Covid Comes Knocking

~ beetleypete

Julie went to see her grandchildren last week. Her grandson had just had to start back at school, and sure enough, he had a cold.

By Friday evening, Julie didn’t feel so good, and thought she might be geting a cold. Children are very infectious, in more ways than one.

But the pubs had to open, and the schools had to go back. Whatever the outcome.

On Saturday, she had a dry cough, runny nose, streaming eyes, and a headache.

She spent most of Sunday in bed, sleeping for almost sixteen hours after a disturbed night on Saturday.

This morning, she had to ring in to the doctor’s surgery where she works, and book a call with the Practice Nurse. It is a requirement of course, although she has no real symptoms of Covid-19 that are any more serious than the Common Cold.

After a brief discussion, she has been told that she must now self-isolate, and book a government-controlled Covid-19 test online. Self-isolation is not considered to be the same as sickness absence from work, so she may not get paid. She has to tell everyone she has been in close contact with, and I am supposed to self-isolate too. Even though I don’t have the slightest symptom.

So who is going to walk Ollie? He won’t go to the toilet in our garden, and will hold himself until he is ill if he doesn’t go out. And what about grocery shopping? I only buy for each week, and there is very little left in the house to eat. I could try to book an online shop, but what are we supposed to eat and drink meanwhile? How am I supposed to manage everyday lfe in a small rural village if I cannot venture out for fourteen days? Luckily, I can avoid local people, neighbours, and any family members living in Norfolk. But pets have to be cared for, and we have to eat, even if we can’t go anywhere, or do anything else.

Suddenly, it is at our door, and there are decisions to be made.

I will be taking Ollie out. I can wear a mask, make the walk short, and keep well-away from any other dog-walkers I might encounter.
And I will be going to the supermarket too, as wearing a mask there is compulsory anyway, and I don’t have to come into contact with anyone if I am careful.

One phone call can change so much, in 2020.

By the end of next month, the Flu season will be upon us, and hundreds of thousands of people will have symptoms identical to some of those associated with Covid-19.

There is almost certainly going to have to be another nationwide lockdown before Christmas.

121 thoughts on “Covid Comes Knocking”

  1. Pingback: Covid Comes Knocking — beetleypete – Kristalin Davis' Musings on the Human Condition

  4. Little O started Reception a couple of weeks ago. We started a WhatsApp Group for the parents. The primary topic of conversation is about trying to get Covid tests for children who have got seasonal cold symptoms. Many tests have been done. No children have tested positive. Everyone is on high alert.

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  6. Good to know Julie got a test ok, although getting the result is the key here 🙂 Lets hope that happens swiftly.
    We had the same here, in that the kids had to have days off since going back to school as they picked up colds, which in turn was passed onto me. Much the same symptoms, headache, blocked then runny nose and then a dry cough non about day three. The last one is the one that makes you think a little bit too much 🙂 No temperature though so I carried on as normal and wore my mask in public places. I’m not sure how fast the testing is over here, but I do know that you have to speak with a doctor first who will then suggest a test if the symptoms warrant it (which seems quite a sensible approach)
    But as you say, things are going to get worse again over the winter. Having listened to your scientists yesterday the government is just laying the ground for tougher measures and more chaos.
    Stay safe 🙂

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  7. This virus has altered the world completely. It will not go away. We will have to learn to live with it.
    I am so sorry you are facing this wolf at the door. Hopefully this is just a worrisome event, not really infection.
    Mask up and walk the dog if you feel OK. Just distance from others (good idea anyway right now) Exercise, fresh air, and sunshine are critical to maintain the immune system so it can fight. Keep moving – as Docs tell pneumonia patients – and all respiratory illness patients – to not lay down and stay still. Moving improves mood and eases stress – both help fight off stuff.
    Stupid virus. We haven’t been places in months – ordering groceries online and curbside pick up gets used to, but works pretty well ( but I’d rather pick out the tomatoes and veggies myself. Sigh)
    Paws crossed and positive energy sent for you and Julie/family. You can do this!

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  8. It’s natural to consider the virus in Julie’s case. Perhaps it will be something else less serious. That doesn’t replace the worry and inconvenience you will have right now, but you’ll do what is necessary. Can one of your friends do the grocery shopping for your a couple of times if you don’t have access to a delivery service?

    My son is a college football coach (American football), and two of the kids on the team came down with the virus during the summer. That was before practice had begun, but they could have exposed others in the weight room. He and thirty-seven others went into quarantine for ten days. Thankfully, no one else contracted it. Two days before they were set to begin fall practice, they postponed the season until the spring.

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  11. Unless we are put into the position your now in we don’t think of the impact. It must be frustrating and scary for you all, hopefully you have neighbors who would be willing to drop off essentials to your door.
    Here when this all started, on line grocery shopping had up to 3 week delays.
    Anyway, all of you keep safe and well, I know there is a silver lining.

