Can I / should I pick up son from University

[Rowan10]

I'm just wondering what to do.
My 20 yr old son is at university in Wales (we are east England) It closed 10 days ago but he had assignments to finish. Then he lost his phone so I could only email him. I repeatedly told him he might get stuck there and to let me pick him up asap. But he's a useless communicator (though otherwise lovely).
He amazingly found his phone today and we were just arranging me collecting him, when the news came on. And then I managed to forget about dinner and set fire 🔥 to my oven, its going well tonight !!
Do you think I would be ok to drive to get him (4 hours each way). I'm just worried it might be classed as non essential travel now. But otherwise he's stuck there in a flat on his own for who knows how long. I know it's kind of his own fault but he does have a few anxiety issues and no contact for 3 years from my ex, his dad. So I know his little sister and I will panic about him not being here. I don't think he will be able to get a train anymore either.
I really don't want to be irresponsible but I'd really like to get him.

Good luck to all doing a rescue mission - it would be lovely if everyone updated to say their kids are home safe?

Did you get him OP? I really hope you have.

DD1 is in this situation. I’m overseas. DH and DD2 are in London. DD1 is staying put for now, with her other friends who can’t get home. She’s in a small town. Our part of London is a CV hotspot. She’s probably safer where she is, although not great for her mental health. She’s on her own in the house and considering moving in with a friend.

My son’s on his way back as we speak.

Wind your scrawny neck in @agent

Well said @chatterbugmegastar

It’s such a relief that dd is home. She has asthma & was really unwell with swine flu so at least I can look after her if she gets it.

Her housemate has just said he thinks he has it (& has for a couple of days ) so we are all now in 14 day isolation just in case. Hey ho at least we are together.

you get him OP. Do it tomorrow. It's the right thing.

it would be a NIGHTMARE if he got ill on his own.

And what if you got ill and had to go to hospital? you need to be together.

Drive carefully.

And @AgentJohnson you're a nasty piece of work aren't you.

Did you get him, OP? I got mine last week, such a relief now he’s home.

I’m just back - phew, very long day. Left at 6am.
But he’s home 😊😊. Think I’m happier than him to be honest.
Thank you to everyone for your advice and lovely words. I hope anyone who still has to pick up their kids, manages it ok. Can’t tell you how much better I feel.

Good luck sky rabbit and take care tomorrow.

Good news- Glad you’ve got your boy home. i’d have done the same!

Dh went and got ds3 today - everyone else from his flat had already gone either home, or, in one case, to their girlfriend’s flat, and ds3’s girlfriend went home today too.

Any work he still has to do, he can do from home, and his part time agency job, in hospitality, vanished when the restaurants closed and gatherings were banned.

The older two are working, so will be staying where they are, but I am glad to have at least one of them home.

I'm going to collect my son from York tomorrow morning. They want him to leave, and he will not be charged for the accommodation he won't be living in next term if he does. He does not want to be alone in this current situation, out on a limb, a long way from shops and away from family. It was all very last minute but I don't see a problem with driving on your own. I don't think I am likely to come into contact with many people on the M1 and there are only two people left in my son's block in any case. We shouldn't need to stop for fuel so my chances of spreading the virus seem slimmer than going out to the shops here, or for exercise, which we are all allowed to do in any case. it would be truly awful if he became unwell and there was nobody to look out for him.

Just go. He’s your boy!

Got him 😁 12 hours driving but he's home!

Well done skyrabbit !! So pleased for you.
Please note I won’t ask if you had to use the thingy....

We are travelling up to Sheffield tomorrow to pick up DD. She had been in quarantine for 2 weeks (She had symptoms but is now better). Full tank of fuel, packed lunch. No stopping on the way up and down. Kind of tempted to say that she has to do a Dukes of Hazzard type dive into the car as we drive past.

Thanks Rowan - so pleased he's home. Didn't have to use The Bucket of Doom at all 😁
Gnome - I found the petrol stations really easy actually - loads of disposable gloves etc and they all had toilet roll, milk and wine 😁😁 Gloves came in handy lugging stuff from flat to car - didn't have to touch door handles, lift buttons etc. Good luck!

Go get him. My husband works for wellbeing service in uni halls and they are sending everyone home. A few weeks ago they stopped doing face to face lectures and advised people go home but a lot of them have stayed for various reasons. This week after bojos announcement they are letting everyone off their contracts and forcing everyone home that is not an international student unable to fly home! Unless you are in the at risk category, pick him up now.

We got our son back yesterday, we set offat 05.20 and got back at 4.00pm. He was ready and packed, he loaded all into car and we had a 30 min walk.... Observing the distancing rule... Saw no-one at all. So happy he's home safe x

•Kind of tempted to say that she has to do a Dukes of Hazzard type dive into the car as we drive past.

Did she?

Has everyone got their kids home yet? Worried in case anyone has been stopped 😕

No Skyrabbit. I am nervous about the rescue mission tomorrow too. But I'm going . 21 year olds shouldn't be on their own if they get sick , buses are running , and taking precautions. Good luck with your mission.

Travel safely tomorrow Finoola. Hope it all goes smoothly. I feel so much happier he’s home, he’s finally admitted - so does he !!

Good luck travelling today Finoola, drive safe.

I have 2 sons both at Uni...neither have come home yet...they are 21 and 22...1 in Lincoln and 1 in Canterbury....I'm in Norfolk....i'm very worried about them but i cant force them to come home.