WWYD - break rules to prevent social isolation?

[EnglishRain]

I have already done it once, but am surprised that I'm kind of 'up' for breaking the rules now as I'm not normally a rule breaker in any situation. Curious how many others would?

My neighbour had a stroke a couple of weeks ago, she is early 40's. Due to the recovery required she is likely to be off work for a long time. She has mobility limitations so we can't go for a walk, for example, regardless of her current recovery. I went round for an hour and sat socially distanced a few days ago. I don't go shopping in person etc so am low ish risk at passing anything on.

Would you break the rules in this instance too, to keep somebody company and lift their spirits?

If she's a single person and is your bubble, then you aren't breaking any rules.

Yes if she’s single she can have you as her support bubble and then it’s allowed anyway.

Care and support is allowed anyway but keep your distance unless you need to be physically close.

Tbh I would judge someone who didn't unless they were particularly vulnerable themselves. Surely we haven't forgotten how to be humane.

Please don't worry, continue doing what you are doing. I'm always amazed at people who follow the rules so strictly that they would be annoyed at someone being a decent human being.

Does she have anyone else with whom she's formed a support bubble? I think you're doing a lovely thing, but given the provision in the rules for support bubbles, there shouldn't be a need to break rules.

@Hugosmugo

Please don't worry, continue doing what you are doing. I'm always amazed at people who follow the rules so strictly that they would be annoyed at someone being a decent human being.

This x 10000. So many people I see on this site are not concerned with anything other than covid. I am also concerned with being a decent human being! Good on you OP 👍

You're allowed to leave home to "provide care for vulnerable people" - I'm not sure how official this has to be though so I don't know if it could apply in your situation.

I don't think the police would be interested at all certainly

You do realise you could be putting her at risk of Covid? I totally agree you could class yourself as a carer and be in her bubble etc, and I think what you're doing is right, but be careful, hand wash and take precautions or your kind act could backfire.

Depends.

You haven't said whether she's single, has any family, has any other people visiting her, is already in a bubble?

If you're the only person going round there and the only interaction she has then yes of course.

If you're one of several people visiting her every day then no, stop.

You haven't broken any rules. Care is allowed. I'm frustrated this hasn't been made clearer and that law abiding people are made to feel conflicted for doing the right thing and not leaving people to flounder.

Care is allowed including emotional care. If she lives alone you could properly bubble but even if that isn't the case you are doing the right thing, as my local police told me when I enquired as to whether something was allowed, they aren't in the business of interfering with people's lives if they are doing things for good reason. I have met up with my dd on several occasions as she has mental health issues and her dad was useless (officially she was living with him because I moved areas but he doesn't cope!) police said it was care so was fine

"but given the provision in the rules for support bubbles, there shouldn't be a need to break rules."

Giving care and support to a vulnerable person is allowed and you don't need to be in someone's support bubble to do it.Also in some cases it isn't possible to form a support bubble with the right person to provide support.