What exactly does self-isolate mean?

I am supposed to return to U.K. in two weeks but as I am staying with my son in The Caribbean I can stay on here and he is urging me not to go home. I am listening and watching the news and have sought advice from the cardiologist who has treated my heart failure for many years, so I will see what he has to say and can wait until the virus stops increasing. If we get it on the island I may have to change my mind, but I can self isolate easily here. It is a dilemma for elderly people who spend winters in the sun. Not all of us are millionaires and lucky if we have family to look after us.

Listening to Any Answers on Saturday, radio 4, there were several calls from people who had returned from abroad landing at Gatwick and Heathrow. Apparently, there were no checks whatsoever, no leaflets were handed out and they just walked through, collected their luggage and left. So much for claims that 'everything is being done to contain the virus'.

That's just 'government speak' catlady, never to be taken as fact!

No one is going to take a blind bit of notice

I read about the lack of checks at airports and I simply do not understand why this is allowed to
happen. No temperature checks at least seems ridiculous!

'Ordinary ' flu kills more people every year, yet no fuss is made about people keeping themselves (and their germs) to themselves by self-isolating for that. Where I used to work (a government dept), we were not permitted more than a few days sick each year, or we were up on a disciplinary and a formal warning. Self isolating for a fortnight, especially if you had already had any sick leave, would have resulted in dismissal. So the government are being contradictory in their standards for their staff, and what they expect of others. I used to dread being at work with anyone who was suffering from colds or flu, as they were too frightened to take sick leave, we would all catch it, and then have to drag ourselves in and work while not being fit to, and then infect anyone who hadn't already caught it. Don't talk to me about that useless bunch of hypocrits!

A lot of people will be worried about not being paid for self isolating. Many firms don't give sick pay so people tend to go to work when they really aren't well but have to in order to pay their bills. I can see this will happen instead of self isolation.

We can have a vaccination to help prevent ordinary flu although it is not always up-to-date.
And most people have developed immunity to certain flu viruses over the years, although they do mutate.
This is something new.

Growingolddisgracefully

It is not true that flu kills more people every year.

Do you not understand that this is a New virus and we don't know yet how many people will die.
Also that the figures so far indicate a between a 1%-2% death rate. Much higher than flu.
This is comparable to the Spanish flu after WW1 .

After self- isolating for a fortnight and getting the all clear to go out again; if you come into contact with another person who may have the virus, do you self-isolate for another two weeks?
As the number of people who have or may have coronavirus increases, it could be an endless cycle of self-isolation.
Perhaps we should all just stay home till a cure is found?

JaneJudge. I suspect in many cases you are correct . However, we returned from Thailand last Tuesday and although we have no symptoms we have isolated ourselves. We have cancelled appointments and have not attended any of our usual clubs and meetings. We have not seen friends or family. We have been out for a couple of walks but only in large open areas where we don’t come into contact with others. We just don’t want anyone to think we could be carriers. Thank heaven for Facebook and Whatsapp which keep us in touch.

If a number of MPs get the virus, perhaps Boris will have to ask permission to prorogue Parliament again, after all, the House of Commons is so crowded that they are sitting cheek by jowl. I am avoiding crowded places including cinemas for the time being. MPs might be having the same feeling about the HoC.

The government don't actually understand that many people don't get paid if they are off sick, let alone staying at home just in case.
If one more person says 'it's just flu....'

I can't decide whether to be really worried or to take sensible precautions and 'don't panic' !

Someone needs to spend some time thinking about those who have caring responsibilities for humans or animals!

Parents of babies or young children, those who care for sick relatives and those who have animals that rely entirely on them for food, water and exercise.

I’m particularly worried about my daughters one who is due to give birth in a month and one who has a 8 month old baby. If either becomes sick I’ll have to take over caring for the babies even if it means I also get the virus.

I am keeping my car full of fuel in case I have to get to either in an emergency and have stocked up on essential provisions as have my daughters.

