I’ve been asked to self isolate? How??

[TigerLils]

I’ve just got a message and mail from the NHS asking to self isolate for 10 days. I’m absolutely fine, had a PCR test done on Tuesday (day 2 after arriving back to the UK) and that can back negative. All my lateral flow tests, everything is negative. Can I get a test done to get out of the 10 day isolation?

@ZooKeeper19

Can I ask - if you do not have the T&T app - then nothing, no pings no emails no isolation? So this whole system is dependant on people having the app?

No if someone tests positive- they are asked for details of close contacts. Who then legally must isolate, for 10 days from the day after last contact with positive person. No apps needed.

So you know the person who tested positive since they gave your details.

It wasn't from the train.

Ask work to deliver your laptop to you and book a grocery delivery

@TigerLils

The thing is though, I can do about 40% of my work from home but not everything… not all the jobs can be done from home. So I’m fucked

Have a look at the test and trace support payment. People on a low income who can’t work from home can apply. It’s a one off payment of £500 - you apply through your local council.

@TigerLils

Okay I really wish folks if you read the OP and my further comments. I’ve been contacted by EMAL and TEXT. I DO NOT HAVE THE APP. Also anyone asking where o have been the last 18 months. Well I’ve been trying to get through this fucking shit without completely loosing it and commit suicide. Yup life has been flipping hard before COVID and that was just the cherry on the top. That’s where I have been… and yes there were times when I didn’t watch the news because it was too much but I haven’t been under a rock.

I feel the same as you, OP.

I would in fact ignore the text. It's easy to say 'yes you have to isolate' if you are going to be able to do your job and will be paid regardless. Anyone with an ounce of empathy will understand why this is not an option for huge numbers of people.

I don't have a phone, which does at least mean I can't get texts from people telling me to isolate. If I did, I would ignore them.

Yes you’ve been reported as a close contact. It could be anywhere really.

You might get offered to do the daily testing study if you’re lucky. I got asked to do it this week when DH tested positive but alas, I also tested positive so wasn’t able!

This whole thing is a joke. If you come from an amber country, you have to isolate for 10 days, unless you pay for a PCR test after 5 days.

What does this tell us? That you could be infectious for 10 days, so need to stay at home? Or that after 5 days you're absolutely fine? In which case, why self isolate for 10 days and not 5 in the first place?

This is blatant profiteering. The 5 day test costs around £100 and, as far as I can see, serves no purpose whatsoever.

OP if I were you I'd ignore it. After all Johnson isn't self-isolating, so why should you?

Also: the test and trace support payments are only available to relatively few people. There are so many exclusions that you need to have spent every penny of your savings (easy enough, after the past 18 months of this shit show) and, preferably, to be on benefits. There is no support at all for people who have modest but not 'low' incomes - as always, they fall between all the cracks.

Something doesn't add up here. Your contact was supposedly yesterday with whoever this person is. They know you well enough to give both your phone and email. So they took a PCR yesterday and already got the result in order for t&t to contact you?

I’d be interested to know who would report you as a close contact.

DH and I have both done our test and trace this week and told them where we’d been but didn’t report specific contacts. DH goes to work but they wear masks and stay distanced so that the whole place doesn’t fall apart if one tests positive.

For me telling them where I’ve been is enough. Unless I’d been inside someone else’s home or breathing in someone’s face for a few minutes without a mask then I wouldn’t name someone.

Just tell them you are self identifying as Boris Johnson and you don't plan to do any of this... and that you are greatly looking to getting back to work as you have an affair to resume and have missed the snogging while you've been away, (a la Matt Hancock). If they insist you isolate, then demand a dodgy million pound plus government contract in return, ie making a track and trace system out of cornflakes boxes and old yarn.

@FleetwoodRaincoat

This whole thing is a joke. If you come from an amber country, you have to isolate for 10 days, unless you pay for a PCR test after 5 days.

What does this tell us? That you could be infectious for 10 days, so need to stay at home? Or that after 5 days you're absolutely fine? In which case, why self isolate for 10 days and not 5 in the first place?

This is blatant profiteering. The 5 day test costs around £100 and, as far as I can see, serves no purpose whatsoever.

OP if I were you I'd ignore it. After all Johnson isn't self-isolating, so why should you?

If they are named as a contact - they have isolate regardless of whether they’ve paid for test to release or not.

i imagine your work is closed at weekends?
they will contact you/you should contact them tomorrow

you are not alone op.

@IRanSoFarAway1 you only have to give details of where you’ve been in the 48 hours prior to a positive test / or symptoms starting, whichever is earliest.

I agree re naming specific contacts.

@celan

Also: the test and trace support payments are only available to relatively few people. There are so many exclusions that you need to have spent every penny of your savings (easy enough, after the past 18 months of this shit show) and, preferably, to be on benefits. There is no support at all for people who have modest but not 'low' incomes - as always, they fall between all the cracks.

Also true, I was letting the op know so they can have a look to see if they are eligible. If they don’t try they definitely won’t get it will they?

It’s rubbish but I don’t understand why you’re so surprised, OP. This isn’t new it’s been going on for ages and if you’re going into work and using public transport etc even if you’re being careful you’re still coming into contact with people. It’s shit, as it means any kind of normality puts you at risk of self isolation for ten days.

I don't understand all the 'surprise' either!!

Isolate. Do your bit

The system is nuts.
DS and five friends flew back from Majorca on Tuesday. On Weds morning we had track and trace at the door checking he was SI on his return. DS pointed out that Majorca doesn't go amber until Mon so he doesn't need to SI.
He identified DS had put 'Spain' on his return PLF (there was no option to put Balearics). Spain is amber. Majorca was green.
He admitted form poorly designed and confirmed no SI needed.
Waste of time.

@IRanSoFarAway1

It can't be anywhere though can it?

Or can it?

So the 10 day time frame makes it a contact from after Tuesday.

I know some shops, banks are logging the presence of phones so I guess it could be that...I don't take my phone to shops now.

But more likely, someone you know has given your number and email address. Which is unforgiveable.

its not a ping. Someone has NAMED the OP and given contact details

@celan

This wasn’t the app. This was actual track and trace. So legal obligation.

You can’t just ignore it. It’s likely someone who they work with. So they will know if you come in

Morally you’ve got an obligation too.

How do 'the NHS' know you need to self isolate? I can't imagine such a thing.

@roses2

Something doesn't add up here. Your contact was supposedly yesterday with whoever this person is. They know you well enough to give both your phone and email. So they took a PCR yesterday and already got the result in order for t&t to contact you?

My friend had a positive lateral flow test

Trace and track didn’t contact me till until the results of her PCR came through. So beforehand I wasn’t told to isolate. Until the positive result. So someone could of gotten sick Friday. Then it wasn’t till yesterday etc.