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Covid

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Original poster

You don't have to isolate within the home!

72 replies

DockOTheBay · 22/12/2021 23:19

A lot of people seem to be saying things like "I've tested positive, I'll have to have Christmas lunch in my bedroom alone" or "DH has tested positive, now I have to work from home while looking after a 4 year old on my own".
Just a reminder that you don't HAVE to isolate from family members. You don't HAVE to deep clean the bathroom every time one of you goes in etc.
I realise some people may choose to do this if they live with an unvaccinated or extremely vulnerable person, but you don't have to!

OP posts:

Coughee · 22/12/2021 23:23

I don't think anyone believes they HAVE to? Why would they? I chose to isolate because I could and it seemed like less hassle because when I had it household contacts had to isolate so the thought of everyone isolating with me then catching it and having to continue the isolation was a bit grim.

pinkcattydude · 22/12/2021 23:25

You know what maybe they want to? at one point today I offered to put myself on the naughty step for peace and quiet

LynxGiftsetAndSocks · 22/12/2021 23:28

we know this already....

Coughee · 22/12/2021 23:29

Yeah I'm not going to lie, the peace and quiet wasn't the worst thing in the world. I didn't isolate second time round as my husband (selfishly) also had it so someone covid positive had to be around taking care of stuff so we decided we might as well not bother

ceeveebee · 22/12/2021 23:31

Well no but most people don’t want to pass it on to loved ones, and also it’s a proper pain if both adults have it as then neither of you can leave the house (which if you have young kids leaves you in a bit of a mess for a school runs etc)

ceeveebee · 22/12/2021 23:32

And actually that’s what the govt guidance says you should do

Original poster

DockOTheBay · 22/12/2021 23:35

@LynxGiftsetAndSocks

we know this already....

Plenty of people don't seem to. If you do, good for you

OP posts:

Coughee · 22/12/2021 23:46

What makes you think people don't know that though? I don't think I've ever seen or read anyone saying that they are feeling like they HAVE to isolate?

Couchbettato · 23/12/2021 00:02

Not every one is comfortable putting the rest of their household at risk.

Why protect Joe public but not your nearest and dearest when it might come at the cost of their health, jobs, childcare etc?

I mean, sure, you don't have to isolate from the rest of your household but if they're negative and you're positive it would be a bit unreasonable not to.

Original poster

DockOTheBay · 23/12/2021 00:03

@Coughee

What makes you think people don't know that though? I don't think I've ever seen or read anyone saying that they are feeling like they HAVE to isolate?

Multiple threads with people mentioning it, saying that they are having to have Christmas in the spare bedroom and how upset they are to miss things etc. Someone the other day saying they had missed their young kids birthday because they were isolating, and asking whether they would be legally allowed to see them for Christmas. Someone else today annoyed that they will have to do all the childcare over Christmas because their DH has asymptomatic COVID. There was someone recently asking if they should hug their unwell 9 year old. Oh and yesterday a poster who had asymptomatic covid and was trying to isolate from her mum and kids even though her mum was unable to care for the kids.

There just seem to be a lot of people isolating from family members in the home and it seems baffling to me.

OP posts:

Eyerollsausageroll · 23/12/2021 00:17

Ahhh I think you may mean me about missing my dcs birthday. It was a quick comment really so not detailed.

I know I don't need to isolate in my own home. Complications are 50:50 care with the dcs dad, its his year to have them for Xmas but I would usually go to his house for the day (so that's where the legal bit comes in)

Also, in terms of dcs birthday, they have been with their dad since Wednesday, I tested positive on Friday. I couldn't see them before today as we had booked and paid for a indoor activity and felt I couldn't expose the dc as they would need to miss their activity with their friends. They've had a wonderful day and actually are now home with me hunkered down for Xmas after their Dad offered to swap years after realising how upset we all were.

Alls well that ends well. (Hopefully if I test negative as per the new 7 day guidance we can even still all have Xmas together)

BigBenji · 23/12/2021 00:22

@Coughee

Exactly... I was looking forward to 10 days on my own in my room. Now it's been cut to 7 days, is it even worth it? 😭😭

PollyPepper · 23/12/2021 00:27

I'm in the emergency services and the wife of a colleague of mine has just tested positive. I'll be furious tbh if she doesn't isolate and he brings it into the team and take out my Christmas. So whilst people don't HAVE to I bloody hope they do.

Beseen22 · 23/12/2021 00:31

I think its a luxury that many would find impossible to be honest. I work in hospitals and last year while DH was unemployed we lived in a tiny 2 bed flat (with 1 ensuite sized toilet and tiny galley kitchen) as a family of 4. We had to come up with a plan and decided that the prospect of isolation on such small accommodation was impossible.
Now we have 4 bedrooms and a toilet each its more achievable and I probably would attempt it for DH who is higher risk. But I'd imagine for a lot of people living in city centres in flats the idea of isolating from family is laughable.

I have been asked by my employer to have a plan in place to isolate from a positive household case to allow me to continue to work (with neg pcr and daily lateral flows). I'm afraid I absolutely refuse to isolate from my children when they are potentially unwell.

