DD (16) has to self isolate - how does it look?

[tenlittlecygnets]

If your dc have had to self isolate, how strict are you? Do they stay in their room all the time and do you leave meals at the door, or do they come downstairs but you all distance, she has separate bathroom, you clean more, ventilate house, etc.?

DD is distraught at being told on the last day of term that she has to SI...

What a PITA.

Full run of the house UNLESS they have symptoms.

When my DC had to self isolate she didn't stay in her bedroom or eat meals separately. Unless someone else in the house is vulnerable?

I’m also SI (from day, also my last day of term). I’ve increased ventilation and cleaning, but will be around the house unless I become ill.
Hoping it passes quickly and healthily for us both.

When my daughter had to SI we just lived as normal except she didn’t leave the house.

It looks exactly as it does if he's not self isolating. Just doesn't go out.

Don't be mean - just let him do the usual in the house

No difference to usual inside the house. Can reassess if she develops symptoms and tests positive.

My DS is isolating and am not doing anything differently to normal at home, except he isn't leaving the house. I'm wfh anyway and am being extra careful on the occasion I do have to go out but I wouldn't lock him away if he had any other illness, let alone a tiny chance he could develop it. Might be different if anyone in the house was vulnerable though.

Ds hung out in one room with his ps4 and he ate a few meals in there too (not his bedroom) when he was SI. We didn't banish him completely and he never got symptoms.

She should remain in her bedroom and use a separate bathroom as much as physically possible. Some level of socially distanced contact with windows open is unlikely to be particularly risky but it is best if it is kept to a minimum and that it doesn't include eating meals in the same room. Honestly many teenagers would be extremely happy to have the excuse not to leave their room for 10 days (although I realise that's not helpful for the parents of those who wouldn't).
As she is isolating you also cannot have anyone in the house who doesn't live there so if you have plans to have family round over Xmas that will need to be cancelled.

Thanks, all. I really didn't want to banish her to her bedroom, but Covid-19 is contagious for 48 hours before symptoms show, which is not helpful...

I am worried about how I would fare with Covid as I'm overweight and have asthma, but not CV.

We have already cancelled Xmas plans! Just as well.

She has a separate bathroom she can use.

Are you in a vulnerable group? What is your attitude to risk? What is your DD's view?
My DS (14) tested positive after displaying symptoms. We all followed the isolation rules to the letter, but changed nothing about how we lived our lives inside the house: ate together/ no distancing/ no additional hygiene measures. He was poorly for a couple of days - I made the most of the rare opportunity to stroke his hair & give cuddles.
We never developed symptoms, nor did any of the 100+ students in his bubble who were sent home to isolate.

Ah, I see you could indeed be considered vulnerable (hadn't seen your replies while I was typing). Maybe mine isn't a good example.

If she's SI because of close contact then just stay in the house. If she's got symptoms you can go to the more extreme version of keeping to her room etc.

She has no symptoms.

Thanks, all. Will keep our fingers crossed.

Just bleached the bathrooms and changed towels.

DD has been really careful all year because she's worried about catching Covid and taking it home to us; she's not worried about catching it herself. Timing, eh?

mine were younger, but I didn't make any effort to isolate them in the house when they were SI. Business as usual, other than obviously not going out.
If they had symptoms OTOH, we have agreed that dh (who always gets viruses badly)will isolate in the loft (also his office, and has an ensuite) but I won't be keeping them away from me or each other. Will probably be sanitising every surface in the house every 5 minutes though.

My child is isolating now and we are carrying on as normal in the house. I'm isolating by default as he is only 6 so can't be left alone. I wouldn't dream of confining him to his room even if he developed symptoms and a subsequent positive test.

There's a bit of a difference between a child of 6 and one of 16 though, @AvoidingRealHumans. Best of luck to your ds.

My 14 and 18 year olds have both had episodes of SI. Inside life has been normal. We’ve sat together, eaten together, shared the bathroom, kissed and cuddled each other. They haven’t developed symptoms and nor have I.

I would probably be more vigilant with sharing anything and encouraging staying in room rather than enforcing family time (have a teenager who would probably love to stay in his room as long as had all the tech required and endless supply of snacks)

Hmmmm.... Your choice. What lots of people are describing above is definitely NOT socially isolating and wouldn't protect the rest of you.

When DD and small group of friends had to do this, most of her friends' parents were very strict - trays outside door, separate bathroom, no contact. We were a little more lenient but not much - had to eat all meals in own room - we would go in and talk to her from as far across the room as possible, and did also carefully wash all her cutlery/dishes and our hands after handling anything she had touched.

Your choice.... all of this is about minimising risk.....You should be being hyper careful but many are saying - quite rightly - that their teens' mental health is more important and building some flex in

Carry on as normal
But refrain from usual kissing and cuddling
Own chair whilst watching TV

And that would be jt

Alone in room or with us with ventilation and all masked. Eat separately . Separate bathroom. Based on advice from the Italian government (as my faith in BJ is at an all time low).

They are a teen though, wouldnt do this with a younger child.

They stay in the house and garden. Get treats, watch films, play board games talk to their friends on the phone and aren't just left out because isolation is horrible at the best of times.

I couldn't keep my children in their bedrooms it's cruel and not going to happen.

Oh and windows open and clean your house more!