What would you do? Someone who’s just had Covid.

[Fairygodmother]

Hi everyone,
I’m asking for your thoughts.
I’ve been asked to a friend’s tomorrow. One of the people who’ll be there has caught Covid and their isolation will end tomorrow. As far as I know, a PCR is no longer provided to ensure that a person is negative at the end of the isolation period.
I’m Type 1, I’m 17 days away from being 72 years old and I’ve had T1 since I was 20.
I wonder if I’m being a wuss thinking that it might be foolhardy to feel apprehensive even though we’ll wrap up warm and stay outdoors except for any necessary trips to the indoor loo.
If you were in my feet, what would you do? (They’re not bad for 72 year old feet but they’ve seen better days.)

 

[coby]

Hi everyone,
I’m asking for your thoughts.
I’ve been asked to a friend’s tomorrow. One of the people who’ll be there has caught Covid and their isolation will end tomorrow. As far as I know, a PCR is no longer provided to ensure that a person is negative at the end of the isolation period.
I’m Type 1, I’m 17 days away from being 72 years old and I’ve had T1 since I was 20.
I wonder if I’m being a wuss thinking that it might be foolhardy to feel apprehensive even though we’ll wrap up warm and stay outdoors except for any necessary trips to the indoor loo.
If you were in my feet, what would you do? (They’re not bad for 72 year old feet but they’ve seen better days.)

I know it's meant to be better meeting outdoors, but if it were me then I'd really not take the risk.

 

[Fenn]

I think it depends if you are generally worried and being careful. Personally I go anywhere, do anything but by your question I am going to guess you are/have been cautious throughout, in which case, why stop now? dont go

 

[KK123]

That's a hard one to answer because it is such a personal decision based on your personality type. I would go myself (having been fully jabbed, back at work anyway and coming into contact with people everywhere) but even if you decided to go, I'm guessing you would not have a great time through worrying and not being able to relax. So what's the point if you won't enjoy yourself? x

 

[HurricaneHippo]

I wouldn’t go

 

[LaoDan]

it would depend on the isolation period. Longer than 21 days is probably safe. I’d ask for a rain check if anything less

 

[zand]

It's a tricky one.

Back on 2nd March 2020 my son and I decided to go to a football match. The stand had a high roof and a back wall, but we were near the front and therefore practically in the open air. We decided this would be our last one for a while as Covid was beginning to take hold. There had been no deaths in our region at all at that stage. My vitamin D level was good and I was 62, obese but with well controlled T2. We went because we enjoy precious mother and son time. How I wish we hadn't gone! 3 days later I had Covid symptoms. That strain of Covid back then was nowhere near as infectious as those around now. However, most of us have been double jabbed by now, so have some level of protection. I know 2 people in their 30s who caught covid after having both jabs. One had a really bad heavy cold/chest infection for a couple of weeks and the other had to stay in bed most of the time for 10 days. So nothing major for them personally really in the scheme of things.

As a T1 you probably aren't overweight and don't have insulin resistance. As a T2 my metabolism is well and truly messed up and no doubt that's why I got the virus worse than maybe some others ( but I did get it more mildly than a heck of alot of people too).

I was asked to look after my grandson this week and declined as he has croup. Not a problem for most adults but I had croup as a child many times and my throat, upper chest and larynx are very weak because of it. I can be ill for 6+ weeks with a throat infection. If he had had flu or a tummy bug I would have looked after him. It just happens that I fear throat infections more than those other things.

I have been out and about for the last couple of months and have been in big crowds again. I wouldn't do that if I had anyone more vulnerable than me at home though.

Like I said a tricky one.

 

[NicoleC1971]

Hi everyone,
I’m asking for your thoughts.
I’ve been asked to a friend’s tomorrow. One of the people who’ll be there has caught Covid and their isolation will end tomorrow. As far as I know, a PCR is no longer provided to ensure that a person is negative at the end of the isolation period.
I’m Type 1, I’m 17 days away from being 72 years old and I’ve had T1 since I was 20.
I wonder if I’m being a wuss thinking that it might be foolhardy to feel apprehensive even though we’ll wrap up warm and stay outdoors except for any necessary trips to the indoor loo.
If you were in my feet, what would you do? (They’re not bad for 72 year old feet but they’ve seen better days.)

