Covid in 2025

[zoeb92]

Hi all,

Long story short, my parents got back from holiday on Monday and both have Covid. Mum’s been unwell since Tuesday, Dad started feeling rough on Friday. Mum is better now.

They’re both retired, in their 60s, and usually look after my toddler two days a week while I’m at work.

They’re meant to be going to a funeral 150 miles away on Friday and, while there, also planning to visit elderly relatives.

I dropped tests over yesterday evening – Mum’s came back negative, Dad’s positive. I’d spent Saturday with Mum and, after feeling off last night, I tested again (negative the day before) and now I’m positive too.

I’ll be working from home until it clears – luckily that’s not an issue as my boss is lovely and very understanding.

Here’s the problem: Mum is determined to go to this funeral on Friday (it’s her friend’s partner who has passed, not a close relative). I’ve told Dad he needs to stay well away since he’s still testing positive. I’ve said he can travel down with Mum if he really wants, but he should let her attend alone, avoid staying overnight with Mum’s friend, and absolutely not go near my grandparents, who are in their 80s.

Mum insists I’m being dramatic – she says Covid is just like a cold now, and everyone’s vaccinated. I’m angry because I think she’s being selfish. Dad is listening to me (secretly relieved, I suspect, that he doesn’t have to go). What frustrates me most is that Mum is normally straight-laced, she never breaks rules or takes risks. She isn’t technically breaking any rules here, but in my opinion her attitude is irresponsible.

I’m 5 months pregnant and can’t take anything for the symptoms. Not only am I annoyed that I caught it from her in the first place, but I’m also worried she or Dad could spread it around like jam on toast and make a lot of people poorly.

AIBU? Thanks.

@WhereAreMyAirpods the issue is not with DM, its her husband who was testing positive when the OP posted. DM will not go to the funeral without her DH who may or may not be infectious at the end of the week. You are right that DM has no concerns about covid and would happily take her infectious DH to interact at a funeral, stay with friends and visit very elderly relatives.

I do agree with you. I posted that because someone mentioned deaths were higher, and it’s important that we’re all using evidence rather than opinion or anecdotes.

I would not willingly expose myself to covid (or even a cold, why would I?) or expose others if I had it. It’s the height of selfishness, regardless of the long term risks.

The data I posted was for the last week, it’s not an annual or seasonal figure.

I don’t disagree with you, but do you have a source for the long covid figure you mentioned?

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11281588/

It’s the WHO official figures but there are so many studies on this. All of them finding somewhere between 6-27%.

We can split hairs over the exact number - which to be honest we may never know. But I, like many others, thought that Long Covid was hopefully just something affecting the first wave and as we got immunity less would be affected. Studies are showing each infection increases risk. Doesn’t matter how healthy or what age you are.

I think people just need to be aware and educated about this. There’s around 2 million people in the Uk suffering. I can’t see that number going down with each round of Covid (which is constantly circulating) as more are affected.

I used to previously be sceptical too. Then it happened to me. And unfortunately I know quite a few others.

@MyDogHumpsThings I am much the same in not knowingly spreading anything about.

There is some ons data from 2024 which you may also find interesting https://www.ons.gov.uk/file?uri=/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/datasets/selfreportedcoronaviruscovid19infectionsandassociatedsymptomsenglandandscotland/november2023tomarch2024/aprilreleasewintercovid19infectionstudytablestrackerversion.xlsx

The poster literally said "if I am unwell." 😕 Which I'd assume meant any other virus as well..

Personally I’d keep away. Your mum could pick it up again from your dad and pass it round
New strains coming through all the time and we have no idea of their short and long term effects

Ah, yes, just what the grieving widow needs, a dose of Covid. 🙄

Yes, it is a good idea, because we don't want medical services to grind to a halt, and because the impact on others is minimal. It's a risk assessment, and therefore the tiny amount of risk involved is absolutely worth it. I couldn't give a flying wotsit if I caught Covid in hospital (but I wouldn't know, as I would never test, so all good).

