The Prepping Thread - A Newer Beginning ;)

Nargleblast

I am awaiting the result of my Covid19 antibody test. We were told that it just shows whether you have had it in the past or not, it doesn't show whether you have it right now or not. A positive result does not mean you are automatically immune, the WHO position is that not enough is known about it yet for us to assume antibodies = immunity, and it  could be possible to catch it a second time and spread it to others, so social distancing and hygiene rules still apply. The antibody testing is a data collection exercise to show what percentage of the population have had it and what areas of the country have been the most affected. Useful stuff to know when you are getting to know your enemy, and hopefully it will guide decision making when the next big wave strikes.

euronorris

Yes, disappointing.

In terms of immunity, that would have been nice, but at least knowing that we all had it, survived it and none of us required hospitalization would have removed a great deal of anxiety. That even if we caught it again, we should be able to cope with it just fine. Particularly from DH who suffers with anxiety anyway.

I would also have been able to put myself forward for plasma donations.

Oh well. It is what it is. Maybe it was inaccurate, but no other testing available (for me, as a non key worker) at the moment to confirm that either way.

So for now, just carry on carrying on lol

greenbee

The plasma donations are the only reason I'm thinking about getting it done. Part of me is worried that if I have a negative test then I have the issue of not knowing what on earth made me so unwell for so long... 

I have had the 'have you got it test' as part of the original 18,000 tests on volunteers for the KCL/Zoe study. It was 10 weeks from the start of symptoms, so was unlikely to be positive (and it wasn't). I didn't enjoy taking the swabs... The app does allow you to input data from further tests, including antibody tests. For anyone who isn't using it, please do consider signing up - it takes less than a minute a day, and is gathering data to help understand both what the symptoms are, what demographic is impacted and looking for signs of any increase in infections. They also occaisionally ask about how much you're going out. It's very simple to do https://covid.joinzoe.com/ and the more data they have the better. 

euronorris

I have been using that app for a couple months now, and have updated it with my antibody test results. They asked me a couple days ago to join a study whereby they will ask me to go for a test if I show certain symptoms. It's to test how well a digital app will identify real cases, as opposed to just suspected. I have said yes, but since I don't go out and am very careful with the occasional interactions we do have, and disinfect everything that comes into the house, it is very unlikely I will developed symptoms of anything but hayfever! 

elaine241

So today the Welsh government announce out of the blue that as of the end of June all schools are going back, with all year groups. OK phased and only some of the time but my inner alarm bells went off with very loud clangs!! Loads of questions flooded my mind immediately, how will they ensure distancing, clean door handles and toilets, safe areas like canteens where many will be touching the same places eg queuing up for food with a tray. My boys get a bus to school, how are they going to ensure that they are safe and are they going to pick them up at different times of the day and return them ? I took them out of school before the lock down of schools as I was worried about the reports of relatives of friends etc having the virus and the lack of distancing or measures to protect the kids. How can 30+ kids be safe in one small classroom then move round to be crammed in with another group of different kids? They have been using Google classroom to good effect and I am tempted to continue this as my friend yesterday warned of a second wave and to protect my nearest and dearest. One is in year 10 and the other in year 9, although the year 10 one is very academic and able to get very good grades with not a lot of effort!! What do people on here think? I am in a quandary as to what to think and what to do at the end of June. 

jk0

elaine241 said:

So today the Welsh government announce out of the blue that as of the end of June all schools are going back, with all year groups. OK phased and only some of the time but my inner alarm bells went off with very loud clangs!! Loads of questions flooded my mind immediately, how will they ensure distancing, clean door handles and toilets, safe areas like canteens where many will be touching the same places eg queuing up for food with a tray. My boys get a bus to school, how are they going to ensure that they are safe and are they going to pick them up at different times of the day and return them ? I took them out of school before the lock down of schools as I was worried about the reports of relatives of friends etc having the virus and the lack of distancing or measures to protect the kids. How can 30+ kids be safe in one small classroom then move round to be crammed in with another group of different kids? They have been using Google classroom to good effect and I am tempted to continue this as my friend yesterday warned of a second wave and to protect my nearest and dearest. One is in year 10 and the other in year 9, although the year 10 one is very academic and able to get very good grades with not a lot of effort!! What do people on here think? I am in a quandary as to what to think and what to do at the end of June. 

I think your boys are old enough to decide for themselves, aren't they? I'd give them the choice.

MoneySeeker1

Absolutely.

Their choice - and without any hints whatsoever as to what you'd like the choice to be.

They've got the rest of their lives to remember (and resent) if they weren't totally/absolutely free to make their own decisions (and without them having the remotest idea what decision you would like to make on their behalf). 

That way you won't be at risk of them turning around in x years time going "I might have had a better job/career by now - if it weren't for your choice/or you influencing me to 'choose' your choice". Either way - it's down to them.

GreyQueen

Hello Ceridwen, elaine's children are legal minors, therefore it is for her and their other parent/ guardian, to determine their presence or absence in school, and for them to face any consequences from the State as a result. Minor children are not legally entitled to make various decisions, for the very obvious reason that the law correctly sides with the biological evidence that the higher executive brain functions involving judgement are not fully formed at their ages, no matter how clever the child. Most 12 y.o children could easily drive a car, but lack the judgement to do something so dangerous, so we forbid it.

None of the children in their classes will be living independantly and under quarantine, therefore whatever they have been exposed to, will be potentially shared with elaine's children, in the classroom and on the buses. Elaine's household's bio-security is thus heavily compromised by the presence of her children in school. That is not something she can take lightly.

The medical evidence thus far is (mercifully) that Covid 19 is a minor illness in the vast majority of children, although there have been some devastating exceptions. But children live in families, and families contain people of all sorts of health statuses, ages and potential vulnerabilities. Elaine knows her family circumstances, you and I don't. Given your history of Covid-sceptical position-taking, and the annoyances you have caused on MSE under your many aliases, it might be prudent for you to absent yourself from this debate.

Zentimes

elaine241 said:

So today the Welsh government announce out of the blue that as of the end of June all schools are going back, with all year groups. OK phased and only some of the time but my inner alarm bells went off with very loud clangs!! Loads of questions flooded my mind immediately, how will they ensure distancing, clean door handles and toilets, safe areas like canteens where many will be touching the same places eg queuing up for food with a tray. My boys get a bus to school, how are they going to ensure that they are safe and are they going to pick them up at different times of the day and return them ?

It sounds like you need a lot more information about how school classes are going to be organised in a socially-distanced way. Can you find out from the school? I think that would help you come to a decision. Otherwise your mind is flagging up all sorts of (very understandable) worries.

[Deleted User]

jko and moneyseeker1 - I cannot believe that you feel that a decision like this should be based on the opinion of adolescents! 🙈 should they get to decide on whether it's okay to use drugs, get tattoos, walk the streets at night, carry weapons etc too?? Parenting isn't a popularity contest it's keeping your children safe from harm and making decisions that they frequently don't agree with . If you think that adolescents are capable of making rational decisions then you obviously don't understand the biology of brain development! 
Elaine, get as much info from the school as you can and make your choice based upon that and your gut instinct 😉