Safe to travel London and the South of England, thoughts on huggin and interacting with your adult child after not seeing them for 18 months

[Vindicatrix]

Hi All,

Has anyone got any thoughts or relevant information regarding a 2 week holiday I intend to take soon, to London and the South of England. I have had my two vaccines, and take regular Lateral Flow Tests, and will continue to do so whlst away. I have been on Watch and Wait for three years. I will be travelling by car and staying in rural hotels which observe strict adherance to 'Covid' Guidlines.

Keep safe all. Ron

[Justasheet1]

Has your adult child been vaccinated and can they get tested before the hug?

[Vindicatrix in reply to Justasheet1]

Thanks so much for the reply, yes she is vaccinated, and I have decided not to hug, Regards Ron

[GMa27]

Been hugging none vax family. Wear mask while hugging or turn neck before going in for it. Getting tested means nothing. By time they get results they could be infected. 🙏

[Vindicatrix in reply to GMa27]

Thanks very much for the advice. Ron

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

Hi Vindicatrix,-

From an engineering view, I suggest you both use very effective N-95 / FFP2 respirator facemasks (with head bands not ear loops) that are properly fitted to seal on your face, when you are close / near each other.

amazon.in/3M-Approved-Medic...

amazon.in/3M-Particulate-Pr...?

(don't use the masks with an exhaust valve / cooling when protecting other people)

-

Things like hugging seem less dangerous because it is short duration and the breathing of each person is not directly into the other person's face.

-

The much higher risk activities are eating and drinking since they requre removing the mask and are much longer duration. So either forgo eating and drinking indoors and move that to a well ventilated / outdoor area, or just don't share meals and drinking while visiting.

-

Len

[Shedman in reply to lankisterguy]

The alternate viewpoint:Masks tend to leak upwards and backwards..

Thus, walking behind someone, eg on the pavement/sidewalk, especially on a still day with warm air, may see you inhale lots of their exhaled aerosols.

Hug? Instead of a badly fitting mask, that sends some of each person’s breathe backwards.. I’d sooner wear no masks, agree to hold breathe as approaching, then to breathe over their shoulder.. away from each other.

Always better outdoors.

Lateral Flow Test is a red light test, not a green light; it misses some infections.

[Vindicatrix in reply to Shedman]

Thanks Shedman Regards Ron

[Vindicatrix in reply to lankisterguy]

Thanks Len, I am finding it difficult to buy FFP2 and and N95 masks up here in Scotland, perhaps I will have more luck down South. Thanks again. Ron

[mrsjsmith in reply to Vindicatrix]

Do you not have Lloyd’s pharmacy and Boots in Scotland ? Surely if you buy online they will deliver to you.

Colette

[Vindicatrix in reply to mrsjsmith]

i've not been out much lately, but I will make sure I am kitted out well before I go. Thanks Ron

[mrsjsmith in reply to Vindicatrix]

Nor me Ron,

Sadly I rely on online shopping.

Enjoy your trip.

Colette

[Vindicatrix in reply to lankisterguy]

Thanks Len, great advice and I will be taking on board most of what I have read from others, and you during my trip. Thanks again Ron

[AussieNeil Administrator]

Ron, I've merged your two posts into this post and deleted the first one with no answers. You can always edit your posts via the 'More v'... Edit option.

Safe travels if you go.

Neil

[Vindicatrix in reply to AussieNeil]

Thanks Neil, yours, and others advice is very helpful. Regards Ron

[Belfastbees]

I'd go with justasheet1s advice. I'd hope they are vaccinated as it's the only way out of the pandemic. There are breakthrough imfections though so prior to your visit it would be good if they minimised external contact and did a LFT before you meet. I do meet my son and daughter in law, who are vaccinated, unmasked and my 2 yo granddaughter who isn't. No problem not hugging the adults but the grandchild, forget it!

It's Important to be careful but we have to live our lives too.

[Vindicatrix in reply to Belfastbees]

Thanks so much for the wise words Belfastbees, I agree, we have to live our lives as safe as we can under the circumstances. After having taken on board most of the advice kindly given by members. I will do the trip with health and safety very much in mind. Ron

[Poodle2]

Vindicatrix, I live in London, I have three small kids who are not vaccinated as they are too small to get the vaccine. I do everything I can to stay safe but I hug my children all the time, I kiss them all the time and I don't hold my breath when going for a hug. I sleep in the same room as the youngest one. That's my life, I'm their mum and that's what mums do...

I don't want to sound like I'm too relaxed as I'm certainly not, I choose wisely who to see and where, don't dine indoors, don't go to the cinema, wear a mask, shop early, shop online...

...but...

Please go and see your adult child and hug them, stay in rural hotels and take all the precautions you can, get your child to have a lateral flow test before they see you or even a paid for PCR.

You never know when will be the next time you will be able to hug them...life is unpredictable.

❤❤❤

[Vindicatrix in reply to Poodle2]

Thanks Poodle2, after taking on board the advice so kindly given by members, I will be supe wary and safe. I was intending to at a resturant with my wife and daughter, but now I am not so sure. I am seeing my new CLL specialist on Thursday for hands on bloods and checkup. I wlil aso ask him what he thinks, and pass any advice or opinions on to all. Ron

[bennevisplace]

I just got home from a week holiday in Wales. Riskiest environment: busy motorway service stations, where half the clientele were unmasked and ignoring social distancing signs. A close fitting FFP3 or 2 respirator is essential in such settings.

