My husband's granddaughter will be visiting us and many relatives and friends at the end of August. She will be traveling from Israel. We have not seen her in many years. My husband is in early stages of dementia. I have been keeping us safe from covid so far and all I ask is that she get tested before visiting. My step daughter and their whole family did have covid already and are all vaccinated. They say it is just like having a cold. But I do not want to get this virus and nor do I want my husband to get it. I have taken precautions and still do. Should I be concerned because I am freaking out over this. Thank you.
On the other hand, isolating people with dementia from enriching socialization may speed the dementia along. My case in point...a good adult day care or MC keeps people more alert and less likely to sleep during the day. Think about those who were in facilities and were not able to see their families. Depressing isn't it?
You might just have a few test kits ready when she comes to visit and ask the questions we are all familiar with at the doctors office, except for the 10 day isolation post travel. Would this be more acceptable? You could request masking. You all could step outside with the visit if in a warm climate area. Also, remember to take some unmasked pictures
He was always doing yard work. When he wasn’t, he’d be walking the little dogs they took care of with their doggie day care. Or bicycling. Or recruiting neighbor guys for golf. Exceptionally healthy for early 70s, and then he is dead.
Compared to the plethora of frailer, older people who are vaccinated and alive.
Or trying to stir the pot bringing up a topic that causes a bitterly divided reaction. Especially as it seems that OP had decided on what to do BEFORE she posted the "question".
Billions in record profits for something that does not prevent illness and has the potential to cause tons of side effects. Some right away and others in the future.
The more boosters the more your odds of autoimmune disease, weakened immune system, stroke, blood clots and yes even death.
If the media was actually doing their jobs (amazing what a bailout from the government buys in terms of silence) they would be reporting on the information released by the vaccine manufacturers that detail the fact that these vaccines don't work to stop covid.
Decades from now the truth about covid, the testing and vaccines will come out. It always does.
After DH had his transplant, he was told NO MORE BOOSTERS; and NO monoclonal antibody treatment either, which Mayo was giving out to ALL of the transplant people. From the lips of the Mayo Clinic. Things that make you go hmmmmmmmm. DH has a couple of small pulmonary emboli after his surgeries and the 'vaccines' are known to CAUSE clots, so that may be one reason they're telling him NO to boosters and antibody treatments, they're not saying.
I was vaccinated, wore a mask, all that. I still got it in January. I have asthma so I was a bit freaked out when I tested positive. Because I was vaxxed, it wasn’t too terrible. Tired, lost sense of smell for a week, some coughing but nothing terrible. Was back to normal within two weeks.
Either they will test or they won't. I am going to assume from your posts that if they refuse to test, you won't allow them to visit. Or if they test, and are positive, you won't allow them to visit. Conversely, if they test negative then you will allow them to visit. There's doesn't seem to be much to freak out over - seems pretty cut and dried to me.
It all boils down to risk tolerance. If this is your "line in the sand" then stand by it. Because you must know that a charged topic such as this is not really going to garner you much information that is going to help your decision.
It's your home, and you have the right of refusal. Whether other people would do things differently is neither here nor there.
What is the real issue? That she's coming from Israel? That it is his granddaughter?
If you and your kids are out and about, then coming home to your DH, I think you aren't really worried about covid.
So what is the real issue?
Because I doubt that your family tests every single time they walk in the door, thereby, potentially exposing both of you.
Israel has the highest vaccination rate in the world and the best protocol. Why are you so opposed to his family seeing him?
I honestly would pay for Bed and Breakfast for grandson and visiting girlfriend and meet them for lunch and etc while they "do the city" but they will be unmasked, all over the place and exposed. I don't want them bringing it particularly to my partner who has quite a fear of it. So for me that's it. We are still pretty careful. Now going everywhere, but masked, and up to date on vaccines, but still wouldn't want, in a small space, to have the kids jammed in here for a week. Just me. Just our choice. Little also PM'd me that her space is, as ours is, very small.
In all truth, we have one bathroom, and having visitors stay here really is not our choice any more in any case.
I will be visiting my daughter next month. She has a big upstairs and a downstairs, more space, I would feel safer, and DO feel so.
Basically I think we are ALL going to get it to some degree or another eventually. But I am with Little on preventing it. I hope they can compromise on B&B if available and affordable.
The people who did not wear masks, did not vaccinate, did not care to care for the wellbeing of others have helped immeasurably to keep COVID going far longer than it should have.
We have COVID as a direct result of the carelessness of those who do not care for others. This is not "like a cold", it is a bit more persistent and draining. But, at least I'm not in a hospital ward, I have been vaccinated, have a booster too. I'll get better. My husband has dementia and now COVID-you tell me how well that's going here. As far as connecting with family members, again, it's caring to make sure everyone is safe, be considerate, kind, understanding, this is a once in our lifetime event and a lot has changed.
My great grandfather died in the 1918 pandemic in Pittsburgh. I am glad, and proud that hard working, very smart, clever, scientists have helped me through their efforts to keep me alive with a great vaccine (and booster), so that I can care for my husband and maybe tell a few more family stories once everyone is well again....(did I ever tell ya about aunt Trice?...)
An outside visit with masks (I'm thinking of the possibility of hugging) is safest. Testing isn't enough.
That is the only way to ensure that you aren't exposed, total isolation.
Is that really how you live?
You say his daughter doesn't call very often, how often did or do any of you call her?
This one way communication is why so many people lose touch. Personally, if someone isn't making an effort to call me and I am the only one reaching out, I feel like they don't want to have contact and after awhile I stop calling. We need to do what we expect others to do, especially if we are going to be critical of their actions or inaction.
It is easy enough to be tested. You don’t have to rely on politics, religion or voodoo.
Everyone gets tested. No exceptions. Masks all around. Enjoy the visit.
People who don’t want to be tested or wear masks don’t really need to visit.
I love them all the same just don’t need to be sick right now thank you.
No need to tempt fate or stand on principles. No hard feelings. Life is stressful enough.
Regardless of anything, it is his daughter and granddaughter and he should be allowed to see them.
Have masks and hand sanitizer at the door and explain that you are being overly cautious because neither of you can afford to get sick. Most everyone is courteous about this in someone's home.
If my dads wife stopped me from visiting, I would contact the authorities. Because I would think she was up to no good and trying to keep me from finding out what is going on. Of course, there is a history that would produce that reaction and I'm not saying this about you but, her contacting the authorities would be far more stressful then a visit from his family.
I believe better to be safe than sorry.
Meanwhile, my SOs whole family tested positive for covid. They were as careful as Dr Fauci, who also got covid. It is so ubiquitous that you can easily pick it up at the grocery store.
It seems to me that covid is less a concern here than introducing someone with dementia
that I am referring to. But of course I would look like the bad person to them if I refused
this visit. They don't have a clue. Thanks for your help.