Forum Topic

7-14 day quarantine

A month ago I came into contact with someone who was showing signs of the virus, the other person with us also showed signs a few days later. As I have had a smokers cough for over 10 years it is difficult to know if I had a cough or not, but it did feel worse for a few days. I only came into contact with those two people for the next 12 days. So according to the governments advice I am now no longer at risk of transmitting the virus to anyone. It is scientifically improbable that I could catch it again before week 40, so why do I need to stay indoors at all times? When Boris Johnson and the others that are currently in isolation finish their isolation period will they be expected to stay locked up indoors?

Colin Potter ● 2407d18 Comments

No, but you are still at risk of CATCHING Covid-19 and then passing it on.

N V Brooks ● 2407d

CP: "why do I need to stay indoors at all times?"1. You don't know for certain whether you have caught it or not;2. Even if you have, as NVB points out you may still be able to contract it again - the antibodies produced first time around just mean you no longer suffer symptoms;3. As a carrier, you may then be capable of passing it on.Therefore it's best if you do everyone a favour and maintain the restrictions until we know more about this virus.

Richard Cathcart ● 2407d

"Why do I need to stay indoors at all times?"Because the prevailing instructions require us all to STAY AT HOME, except in a few specific circumstances. I can see a problem with the new 'have I had it' test, as substantial numbers of ostensibly 'immune' people will go back to work, and also stroll about hand in hand and have parties in the park, much to the annoyance of the rest of us who are still stuck at home. It will become impossible to police and cause increased conflict.

Peter Evans ● 2407d

Boris Johnson and his useless, lying and deceiving cabinet should all be locked up for good, Colin. Yet again the people of Britain have been sold down the river by a bunch of smooth-talking incomppetents. As well as cheering our fantastic NHS workers tonight, we should also be sticking our bare arses out of our windows and jeering and farting at this hopeless "government".

Roger Talbot ● 2407d

They've always been a bunch of useless, lying, smooth-talking incompetents, so why are we surprised now. The real surprise is why so many people voted for them in the first place.

Peter Evans ● 2407d

Italian Government Under FireSpanish Government Under FireUS Government Under FireGermany Government Under FireAustralian Government Under FireEven the Swedish goverment is under fire for the relaxed coronavirus approachEvery goverment is under fire

Julian Pavey ● 2407d

Because the alternative was even more appalling.

Claire Moran ● 2407d

Personally I will not be going out much for the next 12 months, but the question still stands if anyone is confident that they have had the symptoms, they have quarantined for 7 days after the symptoms have gone, they are now no longer at risk of transmitting the virus to anyone. It is scientifically improbable that they could catch it again before week 40, so why do they need to stay indoors at all times? Matt Hancock has completed his isolation period, why is he not still locked up indoors? 

Colin Potter ● 2407d

I imagine it's because he is a key worker. He was confirmed to have C19 and he's recovered. He's in charge of the NHS, which makes it quite important he is able to have us much freedom do as much as he can. Likewise, NHS staff who have thankfully recovered should also be able to go back to work once they're immune/unlikely to transmit. It would be great if the rest of us could all instantly have an antibody test and those who have immunity could return to some degree of normality. But it's not happening soon.

Rob Reynolds ● 2407d

‘If anyone is confident they have had the symptoms’, then their confidence is misplaced.  Until you or anyone has been told definitively by an appropriate medical professional that they have had the symptoms and recovered, that they have acquired immunity and that there is zero risk of passing the virus on then they should follow all the social isolation rules.  Richard said it all in his earlier posting.

Alastair Banton ● 2407d

Julian is right: there isn't a government anywhere in Europe that isn't being vilified for their approach to this unprecedented crisis. What are the French complaining about? Lack of testing. Lack of protective gear for medical staff. Any of that sound familiar?We shan't know for years which was the 'right' approach for dealing with this.

Susan Kelly ● 2407d

The Government have to take advice from the "experts" if they made a move without listening everyone would be moaning about that as well.

Janice Evans ● 2406d

The government advice is that if you show symptoms you must not visit the hospital or your GP, what you are recommending is that when I was ill I should have ignored the advice and got myself diagnosed. Everyone is expected to self -diagnose themselves when they have got it, but they cannot self-diagnose at the end of the quarantine period? So everyone now has Schrödinger's virus and must stay indoors forever?

Colin Potter ● 2406d

The 'experts' that they are listening to are those who are in the government circle, there are many experienced and renowned people outside this golden bubble who may also have something to contribute. We can only hope that the government aren't being told what they want to hear.

Vanessa Smith ● 2406d

who told us there was no need to wear face masks as cannot remember.

Janice Evans ● 2406d

Haha, I like the Schrodinger’s virus idea, but seriously I don’t think the government recommendations are that you should ‘stay indoors forever’, only that you should maintain the same social distancing as everybody else.  Best not to be too confident of your own immunity for everyone’s sake.

Alastair Banton ● 2406d

Lot more people wearing masks as they walk past my house. (No, it's not because I haven't showered since lockdown (I have)).

Susan Kelly ● 2406d

Lot more people were wearing face masks today.

Janice Evans ● 2406d