Do you really keep DC indoors for 14 days?

[notevenat20]

DS's school year has been sent home for 14 days because someone in his year has covid. I know we are supposed to keep him indoors the whole time. But what have people really done in practice? It's a very long time not to walk further than the bathroom.

We took our daughter out for walks when she was self isolating. Not supermarkets (!) and no person-to-person contact areas like playgrounds but I made the decision based on her and my mental health and my own risk assessment.

Selfish and outwith the rules. Yes. I accept that.

One problem is that this happens repeatedly.

@timeforanewstart - two weeks each time. I know people with kids on their 3/4th isolation. It’s awful.

@timeforanewstart

Also your remote walk you cannot guarantee no one will be there , you may come across someone who has same thoughts as you Yes mh is important but some aren't even trying a couple days The longer this goes on the more it will affect kids , maybe of people followed the guidelines we could get some more freedoms back sooner

It’s pretty easy not to come in contact with anyone whilst walking, if your walking around a field it’s pretty easy to spot someone and avoid them? I walk around the outside of a huge field, rarely see anyone but could easily spot if there was someone else in the fiend and walk in the opposite direction. I’m more likely to be closer to someone by sitting in my garden.

Right well 8 weeks since September is pretty unacceptable I think and would have a huge impact on kids.

Do none of you not think that maybe thats why it happens repeatedly

For those still going out shopping etc when meant to be isolating, that is the reason why school bubbles keep bursting as people keep taking it into school.

The schools are meant to send out a standard letter when advising pupils to self isolate, so surprised by the private school, and it counts the same as test and trace.

How is it fair @AltJ that my DS's classmate has to do alternate days in school because, as a type one diabetic, she is also a vulnerable child? She knows that, should she get Covid, she could be very ill indeed. She's been doing that since September and will have to continue like it until this is over or a vaccine found.

Or you can talk to my friend who has an auto immune disease. And a year 8 child. What gets sacrificed first - her health or her child's?

Or my child who has a heart condition but is in school because his consultant says it's OK. I trust his school to do right by him. I don't trust the parents of some of the kids because they seem to think their needs come before everyone elses.

But, of course, we can always shield for a year - because only the old are vulnerable...

*Trying not to sound cold, but why isn't it OK to ask the vulnerable to isolate for a year?

It's shit for them yes, but that way they are safe. How is it fair to my year old to be denied an education, socialising with friends and the freedom we all had as children, to avoid catching an illness that barely affects children.*

My colleague is in her 30s and vulnerable and had two primary school age children. What about her children? Should they be denied an education etc because no other fucker wants to follow the rules or does it not matter because they're not your family son not your problem?

AltJ - I don't know, I just feel it isn't right. Their mental health matters just as much. But I also know it isn't right to restrict so many other millions of people, especially children. I wish there was a sodding answer that helped.

I'm sorry about your DD. I wish there was a way to protect the young and the vulnerable at the same time.

We’re only in November. In February do you think we’ll all still be blindly chanting ‘it’s the rules’. Whilst your child is in the 6th period of isolation?

Rather than actually question the science behind the rules. We know so much more about the virus now. We know outside transmission is negligible. We actually know It doesn’t spread on surfaces as easily as we thought. I’m laughing at how I used to not touch gates through farm land. It doesn’t spread that way. Have we absorbed none of this learning?

For those still going out shopping etc when meant to be isolating, that is the reason why school bubbles keep bursting as people keep taking it into school.

This doesn't really make much sense. If a bubble is isolating it's because Covid is already in school. The issue is wihh the the potential spread from school to shops.

So to summarise some posters thoughts- those who are vulnerable (which can also include children btw) should shield indefinitely, but for others, 2 weeks isolation so the same thing effectively is cruel and detrimental to their welfare. Can someone make it make sense please, why are people who are also dealing with physical illness which makes them susceptible someone magically not affected by isolation, but other precious darlings are? And no, I don't buy the well it's their risk to take as a fair one, it's not like you choose to have any of the illnesses that make you vulnerable.

Bullshit are the private school not telling people to isolate.

They are. They all are. Because you are meant to isolate.

@Lovemusic33 yes maybe but some people who do these remote walks drive to get there etc , i can understand someone who is on 2/3rd stint going out middle night for a walk but one person said they let there child go to supermarket and a playground where they would touch things . Some not even managing a couple of days , as long as people are also aware there are fines in some instances as well and these reasons won't get you out of a fine

Also we are in a full national lockdown. Vulnerable and elderly people shouldn't be out interacting with random children

Yes my family have been isolating since March to protect my CEV husband who has to shield. No random mixing with anyone, no mixing full stop. We realised that if we were to venture outside, my husband's life depended on other people following the rules, and as we cannot assume they are doing that, we stay home. Thanks for your understanding.

Yes. Though, Dc was T&T'd a week after supposed contact so we only had a week of isolation to contend with.
We also live on a small holding so we allowed Dc to work out there with DH to pass the time. Alone, obvs.

In normal times we often say DS is like a dog* who needs to go outside for exercise every day! (And I've heard a lot of people say the same - about boys especially)
I remember when DS had a sickness bug for nearly a week over the easter holidays a few years ago - the relief at going out! The weather was horrific but we drove to a country park, had a picnic in the car and went out anyway.
I have to say if we went out for a walk in a quiet place, I cant see how much risk there is (it does seem quite different going on a winter walk, without seeing anyone, to going to a football stadium or Cheltenham and being in close contact with lots of people for a prolonged period) but we wont because I feel we should try and abide by the rules.

• I know dogs will also be deprived of as many walks if their owners are isolating!

The elderly and vulnerable should shield themselves and children's education and wellbeing should be a priority

So DH is ECV an we can have 2 kids at home self isolating. Prioritising their education is a constant concern. Dh is staying away from kids as much as possible. If they develop symptoms dh is advised to move out.

Well said @Backbee. It's amazing how our vulnerable kids, seem to manage. Maybe they could have a chat with some of the kids represented on here. They may learn a thing or two about coping.

Also the rules are not going to change as people then take it to the next level
So they say ok if you are isolating no symptoms you can go for a walk in middle of nowhere ( unfair on city dwellers ) but also will be I let my son/ daughter go out with friends for a walk as they are all isolating and in same bubble
Etc etc , but if people keep pushing the rules and can't manage one bout of isolation then we aren't going to bring down cases

@FundamentallyFucked

For those still going out shopping etc when meant to be isolating, that is the reason why school bubbles keep bursting as people keep taking it into school.

This doesn't really make much sense. If a bubble is isolating it's because Covid is already in school. The issue is wihh the the potential spread from school to shops.

What doesn't make sense? At least some of those supposed to be isolating will end up testing positive. Any spread in the community will eventually lead back to schools, why wouldn't it?

I have never spent a whole day in the house even when I have been ill neither have my children. 14 days is a long time and detrimental to mental health!! This would be my worst nightmare. I see nothing wrong with going for a walk or scoot round the block either early morning or late in the evening. Have any of you who have to isolate got a dog?? I just wondered what happens then - surely you can't keep a dog in for 14 days!!!

@OverTheRainbow88

I think I would take mine out for an early morning cycle where I know there won’t be anyone about.

Staying home for 14 days is more detrimental to their health than covid. Especially if this keeps happening.

It's not about their health for heaven's sake! It's about protecting other people from your children because they could be carrying the virus.

@alladinisalive yes your supposed to keep dog in or I think can let someone else walk ?but not sure on that
We had to isolate luckily only 3 days as test negative and dog had to play in garden and house because we followed rules as we understood them