Going to see someone who has been vaccinated?

[Sunplanetearth8]

My MIL has been vaccinated and is asking if we can come over (we live in the same area, no travel to get there - I am aware we’re in lockdown though!). I didn’t think we could, because I thought a vaccinated person could still be a carrier and spread it?

She’s lonely though. And I don’t feel right saying no.

What’s appropriate?

Haha no. The vaccine isn’t 100% successful and she’s only had 1 dose lm assuming.

Say no!!!

It’s not life back to normal once vaccinated!! Not yet anyway!

Can you bubble with her? Regardless of the vaccination status. You are right but if she is lonely maybe it is worth the risk.

Does she live alone and if so does she have a support bubble? If neither of you are in one already you could form one and go and see her.

This is what will happen now..... the vaccinated think it’s all back to normal.

One of you can meet her outside for exercise out of the home if that's an option? Would help her stop feeling lonely perhaps.

Does she live alone? She could form a support bubble with a household.

Is she in a support bubble with you or anyone else (presuming she lives on her own as you says she’s lonely?).
We are my mums support bubble but still distance indoors, lots of windows open, hugs with my DD so they bond and because it’s difficult to stop an 18 month old! I’ve just had my first jab and I think we’ll relax a bit more as cases go down and I get my second (HCP) but we’ll stick to our household / support bubble until the rules change.

The rules don’t change because someone has been vaccinated.

It’s simple.

She’s had both (London), but she’s already bubbled elsewhere.

I don’t want to take risks with Covid - but nor do I want to take risks with her mental health so that’s why the decision is quite tricky! She is very lonely at the moment and desperate to see us.

It’s not a good idea as she was just vaccinated recently so it’s difficult to tell how much immunity she’s got by now.
Your excuse is that you are not allowed to do this by rules.

She can still catch it and transmit it so vaccinated people still have to follow the rules.

Can you bubble with her?

No. Vaccine doesn’t prevent you catching it or spreading it. Same rules apply as did before she had the jab.
Have also seen today they don’t know how effective the vaccine will be against the new variant.

This really worries me. People being vaccinated and deciding they can then return to normal.

If she's bubbled elsewhere and she's lonely she needs to see her bubble. There's little evidence to suggest that she won't still be able to infect you with the virus although vaccinated.

@Hendalle isn't that the point of the vaccine though? So we can get back to normal... if she's had both doses, and it's been 3 weeks since her last dose, I would go and see her. She's your mum, she's lonely.

She definitely thinks it should be life back to normal now! I think because she’s desperate. Like I said, I worry about her mental health so I completely understand where she’s coming from.

I will suggest we keep on with walks for a little bit longer!

[quote rhowton]@Hendalle isn't that the point of the vaccine though? So we can get back to normal... if she's had both doses, and it's been 3 weeks since her last dose, I would go and see her. She's your mum, she's lonely. [/quote]
When enough people have been vaccinated, yes. But that's not the case yet.

If she is bubbled elsewhere, then you can't go. All guidance/restrictions apply until we're told otherwise.

These people who want (and will try) to return to normal are going to cause the rest of us more problems in the long run.

We’ve locked down for so long to protect our elderly and most vulnerable, the least that they can do now is continue to stick to the rules to benefiting the rest of us.

Honestly my heart has broken for her throughout all this. (She’s my MIL rather than my mum). From intense health anxiety to loneliness. It has been awful.

She’s bubbled with another single friend and that’s great, but they’re both unhappy and I think it is like unhappiness squared?! I might suggest that they both get some new bubbles... but logistically I don’t know how that would work and if anyone would have to isolate first or what! It’s all so difficult!

How often does she see her bubble?

If she's in a bubble but still desperately lonely, maybe she's in the wrong bubble. Perhaps she should kick the other one and bubble with you.

However, personally, I think I would see her. If people who have had both doses of the vaccine still can't see a local, close family member there's not much point in having had it.

I think they walk together every other day, and maybe have a cup of tea together indoors afterwards.

Her bubbled friend doesn’t have any family nearby and has started to spiral towards conspiracy theories (virus made in a lab) so I’m not sure it’s all that good. But they’re glad they’ve got each other at least!

They spent Christmas together and MIL rang crying in the morning at how much she couldn’t stand it (her friend hadn’t arrived so it wasn’t personal, MIL has just always been really big on holidays and family - we’re the only nearby family though). It’s so awful for so many, isn’t it?

Unfortunately if she's already in a bubble then you can't go. Neither can she change bubbles from her friend to someone else. Just carry on meeting outside for a walk. Thats what I do with my mum who is bubbled with my sister. Let's just hope the vaccinations carry on at speed and we can get back to some sort of normality in the not too distant future.

@MrsShelton

This is what will happen now..... the vaccinated think it’s all back to normal.

I know I only know 3 people who have had both their vaccines, but they have all been told in no uncertain terms that things cannot go back to normal for the time being. They must still stick to the guidelines for now, until a greater part of the population have been protected.

I think you can change a bubble but you have to wait 10 days before getting a new bubble.