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Original poster

Quarantine - unvaccinated but have antibodies

99 replies

user1471327439 · 05/12/2021 07:16

I am unvaccinated and had Covid a month ago. I was tested for, and have, antibodies. I have been in contact with someone who has just tested positive and told I must isolate for ten days. This does not seem logical to me as the antibody test result reads to me as though I would be a similar risk to someone who had the vaccine, who would not need to quarantine.

I do not intend for this to be about whether or not I should have been vaccinated, but why I need to quarantine, having so recently had the virus and confirmed antibodies. I would most certainly not want to put anyone at risk through my decisions, but genuinely do not understand why I have to quarantine now (I realise it's the rules, but don't see why my natural immunity is not recognised).

OP posts:
RoseAndRose · 05/12/2021 07:18

Because the new variant escapes immunity.

All close contacts, irrespective of vaccination status, will need to isolate.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 05/12/2021 07:40

@RoseAndRose

Because the new variant escapes immunity.

All close contacts, irrespective of vaccination status, will need to isolate.

Only if they've been in contact with the new variant. If it's Delta, vaccinated don't have to isolate. I think that's what OP is asking.
Mindymomo · 05/12/2021 07:49

You would still have had to isolate even before the new variant because you are unvaccinated and presumably over 18, this has been the rules for a while now.

BeautifulTulips · 05/12/2021 07:51

You having COVID is irrelevant, all unvaccinated people have to isolate . That's the rule!!

CarrieBlue · 05/12/2021 07:53

Because it’s the law. Tough.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 05/12/2021 07:56

It doesn't seem logical, but nothing in this pandemic has been. Those are the rules and you have to accept that if you make the choice not to get vaccinated, your life will likely be inconvenienced quite a lot. We'll be heading for vaccine passports next so be prepared.

MissCrowley · 05/12/2021 07:59

I'm half jabbed and I think this js bollocks OP.
The scientists have said immunity from having the virus is apparently more effective than the vaccines.
I'm having the vaccines because my mental health spiralled the first time Covid was in my house (DD had it) I had been advised to not have it due to medical reasons until they could be absolutely sure it was safe. I couldn't wait that long.

The whole thing is getting on my absolute tits now. The constant fear and panic. I no longer read the news or watch it.

3teens2cats · 05/12/2021 08:02

I agree it's illogical but the rules have to be kept as simple as possible to achieve the best compliance. They have to be careful about using natural immunity from infection because it might encourage people to get infected deliberately apparently.

ZoBo123 · 05/12/2021 08:14

It doesn't make sense scientifically, no. You have antibodies, perhaps even more than vaccinated people, whose might be running low now. But it is an incentive to get vaccinated. It was decided as a way to encourage people to get vaccinated. Don't be surprised if this is extended beyond self isolating and the passports get introduced to get into place.

CrunchyCarrot · 05/12/2021 08:19

It doesn't make sense, but then a lot about this pandemic and the government's handling of it doesn't. Unfortunately as it's the law you just have to go along with it.

Unmerited · 05/12/2021 08:22

Hmm, I’d say if everyone who could be vaccinated, had been, as soon as available, the rest of us who got on with it might be a whole lot less inconvenienced now. 🤷‍♀️

Topseyt · 05/12/2021 08:26

@Unmerited

Hmm, I’d say if everyone who could be vaccinated, had been, as soon as available, the rest of us who got on with it might be a whole lot less inconvenienced now. 🤷‍♀️
Agree with this.
DickMabutt73962 · 05/12/2021 08:27

You have to do this:

why I need to quarantine, having so recently had the virus and confirmed antibodies.

Because of this:

I am unvaccinated

Hope this helps Smile

knittingaddict · 05/12/2021 08:32

@MissCrowley

I'm half jabbed and I think this js bollocks OP. The scientists have said immunity from having the virus is apparently more effective than the vaccines. I'm having the vaccines because my mental health spiralled the first time Covid was in my house (DD had it) I had been advised to not have it due to medical reasons until they could be absolutely sure it was safe. I couldn't wait that long.

The whole thing is getting on my absolute tits now. The constant fear and panic. I no longer read the news or watch it.

"The scientists"? Which scientists are you talking about?
Waxonwaxoff0 · 05/12/2021 08:34

@Unmerited

Hmm, I’d say if everyone who could be vaccinated, had been, as soon as available, the rest of us who got on with it might be a whole lot less inconvenienced now. 🤷‍♀️
Wouldn't have stopped Omicron. Developing countries don't have access to enough vaccines, that's where the issue is arising.
Original poster
user1471327439 · 05/12/2021 08:36

Dick, that doesn't really resolve my confusion!

Thank you for your replies. I was hoping there was a sound scientific explanation, other than I haven't had a vaccine that I assume is designed to give me the antibodies I currently have.

OP posts:
DickMabutt73962 · 05/12/2021 08:42

@user1471327439

Dick, that doesn't really resolve my confusion!

Thank you for your replies. I was hoping there was a sound scientific explanation, other than I haven't had a vaccine that I assume is designed to give me the antibodies I currently have.

Was the legal explanation not enough?
Squleamish · 05/12/2021 08:49

Yes it's completely illogical, OP.

Your chances of catching and passing on covid are much, much smaller than those of someone vaccinated who's not had it.

But there are many things about the rules which seem based on politics and not science. For an easy life in the short term, you may just have to go with it.

Nerdygirl · 05/12/2021 08:51

It’s completely illogical , other countries recognise recovery. This is just to coerce you into getting vaccinated . Why others simply row the line and don’t actually question the rationale amazes me

Buzzinwithbez · 05/12/2021 09:04

Rules are rules. They don't have to make sense in the new normal.

(I agree with you though)

MrsFin · 05/12/2021 09:08

Just have the bloody vaccine like the rest of us.

Unmerited · 05/12/2021 09:09

Wouldn't have stopped Omicron. Developing countries don't have access to enough vaccines, that's where the issue is arising

Yeah, another reason why people that are privileged enough to have vaccines should get on with it. I agree.

rainrainraincamedowndowndown · 05/12/2021 09:12

A lot of things are illogical. School without safety measures is illogical. No restriction while transmission is exploding and people dying is illogical.
You can't pick and choose just one part of illogical policies and complain.

TulipsGarden · 05/12/2021 09:19

Without a test there's no way of guaranteeing you have antibodies - mild cases and young people don't always produce them. Vaccines are more effective, although of course we now know that people on various drugs and with auto-immune conditions also don't produce antibodies.

Omicron is infecting people who have had previous variants at speed.

And the rules aren't specifically for you. They're a population-wide attempt to control the virus, they don't particularly care about @user1471327439's personal circumstances.

Cookerhood · 05/12/2021 09:20

Some might consider not taking the vaccine when offered illogical.
Rules is rules, I'm afraid & you must have known that when you chose not to get vaccinated.
Actually, though, I agree scientifically.

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