Finally Debt Free After 34 Years, But Still Need to Live Frugally

EssexHebridean

Great to see you back HH - and Milann absolutely nails it with "real life takes precedence" IMO. As most on here are aware I'm positively famed for disappearing for months at a time and then reappearing when the time is right - sometimes it's the right place to be, and sometimes it's not - and you have to do what's right for you! 

Fabulous news on the job too! Definitely what's needed - and what lovely hours too! Just a shame you got so little time there before the lurgy hit! 

As for the Covid thing - we've still escaped so far but are firmly of the opinion that time must be running out! As for your isolation - check, but I'm pretty sure it's your positive LFT that counts rather than the confirmatory PCR - it certainly used to be, and allowing that since you had your positive the rules have changed I can't see why it would be any different with the LFT taking precedence for you! Otherwise with some people's PCRs currently taking days to get a result to them, it could be that some folk would be having to isolate for over a fortnight! 

As a side note - a "false positive" LFT is really incredibly unlikely - however a false negative PCR is FAR more likely. This is why they have now been able to change the rules (In England at least) so that if you get a positive LFT now you don't even need to confirm.  

A thought - I completely get that you don't want to risk OH - but is there a rom he could temporarily isolate in to allow you to (masked if that would make you feel safer about it) to perhaps have a bit of a cleaning blitz? It would probably be good for both of you - and if you were cleaning, it would be extremely unlikely that you'd pass it to him if you weren't even sharing the same rooms...you could ventilate well while you're "out" and he could then give it an hour or so before he returned to the rest of the house to ensure the ventilation has done its job. I suspect you're at risk of ending up in quite a lot of physical discomfort otherwise with really only your bed to sit on, and no way of taking any form of exercise. (On a similar note - how about you using the garden (I assume you have one - ignore this if not!) once or twice a day for a bit of exercise of some description if the weather allows?  We've already agreed that if one of us gets it the other will just have to take their chance as it's not possible for us to stay that separate. 

Sunshine_girl2

Another one thinking you should be able to go in the garden . Get all the doors wedged open on the way so you don’t touch anything. 

Fidelia

Good suggestion from people about your getting into the garden, Hairy.  After all, you have to leave your bedroom to go to the bathroom.  If you take all possible precautions I think the escape to the garden and fresh air would be really good for your mood.

What college course are you doing at the moment?  I must have missed something if you've already told us.  I know you did your NVQ advanced level when you worked at your TA job.  Is this a more advanced level or something connected specifically with pre-school children?

sashybo

Thanks for asking Hairy, I’m feeling less achey but still tired. Hopefully will be better soon.

I thought you counted the days of self isolation from the day you first had symptoms? Although you didn’t actually have any did you? I’m so confused with all the rules changing all the time!

HairyHandofDartmoor

EssexHebridean said:

Great to see you back HH - and Milann absolutely nails it with "real life takes precedence" IMO. As most on here are aware I'm positively famed for disappearing for months at a time and then reappearing when the time is right - sometimes it's the right place to be, and sometimes it's not - and you have to do what's right for you! 

Fabulous news on the job too! Definitely what's needed - and what lovely hours too! Just a shame you got so little time there before the lurgy hit! 

As for the Covid thing - we've still escaped so far but are firmly of the opinion that time must be running out! As for your isolation - check, but I'm pretty sure it's your positive LFT that counts rather than the confirmatory PCR - it certainly used to be, and allowing that since you had your positive the rules have changed I can't see why it would be any different with the LFT taking precedence for you! Otherwise with some people's PCRs currently taking days to get a result to them, it could be that some folk would be having to isolate for over a fortnight! 

As a side note - a "false positive" LFT is really incredibly unlikely - however a false negative PCR is FAR more likely. This is why they have now been able to change the rules (In England at least) so that if you get a positive LFT now you don't even need to confirm.  

A thought - I completely get that you don't want to risk OH - but is there a rom he could temporarily isolate in to allow you to (masked if that would make you feel safer about it) to perhaps have a bit of a cleaning blitz? It would probably be good for both of you - and if you were cleaning, it would be extremely unlikely that you'd pass it to him if you weren't even sharing the same rooms...you could ventilate well while you're "out" and he could then give it an hour or so before he returned to the rest of the house to ensure the ventilation has done its job. I suspect you're at risk of ending up in quite a lot of physical discomfort otherwise with really only your bed to sit on, and no way of taking any form of exercise. (On a similar note - how about you using the garden (I assume you have one - ignore this if not!) once or twice a day for a bit of exercise of some description if the weather allows?  We've already agreed that if one of us gets it the other will just have to take their chance as it's not possible for us to stay that separate. 

Thanks EH 😊. It is great news that I've got my new job.

Omicron does seem to to be catching people who dodged all the other variants, me being a case in point, so we may all catch it at some point I guess, but hopefully milder for those who are vaccinated and boostered.

The LFT do seem very accurate. Funnily enough I had no trouble getting a PCR booked and got the result the same night, plus the testing centre was practically deserted with more staff than people wanting tests.

I probably could go into the garden, (although I'd have to dodge DH and the three DSs), and I may do that eventually, although as our garden is about the same size as my bedroom it would have limited exercise potential 😂. 

HairyHandofDartmoor

Sunshine_girl2 said:

Another one thinking you should be able to go in the garden . Get all the doors wedged open on the way so you don’t touch anything. 

I may do at some point Sunshine.

Fidelia said:

Good suggestion from people about your getting into the garden, Hairy.  After all, you have to leave your bedroom to go to the bathroom.  If you take all possible precautions I think the escape to the garden and fresh air would be really good for your mood.

What college course are you doing at the moment?  I must have missed something if you've already told us.  I know you did your NVQ advanced level when you worked at your TA job.  Is this a more advanced level or something connected specifically with pre-school children?

I've got my Level 2 and 3 TA qualifications, but I need an early years qualification to work with under 5s so I'm studying for my Level 2 early years practitioner course. Once I've got that I'll do my Level 3 in early years. There is a lot of crossover with safeguarding, health and safety, etc, etc, but employers expect staff to have the specific early years qualifications.

sashybo said:

Thanks for asking Hairy, I’m feeling less achey but still tired. Hopefully will be better soon.

I thought you counted the days of self isolation from the day you first had symptoms? Although you didn’t actually have any did you? I’m so confused with all the rules changing all the time!

I'm glad you're feeling a bit better Sashybo. I think that the day your symptoms start, (or the day you tested positive if you have no symptoms like me), is day 0. But I could be wrong  🤔.

HairyHandofDartmoor

They've just changed the rules so that you only have to self isolate for five day from Monday.

Does that apply to me do you think? Or does it only apply to people who get infected after Monday?

Baileys_Babe

HairyHandofDartmoor said:

I probably could go into the garden, (although I'd have to dodge DH and the three DSs), and I may do that eventually, although as our garden is about the same size as my bedroom it would have limited exercise potential 😂. 

In the garden you could:
🏵 Do some stretches
🏵 Enjoy a coffee in the (any) sunshine
🏵 Enjoy watching the wildlife 
🏵 Get some free vitamin D
🏵 Enjoy the novelty of a change of scene

If you felt you could social distance enough could a family member join you in the garden for a coffee and allow to socialise for a little while.

EssexHebridean

Assuming you test negative on LFTs on Sunday and Monday you'll be out of isolation by then anyway won't you? 

Definitely agree with all those highlighting the benefits (physical AND mental) of getting yourself some proper outdoor light and fresh air though! 

Parkyp

You should apply for the government grant for isolation, not sure what the criteria is for it but worth a try.