I have similar issue with an older client (plus co morbidities) who is anxious to come and train because he may come into contact with someone who has covid or people who aren't vaccinated. We ended up training in a spare squash court with doors open for ventilation and walking outside. He told me that he was glad he'd overcome his anxiety to come in.
Unless someone has done a test before entry to the house how would you know that they are not pre symptomatic covid sufferers. The same applies to going into a cafe or anywhere indoors. The difference is that you happen to know this medical fact about someone but don't about all the other people plus their viromes that you inadvertently spend time with.
The reason the isolation period is so long is that it gives plenty of padding around the highly infectious days just before and during the disease.
Assuming you are vaccinated then statistically speaking you should be protected from serious illness.
Now that this is endemic I suppose you should think about how you want to live through this next Winter and beyond ? As the implications of not going on this occasion are that you will never go to the cinema, a cafe, pub or restaurant or concert again. This might be a bubble that you are happy to be in for now but surely there are some longer term implications for your health, including mental health, to cutting off lots of social contact.

 

[coby]

I have similar issue with an older client (plus co morbidities) who is anxious to come and train because he may come into contact with someone who has covid or people who aren't vaccinated. We ended up training in a spare squash court with doors open for ventilation and walking outside. He told me that he was glad he'd overcome his anxiety to come in.
Unless someone has done a test before entry to the house how would you know that they are not pre symptomatic covid sufferers. The same applies to going into a cafe or anywhere indoors. The difference is that you happen to know this medical fact about someone but don't about all the other people plus their viromes that you inadvertently spend time with.
The reason the isolation period is so long is that it gives plenty of padding around the highly infectious days just before and during the disease.
Assuming you are vaccinated then statistically speaking you should be protected from serious illness.
Now that this is endemic I suppose you should think about how you want to live through this next Winter and beyond ? As the implications of not going on this occasion are that you will never go to the cinema, a cafe, pub or restaurant or concert again. This might be a bubble that you are happy to be in for now but surely there are some longer term implications for your health, including mental health, to cutting off lots of social contact.

You make some excellent points here Nicole, but we are still seeing well over 30,000 new cases every day and one in seventy of us have it right now. I think if you are a really healthy non-diabetic person, and of course that includes all other debilitating illnesses, and are double jabbed, then you can fight off the virus, but is it worth taking risks while figures are high and hospital admittances are too high still (at least for my own liking). I suppose we all have to weigh up every meeting these days.

 

[NicoleC1971]

You make some excellent points here Nicole, but we are still seeing well over 30,000 new cases every day and one in seventy of us have it right now. I think if you are a really healthy non-diabetic person, and of course that includes all other debilitating illnesses, and are double jabbed, then you can fight off the virus, but is it worth taking risks while figures are high and hospital admittances are too high still (at least for my own liking). I suppose we all have to weigh up every meeting these days.

Cases also reflect the fact that we are testing a lot of people e.g. all secondary school kids at a huge cost. What proportion of these are positive is more relevant e.g. 4% versus 7% in Germany where they are less case obsessed.
Who is being hospitalised with Covid as a passenger and who is in hospital mainly because of Covid? (still not very many though this is bound to rise during Winter).
We just aren't being told all of this data on the mainstream news - just cases, hospitalisations (never discharges) and death! What helps me (type 1 50 yo female so triple risk though less than the OP) is that I've never avoided anything nor been anywhere near track n trace so not constantly being pinged or worrying about it. Not all of us have this fear though I do understand why, after months of being bombarded with it, several people have an exaggerated fear of this particular virus over an above all other causes of illness/accidents etc.

