What would you do in this situation?

[ThornAmongstRoses]

Seven says ago, my brother was visiting me and he got a call from my 10 year old nephew to say he was being sent home from school seven days ago after a child in his class tested positive. The class were told to isolate for 14 days.

Today I phoned my brother to check on my nephew and was told he was fine. My brother also said, “Do you want to speak to mom? She’s come to visit for the day?”

Brushing aside the fact that my mom is going against the rules of isolation, what bothered me was the fact I’m supposed to be staying with my mom this coming weekend.

So now what?

I told my mom I didn’t feel comfortable about going now, and she said that me going to stay with her is no different to the fact that I was with my brother on the day his son got told to isolate.

She said that as i had contact with my brother on that day, then there’s no reason that now staying with her would put me at any increased risk?!

So did your mum have contact with her grandson or did she stay apart from him? If she has exposed herself to him then I wouldn't stay with her, no. You met your brother before any isolation was required.

She was sitting on the couch next to him when I phoned. I phoned about an hour ago and my mum had been there for the last 7
hours so it wasn’t a quick nip in and nip out job.

Tricky. Personally I wouldn't go, but I work in a school and whilst I'm fairly unworried about catching the virus on a personal level, I do feel I need to act responsibly due to the large number students I work with. If I was WFH and more isolated generally I'd probably take the risk.

Clearly rules have been broken and you'd be perfectly reasonable not to go- but bear in mind that your brother isn't required to isolate, despite living with his son (until/if your nephew shows symptoms)- therefore technically your mother doesn't need to isolate either.

It all depends on your personal circumstances, how important this weekend is to you/your Mum, and what you are comfortable with.

Clearly rules have been broken and you'd be perfectly reasonable not to go- but bear in mind that your brother isn't required to isolate, despite living with his son (until/if your nephew shows symptoms)- therefore technically your mother doesn't need to isolate either.

That’s very true - I hadn’t thought about it like that.

So really, my mum has put herself at risk but nothing that warrants me needing to stay away from her?

Next to her son or grandson? I don't think she needs to isolate from her son does she? It is only your nephew who is the contact.
But you are within your rights to make your own assessment of risk, your mum made her choice now you can make yours.

So really, my mum has put herself at risk but nothing that warrants me needing to stay away from her?
Well she could be incubating the virus

Next to her son or grandson? - her grandson.

Maybe his isolation was up? If he got the phone call 7 days ago, it is very likely isolation is up because testing takes so long that it may have even been a week from the phone call from last contact.