I have covid and I'm very anxious

[crummyusername]

Hi, my older DS got Covid a week or so back. I just got a positive PCR test result this morning. Very fortunately I haven't had any symptoms so far, though it's still quite early days (I'd had a negative PCR two days earlier). I'm double vaxxed.

I'm feeling terribly anxious and scared. And I have two kids in the house (ages 10 and 13) so I can't just put my feet up all day and relax.

Any ideas how to deal with this mentally? I'm not sure what I'm really asking to be honest. It's too early in the morning to be calling people and I am really struggling to think clearly.

Go for a walk with the kids. make a roast, have a nice dessert - a movie and enjoy your Sunday!

ps get the kids to peel the potatoes and prepare the veg!!!!!!

You may not get any symptoms so will be fine. Try to deal with stuff as it happens.

What does your anxiety relate to? What is it that your scared of? Are they things you can make a plan about or are they 'what if' s'?

@cooker321monster go for a walk?

@crummyusername please try not to worry too much, you have no symptoms now, you may not get any and as you are double vaxxed if you do get any they will most likely be mild.

Plenty of rest and let the kids have as much screen time as they like! It's horrible outside this morning anyhow.

@DorothyCotton yes a walk - the poor girl is stressed, I would not expect her to stay locked up for 10 days no matter what the government (who do as i say not as i do) say.
Anyhow - don't stress OP x

If you have no symptoms, just carry on as normal, apart from not mixing with anyone outside the home.

No need to rest if you feel fine.

Do you have supplies for 10 days isolation, can you sort a shopping delivery, or ask friends to deliver you basics including pain killers and some easy to cook meals just in case, and some treats for everyone. That way it’s less to worry about.
We’ve just all had it - spread out unfortunately, but we played games, watched a lot of TV, have decorated the house for Halloween etc. I had several baths as I never usually make the time for them. I hope that you are fine.

I presume you’re a single mum, like me? We all had it last month and it was OK. I felt a little grotty for a couple of days but managed fine. Can your up negative kid get to school if they’re back next week?

Do you have anyone nearby who would do a shop if you can’t get an online delivery quickly, and just to be on hand if necessary?

Do you have / can you get an oximeter to check your oxygen levels just in case you get worried about them - although you probably won’t need it, it’s reassuring to have?

Keep posting here: MN is largely great for support at times like this! (But don’t risk a fine by going out for a walk!)

Thanks all. This really helps just to have an outlet.

I'm separated (acrimoniously) from exDH so was already pretty stressed about that and part of the anxiety is how he will behave. Eg I took younger DS out yesterday to a sporting event (I was fully masked up) and I know he'll be livid about that.

I'm worried about just the fear of Covid after so long in the pandemic. More practically I'm worried how I will keep the kids from spending all day, every day gaming - they're unhappy stuck home and lockdown tired, and I really struggle at the best of times to get them to do anything else.

I'd love to go for a walk (when the rain stops!) but don't feel I should go against the rules so I won't. Also have to stay home with the DS's anyway.

Oh and I do online shopping and just got a delivery booked so no worries there.

DS2 (who's tested negative) wants to trick or treat tonight with friends. That's another thing making me anxious - should he go, or is he so high risk he should stay home? He would be absolutely miserable to miss it.

[quote cooker321monster]@DorothyCotton yes a walk - the poor girl is stressed, I would not expect her to stay locked up for 10 days no matter what the government (who do as i say not as i do) say.
Anyhow - don't stress OP x[/quote]
She’s not a girl, she’s a woman.

You however, sound like an idiot.

When two of us were positive our DC went out- trick and treating is outside. Can he wear a costume that incorporates a mask?!
Some families not everyone gets it, we all did but our DC best friend did and their family didn’t.
Sorry your ex is causing you additional stress, with kids at school at the moment Covid is v hard to avoid.

Your ex can bog off, you broke no rules! Sounds like mine. Will negative DS be going to contact?

DS2 (who's tested negative) wants to trick or treat tonight with friends. That's another thing making me anxious - should he go, or is he so high risk he should stay home? He would be absolutely miserable to miss it.

Much sympathy OP, I honestly think it wouldn't be particularly nice if your ds spreads Covid while trick or treating. Much more important to teach him the meaning of not just thinking of his own wants but by staying home protecting others. It's quite likely that he might have it if you both are positive. I'd promise the boys a very special day out and treat once all this over.

Hi all, thanks. I think I'm most worried about getting through this with my mental health intact.

My immediate problem is the trick or treating. Yes he could definitely wear a mask, and obviously I'd check in with the other parents first, but of course he'd be touching sweets. Maybe he could just go and walk around with friends, but not touch anything and his friends could share some sweets at the end?? I don't want to be antisocial at all, but in theory he ought to be going to school tomorrow anyway, if he gets another negative PCR? He tested negative from Friday's test.

He already missed his best friend's birthday sleepover this week, and his birthday falls during my isolation, so he's having a rough time.

That's such a shame about his birthday but think about how you would feel if he passed this on to other families and they had to go through what you're going through right now, what they'd miss out on and how it might impact their health. I would cancel this period and make up for lost time with fun activities and a birthday party when you are out the other side.

@LogsAndSquiks I hear you but he's in theory meant to be back at school (if he gets a more up to date negative PCR)... which is indoor and mask free...

I can't think straight

I can see I'm in the minority, which is fine. Looks like most people just follow the arbitrary rules our useless government are making up as they go along with little personal responsibility. I'm not saying you are doing this OP as you haven't decide yet but if you are feeling anxious and in need of reassurance, do you really want to contribute to other families going through the same just because you don't want to miss out on a bit of fun for ten days? The self isolation period won't last too long and you can spoil your sons with wonderful experiences when it's safe to do so. That's my view but maybe people seem fine to just spread this virus around, which is why you have and your son caught it in the first place. And on and on it goes.

I know what you mean OP, but just suppose he’s positive and, for the sake of argument, turns out to be a superspreader. Would you want him to infect five families who either trick or treat with him (ok some may be classmates but maybe the parents who are accompanying) or open the door, in addition to the 15 classmates he goes on to infect?

Yes this is not the most likely scenario but it’s one to bear in mind. I do feel for you.

I wouldn't send a younger sibling to school for a couple of days. I know the rules say you should but I wouldn't. I'd feel extremely unhappy if my Ds's friends and their families caught Covid from my ds in school because we have a known positive case and sent him in. I'd feel hideous and would rather chose to sit out this period. Not saying that's what you should do and the rules say you can go to school but that's my view. As I said I'm in the minority but I prefer taking personal responsibility. We are still wearing masks at the supermarket but most people around us don't. It's obvious why we have so many cases.

Hi, I'm not ignoring this. Like I said I'm so worried I am really struggling to think rationally. It would have been simple with the old guidance.

I just can't align the level of your anxiousness about coping with you being positive and your uncertainty whether to make your younger son go out, potentially spread around some covid and passing on the joys of the nightmare you're going through right now.

Relax OP, make the most of your time in with your sons, hope you don't feel too bad and restart when all this is over.