Since the latest Tiered approach to Coronavirus management took effect on 2nd December, one major fear has limited freedom in my household; we have a child with Special Needs who cannot understand rules and can only be kept safe if he can be taken out most days. If we were identified as contacts by Test and Trace, how could we keep him in for a fortnight? He simply would be unable to tolerate such a regime and would become uncontrollable to the extent of endangering himself and others. Moreover, since he cannot understand the reasons, he would blame us and his trust in us would be damaged.
Today, I found a glimmer or relief from this fear. In the Government's guidance on Self-Isolation, revised on 14th December, I found the following two paragraphs I do not recall seeing earlier:
If you are living with children, keep following this guidance to the best of your ability, however, we are aware that not all these measures will be possible.
Not all these measures will be possible if you, or those you are living with, have conditions such as learning disabilities, autism or serious mental illness. Please keep following this guidance to the best of your ability, while keeping yourself and those close to you safe and well, ideally in line with any existing care plans.
This was a relief. I also saw the period of isolation had been reduced from 14 to 10 days. It seems the Government might have listened to the concerns many have expressed over a lack of provision for disabled people in their rules and amended them to be a little more reasonable.
We're still not out of the woods, but at least the forest is a little more open, and it’s something. Many parents and carers will be hugely relieved.
