Would you go out for lunch with a cold?

[Cloud44]

I feel ridiculous asking this question but post covid I’m never sure what you are meant to do! People seem to come into my work with all sorts but what do you tend to do when you have a cold / virus? Would you go out for lunch for example?

Not if a felt rough. I wouldn't go with any sort of cold with my 85 year old grandmother!

yes, if it’s just a sniffling and I’m ok beyond that. I was actually 2 days ago.
No if it’s with temperature or strong cough or sore throat and you feel run down .

I know colds are everywhere. But if I’m going to be in close proximity to someone for a few hours and this is optional then personally I’d like to know. But I do agree if you have a big holiday planned then the onus is on the individual to reduce social contact.

All I’m saying is a heads up is good. Then the person can decide. They may not care if they catch a cold. When I have been ill recently I can track it down to close contact with infected friends in small spaces. Not random people on the tube (I know you will say you can’t tell but sharing an enclosed space for hours and hours is more risky).

I have been known to swap seats on the tube if I’m next to someone coughing.

And we can wash hands etc after being out and about.

If you are unwell then I would stay away. If not, then go about things as normal unless you meeting someone vulnerable and then I’d be considerate.

If I felt aright yes.

If I felt miserable no.

If I felt well enough, yes. None of my circle would expect someone to stay away to avoid giving them a cold.

I'd go if I felt well enough. Not if it's one of those where you're sitting feverish blowing your nose every 41 seconds.

Just do what you want? Who still even thinks about Covid. If you feel up to lunch, go for lunch.

Because I want to live my life. If someone doesn’t want to catch anything, they should stay home

Yes I just carry on with whatever my normal plans are.

You must also be aware though that vaccines and good health only offer limited protection to the elderly, because their immune systems age and are no longer robust. That’s why they die in greater numbers after Covid infection or even just a mild cold.

People are also more likely to catch stuff off family and friends in relaxed settings than random strangers in the shop due to physical proximity and softer boundaries with known people. They drummed this into us during Covid and usually a household would isolate together. And at my children’s schools their classes were kept as separate self contained groups.

So that’s why I ask if people are comfortable to be around me if I am sick but well enough to go out socially. I don’t necessarily know what underlying health issues they may be dealing with. Never had anyone mock me or act weirded out at being asked, only appreciative responses and thanks.

I would warn whoever you are supposed to be meeting.

I disagree with the suggestion that people with a reason to not want to socialise with someone with a cold right now should be just not socialising at all.

Yes it's always possible to come into contact with a random person who has one.
But it's about balancing the risk of coming down with one. That increases if the company you are in includes one. Even more so if visiting someone's home or them visiting yours, or being in a car together.

The top thread in "similar" threads on this page includes some examples of problems that "just a cold" can cause.

If I otherwise felt ok, absolutely. If I was actually feeling ill, had a temp etc then no.

If I felt poorly then no but if I felt well enough then absolutely.

Even if I already knew the others at the lunch wouldn't be concerned about catching a cold, I'd consider what symptoms I had, because it's for a meal. Some cold symptoms would be unpleasant for others to eat next to, as well as maybe awkward for you.