I completely forgot the pandemic

Don't be frightened of your own shadow. Just look at how this is changing people through fear. Its just not natural to be socially estranged like this, which is why you acted as you normally would/should without another thought. Mentally, you probably both did each other a power of good. And that is fantastic for your immune system anyway! Enjoy your life, otherwise, what's the point? We must stop the fearmongering or we shall all be dead inside anyway. This lady lost her pet and needed somebody to talk to. You did the right thing!

We have DD and family here next weekend, having not seen them this year and will be careful but not obsessive. On Sunday we are being joined by other relatives for a socially distanced picnic lunch - outdoors, ideally, but in the house if necessary. I realise that all this carries some risk but feel it is not unreasonable, and the benefit to our mental health will be enormous. And after all, what are anti-viral wipes for?

MerylStreep, I really wouldn't feel obliged - or at all comfortable, helping out (or hugging) a neighbour.

I'd actively seek out all the help the person needs, though, from her family, GP and Social Services.

Have you thought about seeking professional help? Perhaps she could benefit from a needs assessment if she's often distressed?

Hetty58
What would you do, if like me you have a very confused neighbour who needs my help ( in her home) on a regular basis ?
She is often distressed and needs a hug. There is no way on gods earth that I'm going to stand there watching this lovely lady crying and not put my arms round her.
So be it.

What's done is done. As long as you are not doing this with multiple people multiple times the risk to either person is low.

However small the risk, I wouldn't dream of going into an elderly neighbour's home.

It's perfectly possible to meet outside, so why risk it and possibly put somebody in danger?

kangaroo73 is quite right to feel foolish and worried.

Please try not to worry you both must have enjoyed getting together.
I met up with my sister after 6 months apart last week. We were so good keeping our distance at an outdoor cafe. As we said goodbye we both forgot and gave each other a big hug. It felt natural and so good and I'm not going to feel guilty!

Or a really nasty illness, apparently.

Don't worry. People like my son will risk their lives to treat you, no matter how silly you've been

I saw two of my grandchildren (3 and 5)
today and we were hugging snd kissing like before lockdown. I could not have made them stay at 2 metres distance even if threatened with jail!!

You can go into a pub, cafe or restaurant without a mask and only 1 mtr distancing. Sure you had the distance between you even in a house and if anyone was coughing or sneezing this would have prompted you about social distancing. Don't worry, if you do feel ill in next 3 or 4 days arrange a test though sure you will be fine.

Absolutely. Learning to live with it doesn't mean putting it out of your mind.

It means learning to live differently. Consciously. Responsibly.

Now we know why one of the rules is 'STAY ALERT'.

Franbern, Kangaroo was genuinely concerned I don’t really think it helps anyone to be nasty

I'm quite taken aback at all this "Oh I forgot" or "It rained" or "Oh we all worry too much"

I hope nobody on this thread grumbles or moans about the government when the infection rate rises.

It's this attitude that is keeping my son doctoring on the Covid ward instead of practising his specialism. So don't grumble that you can't get an appointment in that either.

I'm a bit cross.

Even if you catch it, and it’s no where near definite, you’ll most likely be fine. Most people are. You’ve been very careful and so has your friend, so it’s highly unlikely. Probably won’t stop you worrying for a few days though. All the best to you.

We need to assume and act as though everyone is contagious but, in actuality, everyone is not. It's only a small percentage. Mistakes will happen. It's good that gd knows the importance of distancing.

It is easy to forget and then worry. You sound as if you have previously been careful, so you probably haven't passed anything to her. She sounds as if she is unlikely to have come into contact with many people, so you are probably safe too.

I don't agree with the poster who said that your granddaughter shouldn't have reminded you of social distancing. It was a caring thing to do. The young ones want us oldies to take extra care because they love us and don't want to lose us.

You have both spent the best part of three months isolated and socially distancedso that the chance that either of you have the virus is minimal. Your friend must have appreciated your company after the death of a beloved pet and so going into her house was a decent thing to do.

I feel that this is where Boris's advice, which seemed woolly at first, is actually relevant: Be Aware. It's so easy to forget.

kangaroo73 I don't think you should worry too much. The act of living is in itself risky. Evaluating risk has become a normal part of daily life if you venture outside, or if people come to visit you.

Today I went for my first swim in months. Extraordinary measures have been put in place to make it as safe as possible. I came away feeling both physically and mentally better.

Covid 19 isn't going anywhere anytime soon so we either have to learn to live with it or put severe restrictions on our life. Everyone makes different choices.

Stay well and try not to worry too much.

I wish I had caring neighbours friends like this.

I have two grown sons, one no children but working wont let me visit him, other , with gks, I go there once a week
church friends just met with 4 in my garden for a couple of hours, other than that..

I am lonely!

I bubbled with my daughter and her partner so, for the first time, they came to visit over the weekend. On Saturday, we decided to meet my sister in the park and do the socially distancing thing. Had she not been widowed three years ago, it should have been their Golden Wedding Anniversary. All went well until the skies opened like a monsoon and all four of were absolutely drenched through to underwear. She had parked her car half a mile away so we walked with her back to her car. We were all so cold and wet, to avoid another drenching, we all piled into her car to be driven back to our car.

When we got home, we all stripped off and jumped in the shower (not all together).

This morning, my sister rang, concerned that she needed to disinfect her car. She is not planning on any passengers for a while so we agreed it would probably be OK.

Too late now but, until then, we had all been very careful.

Don’t worry, I’m sure you will be ok. I’ve been meeting up with sister in law for socially distanced walks (we drive separately) but there’s times when we’re together that I realise we are too close, it’s so easy to do so don’t beat yourself up about it. I’m sure you’ve both been careful at other times so doubt you are a risk to each other. Take care xx

I wouldn't worry at all. Have you actually known anyone who has had it?
I haven't so I am not worrying although it is sensible to wear a face mask in shops I suppose ( not that I have yet!)
I think we are all worrying too much & just take sensible precautions.

You probably did a lot of good sitting and chatting.
It would seem that both of you were forgetful.
Keep a weather eye out for any symptoms, and if all is clear in a couple of weeks, put it down to experience.
Maybe even ask her round for a coffee later, but sit in the garden at a reasonable distance.
Enjoy your interaction, just take care in future.
It is very easy to forget, and l frequently do when l am at work.
It happens.