The BBC has a page on self-isolation.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51506729

It also has a page on the difficulties of estimating death rates from 'flu or this coronavirus. For example, many people have 'flu and it is never recorded because they don't go to the doctor. The same may be true of coronavirus, if the symptoms are mild. There are all sorts of complications but the BBC reckons that the current best guess of a death rate of coronavirus is 1%. It is not much of a guide since it is a higher risk to people with pre-existing conditions.

Agree with nurse...I am a retired nurse. Alcohol gel is ok,but not a substitute for 2 minutes of vigorous hand washing. Use dry area on towel. If you are ill, stay home...general number is fever less than 100.4. Avoid going into high density crowds...grocery store,etc. See if you can arrange home delivery. You see lots of people on tv wearing masks....most incorrectly. A masked pulled below the nose for comfort=no mask. If you have chronic diseases and become ill, call your doctor for advice. Remember, social media has given us play by play accounts of this. Past epidemics did not. Common sense is your best protection.

The threat of this virus has been growing over the past few weeks. The government called an emergency meeting, which was held 3 days later, not my idea of urgency. I get the feeling that they are out of their depth, had hoped it would just go away, and have only now sprung into action. Self isolation means that many will go without pay - would you self isolate if you needed your wage to feed your family, many won’t, and who can blame them? We just need to take sensible precautions and hope fir the best. Off to work with young children with my hand wash!!

You have to be classed as at risk eg having been in contact with someone who has the virus; being tested for the virus. You can't just phone up and tell your employer you're not feeling well, especially if you expect your wages to be covered. If you live with others, you are expected to stay in one room, using bathroom cleaning as much as you can then allowing an hour before anyone else uses. All your rubbish should be double bagged before going in bin. Your washing should be left 24 hours to de- contaminate. Shopping , food, drink should be left at the door of room/premises. Two mind numbing weeks!

To vampire queen, Very witty. You provided my first laugh of the day. You are quite correct to say this government doesn’t give a damn. The Health Minister totally unconvincing: no gravitas, parroting platitudes, cringeworthy clot.

I thought I heard on the news that France has put a ban on any gatherings of 5,000 or more.

So I presume that a gathering of 4,999 is fine even if several there could be carriers of COVID-19!

According to Matt Hancock, if you self-isolate because of instructions from your GP or 111, or fit the government guidelines, you are entitled to statutory sick pay, even on a zero-hours contract. If you are self-employed I am not sure.

Self isolation means seeing no one. Get your groceries delivered and let them know they need to leave them outside the door. Don't open the door to anyone apart from medics wearing protective gear. You can use the phone and internet to socialise. If you share a home with others, try to set aside a room for yourself and have your meals left outside your door. Do not cook for your family. When you use the bathroom clean it afterwards - apparently normal household disinfectant or bleach works well.

Xrgran they may be able to continue to care for the babies themselves especially as neither of them are at the very active stage when the mother would find herself too weak to keep up with them. It seems to be emerging that babies and young children barely get sick with this, so no need to keep the child away from a sick parent.

I've never found our present Health Minister convincing but I do think the government 'gives a damn' and, with health officials, is planning for a very difficult situation without making the matters worse.

www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-to-set-out-governments-action-plan-on-the-coronavirus-outbreak--2

I had a look at medical advice from World Health Organisation and a US medical website and it was much the same as from our government, NHS and BBC.

At this stage, we do not have an emergency and, if it comes, there will only be a certain amount this government, or indeed, any government can do. If this government fouls up later, it will be time for criticism.

I guess The Bill dealing with a state of emergency will be criticised because it will presumably give government additional powers if needed. It may be a case of damned if you do and damned if you don't. No change there then.

I think the media are whipping it up. Started calling it Covid-19 now as it sounds more scary!

I don’t think any government in any country is being uncaring. The bottom line right now is no one knows how this is going to pan out so any advice can only be best guesstimate.