Covid. Vulnerability. What would you do?

[Sel14]

Posted yesterday about my experience with the AZ vaccine and until further advice im not having a second dose.(Drs Advice)

I was vaccinated in group 6, 14 weeks ago.

I work part time in an office and I have a 2 year old DC who goes to nursery and has done for over a year so already have an “initial risk”

I was so looking forward to being fully vaccinated by now, but I’m not, and at the minute, don’t have any idea when I will be.

In excitement of my being fully vaccinated, I booked DC onto some toddler classes due to start this week, which I’ve previously avoided due to my risk of Covid (High BMI which i know is totally my fault)

I feel like I’ve restricted him for long enough and I’d really like to take him along.

I don’t know if I’m being irresponsible by going, but really how long can I keep myself locked away for.

I’m assured all adults at the class will have to wear masks at all time.

I guess I’m not the best at assessing my own risk, which I know is what we all have to do at some point.

So I’m interested to hear stories of does anyone who has experienced Covid with a high BMI.

Or to hear what type of restrictions those with high BMI too, did you attend classes / socialise with your DC’s prior to vaccination?

I’m 34 BMI is 37.8

Is a high BMI your only risk factor? I am immunosuppressed and shielded last year. But my children went back to school when they opened. The detriment to my children not being able to socialise was far worse than me potentially contracting Covid. I take as many precautions as possible, washing hands, good respiratory hygiene, keeping an eye out for unusual symptoms etc but ultimately you can't stay locked up forever. If you've had one dose of AZ then you will have some protection from serious illness. Your DC is already at nursery so I don't think a toddler class will be any more of a risk than there already is.

@ZeroDawn

Is a high BMI your only risk factor? I am immunosuppressed and shielded last year. But my children went back to school when they opened. The detriment to my children not being able to socialise was far worse than me potentially contracting Covid. I take as many precautions as possible, washing hands, good respiratory hygiene, keeping an eye out for unusual symptoms etc but ultimately you can't stay locked up forever. If you've had one dose of AZ then you will have some protection from serious illness. Your DC is already at nursery so I don't think a toddler class will be any more of a risk than there already is.

@ZeroDawn

Yes, BMI is my only risk factor.

I’m sorry you had to sheild. I can imagine how tough that must’ve been.

Any forest school type toddler groups in your area? Might be worth looking into?

The f the toddler class is run properly then you should be ok.

• Hand sanitizer everywhere: the entrance, the lavatories etc

• A strict quarantine system with the toys used. So each class’s toys are put in a box and not used again for 72 hrs

• Little mats for each child and adult disinfected for each group. So ace between them.

• Windows and doors opened

@landofgiants

Any forest school type toddler groups in your area? Might be worth looking into?

@landofgiants

I’m not sure what that is?

One jab still offers some level of protection. Using social distancing etc etc I think you'll be fine. Chances are even without the jab if you got it you would be absolutely fine too. And even if you contracted covid the chances are on you would be fine. Covid is serious for a very small minority but honestly it's been way hyped up out of control where everyone is petrified.

For me, it’s a question of what I might be waiting for. We’ve restricted a lot of things because of medical vulnerabilities and because we were waiting for two jabs from the vaccine. After that, I think we will have to take our chances. It’s either that or live like this indefinitely, and that doesn’t seem reasonable (or fair to our children).

If there is something short term that may alter your circumstances and risk, it might be reasonable to wait. Otherwise I think it is important for every family to decide how they will live with it at their current risk level.

@SJK34

For me, it’s a question of what I might be waiting for. We’ve restricted a lot of things because of medical vulnerabilities and because we were waiting for two jabs from the vaccine. After that, I think we will have to take our chances. It’s either that or live like this indefinitely, and that doesn’t seem reasonable (or fair to our children).

If there is something short term that may alter your circumstances and risk, it might be reasonable to wait. Otherwise I think it is important for every family to decide how they will live with it at their current risk level.

@SJK34

I’m not quite sure what I’m waiting for, but this is a really good point.

I could be waiting ages for a second dose now or I could even be told I won’t get one (which is what my GP and neurologist have both said at the moment because of side effects from AZ)

Quarantining the toys for 72 hours isn't a big issue. The latest data shows that surface transmission is very unlikely.

It was definitely tough and I completely understand your fear, especially right at the beginning where it was all so new and just bloody terrifying for everyone but especially those with risk factors.

I think the way I've framed it in my mind is that there are so many things that could make me sick or I could have an accident and life could change completely that way so logically speaking the risk from Covid isn't that bad.

As a pp has said, at what point would you feel "safe"? Would it be the second dose? If so, I'd really push for a different vaccine. If not, perhaps you could try some therapy? I really hope you don't find that suggestion insulting in any way. I genuinely believe that the fear of being high risk massively affected my mental health and caused a lot of anxiety.

