Covid Isolation Rules in the UK — stupid or genius?

Since last Wednesday, I’ve been in Covid-19 self-isolation. In addition to the country being in lockdown, there is truly nothing to do. So, I have turned back here to write about my experience at this time.

I am still at school, so I have been continuing to see people despite the nation-wide lockdown. But, I came into close contact with someone who tested positive for Covid. And so, I was sent home in case I had caught the virus. I was informed that I would have to isolate for a minimum of two weeks. Now that sounds sensible enough, I may have the virus so I have to isolate. But, I asked the simple question of getting tested; as it would speed up the process as if it was negative I could return to school. I was then informed that receiving a test would not be possible unless I developed serious symptoms. Now, I was quite astounded at this. I’m don’t want to be too biased here but; wouldn’t you’ve thought that a test would be given to me so that I could return to my work as quickly as possible? The nurse told me that if I were to get a test then all of my close contacts would have to isolate in case they had caught it. But I just think that whether I have a test or not is not going to affect if my close contacts have caught Covid from me.

I may be an asymptomatic patient or display very mild symptoms that would not encourage me to get a test. My close contacts could be spreading the virus right now and don’t even know it.

But I also do see that having to make more people quarantine than needed is extremely irritating and non-time efficient. As I am not currently displaying any signs of Covid, it is highly unlikely that my close contacts do have the virus, unless I am asymptomatic. Also, a domino would happen if close contact isolation were to happen. Then logically, all of my close contacts, close contacts would need to isolate, then their close contacts etc etc etc. And by the end of it, the entire school would be shut down.

Well, what do you think? I may be writing some more during this incredibly boring period of time, so watch out for some other posts!

Thanks for reading,

Petrus