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Related: Lockdown Learning, discuss home schooling during lockdown.
Covid
Is visiting my 62/71 yr old parents for a few hours on Wednesday okay?
naughtycat · 16/03/2020 20:24
Sorry it's another one of these....
I was planning to visit my mum on Wednesday. I can't work out if this is against the rules of unnecessary social contact or not!
Mum (62) has a chronic condition but not relevant to Covid. She lives with my father (71). He will be out at work when I'm there. He works full time outdoors in a manual job. He has well controlled hypertension. He likes a drink, so he's not the healthiest of people....but he has no other diagnosed conditions. He has gone to the pub this evening for one last time. They are both smokers.
They live with my 20s brother who uses public transport daily and works full time in a public facing job. He is probably the biggest risk of Covid being brought into their house.
I live alone. I don't work due to a mental illness. I'm normally very socially isolated. I last went out on Saturday, to the supermarket. No interaction with other humans since then which is normal for me. So I'm quite low risk really.
They live a few miles away, but in the same city as me. I normally go by bus, but I was going to cycle to reduce infection risk.
I was planning to go over there to help my mum check they are prepared for possible isolation or lockdown, and to reassure/support her because I think she is worried. I've had this planned for the last week. Then the new advice came out today.
However, the thing increasing my risk is that tomorrow I am going out to collect some of my belongings from a storage unit. Then I'm going to a very busy furniture shop to buy some essential items. I've got a van booked for this and don't want to delay it, in case of lockdown in the near future.
Should I visit as planned? Will I be putting them at risk?
7Days · 16/03/2020 20:26
I would not, no.
Support and encourage by phone. Forget the furniture for now.
Lotuscup563 · 16/03/2020 20:30
Of course not!
This is the governments fault..not expressing how serious this is! 
naughtycat · 16/03/2020 20:33
Okay thanks , I won't go. I thought that was the right answer. I didn't have anybody else to ask.
I will follow the rules. But I have to admit I am actually really worried about coping with the isolation. I have very little contact with people anyway. I normally just see a friend and her toddler once a week, but I know that will stop now. I don't even have anyone I can talk to on the phone except my mum and my one and only friend. It's going to be tough!
DelphiniumBlue · 16/03/2020 20:43
If your brother is travelling on our public transport, he is the one most likely to be bringing germs in. Your mum is 62, not 80. Most people of that age will still be in work, especially those people working in schools/ bbs.
I think k if you observe decent hand hygiene and don't get too close, there is unlikely to be an issue.
DelphiniumBlue · 16/03/2020 20:44
If you are worried about isolation, can you move into your mum's for the duration?
naughtycat · 16/03/2020 21:11
Delphinium...thank you that is something that I hadn't thought off. Although I was thinking about asking my brother to stay with me during this time, so he can reduce the risk to them (my dad really!) and he could also keep me company. He can also walk to work from my place, so everyone benefits.
Delphine31 · 16/03/2020 21:18
My parents and I have decided to isolate together (I'm in an at risk group and so are they). But I have to be so careful not to take the virus with me when I travel to them.
I have decided to self isolate at home for 7 days and then travel to their place one night (so that its a quick drive and I don't have to stop at services and mix with anyone). Then we will isolate together.
katienana · 16/03/2020 21:20
I would as your dad is going out anyway and your mum is not over 70
nonicknameseemsavailable · 16/03/2020 21:24
could you start using video calls or skype etc to contact people. it isn't the same but I am sure it would help with the isolated feeling.
naughtycat · 16/03/2020 23:03
I'm certain I won't go visit my parents now. About an hour ago I went to my local small corner shop to buy some bread and I literally think I've come into contact with the virus.
The shop I went to is a 24 hour shop and normally really busy even though it's really small. My local area is densely populated and diverse (rich/poor/students/professionals/homeless/travellers/tourists etc). The man behind the counter (who I think might be the store owner), kept taking a handkerchief from under the counter and mopping his forehead and face. I honestly thought he clearly has a fever...does he have Coronavirus?? He saw me looking at him when he was doing it and looked a bit sort of guilty??
I guess there could be another explanation. But I wouldn't be surprised if he's been exposed to the virus through running his shop. And I understand small business owners can't just take time off. I felt really sorry for him.
I didn't interact with him long and washed my hands when I got home. But we really don't know exactly how contagious this is.
I'm not being paranoid! This actually just happened! I hope he is okay
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