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Original poster

Does it matter if I don't reply to Track & Trace text?

82 replies

ScribblingMilly · 21/10/2020 09:32

Someone I met briefly has tested positive with COVID and I've had 'the text'. I'll be self-isolating for 14 days but is there any real need to fill in the forms and give my full name - the acquaintance and I are just on first name terms - and all my details? Does it help with research on how the virus spreads or is it just about keeping tabs on me (which I'm not keen on).

OP posts:
Original poster
ScribblingMilly · 21/10/2020 19:46

Well, there must be a way to challenge it because there are large fines for malicious claims. If they call me again, I'll ask them.

OP posts:
Orangeblossom7777 · 21/10/2020 19:46

Just seems like common sense... If I was the OP I would maybe contact them or text and explain

Aragog · 21/10/2020 19:50

It’s not impossible or even that hard.

Try working in an infant school and keeping your distance.
It is virtually impossible and yes, it really is that hard!
4 - 7 year olds don't manage 2m SDing and masks aren't allowed in the classroom.

PleasantVille · 21/10/2020 19:51

@ScribblingMilly

Don't, Acorn. The woman who tested positive caught it from an immediate family member in the home, so there are no guarantees there. There's no need to be guilted about caring about neighbours and acquaintances and stopping for a chat in the fresh air. I can see now from the guidelines that neither of us did anything wrong - despite the fact we don't know each other's surnames!
Do you know how T and T were able to contact you, if the other person doesn't know your surname how did they get contact details for you and how do you know she caught it from a family member?
AcornAutumn · 21/10/2020 19:51

@ScribblingMilly

Well, there must be a way to challenge it because there are large fines for malicious claims. If they call me again, I'll ask them.
I was thinking more, can you challenge that it was a close contact?

I admit I haven’t looked at the details of T&T but I thought “close contact” for 15 mins meant at least sitting on the same sofa for 15 mins!

Original poster
ScribblingMilly · 21/10/2020 19:52

We've got each other's numbers as we have a shared hobby, so she contacted me to apologise, explain the situation and say she had to list contacts.

OP posts:
StellaGib · 21/10/2020 19:55

Can you imagine the time and money it would take to adjudicate on cases like this though? Especially when there are thousands of positive tests a day.

Person A says “yes we were chatting for 15 or so minutes, at times we were within less than 2m of each other, maybe within 1m”.
Person B says “oh no, it was definitely less than 15 minutes, maybe only 12 minutes. And we were within 2m of each other on and off but always at least 1m”.

Who’s going to investigate that, and how? Look for CCTV Confused

WhatNameToChooseNow · 21/10/2020 19:55

@ScribblingMilly your friend did the right thing. She was being cautious and she didn't know if you or family etc were vulnerable so best not chance it.

Original poster
ScribblingMilly · 21/10/2020 19:58

Acorn, it's any time at all, even a few seconds, if you're sitting on the sofa together at less than a metre apart, according to the info I was sent.

OP posts:
Original poster
ScribblingMilly · 21/10/2020 20:08

Yes, WhatName, that's what I think. She did the right thing. If she was a friend, we could have talked it all over and decided on a sensible course of action together. As it is, she didn't want to take a risk.

OP posts:
LangClegsInSpace · 21/10/2020 20:09

Is that 119 number any use for getting back in touch with them? There is scope in the regs for the instruction to isolate to be revoked. TBH though It sounds like this encounter was a bit of an edge case and they are being suitably cautious.

Tootletum · 21/10/2020 20:11

Wildly unlikely to have caught it. They want the info to keep tabs on you, yes. I guess maybe try crochet !!

AcornAutumn · 21/10/2020 20:13

@ScribblingMilly

Acorn, it's any time at all, even a few seconds, if you're sitting on the sofa together at less than a metre apart, according to the info I was sent.
Just looking into it, says one minute.

God, winter’s going to be even lonelier than I thought!

Original poster
ScribblingMilly · 21/10/2020 20:18

Any time at all if you're facing each other; one minute otherwise my list says - so if you're sitting side by side not looking at each other you've just time to do weather and get your cardi off, then you've to be away. I'm going to be the most antisocial person ever after this fortnight.

OP posts:
CommanderBurnham · 21/10/2020 20:20

Yes I dread the school run:



Orangeblossom7777 · 21/10/2020 21:11

It's anxiety provoking and depressing. Have a friend i meet outside for a walk and she is quite isolated but think may stop that and suggest a phone call. Other thing I like swimming but sports centre told me as long as 2m apart should not get a call regarding that. Everything requires a mental load on top of the usual stuff.

AcornAutumn · 21/10/2020 21:25

Re the sports centre

Maybe businesses are more likely to be sensible, I don’t know.

ssd · 21/10/2020 21:31

Sorry, did someone say you can catch it by facing someone for a minute???

StellaGib · 21/10/2020 22:15

@ssd

Sorry, did someone say you can catch it by facing someone for a minute???
That’s what counts as “close contact”.

If you are having face to face contact under a metre with someone who’s infected of course you can catch it. It’s an airborne virus.

ssd · 21/10/2020 22:34

I though t it was 15 minutes you had to be within a metre of them?
One minute is terrifying

Feminist10101 · 21/10/2020 22:36

@ssd

I though t it was 15 minutes you had to be within a metre of them? One minute is terrifying
2 metres or less for 15 minute 1 metre or less for 1 minute

Why else would there be such a fuss about PPE in health and social care?

Feminist10101 · 21/10/2020 22:37

And it has been since MARCH.

ssd · 21/10/2020 22:37

Thanks

Feminist10101 · 21/10/2020 22:38

So we can add that and people don’t actually know how far 1 or 2 metres are to the list of reasons why this thing is moving though the community so much.

ssd · 21/10/2020 22:38

Is this even outside?