 

[Hertfordshiremum]

Hi everyone,
I’m asking for your thoughts.
I’ve been asked to a friend’s tomorrow. One of the people who’ll be there has caught Covid and their isolation will end tomorrow. As far as I know, a PCR is no longer provided to ensure that a person is negative at the end of the isolation period.
I’m Type 1, I’m 17 days away from being 72 years old and I’ve had T1 since I was 20.
I wonder if I’m being a wuss thinking that it might be foolhardy to feel apprehensive even though we’ll wrap up warm and stay outdoors except for any necessary trips to the indoor loo.
If you were in my feet, what would you do? (They’re not bad for 72 year old feet but they’ve seen better days.)

Hi A tricky decision but the fact that you have posted probably means you are uncomfortable about going. What happens when you are ill? Do you have high BG and ketones and struggle to keep these under control? I have discussed this with my nurse she says Corona virus raises your BG and if hospitalised the treatment raises it even more. I am more worried about DKA if I get Covid. A personal decision though.

 

[JohnEGreen]

If I were in your feet I would make my excuses and politely decline the invitation.

You have stayed clear of Covid thus far so I would keep it that way as far as possible.

 

[Grant_Vicat]

Hi everyone,
I’m asking for your thoughts.
I’ve been asked to a friend’s tomorrow. One of the people who’ll be there has caught Covid and their isolation will end tomorrow. As far as I know, a PCR is no longer provided to ensure that a person is negative at the end of the isolation period.
I’m Type 1, I’m 17 days away from being 72 years old and I’ve had T1 since I was 20.
I wonder if I’m being a wuss thinking that it might be foolhardy to feel apprehensive even though we’ll wrap up warm and stay outdoors except for any necessary trips to the indoor loo.
If you were in my feet, what would you do? (They’re not bad for 72 year old feet but they’ve seen better days.)

You're certainly not being a wuss, just showing innate common sense. Many pertinent thoughts so far - presumably the person is a true friend and would honour whatever decision you take? My wife's 21 year-old niece caught covid, after her 1st jab, 2 weeks ago... But I can't advise. My aunt (1907-1992) never drove, got in a plane etc because her street was bombed in WW1. I often wonder whether this "insurance" is worth it? In your shoes I can fully understand this is no light decision. Long may you reign!

 

[lucylocket61]

My situation may be different, but i weigh it up like this:

my double vaccination has reduced my risk from getting covid from almost certain death to very very ill, but will survive. I may be permanently impaired, but will survive. I have to have a very good reason for interaction with others.

I can still pick up the germs and pass them on to others who may not be as fortunate as me, as they may not be able to be vaccinated, or the vaccine isnt as effective for them. I dont want that kind of responsibility for a non essential interaction.

I think that, often, the effect of our behaviours on others, who may be more vulnerable, isnt taken into consideration enough with decision making - I am speaking generally here.

We each have to make our own decisions with this.

 

[SaskiaKC]

I wouldn't go. I have a neighbor in her 70s, T2, fully vaccinated ... still got covid, was in the hospital for several days, back home now but still not fully recovered.

 

[SuNuman]

Hi everyone,
I’m asking for your thoughts.
I’ve been asked to a friend’s tomorrow. One of the people who’ll be there has caught Covid and their isolation will end tomorrow. As far as I know, a PCR is no longer provided to ensure that a person is negative at the end of the isolation period.
I’m Type 1, I’m 17 days away from being 72 years old and I’ve had T1 since I was 20.
I wonder if I’m being a wuss thinking that it might be foolhardy to feel apprehensive even though we’ll wrap up warm and stay outdoors except for any necessary trips to the indoor loo.
If you were in my feet, what would you do? (They’re not bad for 72 year old feet but they’ve seen better days.)

