I don’t have to isolate- but what’s the right thing to do?

[Trousersareoverrated]

DH has been told he has to self isolate as he is a teacher and a child in his bubble has tested positive. He hasn’t seen this child since the beginning of last week so if he has caught it then the rest of us probably already have it. But the rules say that me and the kids don’t have to isolate and can go about our business.

However, my thinking is that there is a heightened risk so I will cancel all social things we had planned (play dates, me going for dinner with friends etc) and will just go out when we need to (let the kids have a run around outside in a park or somewhere with no contact with others, food shopping etc). It’s half term here so no school anyway.

What would you do?

Watching with interest as we are in the Same boat (though it’s dd not my dh)

I would do the same as you I think. You are following the rules. The kids need to get out but I’d be cautious & would cancel play dates & dinner. This might not be the only time one of you/you all have to self isolate so get out whilst you can.

I wouldn’t cancel anything. You don’t need to. Only he has to self isolate.

Yep, were doing what you've proposed. Bare minimium inside with others (supermarket shop weekly, and that's it), but not "punishing" DS2 for DS1s bad luck, and still taking him to wide open spaces for a play.

I'd not invite anyone round to the house but tbh unless your dh starts showing symptoms (it is more than a week now after all) I'd carry on as normal (without dh, obviously).

I wouldn’t isolate but take cate with social distancing.

I’d go about as normal mostly. I would check with anyone I was meeting up with that it was OK & avoid anyone I knew to be vulnerable. We had a play date yesterday with a friend who’s 5 year old is isolating. He was at home with Dad & we met mum & younger brother who is my daughters age. Didn’t bother me but she did ask & obvs that’s just my opinion!

As pp, you could be in this situ multiple times over winter so def try to get out & about or you’ll go crazy!

DD had to self isolate two weeks ago because she was in close contact with a positive test. I was upfront with everyone I was in contact with, told them the situation and let them choose what they were comfortable with. Most people were happy to go ahead with our plans but a couple did choose to step back (which was fine).

To clarify - DD did self isolate. I meant the plans involving the rest of the family.

You can't have anyone in the house, so can't have playdates at home, but for the rest you and Dc don't have to SI.

Same as you - cancel face to face playdates and dinner but still go out for walks etc or move the playdates outside

You shouldn't make up extra rules to make your life extra difficult.

We are in this at the moment with DS1. I have met up with a couple of friends (one inside at a soft play with DS2 before tier 3 came in where I live!) and one outside for a walk. Both were fine with still meeting - I did ask them. DS2 has been at nursery but usually use grandparent childcare two days a week full days for DS2 and school pick ups/drop offs and after school for DS1, and we haven’t seen them. Only because they are older (60s) but no other vulnerabilities. They think we are being over cautious and are not that impressed! We’re on day 12 now. We’ve also (I’ll be shot down for this) taken him into the middle of nowhere for a run around as he was going mad in the house - he’s 4. Didn’t go near anyone (in fact we only saw the odd person from a very long distance). I wouldn’t have taken him early on in the potentially most infectious phase or if he’d had symptoms (obviously).

I've been in similar situation a couple of times, and did as others suggest. I was extra careful with distancing, and asked those I was planning to meet if they were happy to (some were, some weren't). I'm only doing outdoor stuff anyway and wah. This could keep happening so I think it is important to protect mental and physical health, while following the rules and looking after friends and family.

I would do the same as you. No need to isolate the whole household, but by cautious for the next week or two, limit social interactions, not go to just places, extra vigilant with hand washing, mask wearing etc.

Not go to busy places