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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Covid - isolation now

116 replies

Explainitplease · 03/05/2023 11:45

Without looking it up, what do you think the guidance is presently if you test positive in England (not sure if same for rest of UK)?

My daughter tested positive yesterday and I was surprised by the guidance and I don’t know if was being unreasonable to be surprised.

OP posts:
DyslexicPoster · 03/05/2023 15:01

Isolate for 5 days if you feel unwell? Is anyone following the guidance now?

heartbroken40 · 03/05/2023 15:02

@kyse I would get antivirals too if I wanted but when I had covid (back in 2021), it was so mild that it lasted less than a day. So no thanks. As I said to another poster, you do you as long as you don't expect the government to pay for your staying home or all that

seratoninmoonbeams · 03/05/2023 15:03

@Curtains70 "Surely regardless of testing negative or positive you would stay away from vulnerable people anyway if you were ill? " EXACTLY this. It's common sense. I agree with all you say. I think I have a few old tests somewhere but I will treat it the same as any virus now. If I felt rotten I wouldn't see anyone who is vulnerable. Simples.

thaegumathteth · 03/05/2023 15:03

heartbroken40 · 03/05/2023 15:00

@theGooHasGone I am indeed vaccinated against flu and against covid (3 jabs, then I had enough): sorry but this needs to end (and I'm sure the guidance will eventually change). Let children go to school and adults go to work. You do know that productivity in the U.K. is much lower than other countries? If you stay home when you sneeze once, you're actually part of the problem. Anyway you do you but I'm glad that I am not living in a state of fear for nothing

Your argument is null and void because people aren't staying home after sneezing. Relying on ridiculous hyperbole to (dis)prove a point fools nobody.

seratoninmoonbeams · 03/05/2023 15:05

@GoldenAye and this is also how people build immunity like the good old days. Not like now when I know so many people knocked down by illness (not Covid) that they wouldn't have pre 2020.

Beezknees · 03/05/2023 15:09

Mistlewoeandwhine · 03/05/2023 12:30

You are still at risk of long covid every time you catch it. I know 5 people who have suffered greatly with long covid. Why wouldn’t you just stay in for a few days for the benefit of everyone? I was getting income insurance today and was interested that they asked about long covid as part of the health check (and that meant taking a month or longer to recover).

Because we can't all afford to, simple as that.

Kyse · 03/05/2023 15:10

heartbroken40 · 03/05/2023 15:02

@kyse I would get antivirals too if I wanted but when I had covid (back in 2021), it was so mild that it lasted less than a day. So no thanks. As I said to another poster, you do you as long as you don't expect the government to pay for your staying home or all that

Yeah I was off work for 3 weeks and I don't want the hassle again TBH as I was so unwell with it. Plus the risks of long covid
I don't get anything from the government, I WFH full time and am not entitled to anything despite numerous illnesses so I'm trying to avoid getting another one
Am severely neutropenic

Qilin · 03/05/2023 15:19

Advise is to stay home if you can, and to speak to your employer/school if you test positive to see what they say.

There is no legal requirement to isolate.

I tested positive yesterday after feeling a bit rubbish and developing a nasty sore throat and cough. I test due to my own health and potential treatment. My school follows the LEA advice so I stay home (work from home if well enough - I've plenty of nine class based activities to keep me going!) for 5 days after symptoms start or positive test.

Qilin · 03/05/2023 15:20

At my school advise for child is to stay home for 3 days (5 for adults) based in lEA advice. That relies on the person knowing its covid though and, obviously these days, many people don't test unless they or someone they know are particularly vulnerable and/or access anti viral treatment through tests.