Hi if I were 72 I wouldn’t go irrespective of whether I were diabetic or not. I’m 53; my bro in his 70’s and he is still very careful (he is T2). Stay safe and say no thanks. X

 

[Ushthetaff]

Would say you have to do what you feel comfortable with, personally I’ve done everything I can to protect myself and others , vaccinations lockdown rules etc. There has to come a time en I have to get on with life , the cases in Scotland where I live are high , but there is a hell of a lot more testing going on so . as someone has already stated there’s a lot of stats about ,but we do know that the death rate per case is dramatically lowered the choice is as always a personal one but we have to realise COVID will never be eradicated even if everyone is double or even triple jabbed , ( let’s face it we haven’t eradicated the flu and we accept that it kills over 11,000 people a year in fact in. The winter of 2017 the figure was reportedly 4 times that ) from a totally personal point of view I believe life is all about risk and minimising risk is important but zero risk is impossible .but at the end of the day the decision is a personal one and should be respected

 

[Fairygodmother]

Hi A tricky decision but the fact that you have posted probably means you are uncomfortable about going. What happens when you are ill? Do you have high BG and ketones and struggle to keep these under control? I have discussed this with my nurse she says Corona virus raises your BG and if hospitalised the treatment raises it even more. I am more worried about DKA if I get Covid. A personal decision though.

Yes, you’re right, I do feel uncomfortable. I went to a very small birthday meeting, just 3 of us to celebrate a friend’s longevity, yesterday. It was at a cafe and I was assured it would be outdoors, but it was on a pavement by a busy pedestrian area. Not nice for me.
As for the DKA, yes, as a T1, an oldie T1, it’s the way Covid latches on to ACE2 and demands glucose to fuel its reproduction that concerns me. Even though my HbA1c is very good, my average bs is good, I’m not obese, it’s the DKA that is the weak link between drinking tea and setting up a daisy farm.
It’s a hard decision. I had the same group here, outdoors, early in the summer when numbers were lower and mitigations like masks were still in place. Now, with the current free for all, I feel much more vulnerable. And we heard yesterday that children with T1 were amongst the most vulnerable that should be given the vaccine implying that at last, T1D has become a vulnerability of concern. (Phrase echo is deliberate)

 

[Fairygodmother]

it would depend on the isolation period. Longer than 21 days is probably safe. I’d ask for a rain check if anything less

The isolation period is 10 days after the symptoms appear. The person who had Covid says they now feel fine, but I know too little about the length of time that someone remains infective apart from the ‘most infective for the first five asymptomatic days’. I also deduce that an individual’s immune system will be the reason why people have such varied experiences of Covid, from not seeming to get it al all to being very ill with it, even if double vaxxed.
I wish there were a reliable way to test for infection. The person in question hasn’t been given a PCR at the end of the isolation period - we know that LFTs are unreliable, especially hose procured expensively and in haste.

 

[Fairygodmother]

I have similar issue with an older client (plus co morbidities) who is anxious to come and train because he may come into contact with someone who has covid or people who aren't vaccinated. We ended up training in a spare squash court with doors open for ventilation and walking outside. He told me that he was glad he'd overcome his anxiety to come in.
Unless someone has done a test before entry to the house how would you know that they are not pre symptomatic covid sufferers. The same applies to going into a cafe or anywhere indoors. The difference is that you happen to know this medical fact about someone but don't about all the other people plus their viromes that you inadvertently spend time with.
The reason the isolation period is so long is that it gives plenty of padding around the highly infectious days just before and during the disease.
Assuming you are vaccinated then statistically speaking you should be protected from serious illness.
Now that this is endemic I suppose you should think about how you want to live through this next Winter and beyond ? As the implications of not going on this occasion are that you will never go to the cinema, a cafe, pub or restaurant or concert again. This might be a bubble that you are happy to be in for now but surely there are some longer term implications for your health, including mental health, to cutting off lots of social contact.

It’s all about watching the way the virus is behaving locally Nicole. I’ve not been confined by fear. I’ve been to stay with daughter and family in the Midlands, I’ve been on holiday here in the U.K., I’ve frequently visited daughter and friends closer to home, all while keeping an eye on the way the virus behaves. Because of their jobs, both daughters, and son-in-law, amd friends we’ve been visited by, do regular tests too. I admit I won’t go to the cinema yet, and I miss it, but I did get to the Van Gogh exhibition, and as a result I’m now saving up for a virtual reality headset.
I’m not a recluse. I’m not cowed. My mental health is best when I acknowledge a threat and take measures to deal with it.