Close contact isolating now

[sunnyday1976]

Can I just ask what everyone's doing now with regard to close contact and children?

Both of my DC have been close contacts of other children who has tested positive on a PCR over the last week. We've not been contacted by Test and Trace, but we know about these cases as they're both good friends with each DC. We've been mostly isolating - going out for bike rides/walks but not meeting up with anyone else. I hate the idea of having to tell friends if my DC then went onto test positive, and potentially disrupting their summer too, or them taking it home to more vulnerable family members. One of my DS other friends, who would have been more of a close contact to the first case, has carried on completely as normal, going on holiday with another family.

I'm sure we're doing the right thing, but feel I'm making my DC summer miserable by staying at home when there's potentially no need ( hopefully if no one catches it, it'll only be 2 weeks of the holidays, but we had so much planned!).

We haven't been close contacts, but if we were, we would isolate for ten days as required, whether contacted by the tracing system or not.

I would still isolate being a close contact.
It's 10 days, they've got weeks off.

I'd keep doing what you're doing - I wouldn't solely isolate at home but would continue going for walks and bike rides in remote areas. There has to be some common sense about it all too. Keep doing daily tests. It's what they're advising for half the population anyway at the moment. And everyone from 16th Aug!

TBH it is a bit of a joke now anyway. You have nightclubs packed with people, of which a fair few will be positive, either by being asymptomatic or not caring about the isolation rule. You and your two kids are not going to create another wave by going out for a bike ride.

Thanks. I know we are doing the right thing, but just wanted to check I wasn't missing something!!

I think what's confused me more, is that DS friend tested positive last Friday, so had been at school when infectious. Other pupils in the child who tested positives form (my son is in a different form) won't even know they've been a close contact as t and t took over for that last week of term, and don't seem to have been notifying anyone. Plus they'd have been much more close contacts, as my DS only sees friend outside for 30mins at lunch.

We had our much awaited annual leave spoilt by my 15YO being named as a close contact. He whinged a lot but we kept him in for 10 days, seemed the responsible thing to do.

I'd be doing lfts as a back up

Yes, we've been doing LFTs almost every day. We're really lucky to live in the middle of nowhere, so can easily get out without seeing anyone.

It's such a disappointment for so many people at the moment.

@TuesdayRuby

I'd keep doing what you're doing - I wouldn't solely isolate at home but would continue going for walks and bike rides in remote areas. There has to be some common sense about it all too. Keep doing daily tests. It's what they're advising for half the population anyway at the moment. And everyone from 16th Aug!

... in England.

I think you’re doing the right thing OP. Just imagine making those calls if the dc do end up catching it. I know someone who knew full well that their Ds had been a close contact and yet was still out and about. Because legally they didn’t have to self isolate. He ended up having it and passed it onto several other people. I have very little respect for that family now

@EngravedLabels I wouldn't want to pass it on to anyone, but even the idea of those phone calls when I know full well they've been close contacts....

The friend that's gone on holiday hasn't tested at all through the whole thing, despite being at secondary, so I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that they went away.

I wouldn't isolate unless contacted by T&T and i would just tell friends the situation before meeting up with them and they can make the decision whether to carry on or not, couple more weeks and close contact isolating with no symptoms won't be a thing

I think you’re doing the right thing staying away from others. After they broke up and after T&T took over from schools, DC’s school took the decision to advise us of a small number of cases in DC’s form. Legally we then needed to do nothing unless contacted by T&T. However, with activities booked with other DC, we did a lateral flow test which came back as positive (confirmed by PCR). DC was never identified as a close contact and, because they’ve been asymptomatic, we would never have known and would have been spreading to all & sunder!

I think everyone should make their own choices. Some people will self isolate voluntarily in that scenario which is fine but I don’t think anyone is wrong to carry on with their normal lives if they aren’t contacted by T&T. I don’t think many people could be sure that they got it from a single source anyway when there is high prevalence.
At some point we have to move forward and we will probably all get it at some point - it’s not going to be possible to avoid it forever so it’s a balancing act with multiple risks not just covid.

Where I live close contacts are free to carry on as normal - no requirement for isolating or testing.

Even those with positive cases within the house hold can go to work.

The virus is weaving its way round the children and teens - mainly unvaccinated population.

I’m ashamed that we locked up children whilst the elders were fully vaccinated only to let it rip through those that made the sacrifice.

We have children in hospital.

My worry is autumn winter if 1 person in household gets covid im expected send other kids into school to potentially spread the virus and I expect school will refuse to authorise absence unless the child is told to by track and trace.

But they want the young to catch it! That’s the point.

We've been contacted by T and T regarding the contact that my DD had on Thursday (one hour outside), so now how to legally isolate anyway! That answered that question!!