Covid The Rules

I agree with Maizie. I don't go out a lot, but when I do go out I wear a mask when there are many unidentified people in an indoor space.

Our vicar wore a mask to give Communion last night and I think that was very sensible. Covid is still active. Get vaccinated. The effects may be mild for most people but Long Covid is awful.

I do think some of the problem now is that Covid can go undetected how many have had mild sniffles and took little notice. There must be more like me who really have no obvious symptoms I am careful to test if I feel only 99% well anything at all even a upset tummy I test because having had it twice so far I show no obvious symptoms, but may pass it to someone else still.

Louisa which is why my SIL has had it 5 times, each time he gets it he is worse and takes longer to recover, he also had sepsis which is how Covid was picked up this time as he had tested negative at home.
He is now very vulnerable, has lost so much weight and has us all very worried.

Louisa I know many people can't afford to take time off work and have no choice - and I think it's appalling. They will come into contact with people who are more vulnerable and that's why it's still being transmitted. There is an increasing body of evidence which seems to suggest that Covid has long term effects on the immune system and the body's organs. Moreover, it's being suggested that each subsequent infection continues to weaken the immune system, which makes people more susceptible to other infections.

My DN went to work with covid as did many others he works with....they don't get sick pay and can't afford to be off. They were ill.. but no worse than a bad cold...some people have no choice.....I get ro work from home with covid....or take sick pay if I'm really not well

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

I think any current “pings” about being in contact with covid are scams now. They contain a link which shouldn’t be opened.

My 17 year old g.daughter tested pos for Covid. She works in a library - mainly in the children's section, so not surprising she caught this. Five days at home then as soon as she tested negative back at work.

What did surprise everyone was that my daughter (her Mum), received a ping from the NHS ap - seven days after daughter first tested positive and by the time she was back a work. No idea how that happened as non-one reported anything about the postiive tests. Did not even realise this ap was still active although rather pointless

MawtheMerrier

Its not "rules" is it? Common sense and consideration.
If you feel you might be incubating something - a "bug", Covid or flu, it makes sense not to mix especially with the elderly or the very young. If somebody else is in that position, however disappointing, best to keep away. We have to take responsibility for our own actions and be aware of any potential consequences.

If anyone needs advice about whether or not to spread germs about read Maw's post.

harrigran

DS was diagnosed with long covid and has been ill since the start of the outbreak. In April 2020 he was hospitalised with cardiac symptoms and has chronic headaches and pain in his legs. He gets extremely tired.
DIL tested positive for almost two weeks when she had it and stayed away from all of us so I could not imagine joining others after only five days.

I believe 5 days is now the recommended time although this is only advisory. With grateful thanks to the vaccination program and the transition of the virus things have changed from the early days.
The last time I had it was October of this year I would not have known I had it unless I had happened to test I felt a little tired on the Sunday so I may have had then but didn’t test till the Tuesday as my daughter tested positive I was negative by the Friday and feeling perfectly fit and well.
The first time was last Feb I did test positive then for 10 days and I isolated though again I felt perfectly fit and well
So some can be clear quite quickly now

DS was diagnosed with long covid and has been ill since the start of the outbreak. In April 2020 he was hospitalised with cardiac symptoms and has chronic headaches and pain in his legs. He gets extremely tired.
DIL tested positive for almost two weeks when she had it and stayed away from all of us so I could not imagine joining others after only five days.

4 of my relatives have it at the moment and I can say that it's certainly not mild for them. Has been described as the worst flu like symptoms ever, unwell for well over a week. The advice at the moment is that people should stay at home if they are unwell. I personally think that it's sensible to test before visiting the vulnerable any way. All our visitors are testing.

MaizieD

There are no rules, but lots of concern from doctors and health related scientists about the vast difference between covid and other viral infections. Their concern is that even mild cases of covid can have long term effects on the immune system and internal organs. Effects that can affect anyone of any age. That by regarding it as no worse than a bout of flu and allowing it to run through the population unchecked we are storing up potential serious health problems for the future. Whether or not you care to believe this is your choice.

Personally I think that one should be very cautious, be prepared to purchase tests if needed and to stay away from other people if you get it for as long as you are infectious (i.e show positive on a lateral flow test).

And do everything possible to avoid getting infected again.

Good post.
I still wear FFP2 masks when in shops and especially in crowded places.
It’s not selfishly just about ourselves but those we may infect.
I believe we may indeed be storing up potential health problems for the future. It is difficult enough for those suffering long covid to get treatment as it is.

