Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is anyone still isolating with covid?

233 replies

Whattodonut · 24/09/2023 11:38

My sister is- she caught it from a friend who hadn't mentioned she had a temperature when they met up. (Another thread- I'm annoyed about that on her behalf!)
She's done 3 days positive and says she's going to isolate until she's negative. She has a toddler who her DH is of course looking after but it means he'll be missing work to look after toddler until she's well.

She's worried about passing it around- our parents are elderly and I think I'd be angry if someone who knew they had it gave it to them. She does feel like shit but then if it were flu she would also feel like shit and carry on because... toddler.

What would you do?

OP posts:
Wolfpa · 25/09/2023 07:55

I have the luxury of being able to WFH and so last time I had a mild cold I stayed at home so I couldn’t pass on an illness onto my colleagues. However if I was unable to WFH my decision would probably have been different.

I think if you can afford to isolate when you have symptoms even if they are very mild you have a responsibility to. You never know how vulnerable people are around you.

Lastchancechica · 25/09/2023 07:59

I went to a party with 80 people on Friday when the symptoms first started, so I have probably infected everyone. It was a milestone birthday and I couldn’t miss it.

I asked friends what to do, and they all said the new variant is ripping through anyway what difference does it make, we are all going to catch it.
I woke up today and can’t even move my eyes, it is so painful. I feel terrible. I really hope I didn’t pass it to anyone elderly or vulnerable. I am not surprised hospital admissions are going up, I am fit and healthy and feel like I have been hit by a train.

TemporarilyshyAF · 25/09/2023 07:59

My parents are. Both positive as of this weekend. They're early 70s and in good health but some of their friends have a range of issues (one is being treated for cancer, another has diabetes etc) so they're staying in. They lost a dear friend in her 60s who was very fit to covid in the early days so I think want to play their part in minimising the spread. I've had some long term symptoms that have been hard to shake (fit and well except for a long term condition) so they've younger people in mind too. Not sure how they'd call it if 30/ 35 years ago with 2 kids and work but for now they're happy to isolate until negative.

honeyandfizz · 25/09/2023 08:04

Tiredalwaystired · 25/09/2023 07:48

The hospital I work in isnt saying that at all. Work from home if you can, or don’t work if you can’t.

does that change your thoughts at all?

Show quote history

Must be different across the country because our local acute trust is saying go in as is my community trust. I wonder why they don't have a blanket policy direct from NHS England? Yet again my acute trust is one of the worst performing in the country - probably can't afford to have all the staff off.

Toddlerteaplease · 25/09/2023 08:14

@Tiredalwaystired mine isn't saying that. Mine is saying to come in if you are well enough. Slight contrast to when I unexpectedly tested positive at work in June and was practically frogmarched off the ward. (Had to go to the pharmacy and buy a test as we didn't have any)

WhiteFire · 25/09/2023 08:15

TiramisuTastesDreamy · 24/09/2023 12:16

My employer reminded us the other day it is still the default to WFH ( assuming you’re feeling up to it of course) if you have Covid or any other virusy respiratory thing going on. And don’t come back to the office until you feel better ! Appreciate not everyone can WFH but thinking of people with caring responsibilities and/or vulnerabilities when considering whether to work/ go out…. should be the baseline minimum now - or have we learned nothing from the pandemic

We are only allowed to wfh if it is a positive COVID test. The sickness policy is so draconian that you then have little choice but to go in ill.

Not only are we continually spreading stuff between each other, you feel worse sat in the airless office.

Shaw55 · 25/09/2023 08:15

I will isolate by changing my diary to work at home, otherwise I will be travelling from school to school (at least two schools per day), meeting senior leaders and on average, 10 staff in each school. I also spend time meeting with groups of children.

Passing on COVID to so many children and school staff, surely, is something you don't want me to do!

MooseAndSquirrelLoveFlannel · 25/09/2023 08:25

If only people cared this much about other illness as I caught glandular fever 20+ years ago, and a nice bout of post viral syndrome (or as I now like to refer to it as, Long GF) still plays havoc with me to this day.

Anyway, covid is just another illness. As with any other illness its mild for some, deadly to others. I has a friend whose daughter nearly died from chicken pox! But life just can't stop for all illnesses.

I don't test unless I feel really unwell, I had covid in May. Felt poorly Sunday evening, tested positive Wed morning, was back to normal by Friday morning and got a negative test on the Sunday. I didn't isolate from family as hard to do in a family home, but I did stay indoors (other than the school run, but I stay in the car, as no other way to get kids to school). No one else in my family has ever had covid, I've had it twice. So I think there is a portion of the population who are immune anyway.

But bottom line, if I'm too unwell to get out of bed with any illness, I stay home. If I'm not unwell enough to take to my bed, I carry on as usual.

BarbedButterfly · 25/09/2023 08:27

I am clinically vulnerable so I still wear a mask in public if in an enclosed space. Most people at work are still isolating as I work in health care, but doubt most know they have it as aren't testing.

We suspect partner's brother has it at the moment but he can't get out of bed anyway so isolating in that way.

