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??

[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.

[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....

[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]

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

[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

[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.

[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?!

[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.

[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.

[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.