How do you get home if you suspect COVID but you're away??

[FusionChefGeoff]

Hypothetical situation for now (thank God!) but I'm hopefully attending a training course in London next week will be getting a train / bus to the venue for 4 days. Probably travelling up and back every day - maybe 1 overnight in the middle.

If I develop symptoms whilst I'm there, how do I safely get home?? I suppose I could ask DH to drive into London and pick me up but what would you do if you lived alone?? Can you morally take a taxi knowing you could infect the driver? Same for bus / trains?

But what's the alternative?? You have to find and pay for some kind of quarantine accommodation (presumably within walking distance of where you are otherwise all the above issues still apply!) until you get test results??

What would you do??

[neveradullmoment99]

[quote Itsabeautifuldayheyhey]**@neveradullmoment99

Just spread it to everyone. Did you not know the Government is going for herd immunity? Scientists are putting a petition together!!

Eh? The link you posted is about scientists petitioning for the Govt to let this virus rip through society to achieve herd immunity.

There is nothing in the article that even remotely suggests that is the Govt view. In fact it states that it is not the view held by Boris Johnson and Matt Hancock. It doesn't mention other Govt members so goodness knows how you managed to totally mis-read this as the Govt's view.

The Goverment are marginalising getting covid now.
Why not have a party!!
You are being stupid now.[/quote]
No you are being stupid if if you don't believe that the UK governments ultimate tactic is to drip feed the virus into the population.
Another huge rise in cases today.
Nothing from Boris or his party.

[olderthanyouthink]

@rainbowunicorn

of course you can't take a taxi or public transport with symptoms

I was told at a testing center (by one of the staff) to use a taxi to go through a drive through test site! They said loads of people did it

I was trying to get toddler DD tested and she was feverish, coughing and obviously not capable of half decent hygiene.

[Scaraffito]

of course you can't take a taxi or public transport with symptoms

Well are you supposed to walk home? The OP has quite sensibly asked what the official guidance is, guessing they aren't going to stump up for a 2 week extension to your hotel stay (and some people with responsibilities that would be problematic). There isn't really any that makes sense or anything put in place to help people avoid using public transport if they have no other option.

[FusionChefGeoff]

I like the idea of staying in the hotel for a few nights until I get a test result - but only if someone else pays for it all!!!

I think it would have to be DH driving down to pick me up really.

I wonder if the course company should mention this on the blurb - "please ensure you have someone available who would be able to pick you up in the unlikely event you start showing coronavirus symptoms during the course"

But then that could be seen as discriminating against people who can't arrange that?!

[Shinyletsbebadguys]

@Redwinestillfine

Isn't the cut advice not to really travel that far so you wouldn't be doing meetings at the other end of the country or overnighters anyway?

Some jobs don't have that option. DP training must be done face to face as it involves training on equipment and can be essential to some hospital staff and care home staff , the training requires 4 days to be certificated so not an option to do it in another way.

[Shinyletsbebadguys]

We have had this discussion as DP delivers training away 4 days at a time roughly three times a month (sometimes more and sometimes less) if he developed symptoms away then the plan is I would take the train up to him (assuming he had contracted it away and I had had no contact with him ) and drive him back in our car. You are right though if we weren't both drivers and had that option it would be tricky.

We actually think his work would extend his hotel and he would have to isolate there with no contact with the outside world and the knowledge of the hotel( which he would have already been in) and I've been sending him with 2 weeks worth of pot noodles just in case (not great granted but would have to do if it came to it ) if there was no other option or contact 119 and ask for advice.

Unfortunately it would instantly isolate us and the DC and DP feels worried about that (he teaches in hospitals and labs) but we don't have a lot of option really

[Dillydallyingthrough]

And just to add a black cab home for me is around £100 which many people couldn't afford.

[Redwinestillfine]

Isn't the cut advice not to really travel that far so you wouldn't be doing meetings at the other end of the country or overnighters anyway?

[Dillydallyingthrough]

It's a really interesting question, I work in London in normal times, and have had to go into the office on a few occasions (catching 2 trains and a tube). I have wondered what I would do, as my DP cant drive at the moment due to a reaction to some medication. The only other person I live with is my 16yo. I dont know anyone else that would be able to pick me up as they are vulnerable or looking after someone vulnerable. I'm not booked into a hotel so couldn't stay where I was (although this doesn't seem right either). I've thought about getting the most direct route back that would be 2 trains still which are quite busy. I think I would get a black cab but keep all the windows open and obviously wear a mask and tell the driver but dont know if this is the right thing either....

