Christmas with the vaccine refusers??

Yes, I read about that Daisymae, 43,000 out of the 313 million tests that have been done, so 0.01% were wrong. Clearly its awful for the people affected, but it hasn't shaken my trust in the tests.

Alegrian - a lab in England has recently passed 43000 positive PCR test as negative. I would think that there's some lack of confidence in testing at the moment.
www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/15/public-urged-to-retake-covid-tests-after-false-negatives-in-berkshire

It's your health. Your house. Your rules. It doesn't matter if anyone thinks you're being OTT. Will they think that at your funeral if they infected you?? Too late! Pesonally I wouldn't have them in the house without a mask, and no staying to lunch because they'd have to take their masks off. I still insist that anyone I don't know that comes into my house has to wear a mask. And those I do know who haven't vaccinated are not allowed in. I haven't struggled with lockdown, protected my disabled husband and lived a quiet life for 18 months for someone who should know better to infect me! As a compromise you could ask them to have tests two days before they come. Don't take the risk. If they cannot respect your concerns then don't take the risk for their harebrained reluctance.

If the vaccine is so wonderful, why worry if some people haven’t had it. Surely it’s personal choice
You can still catch it vaccinated or un vaccinated

Wearing face masks is not the answer!!!! Stop testing if you have no symptoms that's the answer!!!
People are becoming neurotic with every sniffle, head ache, sore throat, and test themselves straight away instead of just getting on with life, it's just a cold!!!! Whatever happened to Common sense!!!

That’s not good Pammie1 have you lodged a complaint to the hospital about this? They should review their processes as a result of your experience.

We should respect each other’s choices. My choice would be to only have fully vaccinated, lateral flow test negative people in my house for Christmas. My house, my choice.

I agree, you should stick to your principles and support your DH. People consciously choosing not to be vaccinated need to accept the consequences of their decisions.

Pippins6133

Can we be sure that LFTs and PCR tests are reliable?

My husband contracted Covid in hospital - on admission he tested positive on a LFT, having strictly shielded for 12 months because he’s CEV. Instead of placing him in isolation they put him straight in a side ward with people who had Covid. They did two PCR tests a couple of days apart and both were negative but by then it was too late and he came home with Covid and passed it on to me - we were both really ill for weeks. The exact same thing happened to one of our neighbours, but unfortunately her husband passed away as a result. In both cases, the results of the PCR tests were not notified by the hospital - the results came through via the NHS app. I’ve used LFTs several times and have come up positive on one occasion earlier this year - a PCR test proved negative. So no, I’m not convinced LFTs are reliable.

I’m CEV and basically unless you’ve been vaccinated you don’t get over my doorstep. I realise it’s a lottery when you’re out and about but I take steps to protect myself - keep my distance, still wear a mask and use hand sanitiser etc. Those who refuse the vaccine are relying on those who have to keep them safe.

I think by them having a negative test is the only way that will feel comfortable about them being in your company. Let's hope they are happy to do so.

It’s your choice Daisymae who you have in your house. My 19year old granddaughter recently came to live with me and it was on the understanding she got double jabbed. She did get vaccinated but protested, I think it was fear of needles mostly. But I’m enjoying my little house mate, for all I see of her!! ?

grandtanteJE6, ECV, means Extremely, clinically vulnerable and at the highest risk of death from Covid. He should have been sheilding during the pandemic. So after making that sacrifice, it would be a terrible thing to catch Covid now.
The OP has a very good reason for worrying.

I wonder how many who refuse vaccinations have come across someone who has had smallpox, a highly infectious, deadly and horribly disfiguring disease. And I wonder if they have any idea why they haven't.

The answer is, of course vaccination.

Pippins6133

Can we be sure that LFTs and PCR tests are reliable?

Yes, yes we can.

Can we be sure that LFTs and PCR tests are reliable?

ECV - sorry - Extremely Clinically Vulnerable.

I think if they opt not to be vaccinated without any medical reason then they must accept the consequences of that. I don't understand why everyone else should feel obligated to work around it.

I have no idea what ECV stands for, but I gather you are anxious about your husband's state of health. This being so, having an unvaccinated person visiting is surely exposing him to a risk.

In your place I would regretfully and as kindly as possible tell the family that you and your husband are going to spend Christmas and New Year on your own, as you dare not expose him to the risk of catching covid 19.

Send their presents in good time, or make arrangements to drop them off and say you hope that by this time next year the pandemic is a thing of the past, so you can invite them.

YOu may well be running the risk of offending them, but is that not infinitely preferrable to running the risk of your husband becoming seriously ill?

The important fact and what I think some posters have missed, is that the OP's husband is extremely clinically vulnerable. That makes him even more vulnerable to the virus. The advice for people in that category, is still to be very careful around others. Many of us require a full third vaccination, as opposed to a booster. I would politely explain this to anyone wishing to visit and why I am concerned.

Friends of ours decided to refuse vaccination; their reasoning is that they don't want side effects (does anyone, by the way?) and they feel that if enough people are vaccinated they will be ok. I find this stupendously selfish and have had to choke back my anger . If they make any moves to visit I will try to keep as calm as possible and tell them that I don't want them to come. I have two vulnerable people in my immediate family and really cannot believe that such selfishness can be demonstrated.

welbeck

your husband's health is far more important than what anyone may think of you.

Well said.
They are sticking to their beliefs and not considering either you or your husband and the consequences.
Don't feel guilty just calmly explain if they object to not being invited.
Your worrying might be over if you told them now and not in two months time.

I would be polite and tell them that you are unable to allow them to come to the house or see them until they have all been vaccinated.
My 13 year old daughter had covid a week ago, caught at school. And another granddaughter has given me a horrendous cough.

As Callistemon has posted, despite being vaccinated you could still get the virus Daisymae and pass it on. Anyone not vaccinated is at greater risk than you.

Ask them to take a test before they come and say that you and your H will be doing the same. That way, regardless of whether or not someone's not vaccinated, you'll all feel reassured.

To an extent I think you have to be pragmatic about who is vaccinated and who isn't. We are vaccinated against a host of things but we don't ask anybody whether they have had those vaccinations even though they may be infectious. The only way I would treat anybody differently is if I had someone with me who was particularly vulnerable and then I wouldn't expect them to be put at risk. Just in the same way that we wouldn't want someone with German Measles socialising with a pregnant woman.

A letter from DoH to ECV suggests asking visitors tohave a covid test before visiting - or to wear masks in enclosed spaces. It might be appropriate to ask your vaccine refusers to comply, although masks for family are nigh impossible. It might be worth making a test compulsory and be clear that if positive, they will be asked to stay away. CEVs have sacrificed a lot since the outbreak and it would be a tragedy if an xmas gathering undid all the effort in to staying healthy