving out the way should you encounter another soul...

I’d usually say stick to the rules but here it would in my opinion depend on the circumstances. The landed gentry would be permitted to roam their estates. A town dweller could go into their garden. Country folk I feel could venture into an isolated area if they can do so without coming within yards of anyone else.
If you did encounter anyone you could yell out for them to please stay away because you are vulnerable

I would absolutely go for a walk. I have tested positive and as soon as I feel better and able I will be going for an early morning walk.

@lettshaveaniicecupoftea

Honestly.

I would 100% go for a walk somewhere quiet/empty. And I don't care if anyone thinks that's selfish. There's no risk involved.

I wouldn't go shopping, or to an appointment or anything that involves other people, but a quiet walk completely alone, I wouldn't hesitate.

Same.

Isolation nearly killed me off. I just sat in the back garden but I was desperate for a walk. I would, wear a mask if you see anyone Nd enjoy it. I hope you feel better soon.

I would go if there is little chance of meeting anyone. In your case the benefits outweigh the risks, as you’ll all feel better for fresh air and exercise. There is little chance is passing on the virus outdoors anyway, that is why good ventilation is recommended when meeting people indoors. It might be against the law, but I think in this case you can use common sense. My answer would probably be different if you lived in a busy town centre where you’re always bumping into strangers.

@CremeEggThief

Yes he is, he's lovely, LibbyVonTrapp. I hope one day you can be told the same about your children.

I'd suggest that being lovely and being twattish enough to laugh at anyone being assaulted are mutually exclusive

My shame at raising at child who thinks that's funny would be bad enough but sharing it online is extremely weird.

Go for your walk
Fresh air, exercise & a change of scenery will do you good
Wear a mask
Avoid other people

I would. We’re lucky enough to have a small woods out the back of our house as well, and I know from spending a lot of time out there with a toddler running around that seeing other people is very rare, and it’s easy to avoid them if you do.

I’d go , logically what’s the risk imo it’s only those that go oh well call round to Janes for 5 minutes and the shop for milk it’ll only take a minute so where is the harm . A walk round the block when it’s quiet do it , we are 2 years on I think we are past jumping in the bushes away from people in case they have covid now aren’t we ?.
I remember during the first lockdown a thread on here that people would be raging if parks were busy , groups of people in the park on a sunny day because nothing else open madness . Nobody caught covid at the park but yet people screaming that they were selfish. Truth is do what you need to do now op 2 years on you need to go for a walk then do it most people past giving a shit and you won’t be fined.

As someone whose house has no garden or yard, two kids, a dog, limited help (which would need to be prioritised for help with food), is capable of assessing risk. making balanced decisions and understanding the possible consequences of getting caught (which is unlikely given my personal circumstances and lifestyle). I would go for a walk.
I think the decision will be different for everyone depending on circumstances, yes it's breaking the law but that is based on black and white and it's there to prevent the spread to others. People's lives are so different to the extent that some will be able to go for a walk and not see anyone and there be no risk at all, no-one seen, etc so to follow the letter of the law would be disproportionate to the benefit it would bring.

Enforcement of the law isn't always done, sometimes the powers that be can use discretion and their common sense it's not that uncommon for that to happen as long as you are prepared to explain yourself having thought it through properly, and be prepared for the fact that they may disagree with you and if they do accept the fine.

I tested positive just before xmas. Went for a walk in woods on day 5 with 3yrs old as was going stir crazy. Didn't see a soul. Felt so much better for it. Tested negative on day 6 and 7 subsequently. I say go!!!

@ImInStealthMode

My local government certainly have their enormous faults, but threads like this make me realise how sensible they've being in allowing covid positive people a 2 hour per day exercise and fresh air window (away from other people, masked, exclusively outdoors. We have vast empty beaches here so it's easy to keep your distance).

The vanishingly tiny risk that OP could pass it to someone else while strolling in empty woods does NOT override her and her children's mental health and well-being.

That seems sensible!

Go. Definitely if it do you good. Like you say you're going to be outside anyway.

Cannot believe people are still asking MN for permission to go out on a walk.

Just do it fgs.

OP seems to have disappeared.

@forlornlorna

I know it's hard, most of us have been there now but just stick to the rules. What if something happens while your out, you trip etc and need help. Then you've probably passed it in to anyone who helps you etc. I dunno op I just think of others and how this virus might harm them. 19 year old fit and strong lad on our estate died from Covid last year, daughter works in a care home that lost so many residents to it, I think we have to remind ourselves sometimes that this virus kills

How often do you trip when you’re out?

@CremeEggThief

TheArmsofMine, the poster you are referring to had a dig at me first, by calling my son a twat. So yes I shall respond, not that I need your permission.

Because he sounds like one.

Anyway, go for a walk OP.

Not quite sure how you'd end up arrested and fined from walking alone in the woods.

Depends on your personal circumstances. If you live in as big house with garden, I wouldn't go. If you're are in a small flat with no garden, I'd go for a walk.

Go for the walk. Highly unlikely you’ll infect anyone walking in woods. I think all sanity has gone out of the window, it’s not like you’re proposing to go shopping indoors.