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Original poster

Isolation with a dog

75 replies

bananaramadramas · 14/01/2021 20:04

We are isolating as DD17 has tested positive. I live in a flat. What do I do about walking the dog?

Currently I am wearing a mask, not using the lift, taking antibacterial wipes and wiping the two doors I have to open. I go to a place where I'm not in close proximity to anyone.

Was just speaking to a friend and he said I shouldn't be taking the dog out at all, which I get, but I don't see another option?

Also, rubbish, recycling.. I can't have 10 days worth just sitting in my flat surely?

OP posts:
CaptainMyCaptain · 14/01/2021 20:26

@Delatron

Sorry *@CaptainMyCaptain* I’ve reverted to sarcasm today. Might need to take a break from these boards!!
I don't blame you.
HmmSureJan · 14/01/2021 20:27

So no, you should not be going out - people wonder why transmission is still common

Oh be quiet Hmm

I don't have anyone I could ask, the end. I'd walk him very early and very late at night. I wouldn't have any choice.

DenisetheMenace · 14/01/2021 20:27

Can you find a dog Walker?

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 14/01/2021 20:28

@Delatron

One last thing before I flounce off.

You can’t take your bins out?? So you can’t walk to the bottom of your garden path? And we wonder why compliance is so low...

That's what I was thinking! If we have to isolate there's no way I'm having 2 weeks of smelly rubbish and rotting food (and the contents of the cat's litter tray!) in the house! Surely that's a health hazard in itself.
SimonJT · 14/01/2021 20:31

I just took ours out when we were waiting test results, I would have done the same if my son had tested positive.

How exactly do you time a dog walker around a puppy needing to go out every 40ish minutes?

ThePricklySheep · 14/01/2021 20:33

@Nousernamesleftatall

Ignore pp unhelpful comments.

Studies have shown outdoor transmission is minuscule. Asymptomatic transmission is minuscule.

Go and walk your dog at night. It is probably more risky for someone else to come and collect it.

Is a symptomatic transmission minuscule? I’ve missed that being reported. You need to include presymptomatic too in this scenario.
ThePricklySheep · 14/01/2021 20:34

Sodding autocorrect *asymptomatic

DoraTan · 14/01/2021 20:35

If you're isolating surely you can still take your bins out Hmm, do people really need a 'rule' for every aspect of their lives?

A dog walker collecting a dog is going to more contact than walking it yourself, during unsocial hours and staying away from others!

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 14/01/2021 20:37

If you're isolating surely you can still take your bins out hmm, do people really need a 'rule' for every aspect of their lives?

If it was a rule it would be one I'd be breaking!

gottakeeponmovin · 14/01/2021 20:40

I would drive down where relatively remote and walk the dog or go late at night. The risk is tiny

MajesticWhine · 14/01/2021 20:48

It's very difficult. We have a dog walker but it would not be fair to have asked her to come when we isolated because I'm sure she didn't want to be infected. We are fortunate to have a small garden for the necessary business. Other than that we did a short walk very late at night.

Original poster
bananaramadramas · 14/01/2021 20:49

Thanks for all your replies.

I think by the time I arranged a dog Walker I'll be out of isolation. I personally think it's more risky for me to pass my dog to someone everyday that to take him out myself. I'll see if my sister can take him for the whole time, although he is the one thing keeping my DD7 happy..ish.

I mention the bins as I would have to use the same communal areas of my block to get to them. Not like I'm just walking to the end of a path.

OP posts:
Carysmatthews · 14/01/2021 20:49

@Delatron

That’s definitely why the virus is spreading though. People taking their dogs for walks when they are in isolation. Even if they stay far away from people the virus can spread for miles through the air.
This.
RichardMarxisinnocent · 14/01/2021 20:50

@PinkSparklyPussyCat

If you're isolating surely you can still take your bins out hmm, do people really need a 'rule' for every aspect of their lives?

If it was a rule it would be one I'd be breaking!

For people who live in houses and have a bin in the garden it's obviously fine as staying home means house and garden. For those of us in flats it's trickier. I have wondered over the past few months what I would do about my rubbish if I had it self isolate. To get to the communal bins I have to go through 2 doors and down 2 flights of stairs, plus isolation rules say I can't leave the flat. I wondered if I could ask a friend to pick a bin bag up from outside my flat door, but if in lockdown the friend would be leaving home without good reason, so only an option when not in lockdown.
Fatherbrownsbicycle · 14/01/2021 20:52

@Nousernamesleftatall

Ignore pp unhelpful comments.

Studies have shown outdoor transmission is minuscule. Asymptomatic transmission is minuscule.

Go and walk your dog at night. It is probably more risky for someone else to come and collect it.

Did you miss the bit where op lives in a flat so walks through areas other residents have to walk through. Antibacterial wipes don’t kill the virus either & op is wiping door handles with those.
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 14/01/2021 20:54

@RichardMarxisinnocent I'd probably do it in the middle of the night wearing mask and gloves! I have a shared path so in my case I'd keep an eye out for my neighbour and providing she wasn't about I'd go out.

PaddingtonsSister · 14/01/2021 20:54

Welfare for animals is an exemption Walk away from everyone else at times no one wants to walk

Fieldofyellowflowers · 14/01/2021 20:55

I don't see how getting someone else to come and walk your dog everyday helps with lowering transmission because you are still coming into contact with someone. Whereas I could take my dog out and stay over two metres away from anyone no bother.

m0therofdragons · 14/01/2021 20:55

Local volunteers through the council helpline or friends. You shouldn’t leave the house otherwise you’re not isolating Angry

GabsAlot · 14/01/2021 20:56

because you live within a communal block id say no get someone else to do it

m0therofdragons · 14/01/2021 20:57

@Fieldofyellowflowers I walked a friend’s dog - took my own lead and used hand gel plus wore a mask.

vanillandhoney · 14/01/2021 20:57

@PaddingtonsSister

Welfare for animals is an exemption Walk away from everyone else at times no one wants to walk
Not if you're isolating. You still have to say home. The animal welfare exemption is so you can walk your dog several times a day if necessary. But only if you're healthy and not in isolation.

You can hire a dog walker. I'm currently taking someone's dog out twice a day as they've tested positive. Contactless hand overs and I use my own equipment Smile

m0therofdragons · 14/01/2021 20:58

@PaddingtonsSister no it isn’t, you’re to get someone else to help. There are helplines With volunteers through your district council literally set up to prevent people isolating needing to leave the house.

Babyroobs · 14/01/2021 21:03

Surely even if walking away from anyone else you will still be touching surfaces like gateposts, dog poo disposal bins etc. I guess you'd have to try to cover your hand with something or push the gate with your arm. I have no idea what I'd do if we all had to isolate. My dog walker has cancelled this week saying she is too afraid of spreading the virus to risk walking our dog.

Ribidibidibidoobahday · 14/01/2021 21:04

Try the cinnamon trust. They'll walk your dog safely for you.

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