Our accommodation was a remote self catering cottage. We dined out at least once a day, always outdoors -you have to research options in advance and allow for bad weather (Wales was very generous in that regard).

Covid mitigation measures were in force in all shops pubs and restaurants. From what I've seen most places in Sussex have these measures but are more tolerant of customers who ignore them.

We have had the grownup children visit home. If they stay overnight they isolate a week before, have a PCR test a few days before, plus daily lateral flow tests.

We drove home yesterday and today I was feeling a bit unwell. I put it down to the long journey until I remembered eating a M&S sushi en route...

[Vindicatrix in reply to bennevisplace]

Thanks for the very informative blog bennevisplace, it was really good of you to take the time, everybody has been so helpful. Regards Ron

[bennevisplace in reply to Vindicatrix]

No probs. I get a lot from other folks' experiences posted here. Good luck with your holiday.

[MistyMountainHop]

Mask up if you using any public transport...... Go for a walk down the southbank of the Thames..... London Bridge (Borough market and Southwark cathedral are by London bridge) to Westminster bridge is good....... Get an open top boat from Westminster pier to Kew gardens, have lunch in one of the lovely pubs, walk around Kew gardens, get the boat back to Westminster bridge...... A great day out......

It's much better to walk around London landmarks, if you are fit enough.....

[Vindicatrix in reply to MistyMountainHop]

Thanks very much for the sound advice, stay safe Ron

[happyclappy]

Russian roulette! Hugged 6 friends yesterday, two of whom haven't vaxxed! It was great to have the gang back together and much merriment ensued!Now the wait!

I'm just outside London btw

Enjoy your holiday!

[Vindicatrix in reply to happyclappy]

Thanks happyclappy, lifes a gamble anyway, and I will be taking a health and safety one. Ron

[blowinginthewind]

our adult daughter is coming up this week, on Thursday, haven't seen her since this las didnt hug last year, and she stayed in a hotel rather than with us. No vaccines back then. Younger daughter is fairly local - about 20 minutes away - and we see her every few weeks - outdoors. The only time she came indoors was the day after she finished self isolating after being pinged. She hadn't been out or seen anyone aside from her partner for 9 days at that point. She came in the house but we socially distanced. Didn't hug. Which was hard. Daughter who is visiting later this week also double vaccinated. She will stay in the local Premier Inn. We won't hug. However - my immediate family - husband and adult children - are very lovingly protective of me over covid, because a few weeks before the pandemic I was in ICU after a very basic day procedure, don't without anaesthetic or sedative went very very badly wrong. They don't want me in ICU again. Enjoy your time with your adult children whether you hug or not.

[Vindicatrix in reply to blowinginthewind]

Thanks blowinginthe wind, you certainly have been through the mill, and I suspect, a very worrying visit to ICU. I'm so glad you managed to have a good outcome of sorts. Thanks very much for taking the time to blog on this issue, given what you have been through, I really do appreciate it. Stay safe. Ron

[peghip]

currently being treated in UK with Venetoclax, although fully vaccinated indications are that the production of antibodies is at best muted. I do travel around including camping in tent and caravan and for what it is worth here are my principles.

I stay with a few basic well publicised principles, stay in well ventilated areas, can't get better than outside. stay away from people and keep close contact as short as possible, don't use crowded indoor spaces.

Face coverings protect others, they do not provide protection t the wearer. Since July 19th changed to a disposable FFP3 as there are a reasonable proportion of people not wearing and lack of encouragement from many businesses.

when I have trades etc enter my home I open most windows to provide good ventilation.

Frequent contact with my son who visited London, decided no contact for 10 days or until test taken allowing time for infection to develop. unfortunately, my 2yr old grand daughter taken to hospital in this period and I had to transport son and grand daughter home in car in this period. travelled with sun roof and windows open and masks. Next day he tested +ve for covid she was clear, I had no symptoms. Indications are young are usually not affected

I don't dine out or drink indoors, always go for outside setting.

Before using public facilities judge how busy they are, avoid busy indoor locations even with FFP3 mask - worried fit may not be airtight.

I do not use public transport.

Lateral flow test is not 100% but it is better than nothing, son had -ve lateral flow test before going to hospital with daughter but +ve PCR day after, does not mean LFT was wrong may be infection not developed, PCR is more sensitive than LFT. ( his partner had a +ve LFT 4 days prior) You just need to be aware.

I don't see any issues providing you follow principles to reduce risk of infection, nothing is 100% safe. we have to live our lives and it is a personal choice over what mitigation measures we take to reduce the risk. Not seeing and hugging our family has negative effects on our mental health - its all a balance. Enjoy your holiday and just decide what you need to do to stay safe.

[Vindicatrix in reply to peghip]

Thank you so much for the information and advice I really do appreciate it. Keep safe. Ron

[Vindicatrix in reply to peghip]

Thanks so much peghip, what you say makes good sense, and I will follow the advice. Stay safe Ron

[LeoPa]

This is how I would do it. Both huggers vaccinated. Both wearing a tight fitting ffp2 mask. Hold my breath during the hugging. Then step away. Keep six feet apart. Stay in an outside setting. If there's a light Breeze stay up wind. I would even remove my mask if that was the case. Just make sure no viral particles can be drifting your way. Enjoy the day!

[Vindicatrix in reply to LeoPa]

Thanks LeoPa I will defintely follow your advice, and others, it has all been a great help to me. Regards Ron