Can you mix with others who are self isolating as a result of the same exposure?

[TartanBiscuit]

Just that really.

I received an email from my daughters' school to say they have both been in close contact with a child who has tested positive, and they have to self isolate for 10 days.

This has stuffed our Christmas Day plans, and I have uninvited our other two households.

However, our best mates have had the same email from the school (our children go to the same after school club) and they live very near us, within walking distance (3-4 mins if that makes a difference). They have also cancelled Christmas Day plans.

Can we get together on Christmas Day as our children are all isolating as a result of the same exposure? I know the child who has tested positive and they go to the same after school club so I know it is the same exposure.

I cannot find the answer in any of the government guidance!!

No of course not.

No, because same exposure doesn't necessarily mean same outcome.

Sadly you can’t. One of the kids might have picked it up and the other not. If that’s the case you’d be exposing a whole other family to it. I know it sucks but the guidance is there for a reason.

You probably shouldn't as the advice is to stay at home and not mix, but I can't see what harm it would do if you are all strictly isolating the rest of the time. We also have an isolating child until 27th December, we are in tier 4 so weren't going to be seeing anyone anyway.

Can you be sure the other family haven't been exposed to a different case at work or anything?

No.... I mean.... Are you honestly asking this?

If one of the kids has covid then they'd spread it to all of you.

Oh come on, you're not seriously asking that are you? 😂

That's how it spreads ...

Nope!

Of course they can’t. If one has it and the other doesn’t then that’s a problem, isn’t it?

Sadly, no.

Because, if only one of them has it, that child may well give it to the rest of that family. But if you then mix, you'll also be giving it to another family that would not otherwise have got it.

we had exactly same issue when DD had to self isolate.

No!

The kids are isolating so they don't spread it to anyone. Probably neither of them will get it, possibly one will and the other won't. You mix, you'll all have it.

Do you really expect the rules to say you need to self-isolate because you may or may not be infected with a potentially deadly virus but that you can mix with others who may or may not be infected?

Think about it logically. If you think the answer is that you can then our education system is fucked.

Whilst I can understand the appeal, it has to be a No. On the unlikely chance one of them has caught it you could end up kick-starting another isolation period for the other family.

Hilarious of course you can’t! You don’t know how close one was - and different outcomes too! We’ve had exposure in our class where 5 children and the teacher got covid - if I had done same as you we would have got it from my DD best friend who got it and touchwood we didn’t!

Think of it this way:

You know that Child A has tested positive.

It may be that Child X (your child) has not been infected after contact with Child A. However, Child Y (your neighbour's child) may have been, even if currently asymptomatic.

If both X and Y isolate properly, then the chain of infection amongst the children ends with Y. If X and Y meet, then X can become infected, not through original contact with A, but through contact with Y. Even worse, that contact will be later in time, so X will not isolate for long enough after the infecting contact with Y and then may be 'fully out of isolation (counting from contact with A)' when most infectious.

Just isolate.

FFS

Surely not a serious question?

So many seem to not be able to spend Christmas as just a household. Quite sad really.

No, you can't I'm afraid.

Imagine if you could. If that was the case school bubbles wouldn't have to close would they> as they are all the same bubble and exposure anyway so what's the difference?

No. You can't go out, can you? Dumb question

What is with people? Can people not bear to be with just their own families on Xmas day?

Well. Thank you to those of you who replied politely and offered your opinions.

Yes it was a serious question. Nowhere in the guidance details this scenario but I can see now how it works and the potential risks.

To those of you with less than polite responses- whatever. Go and polish your halos. Good for you understanding everything all of the time.

My children are desperately missing their close family and seeing their pals would have taken the edge off that a bit.

For the record, I won't be seeing my friends after reading these replies!

OP Don't worry about the aggressive replies, there is no need for them.

I hope you still have a good Christmas, when does your 10 days start? It isn't today it is from the exposure.

The government generally wouldn't include this scenario though op because the rules are to self isolate.

@TheGreatWave

OP Don't worry about the aggressive replies, there is no need for them.

I hope you still have a good Christmas, when does your 10 days start? It isn't today it is from the exposure.

Thank you, that's really nice of you. I am looking forward to just being able to spend all day playing with my children instead of playing hostess.

The email said to isolate until 27th December.

Have a lovely Christmas!