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  15. I’m so sorry, Pete. The testing seems to be utterly shambolic and I hope Julie finds one a bit closer to home. Someone I know who lives in Lancashire (one of the worst hit places just now) was offered a test almost 100 miles away. She told them there was a test centre 15 minutes from her house and wouldn’t give up until they agreed that was acceptable. I hope it’s just a cold. But how often will people have to go through this when the season of coughs, colds, and flu is almost on us?

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  19. Sorry to hear Pete and I hope Julie is better soon. Taking the precautions that you suggest are more than adequate especially as you are not symptomatic. I have got into the habit of taking my temperature each morning as I am the one going out to do the shopping etc more as a precaution so that I don’t infect my husband with anything I hope it will give me an early warning of anything untoward.. xx

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  21. So sorry to hear Pete…as you say, the next flu season will be upon us soon, just making it all the more difficult to isolate the corona virus…it seems the rest of the year is going to be a very bumpy ride…I hope she gets better soon, and that it turns out to just be a.bad cold…

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  23. Pingback: Covid Comes Knocking — beetleypete | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News

  24. Here in Clark County, we currently have 64,160 confirmed cases (up 2.1% since last week) of COVID-19, and the death toll is 1,329 deaths (up 5.3% since last week). The vast majority of county residents live in the Las Vegas Valley. Driving around town, traffic is heavy as usual. But most businesses have a sign that reads: “No shirt. No shoes. No mask. No service.” That includes all restaurants (once inside, though, everyone takes off their masks to eat, so what’s the point?).

    This year marks the first season of play for the Las Vegas Raiders (formerly, the Oakland Raiders), and they will play football for the first time in the brand new Allegiant Stadium here in Las Vegas. But there will be no fans seated in the stadium…

    COVID-19 has really messed up the world. And it’s messing up your life, Pete! It’s easy for the government to say, “Grin and bear it.” But let’s face it, we’re human beings who have needs! So you just have to do whatever you can to make life as normal as possible under the circumstances. So cheat where you can get away with it. But do it safely.

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      1. By the way, the Las Vegas Raiders came from far behind to win the game yesterday. They beat the New Orleans Saints 34-24. Just goes to show you: Where’s there’s a will, there’s a way. In other words, faced with a dilemma, there’s a way to sort things out! (And, in some cases, very quickly!)

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  25. Oh so sorry to hear this Pete! You’d think they’d have tests available at the schools or at the local medical clinics. Sadly, access to testing has been a problem here as well; it makes no sense at all. Hopefully it’s just a cold, and you’ll have test results soon. I hope Julie feels better soon. Take care my friend.

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  27. Oh man Pete, I’m so sorry. I know what you are going through. In my vacation my mother had to take a Corona test as well, and even though it seemed that it would not be Corona, these days you can’t be sure anymore (it luckily wasn’t). But man…it was a tense few days until the test results came back. So yeah, I feel for you. I hope it will just be a cold. You are in my thought, and until then I will cross my fingers for you🤞😊

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  30. No “like” for this post, Pete. I can only keep my fingers crossed that it really is not more than a common cold. That self-quarantine ca really be tough on people with animals that need to be walked. I remember a blogging-friend in Spain who, at the height of their lockdown, wasn’t allowed to leave her flat to walk her dog, even if she had never been in contact who had the virus. She had to sneak out at night, always in fear of the police. As to shopping: it seems that you can’t, as we can, order online and pick the stuff up outside of the store? Here, we don’t have to even leave the car: all the goods are put in the trunk by a shop assistant.
    Good luck, my friend,
    Pit

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  32. How long does it take to get the test, and also the results? And does her grandson have to do anything as well, or does he have a common cold? It’s scary when it hits close to home. Keep us posted, Pete. Best to you, and Julie, and Ollie.

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    1. Her grandson doesn’t have to have a test as he recovered completely after two days and has no symptoms. Julie is trying to book one online, but they are offering her test centres almost 100 miles away. It is a complete shambles over here, sadly.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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      1. This is very different. Here, every child is scanned upon entering school, public or private. Parents have to fill out a daily online form regarding their child’s health. Teachers have to fill out the same form, too. If there is a cough, sniffle, or fever, the child cannot enter the building. S/he must get a doctor’s note before returning to school. Parents can’t take their child home and return to school a few days later. Children have to be seen by a doctor. I’m surprised Julie’s grandson could go back to school without a doctor’s note. Often the virus doesn’t have symptoms.

        Is it a pain for parents? Yes. Does it stop the spread of the virus? Yes. So, it’s what we’re doing.

        Poor Julie! She either has to book a test online or drive 100 miles to to get tested. That is terrible. I understand why you say it is complete shambles. My heart and best wishes go out to Julie.

