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Original poster

Driving around looking at lights with covid positive.

178 replies

Coronachristmas21 · 12/12/2021 17:47

Do you think it's okay? I know isolation means isolation. 3 out of 4 of us are positive, Dp is nearing the end of his isolation, me and Ds just started . Just Dd to go. Likely she will get it given circumstances.

Anyway, Dd has sen and fascinated by Christmas lights and desperate to see some. Ds is autistic and climbing the walls bored with isolating.

So do you think it would be okay if we drive around our housing estate looking at lights?

We live in a sleepy village in the middle of nowhere in a rather large but quiet housing development. Would involve no main roads or through roads whatsoever. Just around the estate which the roads are mainly all a one way system.

Would it be really bad to do so for 10 minutes?

The likelihood of an accident is next to zero and I've lived here for 10 years and there's never been any form of road traffic collision.

Embracing myself to be told how bad it would be though!

A bored autistic child in isolation is so hard!

OP posts:
LethargicActress · 12/12/2021 18:26

Do it, please. It makes me sad that there are children missing out on such basic joys because of this virus. There would be virtually no risk so on balance, it would be wrong not to do something that will benefit your children.

maa32 · 12/12/2021 18:27

It's fine

TempsPerdu · 12/12/2021 18:33

Please do it OP. You are not going to give anyone Covid from the inside of a car, and it may well be the thing that saves your sanity. Covid or no covid, children need to experience fun and joy in life, especially at this time of year.

We really need to start getting some perspective on this.

Original poster
Coronachristmas21 · 12/12/2021 18:35

@bobsholi

I also have a child with autism and struggled with isolation. It sounds like you're going to go for a drive no matter what anyone says but I personally wouldn't. I've always told DS that he has a right to be respected and kept safe, but that he also needs to respect others and follow laws. He can expect reasonable adjustments in life but when it comes to keeping others safe, their needs trump his wants. You have my sympathy, I was ready to collapse in a heap by the end of isolation, but it exists for a reason.
I don't disagree. I'm still Undecided. Unfortunately Ds doesn't understand it all so trying to explain what you say is hard. He's mainly asymptomatic too apart from being tired for one day so he's just struggling to understand why he has to stay in for 10 days when there's nothing wrong with him! 😪 obviously I am glad he's not had many symptoms so far but it's hard when he's climbing the walls!
OP posts:
JayAlfredPrufrock · 12/12/2021 18:35

Oh ffs.

Go. Go twice. Go every evening twice.

NarcissistsEyebrows · 12/12/2021 18:37

Do it, such low low risk for a really lovely benefit.

As with many things in life you jave to weigh up costs vs benefits and use your own judgement. I firmly believe you've got the balance in your favour here.

And yes, let's look tomorrow glorious leaders who were having parties of 50+ people a year ago when the restrictions were so tight. Of course you can go for a 10 min local drive to give your kids a little safe treat.

BigSandyBalls2015 · 12/12/2021 18:37

I do think it’s madness that something like this is so frowned upon yet a symptomless partner/child can still go to work/school despite living in a house with covid 🤷🏼‍♀️

Staryflight445 · 12/12/2021 18:39

Most car accidents are caused by other people aren’t they?

People more likely to speed in less built up areas.
I would just wait tbh, personally.

WaterBottle123 · 12/12/2021 18:39

It's definitely fine

Lulu1919 · 12/12/2021 18:39

Only issue would be if there was an accident...then you'd be putting the emergency services and public at risk ...unlikely I appreciate
But hey ...only YOU can decide !

Nevertime · 12/12/2021 18:41

In the first lockdown the vast majority would have been horrified, "what if you breakdown, have a medical emergency and need help, just think of all the lives you'll be risking". Interesting to see the way things have changed.

Comedycook · 12/12/2021 18:41

You shouldn't... obviously. But I wouldn't be outraged if you did!

meh12 · 12/12/2021 18:42

Just use your common sense, you really don't need to ask questions like this, you're a grown up!

SnugKnights · 12/12/2021 18:45

@MajesticElephant

Well fuck someone else’s Christmas if you need the emergency or breakdown services. Just bloody wait like any reasonable person.
Do you have any children with SEN? Claiming she’s not a reasonable person is very short sighted.
Deux · 12/12/2021 18:46

Given that most accidents happen in the home, and you could equally require the emergency services whilst travelling to get a PCR, it seems a fairly low risk activity.

As a previous poster suggested there are exceptions for persons with autism anyway.

Hugsgalore · 12/12/2021 18:47

@Yafilthyanimal

It is not OK.
There's always one Grin
Mulhollandmagoo · 12/12/2021 18:48

In your situation yes I'd do it! It's a quick drive around a housing estate and the chances of a bump or a breakdown are very minimal! We appear to have lost all sense of perspective and critical thinking, you're either in your home all together or in your car all together.

rainbowandglitter · 12/12/2021 18:48

I wouldn't do it. I'd be worried that they'd come round to check I was home (this has happened to my dsd) while I was out. I'd also feel awful at putting any breakdown staff or emergency staff at risk if something was to happen. I know the chances of those things happening are low but personally that would be enough for me to stay home.

Mulhollandmagoo · 12/12/2021 18:49

@Deux

Given that most accidents happen in the home, and you could equally require the emergency services whilst travelling to get a PCR, it seems a fairly low risk activity.

As a previous poster suggested there are exceptions for persons with autism anyway.

This is also true, there's a small chance you'd need the emergency services whilst isolating in your home to be fair.
misshoney37 · 12/12/2021 18:54

In these sort of situations I think you just have to exercise some common sense. What is the real risk of doing this providing you stay in the car? Zero. Even in the unlikely event that you had a bump and had to get out to exchange details surely you'd just put your mask on and you'd be outside too so where is the risk?

Yes it's technically against the rules but if it's not going to hurt anyone what's the issue?

Retrievemysanity · 12/12/2021 18:54

I’m sure our school was saying that parents who were positive or who had positive kids off isolating could drive their non positive kids to school, park on the car park (not allowed normally) and a member of staff would meet the kids and take them in! I really don’t see the problem with what you’ve suggested. Enjoy the lights!

puppeteer · 12/12/2021 18:57

Perhaps go for a quick drive to the PCR centre via the street with the lights.

Benefit of doing that is it gives the car heater time to warm up so you can all be nice and cosy by the time you get back.

user1496146479 · 12/12/2021 18:57

@Lavendersquare

I can't believe people on here think driving for pleasure to see Christmas lights is ok when you have covid. It's called isolation for a reason - you have to isolate in your home, regardless of being bored or needing cheering up.

If you were unlucky and had an accident, even a minor bump, you'd have to get out and exchange details with the other driver, which in your case would probably spread covid as well. You are only allowed to drive to a test centre for a booked PCR test nothing else.

Does the same apply if they stay at home & had to call an emergency plumber etc? The risk is minimal. Unclench!!
Scandisaurus · 12/12/2021 18:58

Of course you can. If she is that fascinated by lights I’d go every night. Or take a walk and get fresh air.

Sideswiped · 12/12/2021 18:58

I'm NT and I went for a drive in the first lockdown because I was climbing the walls and needed to get out.
Yes, I shouldn't have done it in theory, but I didn't stop anywhere or do anyone else any harm.
Do it, OP. All the nay-sayers here are being overly cautious about a miniscule risk. It's not like you'll be going at break-neck speed if you're looking at lights is it? 🤷🏻‍♀️