Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Can I visit my friend?

35 replies

Singlenotsingle · 23/03/2020 09:02

My friend is seriously ill and confined to his flat unless he is accompanied out by his carer or someone else. He has several serious health conditions and is registered disabled. (I live 150 miles away). This is in normal circumstances, but obviously with the new instructions to stay indoors due to coronavirus, he is even more restricted in what he can do. He's being remarkably patient but would love a visit.

I want to visit and spend some time with him, but I myself suffer from a heart condition. I'm on medication but have no symptoms that I suffer from and live a normal life. I would be happy to get in the car, shut myself in, and go, but it seems I can't.

Does anyone have any advice? If I got tested and cleared, would it be ok? Obviously the last thing I want to do is put him at any risk at all. He's 68 and has COPD amongst other things.
I'm sure the advice will be that I can't do it, but is there any way I can?

OP posts:
NymphadoraBonks · 23/03/2020 09:04

No. Of course not.

AryaNoOne · 23/03/2020 09:05

No you can’t go. It sounds risky to both of you and even if you were healthy you shouldn’t visit anyone unless it’s critical - eg care needs. Can you use video calls or similar to make it feel more like a visit?

BuffaloCauliflower · 23/03/2020 09:05

The advice is no one should visit anyone in their home or have any visitors in their home. It’s that simple. You won’t get tested unless you’re hospitalised, and you can be reinfected anyway.

Bezalelle · 23/03/2020 09:06

What part of this situation aren't you understanding, OP? Of course you can't visit him. The only way this virus will be controlled is if people stay the fuck away from each other.

SapphireSalute · 23/03/2020 09:06

This can’t be real??

Who is this thick?

Iwouldlikesomecake · 23/03/2020 09:07

No. This is like people who put lights on in the war for ‘just a minute’ who then got bombed. Why can’t a tiny bit of self restraint be practised???

daisypond · 23/03/2020 09:07

No, you can’t visit. There’s no way you will get tested. There’s not enough tests even for staff in hospitals.

Original poster
Singlenotsingle · 23/03/2020 09:09

sapphire no need to be rude.

OP posts:
Daisiest · 23/03/2020 09:09

No.

HasaDigaEebowai · 23/03/2020 09:09

NO

Weregoingonanadventure · 23/03/2020 09:10

No you cannot visit.
Why are people still this stupid?? This is why we're going to end up locked down with the police and army enforcing total restriction; because people still think the rules dont apply to them and they should be able to pop to their friends.

Stay the fuck home! (My favourite twitter hashtag).

Daisiest · 23/03/2020 09:10

How on earth do you think you'd get tested? Even nurses on the frontline can't get a test.

Abracad · 23/03/2020 09:11

How’s about this. You both sign a disclaimer to say that if you get ill, you agree not to use a ventilator which someone who has obeyed the rules might need. Do that and knock yourself out. Otherwise - just do the right thing for yourselves and your community and our society, yeah.

OnlyJudyCanJudgeMe · 23/03/2020 09:12

Sadly, I wouldn't.

SapphireSalute · 23/03/2020 09:15

@Singlenotsingle

It seems like there IS a need to be rude!!!!

The message is just NOT getting through is it? I’m not one for walking on eggshells around people and I will say as I find

I’d rather be rude than stupid Wink

strawberry2017 · 23/03/2020 09:16

Even if somehow you were tested and it came back clear it only covers you for that time.
Personally I think this is a reverse because surely you can't be that stupid to think this is ok x

SapphireSalute · 23/03/2020 09:16

@Abracad falling on deaf ears I’m afraid

Abracad · 23/03/2020 09:23

@SapphireSalute - I’m staggered by the selfishness of people. Perhaps it’s stupidity, but my feeling is people wouldn’t ask if they didn’t know it wasn’t ok. Just looking for a bunch of strangers to ratify a bad decision. I think there will be serious fall out when this is over. I will find it impossible to forgive people who have acted selfishly.

PrincessHoneysuckle · 23/03/2020 09:25

Wtaf no of course you cant go

Weregoingonanadventure · 23/03/2020 09:25

My mum went for a walk with her friend yesterday and then her friend went back to hers for coffee because the cafes are closed. I was so angry. And she just doesnt see the problem.

CormoranStrike · 23/03/2020 09:28

No you cannot!

SapphireSalute · 23/03/2020 09:34

other countries are better than this country....again,uk will be the laughing stock!!

the footage of the parks this weekend is downright embarrassing .....the uk is set to have a worse death rate than Italy....and this is why! we dont stand a chance

3rdNamechange · 23/03/2020 09:35

@sapphiresteel
Harsh but true.

OP where can you magically be tested ? Please let me know because I'm frontline NHS staff and I can't get one.

3rdNamechange · 23/03/2020 09:37

Sorry meant @SapphireSalute in my post. Absolutely need to be blunt , people are either thick or choosing not to 'get it'

Weregoingonanadventure · 23/03/2020 09:39

I've been sitting thinking whether or not it's ok to get a pizza hut takeaway tonight. The last time we had a takeaway was the 30th of January, and I've realised we might not get one for many many months so it would be like, a last treat. But I'm feeling guilty for even considering it because it still involves contact with others and other people cooking our food.
Then folk are like "oh let's go visit a friend with COPD" and I feel better about myself. I'm not the most stupid of us all at least.