Can you go out freely once you have had covid?

[kingis]

Do you need to follow rules even though you probably have immunity?

Yes, or course you do.

No, you can't go out freely yet. There is still a lack of clarity about how the virus may or may not manifest in those who have already had it - and the possibility exists that they may be carriers.

Yes, most of us unless we did actually get tested can’t be 100% sure we had it anyway.

And we could still spread it between others, if we picked it up at say the supermarket, even if we are immune ourselves someone could then catch it back off us? I think?

I think at some point they will start testing for antibodies and clear people to start going out again to try and keep everything going. Firstly frontline nhs for obvious reasons, then other keyworkers, then possibly everyone else?

I think current opinion is if you've had it you can't catch it again and can't reinfect people, but noone really knows just yet

You may still contribute to physically spreading it even if you have been tested and there is an indication you're immune.

I'm sure the guidelines will evolve once the antibody test gets to the general population.

Of course you still need to follow the rules!

Unless one was actually tested, you’ve no idea if you actually had it you are just guessing

There are no exceptions to lockdown. Even if you’ve had a test that proves that you have had it.

Good luck explaining that to police.

There's still uncertainty about how 'safe' you are if you've had it, it's so recent. Did you have a test?

Even if you have been tested and now recovered you still have to follow the rules because you can be fined otherwise. Also if you go out, others will see you out and think they will do the same.

One of my close friends has had it and was tested. So in theory he can't pass it on. BUT he could still be a physical surface t transmit the virus. Eg if a person who was infectious touched a door handle and spread the virus there, then friend touched same handle and the virus stuck to his hand, then he touched something else and the virus stuck there.....

Just stick to the rules

This is why I think there is a danger in mass testing too soon.
Many people who test as having had the virus will feel entitled to flout the regulations causing chaos for enforcement.
Testing nhs and key staff e.g. carers makes sense. But I have seen that too many people think of themselves first and foremost

When the antibody test finally gets here I am sure the rules will evolve. Boris even said himself that they would have a green light above their head and be able to work again. There is a recent study in macaques that indicates that once you’ve had it then you are immune. Unless it mutates significantly and even then you will keep some base immunity.

I am 99% sure that I and my family have had Covid this week (won't go into it but i can't see how it's not it) - I have no intention of just going about my business once I am allowed back out of self isolation in a few days. Until we have had an actual antibody test we cannot be absolutely sure it was Covid, and as others have said, whilst it is still very rife in the population, we could still be a surface to pass it along. Until more people become immune and it can't travel so easily, everyone is going to have to act as if they haven't had it I think. The antibody test will be good for getting people back out to work though, but you won't just be able to go about your business as usual.

Not yet but apparently there is now a test which will show if you have had it which will then be a game changer once there are enough tests and capacity to do it

This article is interesting from a Cambridge virologist..especially about the reality of infectious periods and the fact that with swine flu over 80% at Eaton were infected but only 20% had symptoms!

www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/cambridge-virologist-explains-what-we-know-and-dont-know-about-covid-19-9104220/

One of my close friends has had it and was tested. So in theory he can't pass it on. BUT he could still be a physical surface t transmit the virus. Eg if a person who was infectious touched a door handle and spread the virus there, then friend touched same handle and the virus stuck to his hand, then he touched something else and the virus stuck there.....

^^this.

I dont know how they would police it. You would have to be sure of who had it/didn't so its easier just to lockdown everyone

Stay in

Stay in. Theres no 'I have had covid pass I can go out' pass

@SmileEachDay

That was a very definite yes. Do you know something about immunity?

There is lots of evidence from China of people testing negative and then testing positive again weeks later. So there is no guarantee that being infected once makes you immune or unable to become re-infected even asymptomatically and transmit. I’m a scientist and there isn’t evidence of long term immunity at this point.

Not at the moment but it could well change if we can get enough tests - if someone has then had it and fully recovered and isn't a carrier, they should be able to go out.

Once you've had a cold virus you are immune to that cold virus. But there are so many cold viruses (and they also mutate) that you then get colds again. But that doesn't mean that you aren't immune to the ones you've had.

I think the plan is to start testing people for antibodies soon so that they can start getting the economy going again. For now I think you have to follow the rules.

It’s a good question as the govt are now saying that NHS workers will be tested so they know who can go back to work and who needs to isolate for 7 days. TheY also said the antibody test they’re trying to get would mean that people could go back to work if the test showed they had had it. Not sure what the guidance is currently for those who have actually been tested so know for sure.

Let's say you were hospitalised, tested & confirmed as having covid-19. Even when you'd recovered you'd have to follow the rules around social distancing because, at the moment, those are the rules everyone in the community has to follow. But you would be able to go out not needing to worry about catching the virus or spreading it.