In-laws due home from Abu Dhabi tomorrow. What to do?

[Muchtoomuchtodo]

The schools and universities in Abu Dhabi are closed, as are some hotels. IL’s have been there for a fortnight and are due home tomorrow. Their hotel hasn’t been affected.

They are both in their late 70’s with high blood pressure but are otherwise in good health. We have 2 secondary school aged dc, one with well controlled asthma.

I’m going to make sure that their their fridge, freezer and cupboards are well stocked before they come home but what I can’t decide (and DH is no help with!) is whether we should keep away from them on their return. They’re no more likely to be infected with COVID 19 than me or DH, but our dc could be asymptotic carriers based on what the media are reporting.

It feels like a big step to take - they’ve not seen their GC for a month because of holidays and illness in our house before they went and I (we) need to come to a decision before they’re home.

What would you do?

Anyone?

I’m going to do their shopping this morning, they’re not due home until late tonight and we’ve got a very busy weekend so that gives us a couple of days grace.

We’re going to avoid seeing them until next weekend.

I'm sorry nobody has answered I think you're doing the right thing.
Also, very kind of you to fill their cupboards & fridge freezer etc

I've just worked out (if I've got the maths right), that as the UK has a population of about 60 million, and the CMO thinks there may be 10,000 people infected, that if you meet someone on the street, there is about a 1 in 6,000 chance that that person has covid19. Anyone want to double check that? So it's very unlikely you'll be passing anything on to them.

Thanks both.

It’s so hard to know what to do for the best....

I would keep apart for two weeks to be honest. It's not just that they've been in a region with it, or at hotel (which may or may not have had it) - it's having been on the flight that would really worry me. In the grand scheme of things another two weeks is nothing, having/spreading the virus is a lot worse.

I live in the UAE. Schools have been closed for a week and will be for another three weeks. Working from home seems common. What is it that you're worried about, that they might have caught it here?

I’m worried because of their age and pre existing conditions (hypertension is the main one).

1). They may have picked it up - and if that’s the case I need to protect myself, DH and our dc (asthmatic).

2). And equally we may be inadvertently carrying it (though we all seem well) and pass it onto them - who are more at risk of it being serious if they do get it.

We can’t stay apart forever but I don’t know what to do for the best. I’d be equally as worried about 2) regardless of their recent holiday.

I’m driving myself mad listening and reading advice!

FaceTime, lots of FaceTime.

They can manage without seeing you for a few more weeks, if that's what the long term outcome turns out to be.

That said, if they've been on an airplane and through and airport, then they may already have it.

The sensible thing to do would be to distance yourself from them for their sake. It won't be forever, you can talk on phone etc. They can live another few weeks not seeing DGC

I’d be guided by what they wish to do

I'm sorry but being guided by people who have just got off an international flight is completely batshit and tbh irresponsible. For the sake of two weeks, vs the potential risk to you, plus anyone else you meet.... It's nothing to have to wait.

We’re all in agreement to stay away.
Thanks for your thoughts, it’s interesting and helpful to hear different points of view.