@Cynic17 you would not be saying that if you have lost friends and family members who then died due to having caught covid in hospital having been in there for something completely unrelated. If you had a broken leg and came down with a nasty respiratory illness, you would be aware of it regardless of any testing.

Having a positive COVID test doesn't mean you're automatically infectious. Didn't they say that only certain people spread it, super spreaders they called them . My ds has it for the 4th time and I've never got it from him despite taking zero precautions. Of course there's no way of knowing. But I voted YABU. You're treating your mum like a child. She's an adult capable of making her own decisions.
It's going around at the moment, loads of people have it, she likely won't be the only one at a large gathering like a funeral. You're at risk anywhere there's other people.

@Easyozy superspreaders infect more people than the general population. Like anyone else, they may or may not have symptoms.

There is a greater risk in some environments than others. The risk is less when you have a fleeting contact in say a supermarket than at a funeral where people will be sat next to each other for at least 30 mins and lots of hugging and kissing will be going on. It’s not just about the funeral, it’s staying with friends and visiting very elderly grandparents of the OP. The mother should be fine to go having tested negative, it’s the OP’s DF who was testing positive. Although there doesn’t appear to be any indication as to what he wants to do, or even if he feels well enough to travel and visit.

This. No idea if cases are increasing but we’re seeing many more masks out and about.

Agree MrsSkyler I’ve noticed this too

From Gov.uk tracker
This is just hospitalised cases though up to 2nd Sept 2025

My daughter has been floored with it, it's going round school. Much worse than when we all had it during the pandemic.

Viruses put pressure on the NHS. Illness and long term illness is rocketing amongst staff. People are in hospital because they have a health issue - covid on top of that is not going to help that issue. Ten percent of people who catch covid in hospital die from it. Some people will be in hospital because their health issue(s) came about because of a covid infection. How are people in hospitals meant to protect themselves? There are vulnerable people who are scared to access treatment, because of the risk of catching something else. It is healthcare - to deliberately spread illness within it is very wrong.

Oh and I’m one of those who went to a funeral this year for someone who caught covid in hospital - their other issue could be dealt with, covid couldn’t.

Why test and then not do anything about the results?
I don’t test and no one I know does because I would only stay home and avoid vulnerable people if I felt too poorly to go out, not just because a test said so!
People need to live their lives. It’s crazy!

I’ve heard of people still staying at home and having constant vaccinations and still catching it and feeling awful. Maybe it’s the vaccines making it worse?

IMO COVID is the same as any virus. If you’re well enough to go somewhere.. go!

Thank you for the source, and I agree :-)

'People need to live their lives', but what about the lives of those who are disabled or killed by others who spread covid to them?
Vaccinations aren't making it worse; they just can't keep up with the constantly mutating virus so they don't stop people getting ill. Most people aren't eligible for vaccinations anymore anyway.

The figures for flu deaths earlier in the thread are for flu and pneumonia combined. RSV, flu, covid will contribute to viral pneumonia deaths. Over half of pneumonia deaths are due to
bacterial pneumonia. Figures are further complicated as viruses can make you more susceptible to bacterial superinfections. It’s frustrating that flu is rolled up in these figures, especially when flu is the most seasonal.

I think you need to stop controlling and infantilising your parents, to be honest.

Sure, you can voice your concerns and I’m sure you’ve been doing plenty of that. But anything else is an overstep. Your mum can make her own decisions. She’s aware of the risks.

How selfish of her!

'Hysterical overreaction' ? Not what scientists are finding. Especially for someone in remission.

The virus can be found in all organ systems and can negatively affect the brain, heart and endocrine organs to name a few. While the symptoms may mimic the common cold, the possible longer lasting organ damage is still unknown. We know there are negative effects on the body of other viruses eg hep B C EBV HZV HIV.

Diabetes, cardiomyopathy, stroke and pulmonary embolism are all consequences of COVID. Long covid is real and life altering and the risk increases with repeated infections.
https://www.panaccindex.info/p/what-covid-19-does-to-the-body-eighth

Some posters on MN are still a bit bonkers about covid and behaves like it’s something far worse than it is. I think our government really did a number on some people’s mental health.

In RL, nobody I know even mentions it let alone tests for it.