Covid Positive Gathering??

[blameitonthecaffeine]

1 of my young adult children and 2 of their young adult cousins (3 separate families, the cousins aren't siblings) all have Covid.

They want to get together and have 'Covid Christmas' as they can't come home to the rest of us. They're actually looking forward to it. Now, I don't want them to be alone and I guess it's not much of a risk to anyone but 2 of them will have to break isolation to get to the other one. They're all students in London and live in (long) walking distance of each other. My child and one of the cousins claim they will walk to the other's very early in the morning in a mask and keep distant. About an hour's walk for both of them. There shouldn't be anyone around, I guess, and they will then remain together until their isolation period is over.

I'm broadly in favour and they're over 18 so there's nothing I can do about it but one of my cousins (parent of one of the younger cousins) is very cross and upset with his child for doing it.

I think they're doing it whatever but just wondering if others think covid positive relatives getting together for Christmas is a reasonable stretch of the rules or not?

I think its fine.

I think it's wrong. And I believe it's also illegal.

Who knows who they might pass on the street and, even with a mask, infect.

I'd do it.

I think it's a great idea if they're all positive!

Also they might not all have the same variant. Delta and omicron can infect the same person so despite all being covid positive the delta positive ones could infect the omicron ones and vice versa. This could make them sicker.

www.thehealthsite.com/news/can-you-get-infected-with-both-delta-and-omicron-at-the-same-time-expert-has-the-answer-853355/

I think their plan is an entirely reasonably alternative to being alone at Christmas for people with minor or no symptoms - especially if the only reason they are “ill” is that a routine test has told them so. Plenty of people who aren’t routinely carrying out LFTs will be among the approx 40 per cent of all cases which are asymptomatic from start to finish, and who will be going about their regular Christmas plans with no idea that they could be spreading covid. I think we need to start thinking rationally.

If it’s fine to sit in your own garden if you are positive (which it is) then it’s no riskier to walk along a mostly deserted street wearing a mask.

I wouldn’t. Even if they do travel by walking / alone - if something like a accident happens they’re putting people who then may need to help them at risk

Also - and this might be a paranoid thought of mine - what if they have different strains and then pass on to each other (might not be a thing if you’re immune then to all strains - I’m not very clued up on that side of things)

I don’t see a problem with it, provided they keep distance from anyone en route.

Technically it’s not allowed but I think it’s a great idea, just as long as they are serious about doing the walk at a quiet time.

No issues at all I would do the same and the poster saying about what if an accident happens.... how many accidents do adults tend to have while walking along the street?! Honestly you are more likely to have an accident at home than you are walking along a quiet street!

Sounds like a great idea!

Sounds like a good idea to me!

I get the point about the different strains. But given that they're all very young and healthy and double jabbed, they're highly unlikely to be sick. One is totally asymptomatic, the other 2 have a slight sniffle, that's all. Only picked up because they were doing tests before going out and seeing people.

I do agree it's not the right thing to do, if you're going to be completely good. But it's a pretty miserable Christmas for them otherwise. I'm torn on whether or not I support them - or rather I do support them but think I probably shouldn't!

If walking in early hours and not coming into contact with someone then I think it's a good idea. Much more pleasant than being home alone at Christmas.

Technically it's not allowed and many posters will say it's irresponsible, what it they have a huge accident, (or crossing variants which appears to be the latest concern on MN this week) etc. but tbh the likelihood is so low to each other and other people.

I think it's a great idea, they're so unlikely to be unwell if they do pick up different strains and if this gives them a chance to have fun at Christmas after such a miserable couple of years for their age group then brilliant, I hope they have a great time.

No they must adhere to the rules, stay in and be bloody miserable as a punishment for contracting covid.

Joking although I know some people won't be.

Really good idea. They can be together at a time when a lot of people find it hard being alone and can look out for each other. I wouldn't think twice about doing so.

www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/omicron-variant-may-have-picked-up-piece-common-cold-virus-2021-12-03/

Maybe they'll create a new delta omicron combo strain? I'm no virologist so have no idea how likely that is but here's a report that omicron may have been created by covid and a cold virus combining so presumably it's possible.

Why can't they just zoom each other and their families and have a party together when their isolation ends?????

Nah, let them enjoy. Good for their mental health to be together and if one of them actually feels poorly from covid not alcohol they've got someone to care for them. Better than one of you lot having to go and provide care if they get too bad.

@Mrsdoubtfireswig

I wouldn’t. Even if they do travel by walking / alone - if something like a accident happens they’re putting people who then may need to help them at risk

Also - and this might be a paranoid thought of mine - what if they have different strains and then pass on to each other (might not be a thing if you’re immune then to all strains - I’m not very clued up on that side of things)

What happens if they fall down the stairs at home? Should they not call an ambulance for 10days?

Not only do I think it's totally fine, but I also know of another group of young adults (friends not family) who will be doing the same.
The key, as with so many things, is to keep it under your hat.
I'm so over caring if perfectly reasonable and safe things are 'illegal', when no one else seems to care, and the police couldn't care less about assault, muggings, theft. Time to start making our own choices I think.

@Choux

I think it's wrong. And I believe it's also illegal.

Who knows who they might pass on the street and, even with a mask, infect.

Even covid positive and infectious, there is absolutely no way you could pass it on by walking past someone while wearing a mask!! Where does this hysteria come from?!

@Choux

I think it's wrong. And I believe it's also illegal.

Who knows who they might pass on the street and, even with a mask, infect.

If you can pass it on walking pass someone outside 6ft apart whilst wearing a mask, why the frig am I warning one now on the bus? I might as well go lick my bus neighbour on the face.

Or, you're being hysterical

An hour's walk isn't that long at all and as long as they do leave early and are properly masked, they'll be mitigating risk. I think it's a good idea and don't blame them for wanting to salvage the day.

Good on them.

Critical thinking seems to have gone right out of the window for so many people in their efforts to Follow The Rules.

if something like a accident happens they’re putting people who then may need to help them at risk - they are statistically more likely to have an accident in their home than on the walk - presumably if they cut themselves or fall down the stairs at home you would expect people to help them?