Would you go out with friend in these circumstances?

[EmmaGrundyForPM]

My friends teenage son has just tested positive for Covid (PCR test). Not too poorly but obviously now has to isolate.

I'm supposed to be going out to dinner with my friend on Friday night. There are 4 of us going, all women in their 50s, all double jabbed. Friend is doing a PCR test today but if its negative is still coming out. We're going to a restaurant where we will be inside. I'm very tempted to pull out but don't know if I'm being ridiculous.

We have a holiday booked to Greece in a couple of weeks which is also affecting my decision. We had already decided not to go out for the 10 days before flying although this Friday is 14 days before flying.

Should I pull out of Friday's dinner to be on the safe side? I suspect if I pull out so will the others.

If it wasn't for the holiday I'd probably go. As it is, I'd be being very careful about where I go and who I mix with - I'd want nothing to risk my holiday god I need a holiday

Have another night out when you get back maybe?

@rookiemere @AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair
I’m in Scotland and everyone I know who has been tracked and traced for a gmfakily member has been told to do PCR tests on day 1, 5 & 10.

To everyone saying you are guaranteed to get it if a household member has it my friends daughter 10 had it and mum and step dad didn’t get it despite the child being very ill and needing looked after and lots of close contact.

I was going to say just go, but given the holiday coming up., I’d drop out if I were you.

I 100% wouldn’t go. You have your holiday as an excuse - she could test positive on Saturday, then you could test positive just before you go.

Yes you could catch it anywhere, but if you aren’t socialising a lot and work from home you are less likely to. Plus you KNOW she’s got a good chance of catching it. You don’t KNOW who has it in the supermarket.

In her position I actually wouldn’t meet friends indoors. I know she is sticking to the rules but personally I would be avoiding close contact with lots of people indoors for the 10 days. Not saying she should necessarily fully isolate but I think it’s a bit remiss of people.

But, hey, the government say it’s ok so 🤷‍♀️

Pull out - only a few weeks ago she'd have had to isolate too... you can be brewing and spreading without the positive result

Ps I'd pulled out even if no holiday - she should not put u in this position

I’d go, on the basis that you could catch it from somewhere else anyway before the holiday….the shop, a carpark, the airport, the aeroplane. That being said, you’ve already decided that you don’t want to go so just explain your reasoning to your friend. I’m sure she’ll understand.

I wouldn't go, holiday or no holiday. I just wouldn't enjoy it - and the guidance does say consider extra precautions such as limiting contact. In your friend's shoes, I would cancel and offer a park walk/coffee or something similar instead.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

"As well as getting a PCR test, you may also consider:

• limiting close contact with other people outside your household, especially in enclosed spaces
• wearing a face covering in enclosed spaces and where you are unable to maintain social distancing...."

Personally in the 10 days up to your holiday I would be very careful.

I got extremely lucky. I was going to Majorca (12th august)
We were invited to a bbq 8 days before. We declined (couldn’t really be bothered and was a bit apprehensive about Covid with the holiday on the horizon)
A couple of days later 4 people tested positive for Covid. Which would of meant A) I could of got it or B) I’d of had to isolate.

I was desperate to go in this holiday so I was happy to keep a low profile for a couple of weeks before.

Everyone needs to be aware with infection rates so high, that catching it when you're out - especially if it's an indoor situation with close contact - is a real likelihood.

In this case I'd say the friend has actually done you a favour- who knows who else in the restaurant could be incubating it - including the waiting staff leaning down to take your order.

I an pretty gung ho, but if you want to go on a foreign holiday then avoiding a meal out a fortnight in advance makes total sense.

To be fair, Friday evening hasn't Even come up yet and she may well drop out.

I know the waiting staff could have it but given they wear masks and only have fleeting contact it's not as dodgy as sitting opposite someone for 2 - 3 hours with neither of us wearing masks.

I will wait and see if she suggests postponing dinner. If she doesn't, I will give my apologies. She is a lovely person so will understand

I think we kid ourselves a bit with the masks and the fleeting contact. Delta seems to be so contagious that if say someone else sitting in the restaurant has it, then they may well pass it on.

@CornishTiger

And I’d frame it as

This has made me realise that prior to holiday I really need to be limiting all social contact so we don’t risk being able to go. Unfortunately I’m going to pull out of meal. I hope you all have a lovely time. I’ll miss you but we can catch up after my holiday.

This

It would make me realise that anyone in the restaurant could test positive the following day, and the holiday would be ruined. Why risk it?

Pull out! If you see her and then get symptoms 9 days later your 10 day isolation pushes you over. Or if you catch it within 5 days and your husband gets it from you 6 days later then he isn’t able to come!

I think this is going to happen for a while and we each have to do what we feel comfortable with. My DD is due to go on a year abroad with uni this week, and said no to seeing a friend last weekend who'd had contact with a positive case.

In her position I actually wouldn’t meet friends indoors. I know she is sticking to the rules but personally I would be avoiding close contact with lots of people indoors for the 10 days.

Me too. If I had to go to work (shop, manufacturing etc) I'd go if someone in the household tested positive but I wouldn't be going out for dinner

No, not a chance I’d go. Just because the government want covid to spread as far as possible doesn’t mean we should help them achieve their aim. I’d be questioning the friendship tbh if a friend of mine thought this was a good idea.

I’d be questioning the friendship tbh if a friend of mine thought this was a good idea.

She hasn't mentioned it yet, and I imagine she doesn't think it's a good idea, she probably hasn't thought ahead to Friday yet.

I'm not excessively covid risk adverse but in this situation I'd definitely be making my excuses.

I’m also relaxed about most things to do with Covid. But not holidays! You have a good excuse to pull out. Say you are lying low to not put the holiday at risk. If you abs to guarantee you will spend the entire lead up to our holiday stressed and worried. It’s not worth it.

To be honest we avoided busy pubs and restaurants just before holiday. Now we’re back I’m relaxed again.

I’d not be going holiday or not. The test is only valid when taken and covid could be picked up within the household any time after .

I would cancel because of the holiday.

I wouldn't, purely because of the holiday! If you catch it this weekend you could still test positive on your travel tests.. I would lay low until you fly.