To not stay in all day

[sadlittlelifejane]

What's the general etiquette around going out with covid nowadays?

I have what would be considered a mild cold but my friend had a spare test (at her request as she has just had it and was conscious about having more time off work) and it turned out to be covid. If i hadnt have tested I wouldn't even think twice about going out as I have a stuffy nose! My children are 2 and 6 months, I can't stay in all day. Can I go for a walk in the park? Can I go to the coffee van? Pop to corner shop to get milk? Sit on outside seating area in starbucks? What's acceptable nowadays?!

Just because you don't feel that bad with it, doesn't mean the person you might pass it onto will.
As an otherwise young, fit adult who is CEV due to a blood clotting disorder, your "mild cold" could easily land me seriously ill in hospital, and has done previously.
So yes you "can" go out, there are no covid police. But please think about those of us for whom it absolutely isn't just a mild cold. You may "need" to get out the house but my 2 young children need their mum more.

You did test.
You know you've got it.
So stay at home.
What was the point in testing if you're going to do what you like anyway?!

@sadlittlelifejane sorry but you're not going to build up immunity to COVID because there are just too many variants. If we were building up immunity we wouldn't have people catching it 2+ times a year. Also, COVID is a vascular disease that affects all your organs, so every infection damages your body, and carries a 10% change of long COVID. This is why we are seeing so many more heart attacks in younger age groups, for example, as the risk remains high in the months after infection. It also increases risk of stroke, auto immune conditions, type 1 diabetes, gastro-intestinal issues, damages your brain, the list goes on. Every day new research shows how bad it is for us.

The best way to deal with COVID is to avoid spreading it.

This was me a few months back. When I did a random test and realised it was covid (only a sniffle/knackered), I stayed in for the recommended 5 days. I didn’t mind so much as I really was exhausted.

DH didn’t have it and we didn’t know about 3yo DD so he just took her out and about to parks and stuff and played outside. Luckily he was off work by coincidence.

I couldn’t knowingly go out while positive and spread it. I just couldn’t.

Just to add, I only did a test because my husband’s parents had given us a box as they were going out of date soon & said we might as well have them. I only tested because I was feeling so knackered and it reminded me of the last time I had covid.

Interested as to which hospital you know of with this rule!
I'm an NHS ward-based employee, had covid last week and the rules for us were clear - do NOT come into work and only come back after a minimum of 5 days from symptom onset and with a negative LFT. Where have you seen nurses "being told" to go into work with it!?

OP - official guidance on both the NHS and GOV website is to stay at home for five days (either from symptom onset or positive test, whichever is earlier). In your shoes I'd stay home and if you really feel the need to get out, open air walks.

I have members of my family who are ECV so it's distressing to see how many people adopt a selfish "yeah it's fine go where you like" view. Yes Covid is thankfully a different picture than it was in 2020, but it isn't like the common cold and there are still people who could be seriously affected by it (and that's not even mentioning long covid in those who aren't clinically vulnerable).

Glasgow here. Nurses are definitely going into work with covid unless they feel unwell. School staff also. Usually someone has a mask on but not always if has tested positive

My DS and myself are both CEV.. listening to all the ‘dont test’, ‘go out’, ‘do what you like’ is just lovely.. if I catch it I will very likely end up v unwell or worse.. if my ds gets it he will likely end up needing major surgery or worse but sure it doesn’t matter does it because ‘it’s only a cold’
My CEV friend is currently in hospital because another friend visited her with ‘just a cold’ then messaged to say it was covid.. would it kill people to be just a little considerate? Nope.. but it will kill people if they aren’t..

Our work expects us in if we'll enough even with the associated train journeys so if you feel OK I see no issue with going out.

I would treat it as any other mild virus- limited close contact with others as you never know who is vulnerable and how it can take others - park yes , Starbucks no , take kids to school, don't visit mam

Everyone was fine about it, we were all sensible, kept our 2 metres distance and sanitised equipment.
If you were not OK the only option would be to book annual leave or go off sick yourself.

I'd go outside but wear a decent mask N95 if I were going into shops or indoor places.

Sanitise before touching stuff in shops specifically pin pads for payment.

I'd avoid coffee shops and restaurants until I tested negative.

In our area the elderly are still waiting for jabs, it's filtering down now but none seem to realise they can book a jab for the next day on the nhs site. They are waiting for a phone call from the GP.

Jabs started a few weeks ago but the appointments for the elderly (80's) and CEV are mid October. That's nearly November before protection.

So yes, I'd go out but take precautions.

Sounds like you’ve been brainwashed to believe all the Covid crap!!!

Those that think yabu, does everyone stay home with a cold?

I would do the things I need to while limiting unnecessary trips, exposure. I'm not saying strictly essential only, I'd still be taking the dc where they need to be, doing my shopping etc but I'd be using hand gels/sanitizers, throrough hand washing. I'd consider a mask. Generally living life but trying to ensure I was reducing the possibility of passing it on.

@Bertiesmum3

Sounds like you’ve been brainwashed to believe all the Covid crap!!!

So you're not able to read the article @AussieManque linked?

I've just had it for the second time in 18 months, and it definitely wasn't "just a cold" for me and mine.We're in our 70's..
Don't be so bloody selfish, some of us become really ill with it.

So many posters who don't care about passing it to the vulnerable.

Do the decent thing and stay away from people.

If you have Covid just stay indoors, it's a perfect excuse to not do anything. Even if it's "just" a cold you should self-isolate. Deliberately doing something that increases the risk of passing the illness on to someone who might have a much more serious or life-ending response to it is pretty cunty.

@Bertiesmum3 I'm afraid you're the one who has been brainwashed into thinking COVID is "just a cold and masks don't work". I'm a scientist. I follow the science.

Can the people saying covid is just like a cold or flu please point me to a single piece of evidence?

Covid is causing huge issues in the workplace, health issues, cognitive damage, behavioural issues, affecting education. It's a shitshow and is going to cost an absolute fortune. People are losing their health, their livelihoods etc. Try to steer clear of other people if you can.

If someone holds the opinion that covid is "just a cold" then I don't think evidence is their thing @NotReadyForAutumnYet

Fair point.

NHS Advice:
What to do if you have symptoms of COVID-19You may be able to look after yourself at home if you have COVID-19 or symptoms of COVID-19.
Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you or your child have symptoms and either:

• have a high temperature
• do not feel well enough to go to work, school, childcare, or do your normal activities

You can go back to your normal activities when you feel better or do not have a high temperature. If your child has mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat or mild cough, and they feel well enough, they can go to school or childcare.

So basically you are free to do whatever so long as you are not really ill or have a high temperature

^above is, I think, if not tested positive. Public Health guidance if tested positive is slightly different.

Because this time around it has been so bloody awful I've gone out for a beach walk today ( day 5) I know I could have gone out but I didn't want to inflict this on people who still have to go to work or are ( know somebody) who is vulnerable. By same token I didn't visit my 85 year old sister this week as I wouldn't if I had flu/ cold/ d and v. Use common sense but don't be an uncaring arse...