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Original poster

It’s literally impossible for me to self-isolate! What can I do?

56 replies

CandleFlames · 19/03/2020 16:18

So I’m 35 weeks pregnant and I have a chronic disease which puts me in the vulnerable category, needing to self-isolate for 12 weeks. Only problem is my partner works in a supermarket and as you know they are absolutely manic right now. He’s about to start in a new store and I have asked him to speak to his store manager about time off but there’s only so much he’ll be able to get and I don’t know if they’ll even say yes. So he’s coming home to someone who’s high risk after being in large crowds all day every day. Supermarket staff are being worked to the ground right now and their bosses don’t care if they get sick because they need the staff. I’m just worried because this means I’m still at risk even if I’m staying indoors for 12 weeks. What can I do to lessen the risk?

OP posts:
returnofthecat · 19/03/2020 16:22

Can you/he stay somewhere else for 12 weeks? Family?

Is your existing accommodation big enough so that you can occupy different rooms and live/sleep apart? (Appreciate you will probably have to share a bathroom unless you're lucky enough to live in a giant house.)

Yogawoogie · 19/03/2020 16:22

Look on the government website, they have advice on this scenario.
Can you sleep in separate rooms?

Dishwashersaurous · 19/03/2020 16:23

Get him to wash hands and remove all clothes by from door. Wash clothes everyday. Then scrub tap clean.

Essentially don’t let him come into contact with anything in the house that you might touch before he fully washes.

hannah1992 · 19/03/2020 16:24

I think all you can do is talk to him about being extra vigilant with hygiene. So he should wash his own work clothes. Wash his hands as soon as he walks through the door. Keep on top of disinfecting things like door handles and light switches. Just very extra vigilant

WyfOfBathe · 19/03/2020 16:25

If you need to completely self-isolate, that would mean being separate from your partner as well. For example, you stay in the bedroom, he sleeps in the living room (if there's no spare room), he delivers meals to the doorway. You clean the bathroom after yourselves if you have to share.

If you're just in the group that needs to be more careful with social distancing - which includes pregnant women and most underlying health conditions - I personally probably wouldn't go that far.

Original poster
CandleFlames · 19/03/2020 16:26

He’s just moved in with me and his parents have completely emptied his old room so there’s nowhere to stay right now and I can’t stay with my parents because they have a three bedroom house with three kids and are self-isolating. @@returnofthecat

We are currently sleeping in separate rooms but do only have one bathroom @Yogawoogie

And thanks @Dishwashersaurous that’s a good idea I will tell him to do that.

OP posts:
Onemorehitandillcrumble · 19/03/2020 16:41

I’m in a similar situation. The only (impossible) option is to take unpaid leave but pp does have a good suggestion about stripping though.

BlackeyedSusan · 19/03/2020 16:43

he will have to go back to his parents and sleep on a mattress on the floor or something if it is that important.

onanothertrain · 19/03/2020 16:47

You don't need to self isolate for 12 weeks if you're vulnerable. You need to practice strict social distancing according to the guidance. Unless it's changed in the last few minutes.

KittyJune · 19/03/2020 16:48

You need to find a way to make it work. The whole world is having to make it work - in the UK you're being asked to do the absolute bare minimum. You need to figure it out. It's all very well stripping, and I would second that advice as an ABSOLUTE minumum, but the virus is airborne and can be spread through the air up to a radius of three metres and can live within the air for 45 minute after someone has coughed or sneezed so unless he is never within 3 metres of anyone and/or everyone is wearing a mask, he is very high risk. He will be fine, I'm sure you will too, but it will be harder for you to recover as you're pregnant.

WhenISnappedAndFarted · 19/03/2020 16:51

I was in a similar situation and have gone down to my Mum's for three months to self isolate. Is there no way he can go back to his parents?

fussychica · 19/03/2020 16:59

Surely the answer is to buy a cheap bed/matress and for him move back in with his parents for the time being. It's not ideal but it will take the stress off both of you at this difficult time. I would hope his parents, who might not be keen to have him back unexpectedly, to be understanding in these circumstances.

JuanSheetIsPlenty · 19/03/2020 17:01

He’s just moved in with me and his parents have completely emptied his old room so there’s nowhere to stay right now

He needs to go back. All he needs is a mattress on the floor and somewhere for his clothes.

JuanSheetIsPlenty · 19/03/2020 17:03

You don't need to self isolate for 12 weeks if you're vulnerable. You need to practice strict social distancing according to the guidance

Realistically EVERYONE should be self isolating where at all possible regardless of guidelines. The guidelines really don’t go anywhere near far enough on this.

HermioneWeasley · 19/03/2020 17:05

He needs to move back to his parents and sleep on a blow up bed if necessary

P1nkHeartLovesCake · 19/03/2020 17:05

Sounds like all you can really do is

You stay home 100% of the time, at least he can get food from work so you’ve no reason to go out.
Sleep separately
Use separate towels for shower/hand washing
Keep up the hand washing

Your be giving birth soon anyway and your be in hospital for that, completely self isolating for you isn’t going to work. Your just going to have to take precautions where you can

Becca19962014 · 19/03/2020 17:05

I can't either. I've spent almost two weeks looking into it. But all I can do is practise safe distancing from everyone else in building and when out. There are some posters circulating on social media I've seen to put on doors to say you're self isolating. I got one from my MP.

Many people need to isolate but simply cannot fully do so. It's impossible where I live with no deliveries possible for food or meds.

I don't see anyone socially or have any social life at all.

Though I am struggling a lot as all medical care has now ceased except emergency which is an issue for me and my medication. I've written begging my practice to allow me to have my appointment next week. Otherwise my already fragile mental health will collapse (along with physical health!).

Eckhart · 19/03/2020 17:27

He’s just moved in with me and his parents have completely emptied his old room so there’s nowhere to stay right now

So there's an empty room at his parents' place?

Dishwashersaurous · 19/03/2020 17:30

Think of it like going into a clean zone, dirty clothes go in a box you don’t touch and he does all the laundry.

DystopianPanda · 19/03/2020 17:32

He needs to go back to his parents to protect you.

PlainBritishFlour · 19/03/2020 17:35

How old are his parents?
It's fine for PP to tell you to tell him to go back but he doesn't have that right.

If they decide he's risking them they can say no.

Dishwashersaurous · 19/03/2020 17:37

And he can sleep on the floor in the empty room at his parents

SunshineCake · 19/03/2020 17:46

It really isn't literally impossible for you to self isolate. It may be hard but it is possible.

Sleep in separate rooms

Up the hygiene

Communicate through Skype

alloutoffucks · 19/03/2020 17:47

I have a friend who is a paramedic in his 60's and has an underlying condition and working long hours.
It is all worrying OP.

GatoradeMeBitch · 19/03/2020 17:56

his parents have completely emptied his old room

He can buy an air mattress.

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