Travelling to family for Christmas?

As a gp you obviously understand the system and the guidance given. You also understand how to protect yourself as much as possible and how to be careful in public places.
Surely you have access to tests, so why not just get yourself tested too if you have been working?
I can't understand why you are causing yourself all this soul searching.

We live in Berkshire and parts of it are not too bad especially if you are going to the Newbury area. Avoid Reading at all costs and Slough of course which is in Tier 3. It depends which part of Berkshire you are going to.

That is shocking MOnica

Have you said anything to anyone about the state of the hospital toilets? Someone in authority needs to have serious words with the cleaning company.

What a dreadful situation where motorway services toilets are cleaner than those in hospitals.

Just once could be excused but it’s shocking to think you have encountered this for five weeks.

Stay at home- I personally do not think it is worth the risk if like me you have seen an awful lot more of the inside of your house than normal. I am marginally more use alive than dead.

You will be safer in Motorway Service Station loos than hospital visitor loos.

DH is in hospital, thankfully visiting is allowed on a strict and restricted manner. As home to home is 3 hours and more. usually need to use the loo at some time - and they are disgusting, often not working and dirty. I have been doing this for 5 weeks and I am still healthy.

Wipe the seat, wear a mask and disposable gloves. As soon as you are out of the loo strip the gloves off and dispose of them and use sanitiser on your hands.

That is a lot safer than hospitals are happy with and should make your journey safe and just go and enjoy your Christmas..

This is the dilemma that many have had to contend with, what you can do v what you should. That's something only you can decide. It would be easier with a blanket ban on mixing, which may yet happen.

If you still decide to go (I would !) maybe I can allay your fears about using motorway loos.

In my experience they have been fine. Clean, not crowded and every other cubicle and wash basin are closed so you wouldn’t be in close proximity to anyone.

The last time I called in one they were strictly limiting the numbers allowed in. There were hand sanitisers by the door. Masks were mandatory of course, so they have done all they can to keep everyone safe.

Of course between now and Christmas the rules could change confining us all to barracks again!

Have you and all the people you will be joining quarantined for the two weeks before Christmas? This started last Friday. If you or they haven’t, there will always be a risk, especially as the numbers are exploding atm. If you google Covid Christmas scientists lots of articles pop up. We are cancelling our family Christmas, my sisters DIL is vulnerable and is currently living with them so it’s not worth the risk.

I wouldn’t go, I’ve disappointed all my grown up GC as we always get together on Christmas Day evening for our Secret Santa gift giving but I’ve decided home is the safest for me.

My eldest GS rang me to say how disappointed he was ‘when will we see you Grandma’ brought me to tears but I said ‘Keiran how would you feel if I caught it and died’? He got my point then. With the vaccine on the horizon why put yourselves at risk now.

I would selfisolate for 10 days then go to the family covid free for sure.

I am sorry but I don’t understand, you say you are a GP? Listen to what you think is safe not the regulations given out by the government. Keep safe.

Delay. It's not worth the risk.