Do you carry on as normal now we no longer have to isolate?

[username49692]

Someone in DDs class at school has tested positive. We have all been informed but do not need to isolate/test unless she shows symptoms.
We are suppose to be going to a family birthday party tomorrow and I'm unsure what to do. Part of me feels it's a big family gathering and I shouldn't risk spreading it especially as older members of the family are there (we are all vaccinated).
But part of me also feels this is the point of learning to live with it and the fact we have been informed we do not have to isolate. One family member has said I should still come. That plenty of children are off school for other things that we are not informed about and could be spreading.

Just wondering what others are doing in this situation where they don't have to isolate but know they have been in close contact? Are you going on as normal or are you still being more careful? Just to add I have done a lateral flow on all of us and they have come back negative.

I think that, as was the case with any other illness in The Time Before, you use your own judgement. If back in 2019 somebody in the house had been in close contact with an illness then you’d possibly have declined an invitation where elderly or vulnerable people were also going to be, just in case you were infectious. Covid shouldn’t really be any different.

If it’s a close friend I would do PCR tests before big family gathering. My teenage dd had a friend test positive so we did pcr on her, she was positive and asymptomatic. 4 days after her positive I started feeling like I had a cold, tight chest, sore throat, bit tired, just a bit under the weather. Negative lat flow, but did pcr on me and rest of household and I was positive, others negative. Positive pcr test on me was taken same day as negative lat flow, which has made me really wary now of their credibility. Sense of taste didn’t start to go until 5 days in, my dd never lost hers.

Dd had had children test positive in her class before and been fine, but this contact was a close friend that she sits with at lunch. Although other children in the same group have tested negative

I think if you are double jabbed you are asked to limit close contact with others (especially indoors) but not necessarily isolate. You aren't required to do a PCR but it suggests LFT twice a week.
Not sure what I'd decide to do in your shoes - sorry that's not much help. LFT and stay outside?

No, not if you have a conscience.

My eldest has been in contact with someone at school who was positive. We’ve done PCR tests (thankfully negative) and eldest is doing daily Lateral flow tests.

I’ve cancelled doing a much loved hobby this weekend with good friends. I couldn’t live with myself if I had it unknowingly and passed it on to a vulnerable friend..or anyone else.

We’ve had a lovely summer of fun and gatherings. It’s winter now, so need to be safer.

I found out someone I saw for a few minutes (but close and maskless) is positive today, I'm too busy to stay at home! Double vaxxed so no legal imperative to isolate

My DS best friend tested positive, last year it would have required him to isolate. We did regular LFTs and carried on with life as normal. And yes If there had of been a family gathering we would have attended and would have LFT earlier in the day.

In this situation, I would (and have) let the host know, and take a cue from their response. I would also do lateral flow tests etc. Day before and just before leaving. I’d also consider the +Ive case - was it child’s best friend that they hug several times a day, or a child that they don’t speak to that sits on the other side of the classroom.