Jusmakingit · 03/05/2023 15:22

When my daughter was at nursery during the covid days , when people could return the advice was confusing then. My daughter didn’t have covid but had been in contact with someone who had so she had to stay home and isolate so a parent had to stay home. But this had to be unpaid leave and didn’t fall directly under the advice for isolation then as myself and my partner hadn’t been in contact with said child so essentially i lost a weeks pay staying home with DD. Who tested negative the entire time obviously lol 😂 but I still hard to pay her nursery fees as it was classed as illness 🙄👍🏻

peachespeachespeaches · 03/05/2023 15:30

The only reason I've done tests recently is because I've been ill and work are still saying to stay home until you get two negative tests, and we get paid sick leave...

BashirWithTheGoodBeard · 03/05/2023 15:31

Not testing, wouldn't have known what the current guidance says and ceased taking an interest when it became optional.

Qilin · 03/05/2023 15:37

heartbroken40 · 03/05/2023 14:19

I am clinically vulnerable and wouldn't test if I had a gun pointed to my head. Just go out and go to work and live your life. Enough of this - did you ever test for a cold or a flu? So why is this different? Another excuse not to work, don't be my employee as I wouldn't be sympathetic

It's my workplace that sent me home and told me I couldn't go in.
I didn't chose to stay home, though wouldn't really be well enough today or yesterday anyway.

I know I did chose to test - certain groups are advised to my their doctors/consultants. It affects my medication - I have to stop one of my stronger meds if positive (for covid or if I have flu too) and can be eligible for other medication in certain circumstances. I've never been hit as badly by a cold as I was with covid. I've had covid more than once now, including right now. It's hit me in different ways but it's definitely always been worse than 'just a cold' each time. If I have flu symptoms I also have to be careful with my medication and health too. There isn't a free test for me to check for flu at home though the hospital can test for it. As far as I know I've only had flu once or twice, though may have had a milder strain and not realised I suppose.

Qilin · 03/05/2023 15:41

heartbroken40 · 03/05/2023 15:02

@kyse I would get antivirals too if I wanted but when I had covid (back in 2021), it was so mild that it lasted less than a day. So no thanks. As I said to another poster, you do you as long as you don't expect the government to pay for your staying home or all that

Not everyone is so lucky as to get it mild though. Surely you know that.

I have a long term medical condition as a result of one bout of covid. I was rushed to hospital the first time I had it. I've had antivirals another time.

I get paid sick leave if I am unwell, regardless of the virus or infection or condition. Why wouldn't I get paid that just because it's covid? I'm not well and my workplace doesn't allow me to work, on site, with covid either. I can do some work at home and will return after day 5, so long as my high temperature has reduced and my other symptoms are improved somewhat.

Ontopofthesunset · 03/05/2023 15:43

I didn't need to put any energy into finding out where I could get a test if I wanted one - the tests are right in front of me at the supermarket.

But even if you never go to a supermarket like mine and you have no intention of testing, the idea that you don't know where to get a test is as ridiculous as is the idea that it would require energy to find out. I have no intention of taking the morning after pill as I'm post-menopausal, but I know where I could get one without expending any energy at all.

BurntOutGirl · 03/05/2023 15:43

If I'm too ill to work, then l will test as I'm a nurse.

If I'm not too ill to work i.e cough, cold, sore throat etc... then l carry on as normal.

Had covid last October and felt crappy for couple of days but no iller then when I've had other virus'. I was one of the luckier one's.

GreekDogRescue · 03/05/2023 15:49

Are you still washing your shopping OP?

Anonymous48 · 03/05/2023 15:55

I had Covid about 3 months ago. Once I started to suspect that that might be what I had because I developed a high temperature, I took one of the tests that we still have at home (sent to us by the US government). Why wouldn't I want to know if I had Covid or some other illness if there's a simple test to tell me?

Once I tested positive I followed the current US guidance to isolate for 5 days. I know that I'm in a fortunate position to be able to do so, but if I did have to go out I would take what steps I could to avoid passing it on - social distancing where possible, wearing a mask, etc.

I just don't understand why you wouldn't test and isolate if you have the means to do so. Covid is not a fun illness to have. Why wouldn't you want to try and avoid spreading it? (Just as you would if you had the flu or some other easily transmissible illness.)

