Covid-19

Hi there,

I am an educational professional with a 29 year old son on the Autistic spectrum. I have written to my MP 2 weeks ago as I think people like my son, you and others who are supported at home, live in supported living, or live with their families or in their own homes have been totally neglected. 

I approached my son's psychiatrist for advice a couple of weeks ago. I now have a letter stating that my son can go out of his home more often than once a day, in fact as often as he needs to due to his autism. This is different from your situation, but I have been told that the Government guidelines, as regards going out, are flexible for people with Autism. 

My son has quite a large care team. To limit the possibility of contracting Covid-19 I reduced his team to 3 people and myself and his sister, so 5 people. I live alone and only mix with my son when it is my timetabled time on his rota. His sister is also very strict and only sees her brother. The other 3 carers also have very limited contact with others, basically the people they live with. So I feel I have limited the risk of passing on the infection as much as I can. We also have strict protocols at my son's flat. 

So to relate this to your situation. If your mum was your carer she would have to see you. If you had carers like my son you would have to mix with them. But your situation is different. 

I have heard ministers say that if a child's parents live at 2 different homes then the children can spend some time with one parent and the rest of the time with the other parent, so they move between the two houses.

Everyone also has to protect their mental health. 

I agree with other responses that say strictly speaking you should not visit someone else's house. You say none of you see anyone else, but presumably you, or your mum still go shopping so could contract the virus and if you visited each other's houses then pass on the infection.

Here are some suggestions:

Use video calls, Houseparty or Zoom to have contact. My son has used all 3. Hopefully this is possible for you via phones or other technology.

Telephone regularly to speak to each other.

Could you meet at a local park for a walk. Again strictly speaking you shouldn't even meet for a walk but you are in the open air and the risk of passing on an infection is less if you are outside (this was said on the Government briefing 29.4.20). You would still need to socially distance and stay at least 2 meters apart on the walk, then go back to your own houses.

If none of this works for you and if your mental health is seriously compromised then you will have to re-consider. I agree with other replies that if one of you passed the infection to one another this would be extremely serious but your mental heath is also important. You will have to make a judgement call.

I wonder if you considered isolating with your family? This may be too much contact or there may be no where for you to sleep, and technically this should have happened from early in lockdown. 

I have a coronavirus link on my website. Please have a look. There is some advice on there, comments , experiences of other families and photos and videos of what my son is doing to get through lockdown. 

Here is the link: https://annedonohoe.co.uk/new-corona-virus-support

All the best and good luck with your decision.

Anne

Hi there,

I am an educational professional with a 29 year old son on the Autistic spectrum. I have written to my MP 2 weeks ago as I think people like my son, you and others who are supported at home, live in supported living, or live with their families or in their own homes have been totally neglected. 

I approached my son's psychiatrist for advice a couple of weeks ago. I now have a letter stating that my son can go out of his home more often than once a day, in fact as often as he needs to due to his autism. This is different from your situation, but I have been told that the Government guidelines, as regards going out, are flexible for people with Autism. 

My son has quite a large care team. To limit the possibility of contracting Covid-19 I reduced his team to 3 people and myself and his sister, so 5 people. I live alone and only mix with my son when it is my timetabled time on his rota. His sister is also very strict and only sees her brother. The other 3 carers also have very limited contact with others, basically the people they live with. So I feel I have limited the risk of passing on the infection as much as I can. We also have strict protocols at my son's flat. 

So to relate this to your situation. If your mum was your carer she would have to see you. If you had carers like my son you would have to mix with them. But your situation is different. 

I have heard ministers say that if a child's parents live at 2 different homes then the children can spend some time with one parent and the rest of the time with the other parent, so they move between the two houses.

Everyone also has to protect their mental health. 

I agree with other responses that say strictly speaking you should not visit someone else's house. You say none of you see anyone else, but presumably you, or your mum still go shopping so could contract the virus and if you visited each other's houses then pass on the infection.

Here are some suggestions:

Use video calls, Houseparty or Zoom to have contact. My son has used all 3. Hopefully this is possible for you via phones or other technology.

Telephone regularly to speak to each other.

Could you meet at a local park for a walk. Again strictly speaking you shouldn't even meet for a walk but you are in the open air and the risk of passing on an infection is less if you are outside (this was said on the Government briefing 29.4.20). You would still need to socially distance and stay at least 2 meters apart on the walk, then go back to your own houses.

If none of this works for you and if your mental health is seriously compromised then you will have to re-consider. I agree with other replies that if one of you passed the infection to one another this would be extremely serious but your mental heath is also important. You will have to make a judgement call.

I wonder if you considered isolating with your family? This may be too much contact or there may be no where for you to sleep, and technically this should have happened from early in lockdown. 

I have a coronavirus link on my website. Please have a look. There is some advice on there, comments , experiences of other families and photos and videos of what my son is doing to get through lockdown. 

Here is the link: https://annedonohoe.co.uk/new-corona-virus-support

All the best and good luck with your decision.

Anne

A businessman has launched a judicial review into the lockdown:

https://wedlakebell.com/legal-challenge-over-lawfulness-of-government-lockdown-launched-by-entrepreneur/

So hopefully it will be eased soon