Vwswimmer1 · 23/12/2021 00:37

It also depends on your jobs. In my job you can only go back to work if you will isolate from household member with covid.

CovoidOfAllHumanity · 23/12/2021 00:44

I must admit we did not isolate my DS
I draw the line at isolating a little boy who is already very upset and feeling guilty (despite reassurance) at changing Christmas plans in his room on his own at Christmas or making him wear a mask in his own home.
My assumption was we'll all get it anyway and no point trying to stop it.
Maybe if I was forced to go into work I would feel differently but it still wouldn't sit right with me.

Mrsdoubtfireswig · 23/12/2021 00:47

I think each family has to make their own decisions

I’m a single parent with 2 under 4. I got it first. And whilst I would never even try to isolate I did try to reduce the risk of passing it in by keeping windows open or a bit of distance eg if they were sat down watching Tv I’d be up pottering away at the other end of the room. But quickly realised whilst I could keep a bit of distance / practice good hygiene, they between themselves could not so it was all a bit moot. Anyway one caught it straight away and the other 5 days later. We’re all fine but if happens again wouldn't even bother with the things we did

toomuchlaundry · 23/12/2021 00:48

I thought it was in the guidance that you try to isolate/minimise contact with other household members of possible. Obviously where young children are concerned it may not be possible if a parent tests positive and certainly not if the child tests positive, although you may try and limit contact with other siblings, and if there are 2 parents one could take the hit, whilst the other keeps out of the way.
Teen DS would probably think he has gone to heaven if he could spend 7 days in his room ignoring us and gaming, having room service and limiting his time in the shower!

ceeveebee · 23/12/2021 00:50

It is in the guidance @toomuchlaundry

It says
Spend as little time as possible in shared spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms and sitting areas. Avoid using shared spaces such as kitchens and other living areas while others are present and take your meals back to your room to eat. Observe strict social distancing.

Ask the people you live with to help by bringing your meals to your door, helping with cleaning and by giving you space.

Use a separate bathroom from the rest of the household where possible. If a separate bathroom is not available, try and use the facilities last, before cleaning the bathroom using your usual cleaning products. The bathroom should be cleaned regularly.

You should use separate towels from other household members, both for drying yourself after bathing or showering and for drying your hands. Keep your room well-ventilated by opening a window to the outside.

Use a face covering or a surgical mask when spending time in shared areas inside your home to minimise the risk of spread to others. Used correctly, they may help to protect others by reducing the transmission of COVID-19 but they do not replace the need to limit your contact with other household members.

CovoidOfAllHumanity · 23/12/2021 00:54

DS is 10 so he could have managed without us practically but emotionally it just felt really cruel. It would have felt to me as though I was punishing him for getting Covid from school which is no fault of his own. He really needed a hug when he was in floods of tears after his positive LFT so obviously I gave him one.
There's a line in the sand for me about the government or my employer telling me what to do actually inside my own home.
They may advise me and I chose not to take their advice on this point.

RoyalFamilyFan · 23/12/2021 01:13

I isolated from DP and the teens so I didn't pass it on. Honestly, it was kind of bliss - a week in a bedroom, reading, commenting on social media and DP bringing cooked meals and drinks to the bedroom door. We talked once or twice a day with me in the doorway and everyone else at the end of the hall.
I knew I didn't have to isolate from everyone else. But although I did feel ill, part of me enjoyed it as well. It was lovely not to have do any cooking, cleaning or dealing with the kids at all.
Dont assume that people are miserable having to self isolate within a household.

AnotherOneWithNoGoodName · 23/12/2021 01:16

No, but I would want to minimise the chances of passing it on to others I live with. I wouldn't completely isolate, but I would keep away from them as much as I could, same as if I had any illness.

GrandmasCat · 23/12/2021 01:23

A vaccinated woman in my office didn’t isolate in her own house.No problem with that.

Same woman in my office decided not to miss a day at work, so we all had to miss the next day at the office because she tested positive in the afternoon, so they send us all for PCR tests while the office was being disinfected. To add insult to injury this was on Friday and the PCR test results didn’t arrive until Sunday. So bloody thank you for ruining everyone’s weekend.

Do whatever you want to do at home, just don’t show up pretending than having a vaccine prevents you from passing the virus (that Is Bojo’s science, not actual science)

CovoidOfAllHumanity · 23/12/2021 06:23

I guess I feel OK with my decision not to isolate DS because I did not then take the piss with what I have been doing because I know I am at risk of catching it
I have been on planned leave anyway and had I not been would have wfh, I have not gone to the gym or the shops or any indoor public spaces although I am legally allowed to as LFTs are negative.
I would rather put some restrictions on myself than isolate DS and I am not particularly afraid of getting it as I have already had delta pre vaccine and that was like bad flu.
If it was me who was positive I wouldn't rule out the idea of a rest in my room for a week but I wouldn't force it on a child at Christmas

FindingMeno · 23/12/2021 06:28

Lots of us can't as our houses are too tiny or bedrooms are shared etc. We had to mingle and the infection was 50% of the household. No extra cleaning either and I cooked for everyone despite being positive.
I wouldn't isolate my children unless I worked in a vital role, and then I'd prefer to isolate myself if it were possible.

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