Starlightstarbright1 · 03/05/2023 15:56

I work in healthcare - we are advised to not attend work if positive.

I test if i have symptoms . I am still eligible for free tests from the government

BashirWithTheGoodBeard · 03/05/2023 16:00

Anonymous48 · 03/05/2023 15:55

I had Covid about 3 months ago. Once I started to suspect that that might be what I had because I developed a high temperature, I took one of the tests that we still have at home (sent to us by the US government). Why wouldn't I want to know if I had Covid or some other illness if there's a simple test to tell me?

Once I tested positive I followed the current US guidance to isolate for 5 days. I know that I'm in a fortunate position to be able to do so, but if I did have to go out I would take what steps I could to avoid passing it on - social distancing where possible, wearing a mask, etc.

I just don't understand why you wouldn't test and isolate if you have the means to do so. Covid is not a fun illness to have. Why wouldn't you want to try and avoid spreading it? (Just as you would if you had the flu or some other easily transmissible illness.)

What circumstances are you expecting people to test in? Bearing in mind that even with those cases that are noticeably symptomatic, there's a very diverse range of symptoms.

Kyse · 03/05/2023 16:01

GreekDogRescue · 03/05/2023 15:49

Are you still washing your shopping OP?

Why do people ask stupid questions like this?
Regardless of what people think, even if I did wash my shopping it has no effect on anyone else
I test as advised by my haematology consultant, still use a mask and avoid indoor socialising but apparently people on the internet know better than my medical consultant

It's like its funny to take the piss out of people who are being cautious about covid because they're on chemo or similar

I don't want it again. I was unwell, lost money with not being able to work, don't want to risk further damage to my health from catching it repeated times, lost all my fitness...

Anonymous48 · 03/05/2023 16:10

BashirWithTheGoodBeard · 03/05/2023 16:00

What circumstances are you expecting people to test in? Bearing in mind that even with those cases that are noticeably symptomatic, there's a very diverse range of symptoms.

Show quote history

Well, obviously, if you have symptoms that might be indicative of Covid, or if you have been in close contact with someone who tested positive.

HurryShadow · 03/05/2023 16:11

As far as I was aware there are no rules, restrictions or requirements whatsoever.

If you get Covid you can do whatever you like.

At my work, however, we now have a rule in place that if you're ill with anything, you should consider working from home if you're able to. It has really helped with keeping staff sickness absence down generally as there aren't germs being spread around so much.

I did have Covid recently and tested out of interest. I know it's a lot less dangerous generally than it used to be, but there are some people that would still get seriously ill. I worked from home during that time and also didn't go to the shops. It really didn't make much difference to my life (and quite honestly I enjoyed being able to stay at home!).

SaveMeFromMyBoobs · 03/05/2023 16:16

I'm not really sure why you're surprised? The only reason you know is because tests are available. There are no tests for flu. Nor are their tests for different respiratory viruses which in many cause cold-like symptoms but can be as, if not more, deadly for vunerable people as covid.

It's personal responsibility. If you don't feel well, don't spread it around. It shouldn't be limited to if its covid. The test shouldn't change your behaviour. There never will be a law that people feeling under the weather must isolate. It's probably MORE dangerous for people to test and go 'oh well it's not covid' and go out when they would have stayed in and potentially give someone something they are is no vaccine or treatment for.

BashirWithTheGoodBeard · 03/05/2023 16:18

Anonymous48 · 03/05/2023 16:10

Well, obviously, if you have symptoms that might be indicative of Covid, or if you have been in close contact with someone who tested positive.

Show quote history

Can you clarify what you mean by symptoms that might be indicative of covid? People commonly report headaches, tiredness, diarrhoea or just nasty poos, dental pain and other symptoms that might be attributed to different causes when they have covid. It's an incredibly wide spectrum. I'm wondering whether you expect people to test for these or not.