Joseanne

^if we can’t rely on the Lateral Flow tests to give us the correct result then what can we do?^
It's a problem, Oopsadaisy, especially for those who work in schools or similar. DH has done 5 or 6 tests lately, all negative, because 3 weeks ago he brought a barking cough back from Austria where everyone, including us, wore masks on public transport and often in shops. DH is also a chorister and has sung in several advent services in December. He can't be ill ill, nor have covid, nor even flu for this long, but he still feels concerned about spreading germs. I live with him and have picked up not so much as a sniffle, all very strange.

I’ve only recently started going into shops again ( I’m usually the only person wearing a mask). I haven’t seen some of the shopkeepers since the pandemic started and the ones I’ve spoken to haven’t caught covid even though they’ve been working in their shops maskless. I assume someone is doing research into why some people don’t seem to catch it or, if they do, catch it mildly.

MiniMoon Thank you, we'll try Boots

if we can’t rely on the Lateral Flow tests to give us the correct result then what can we do?
It's a problem, Oopsadaisy, especially for those who work in schools or similar. DH has done 5 or 6 tests lately, all negative, because 3 weeks ago he brought a barking cough back from Austria where everyone, including us, wore masks on public transport and often in shops. DH is also a chorister and has sung in several advent services in December. He can't be ill ill, nor have covid, nor even flu for this long, but he still feels concerned about spreading germs. I live with him and have picked up not so much as a sniffle, all very strange.

MzOops OH has had Covid 5 times, the last time, just a few weeks ago, was the worst episode and was only confirmed when he went to A and E with another problem, his home test kits gave him a Negative reading.
He is a teacher where the pupils are being sent to school even though they are coughing and sneezing.
No tests are being done, because, ‘ obviously it’s only a cold and anyway no one worries about Covid now do they, because we’ve all been vaccinated’.
Poor chap has been so ill. They all did Covid tests before they came here earlier this week, but if we can’t rely on the Lateral Flow tests to give us the correct result then what can we do?

Stay at home. That’s what.

As Maw says it’s called consideration for others, something that appears to be sadly lacking, I’ve read so many posts on GN where the sufferers of sneezes and bad colds have still gone to hospital appointments or have gone to look after GCs.

Its not "rules" is it? Common sense and consideration.
If you feel you might be incubating something - a "bug", Covid or flu, it makes sense not to mix especially with the elderly or the very young. If somebody else is in that position, however disappointing, best to keep away. We have to take responsibility for our own actions and be aware of any potential consequences.

Callistemon flu jabs are or were available at our pharmacy. It's an independent but Boots were offering g them here in November. It's worth phoning to see if you can get the flu jab as it's a particularly nasty strain of flu.
My husband caught a cold while we were in New York at the beginning of the month and still has it now, we've tested him for covid and it was negative. We are having friends on Christmas day and he's getting stressed which isn't helping.

I live in the Essex neighbourhood with the highest infection rate, according to the government's official Covid data.

I have my free LFTs from the government and have been told I'll be sent anti-virals if I test positive, but concerned that research suggests that one anti-viral (at least) doesn't reduce hospitalisations or deaths.

www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/22/molnupiravir-pill-for-covid-does-not-reduce-risk-of-hospitalisation-or-death-uk-study-finds

Ho hum! I still have a supply of masks, which I wear, and I'll be avoiding crowded indoor spaces.

Seems to be doing the rounds again where I live. My friend keeps getting Covid 3rd time this year. She is in her 3rd week of feeling very poorly. She does socialise loads. We’ve avoided it so far only going out shopping or out walking the dogs. Dh starts chemo again in Jan so trying to avoid anyone who isn’t well.

First time with Covid this week (along with elderly parents) and wouldn't wish it on anyone. I'll be staying home until I get a negative test and I feel well enough to go out. Not yet unfortunately!

"People have been urged to avoid mixing with vulnerable relatives if they feel unwell this Christmas.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned flu and Covid hospital admission rates were continuing to rise."

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-64074088

Seems like good advice to me. Whether you have Covid, flu or some other nasty bug, vulnerable people can be affected badly. It's up to individuals what kind of risk they'll take, but personally, I wouldn't want to be responsible for increasing their risk by breathing all over them in a confined space.

To my knowledge, I've never had Covid and I'd rather keep it that way.

I have only had proper flu once or twice in my life. I think that if you have it you feel far too ill to go out anyway.