Covid The Rules

COVID rules ended a while ago. Symptoms for most are pretty mild now. Your still alive, the vaccines probably had something to do with that.

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.

Yes agree.

I’m going out with DD today and might pop into M&S to get a couple of bits if we have time after lunch and a visit to the cathedral.

I shall wear a mask in Marks.

I had it for the first time in May and was quite ill, it took me ages to recover my energy levels.
I have a couple of friends who are struggling with lasting effects of Covid, one now has heart problems and another on going lethargy and breathing difficulties, she is a nurse herself and is taking part in a Long Covid research project with Nottingham University & the NHS. There are obviously concerns and need for research into the long term effects in some people.

It is concerning.
I have felt under the weather and more achey in muscles and joints since having Covid several weeks ago. A friend with similar symptoms has been diagnosed with Long Covid; her GP practice seems more aware than ours.

There are other bugs and viruses doing the rounds at the moment, a dreadful cold, Strep A mainly in children and flu.

We still need to be careful but some people are ignoring that and going out when they're unwell.

Because we were unable to have our Covid vaccinations when offered, we've not had flu jabs as the surgery has not done flu jabs separately.

I think they need to keep reminding people that some do still die from Covid and even if you are young and fit you should show consideration for others who are frail or immune compromised and stay home if you are ill. That also applies to those who have the flu. Neither should be ignored or made light of.

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.

"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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

MiniMoon Thank you, we'll try Boots

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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