ThePoshUns · 25/09/2023 08:28

I had Covid a few weeks ago and was really ill with it. I didn't self isolate as such from DH and kids although did keep my distance, not difficult as I was too poorly to leave my bed. I used separate cutlery and glasses.
I didn't go back to work until I had no symptoms.

Chiaseedling · 25/09/2023 08:32

I had it last week. Went for a very short walk w DD (who I got it from) while still positive, as she dragged me out - did feel better for some fresh air. Tested negative on day 6 so went back to work.
The guidance is to stay away from
others for 5 days if over 18, but no obligation to not leave house (Ie walk in fresh air). That’s how I see it.
i only had one day off sick as I was more ill over the weekend, probably could’ve wfh at a pinch but I was tired and grumpy and not in mood to take calls 😆

Whoopsmahoot · 25/09/2023 08:33

Husband and I just finished covid- he was positive for 12 days, me 10. Both isolated and he worked from home. I was very unwell. It’s a stinker.

NowWhattt · 25/09/2023 08:36

cardibach · 24/09/2023 11:52

It’s not ‘any other illness’ though. Evidence is building that every infection leaves some damage and some people are disabled by even one infection. I hope you at least tell people so they can avoid you if you aren’t prepared to stay away from them. (Plus if something makes you ill, whatever it is, it’s a bit antisocial to potentially give it to everyone you meet).

Show quote history

Some people don’t give a shit though . As long as it’s not them and they’re okay .

NowWhattt · 25/09/2023 08:38

MooseAndSquirrelLoveFlannel · 25/09/2023 08:25

If only people cared this much about other illness as I caught glandular fever 20+ years ago, and a nice bout of post viral syndrome (or as I now like to refer to it as, Long GF) still plays havoc with me to this day.

Anyway, covid is just another illness. As with any other illness its mild for some, deadly to others. I has a friend whose daughter nearly died from chicken pox! But life just can't stop for all illnesses.

I don't test unless I feel really unwell, I had covid in May. Felt poorly Sunday evening, tested positive Wed morning, was back to normal by Friday morning and got a negative test on the Sunday. I didn't isolate from family as hard to do in a family home, but I did stay indoors (other than the school run, but I stay in the car, as no other way to get kids to school). No one else in my family has ever had covid, I've had it twice. So I think there is a portion of the population who are immune anyway.

But bottom line, if I'm too unwell to get out of bed with any illness, I stay home. If I'm not unwell enough to take to my bed, I carry on as usual.

Covid. Is. Not. Any. Other. Illness.

🤬

MooseAndSquirrelLoveFlannel · 25/09/2023 08:41

NowWhattt · 25/09/2023 08:38

Covid. Is. Not. Any. Other. Illness.

🤬

Show quote history

Of course it is..

Any illness has the potential to have side effects, long reaching side effects or even death.

But it is still Just.An.Illness

PuzzledObserver · 25/09/2023 08:44

I have/would - but then I’m retired, so everything I do optional. I also volunteer and mix socially with a lot of people who are elderly and with multiple health issues, so it would be very irresponsible to carry on regardless.

thankyouforthedayz · 25/09/2023 08:50

My friend had positive COVID tests for 3 months. I will isolate for 6 days as per government guidance. I don't plan to do another test.

ginandtonicwithlimes · 25/09/2023 08:53

I am not isolating or testing. I will obviously stay away from say church if I felt ill though. My daughter was unwell on Saturday but feels better so back to school today. I won't be testing her. Many people don't get paid if they don't work so don't blame them for not testing.

ginandtonicwithlimes · 25/09/2023 08:55

NowWhattt · 25/09/2023 08:38

Covid. Is. Not. Any. Other. Illness.

🤬

Show quote history

Like anything else it becomes milder and milder. Pretty sure the common cold started out as deadly at first.

*Obviously if immucompromised then yes it might be harder for you.

margotrose · 25/09/2023 08:57

No. I'm not isolating or testing and I don't know anyone who is.

TruthThatsHardAsSteel · 25/09/2023 09:09

mrsanflowerpot · 24/09/2023 20:32

DD's (15) friend tested positive and then didn't isolate, went to school and then a football game. Not sure about the game but led to the school having to "go remote" last week for two year groups due to student and staff cases.

DD was one of the cases, DS (9) was shielding. He's been admitted to hospital this evening with severe asthma attack and tested positive for covid (despite DD isolating at home once she tested positive).

Poor boy. Sending 🤗 💖 hopes for a speedy recovery

Lastchancechica · 25/09/2023 09:10

ginandtonicwithlimes · 25/09/2023 08:55

Like anything else it becomes milder and milder. Pretty sure the common cold started out as deadly at first.

*Obviously if immucompromised then yes it might be harder for you.

Show quote history

In all fairness you really haven’t had the latest variant if you believe it gets ‘milder and milder’

Rudderneck · 25/09/2023 10:09

SaltyOne · 25/09/2023 07:05

@Rudderneck

If I was ill with any kind of respiratory thing, I'd tend to stay away from the vulnerable. There are quite a number of such ailments that ake the rounds every year and the old and vulnerable die of them, every year, and some other people are affected more seriously too.

What's more serious than death?

What a silly question. There are lots of effects that an illness can have that are serious, but not death.

You are the only one talking about "more serious than death."