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  34. Although it sounds like a cold, I can’t imagine how frightening this is for you both. And the fact that it’s still so difficult to get tested, especially as Julie works for the NIH, is completely unacceptable. The position you both are in truly show how both are governments are failing their people. Take care, both of you, and please keep us posted Pete. I’m keeping everything crossed that it’s not Covid.

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  35. Pete I am so sorry. This is a nightmare. You could go shopping at a very quiet time. With mask, as you say. Can you get fined for that? Who is to know anyway? But it would scare the shit out of me doing that. Will the Council help with some basic shopping? As for Ollie, same again. I would risk going anyway. You are in an unpopulated area. Go at a quiet time if you can. But as for the test! What a shambles. I do hope that Julie can get one closer. And I hope she improves soon. This is just madness. Yes, everyone is going to be self isolating soon at this rate. Just a nightmare. Thoughts for you and good vibes coming your way. Xxxx

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  38. I hope Julie gets good news. Please take care Pete and don’t break any guidelines. I have heard of test kids being mailed with instructions for people to use in the UK. Certainly a huge inconvenience but I’m hoping that is what it is at the end of the day. Best wishes to you Pete and Julie and Ollie.

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  39. That is the new reality. Every symptom is one that causes us concern. And every symptom requires a test, and of course the worry that ensues. I send my best wishes to Julie and hope this is simply a cold and nothing more. We have had similar circumstances in our family, but it has not yet crossed our door. We, too, are rural, but testing has been widely available here. Sending you positive and uplifting thoughts.

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  40. I hope she can get a test soon and it’s negative. There no specific symptoms, although in many places they test the temperature as a guidance (and they do here at schools as well). I’m not sure how far off from everywhere you live, but big supermarkets can make pretty quick deliveries. (Living in a city, here many of the delivery services for food also deliver food items. Even Amazon deliver some staples, but not a big variety. I suspect local shops might be a better option if required). I know many communities organised volunteers to help, but I don’t know what there might be available in your neck of the woods. I’ve read about the problems with the tests in the NHS and many doctors have mentioned their own problems getting tested, so it is a sorry state of things for everybody. So much so for looking after those who look after others.
    I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you both, Pete.

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    1. Thanks, Olga. Julie is online trying to get a test, and the first one offered was a 200-mile round trip. That isn’t workable, especially when you feel ill and I am not supposed to be allowed to drive her to it. (She has no high temperature, or loss of taste or smell)
      Best wishes, Pete.

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        1. They have offered her one at a place almost 100 miles away. And she is not allowed to let me drive her there. Naturally, she has turned that down, and is still online trying to get one closer. There are 3 testing large sites in Norwich, 20 miles east. But they didn’t offer her one there, not even for later this week. Is it any wonder people are not bothering to get tested here? It’s a crazy system, Peggy.

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        2. There are so many testing sites here people are tripping over them. The problem is the darn tests are not always accurate – and they take so long to get results. Both of those need to change.
          Then there’s the scammers that set up what looks like test sites, do some similar testing actions after taking all sorts of personal information…identity thieves. As if life wasn’t;t complicated enough.

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            1. We had those too – many many free ones in multiple close locations – especially in low income or high density areas where people may not have cars. (Of course this is only one star – other states may do testing differently ).
              How sad it is people put on costumes and pretend to be official medical staff in order to steal people’s information here also. Officials warn people as soon as they realize those groups are out there on media.

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  43. As the NHS web site says, you are supposed to self isolate if “you live with someone who has symptoms or tested positive”. So if anyone in your house has a cold, you are supposed to self-isolate pending a negative test. Completely bloody unworkable! It’s one thing if they have a positive test, but for coughs and runny noses the whole country will be self-isolating within a month waiting for tests you can’t get because, as that Dido idiot says, nobody could forsee the increase in demand. Then who will walk the dogs and deliver the shopping?

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    1. It will just be unworkable, as you say. Potentially, half the population could be self-isolating by the end of November, if you add in all of the relatives and work colleagues of anyone who has a cold They won’t let that happen, I’m sure. I ancicipate a ‘rule change’.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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    1. The first test she was offered was on the other side of Stevenage! Almost 200 miles round trip. You would think that NHS staff would have some access to faster testing so they can get back to work. But that doesn’t happen, apparently.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  47. Sounds like a cold to me too, so as long as you remain at a distance you should be fine. Of course if Julie gets a positive test then you’ll need to stay home and self isolate. Is there anyone who can walk Ollie for you? Community help?

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    1. My next door neighbour is the only one who could walk Ollie, but she is recovering from Leukemia, so shouldn’t come into contact with us at all. It is almost certainly just a cold, but the rules of the game have changed this year.
      Best wishes, Pete. x

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  48. Sorry to hear this. Take him out- you can avoid standing next to people! When you next are able to go shopping stock up so if you do get “symptoms” you will be able to stay at home with all the things you need already in your home.

    A runny nose isn’t a COVID symptom- sounds like she’s just got a cold. Hopefully it will all turn out fine for you both. Wishing you well x

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