Will you go shopping on the high street now?

[groom]

I think it's a matter of common sense, louisa maud. I would think that she would be much safer and happier with you, than with a stranger who may have had many people in his car. I'm sure they also said yesterday that more taxi drivers have died of Covid19 than doctors or nurses. I would go ahead and take her.

[mazi]

I would agree with groom on this, for medical reasons it is perfectly allowable, but I wonder if you will be allowed to accompany her inside the hospital, it may be wise to ring the hospital to check the procedure, unless your friends appointment letter gives these details.

What does groom think on this, is your friend fully mobile?

Mike

[louisa maud]

My friend is reasonably mobile, only she will be allowed in, that will be OK , sometimes one feels one has to do these things

We can't even go to church together when they finally open which sounds like it might be a bit like appointment only, wonder how it will work

Think I will offer to take her and see what she says, thank you for some common sense folks

Louisa Maud

[cuffie81]

Louisa Maud,

The current guidelines recommend [1] only sharing a car with your own household or support bubble. And it looks like this recommendation still applies after July 4th. However, they do provide some practical suggestions [2] if you do share a car with others.

That said, you're probably best placed to assess the risk of your friend travelling with you vs taking a taxi, which may have had all manner of passengers.

[1] Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can't do after 4 July
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01pnk/

[2] Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer travel guidance for passengers
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01pnj/


EDIT: Fixed link

[groom]

Does your friend live alone, louisa maud? If so, and if she hasn't done so with anyone else, you could be her support bubble as the regulations say "People from a household or support bubble can travel together in a vehicle."

If she hasn't mixed with others and neither have you, I would take her. What's the alternative - passenger in a taxi where the driver will have mixed with a lot of people, or hospital transport or even worse public transport!

[louisa maud]

She has had a son call on her with shopping and I have visited in her garden,   I feel I can be in her bubble

I can't see the difference between me and a taxi who has had anyone in their  taxi, no one has been in the back of my car for months and months

I am sure I can help her, she did say she would go by bus , I don't think she should, she is a very independant 90 year old

Louisa Maud

[Nick_Ips]

Does your friend live alone, louisa maud? If so, and if she hasn't done so with anyone else, you could be her support bubble as the regulations say "People from a household or support bubble can travel together in a vehicle."

If she hasn't mixed with others and neither have you, I would take her. What's the alternative - passenger in a taxi where the driver will have mixed with a lot of people, or hospital transport or even worse public transport!

Completely agree - both in terms of the regulations and common sense [reducing voice to a whisper] even if it weren't strictly in compliance with the 'rules' then common sense dictates it is safer for someone at risk to travel in a car with a friend than get into a vehicle (taxi/bus) being used by countless strangers.

This is an example of why - despite me being a firm supporter of 'lockdown' - I am concerned about people complaining about 'lockdown' being eased too early and the social media habit of 'calling out' as "idiots" people who are acting entirely within the rules.

It is causing needless worry and stress to people who need to do things, but are terrified they might be breaking a "rule".

[Greensleeves]

Louisa Maud, I agree with Jan (Groom) and others who have said it's okay for you to take your friend to the hospital.  I'm sure you'll both be masked and anti-bac'd and - as you say - she will be safer in your car than she would be when taking a taxi, particularly in view of her age.

Today I went for a distanced walk with a friend of mine - this is the second time we've tried this in a week.  We walked for four miles on each occasion (we are out of practice having been shut in for so long), and it was lovely actually doing something normal, albeit that we had to keep our distance and shout at each other.

As far as shopping is concerned I think it will be a very long time before I return to high street shops.  Three cheers for Asda for their deliveries which have kept daughter and I supplied during the lockdown (plus cat and dog who seem to eat considerably more than we do).  I've never really used online supermarket shopping and deliveries before, but I am so impressed.  It's like living in a lighthouse and having the supply tender arrive once a fortnight.   

[Nick_Ips]

I am sure I can help her....

You can.

You won't be arrested and thrown into jail for giving a lift to a 90 year old needing to get to a hospital appointment. 

If you both wash your hands before getting into the car, both wear masks, and if you wipe over any surfaces she's touched in your car after the trip then the risk to you both should be infinitesimally small.

Please don't worry, and tell your friend that she - along with the NHS staff and other people in the hospital - will all be safer if she travels in your car rather than on the bus. It is the right thing to do.