[SeaMayweed]

Surely you would inform the hotel or wherever you're staying as they should have procedures in place to cover such situations. And be prepared to follow the guidance/ requirements expected.

[EdithWeston]

I think you should ask the training provider/your company what they recommend.

Ok they might refuse point blank to help you, but if you point out your concerns, and that you are only making this journey at their behest , you might get them to actually stop and think about the (potential) consequences of holding training in this way at this time.

Ideally you'd find someone to drive you (who shares your exposure profile and doesn't mind). It's a bad idea generally to drive when you feel unwell (Covid or not).

If you're completely stranded, a single journey on public transport with maximum precautions is your only option (straight back, no stop offs)

We need to recognise that public transport is definitely a place where transmission happens. Which is shit for the vulnerable, and anyone who really can't afford to be ill.

[ReeseWitherfork]

I would morally be okay with taking a public transport, because technically we can all be asymptomatic and spreading it every time we get on public transport anyway.

This is awful. Doing some accidentally and doing something knowingly are two different things.

I think you phone someone you know and ask for a lift. And if there is no one you can phone, don’t put yourself in the situation in the first place.

[raviolidreaming]

Margaret Ferrier, is that you?

[Spandang]

Hotels have recommendations for this developed by the HBAA. So if you are taken ill in the meeting room it’s likely the hotel will have an isolation room where you will be taken to.

If you are taken ill in your hotel room, you need to stay there. If you test positive for COVID-19 you can return home but only by private transport if it is safe for you to do so.

Hotels are encouraged not to operate at full revenue right now because they may need to quarantine rooms.

Honestly, there’s a lot of hoops everyone has to jump through to ensure a meeting can be hosted safely. If you have concerns you should speak to the trainer and the hotel, who should be able to furnish you with I formation on what they are doing to keep you safe.

[helpfulperson]

The official advice is what flagsfiend has said. No other practical option.

[orangejuicer]

I love the suggestions that OP should get home without public transport... in London?

If being collected is not an option then I think you should try to get home in the quickest way possible with as little contact as possible.

[Flagsfiend]

I'm fairly sure the guidance was if you develop symptoms return home immediately, try to avoid public transport but if you can't then take the most direct route with as many precautions as possible. Once home stay there and get tested. This is different to the Scottish MP who left home with symptoms after testing and then took public transport whilst knowing she was positive.

[leafeater]

I think you have to stay put or get home without using public transport.

[LimitIsUp]

Hire car. You just return it to the nearest branch to your home.

Would require full disclosure to the hire car company (although I imagine they deep clean all cars between uses at the moment)

[Itsabeautifuldayheyhey]

@neveradullmoment99

Just spread it to everyone. Did you not know the Government is going for herd immunity? Scientists are putting a petition together!!

Eh? The link you posted is about scientists petitioning for the Govt to let this virus rip through society to achieve herd immunity.

There is nothing in the article that even remotely suggests that is the Govt view. In fact it states that it is not the view held by Boris Johnson and Matt Hancock. It doesn't mention other Govt members so goodness knows how you managed to totally mis-read this as the Govt's view.

The Goverment are marginalising getting covid now.
Why not have a party!!
You are being stupid now.

[DespairingHomeowner]

@JKRowlingIsMyQueen

I would morally be okay with taking a public transport, because technically we can all be asymptomatic and spreading it every time we get on public transport anyway.

I don't see isolating in a hotel as a solution as you will still have to go out to get food, so potentially infect other people in the shop.

I don’t agree that it’s morally ok, but can see many have no alternative

Has made me write off public transport entirely

[DespairingHomeowner]

The thing to do is find someone who knows your situation who will drive you home ... so that’s probably only family / partner who would be willing. Puts me off going anywhere tbh, and has prompted me to buy a car

[Notcontent]

Yes, that is a very good question. If I had gone away by train (as I did over the summer) I would have no way of getting home other than by public transport as I don’t have a partner or family nearby.

[RichardMarxisinnocent]

@BBCONEANDTWO

If I lived alone there must be someone in my 'bubble' who could pick me up.

I live alone, my bubble is my DP and he doesn't have a car so wouldn't be able to pick me up, unless he hired a car, so depending on the time of day might have to wait wherever I was until the car hire places opened for him to pick a car up.

[Rushjob]

@rainbowunicorn

of course you can't take a taxi or public transport with symptoms

Unless your from the SNP