A 'forest tots' group is an outside toddler/pre-schooler group. Like a scaled down forest school for little ones. I've never attended one but there are a couple in my area. I wondered if it would work for you because outside=lower risk. Obviously would depend if there is a group in your area.

I don't think anyone else can tell you whether or not you should go to this sort of group, it is for you to decide if you are comfortable with it.

Not high BMI but diabetes - I’ve got one child in school and one in nursery. Been to soft play 4 times, friends houses and gardens quite a few times, cinema and out for lunch/ breakfast a few times. The only thing I don’t really want to do is go to a spa (sauna / steam room) but I have take the kids swimming and to various after school activities.
I’m now fully vaccinated but a lot of this was done before then.

@Idontgiveagriffindamn

Not high BMI but diabetes - I’ve got one child in school and one in nursery. Been to soft play 4 times, friends houses and gardens quite a few times, cinema and out for lunch/ breakfast a few times. The only thing I don’t really want to do is go to a spa (sauna / steam room) but I have take the kids swimming and to various after school activities. I’m now fully vaccinated but a lot of this was done before then.

@Idontgiveagriffindamn

Did you feel comfortable doing those things before a vaccine?

I don't know if this helps but one of my co-workers who is around your age and has high BMI, was vaccinated early in group 6 and she then tested positive about 10 days after her 1st vaccine, after being called by Contact Tracing. She remained asymptomatic throughout and also did not pass it on, despite close contact with a number of our team. Just because you've been categorised as being as being 'At Risk', it is not a forgone conclusion that you would get severe disease.

I did quite a few things when things were open last year - a small soft play with a mask on, cinema and a couple of restaurants as well. It was weird to start with but once I got over that I wasn’t concerned. I sanitised my hands regularly and generally kept away from others.
Both kids were in school / nursery whenever they were allowed.
I was told by my hospital manager friend that the most people on the Covid intensive care wards had diabetes but I’m comfortable with the risk. My mental health suffered during lockdown as did my eldest sons. I decided the greater risk was from shutting myself away than getting out again.
I’m aware not everyone will be of this mindset.
There have been instances where I’ve felt a bit apprehensive and I’ve either taken myself out of the situation or crossed that off the list of activities. But until you try it you won’t know.
I’ve also focused on losing weight and improving my blood sugars for Covid and my general health.

The thing is, illness spreads like wildfire in playgroups etc. My toddler went to his first ever play group a few weeks ago and caught a nasty virus. I’m now hesitant to take him back but I know I should because a) it’s important for him & b) illness boosts his immune system.

Is it your GP that has said you can’t have the second dose? If you don’t mind me asking, what happened? In any case, one dose still provides protection and even though your BMI is “high” you are young so AFAIK not especially high risk.

@Onthegrapevine

Is it your GP that has said you can’t have the second dose?

6 days post vaccine I experienced awful headaches, dizziness, numbness & tingling in my hands and feet and visual disturbances.

I was seen in A&E and then referred on to see a neurologist for further tests.

GP & neurologist can’t definitely say if it’s an effect of the vaccine, but both have advised me not to have the second dose, problem is I’m not being offered an alternative either so looks like I’m only going to be partially vaccinated.😞

@Sel14 Partially vaccinated still offers good protection :)

I am sure you’ll be offered a different vaccine soon!

Im assuming that your BMI was higher when you were originally offered your first vaccine as part of group 6? your BMI now being 37 no longer puts you at greater risk (its a BMI of 40 and over). Personally i would take your son and enjoy yourselves and follow social distancing strictly.

I thought it was BMI over 40 that was included in the high risk group? The preschool classes I’ve been to with my DC have been really good about covid precautions so that doesn’t sound like it would increase your risk by much.

In surprised you got offered the vaccine for to BMI as I thought group 6 was BMI over 40.

I’ve got high BMI and not subjected myself to any restrictions over and above the rules that apply to everyone. People of my BMI in England were latterly advised to shield, I’m in Scotland but there was no way I’d have been shielding if I had been advised. Even at a high BMI you are way more likely to be ok than not, and you are young.

A family member in his 70s had it, v high BMI, only had mild symptoms.

[quote Onthegrapevine]@Sel14 Partially vaccinated still offers good protection :)

I am sure you’ll be offered a different vaccine soon![/quote]
@Onthegrapevine

I’m struggling to find anything that tells me how much protection one dose offers (without the follow up of a second dose) and how long it would offer protection for.

@JeanClaudeVanDammit

I thought it was BMI over 40 that was included in the high risk group? The preschool classes I’ve been to with my DC have been really good about covid precautions so that doesn’t sound like it would increase your risk by much.

@JeanClaudeVanDammit

My BMI was 40 when I had the vaccine.

Ah right, well done on the weight loss. Since you’re getting healthier as well as having had one dose, that would make me feel more confident to do something like toddler classes. Particularly if you can find out what measures they’ve got in place, in everything I’ve been to adults have to wear masks, windows and doors are all open and everyone has to sit on mats 2m apart and they all have their own individual toys/props/instruments.