Korona, Korona measures | The family must celebrate Christmas, birthday and New Year in isolation: – Fortunately mild symptoms
Karen Bakke Haga and the children were just going on a trip to the place they had lived before. It ended in complete isolation through both Christmas and New Year when they return home to Sandnes.
The trip to Copenhagen was booked this autumn.
At that time, there were no restrictions on traveling abroad, but one rule was that travelers had to take corona tests when they returned home.
– We had been looking forward to traveling to visit friends in what was previously our hometown; Copenhagen, says Karen Bakke Haga (34).
Karen was to show the children where they lived when they were younger.
In good faith and with a face mask on, she traveled with her children Molly (7) and Elmer (5) on a long-awaited little holiday on 17 December.
– It was nice to take the long-awaited trip, even though the thought had struck me that we could of course be exposed to infection. We just stayed with a few, followed the rules and used face masks. In addition, Denmark became more closed down on those very days, Karen says.
Infection
On December 22, they returned to the home on Hana.
– We had to take a corona test before 24 hours and stayed isolated. We waited for the test result and it turned out that I had received corona.
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Fortunately, all three were already in isolation at home.
– I had no symptoms, but after we had come home I heard that a close contact in Copenhagen had become ill, Karen says.
The more contagious variant omikron had also become more dominant in Denmark.
– We live close to each other and there was nothing to wait for but that the children were also infected. A few days later also tested positive.
Minstemann Elmer (5) had no symptoms and in the days that continued it like this.
Molly (7) and her mother could only recognize mild symptoms.
– I would describe it as a mild cold. Slightly sore throat and some pain in the body. Molly describes it as a bit of a sore back, Karen says.
Christmas and birthday
According to the new rules for isolation in the event of a detected infection, one must be in full isolation for six days.
Home insulation
This is true when you are home insulation
- You must be in isolation for 6 days from the time you developed symptoms AND until you have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of antipyretic medication. This also applies if you got symptoms after you had a positive test. If you have no symptoms, you should be in isolation for 6 days from the time you took the test which was positive. The isolation rules apply regardless of vaccination status and proven SARS CoV-2 variant.
- You should have your own room and preferably your own toilet and bathroom. Use your own bathroom items, such as towel.
- You should have your food delivered to your room or be alone in the kitchen.
- If you live with others, you should isolate yourself in your room and keep a safe distance from those you live with. You do not have to leave the home, but can stay in your own chin or on your own balcony provided to stand for others.
- You must get help from others to do necessary errands.
- You and your household may not have visitors.
- If you have to be closer to other household members for another 2 meters, it is recommended that you use a face mask if your health condition allows it. Alternatively, it is recommended that household members use face masks when they are closer to the patient than 2 meters. Children of primary school age and younger are not recommended to wear face masks. For children under 2 years of age, the use of a sanitary napkin is not recommended.
- Agree with your doctor on how to monitor your own state of health.
- Call your healthcare provider if you need medical attention because your illness is getting worse (for example due to breathing difficulties) or for other reasons. Tell them you have covid-19 when you call. Then they can take measures to prevent others from becoming infected. You must not use public transport.
- You and those you live with must pay close attention to hand hygiene.
- Ordinary cleaning is sufficient.
(Source: fhi.no)
During Christmas in space, Molly turned seven, and this year the day had to be marked in full isolation at home.
– Luckily someone came to her with packages who also used the opportunity to sing for Molly outside our house, Karen says.
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Molly appreciated that it was, after all, a celebration of the important day.
The family of three had already celebrated Christmas with a Christmas-decorated house, packages and good food.
Stick meat and risk-free delivered at the door by the guy’s mother. Santa stopped by on the terrace.
– We had the finesse on and completed dinner and gift opening. It did not take long to complete and afterwards the children could play with Lego. At the same time, I read aloud from Harry Potter for the rest of the evening.
– I know that we are lucky to have such mild symptoms. In addition, I am blessed with children who play well together and individually.
Karen herself has been vaccinated with dosing. She has not been told which variant she is infected with.
– I do not know this, but I reckon it is omikron that dominates in Denmark at the moment.
Copenhagen
Why did it mean so much to the family to travel to Copenhagen?
Let’s play a little back in time.
Karen grew up on Hommersåk.
In 2007 she moved to Copenhagen to study mathematics at the University of Copenhagen.
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– I think math is fun and enjoyed it so much that I took a master’s degree in mathematics there. Afterwards, I stayed and applied for a research position in mathematics, Karen explains.
The interest in the subject was far above average and the result after the master’s degree was a PhD (three-year doctoral degree) in mathematics.
– Simply explained, I researched mathematical objects and found out how they were structured.
– This is very narrow, and I think that not many people have read my dissertation, laughs the math enthusiast.
During the years in Copenhagen, Karen met the man she eventually married.
When they had children Molly and Elmer together, advanced doctoral dissertations in math had to be balanced with family life and young children.
There was a bit of a pause in the studies as the mother role took over and permission was the natural thing to do.
Family
In 2019, Karen moved with her loved ones to her hometown Sandnes.
Her husband was Danish, but now the couple wanted to live closer to Karen’s close family.
– We rented a place we could live, but found a house from 1972 on Hana. We chose to completely renovate this. My father was an important piece in the job that we primarily put professionals to complete.
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In May 2020, Karen’s husband died of the disease.
Karen was glad she lived near family and friends.
The house on Hana was almost finished.
Three months later, Karen and the children moved into their home.
New year
Karen and the kids were and are a close-knit family.
Karen is extra happy now that they have been isolated from others.
– Maybe we needed a little break, because we are normally very social. I’ve spent some time cleaning the basement. Well, I have to get rid of a part we do not need, says the mother of two.
Molly and Elmer are also encouraged to do the same.
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Karen believes that they have found each other in a new way.
– The last few days we have had a joint project and something for us. Among other things, we have carpented a bird box, says Karen.
The break is perhaps a little welcome because there is a new job waiting for Karen.
On Monday 3 December, she will start as a product manager in the local company Easee.
– I will lead a group that will develop software within charging boxes for electric cars. I started the year with a bang in a new job. This happens the day after we are out of quarantine.
Karen’s expertise and experience from several years of work as a consultant in the IT company Profitbase come in handy in the new job.
But first the quarantine must be over.
– We have finished the quarantine on Monday and look forward to meeting family and friends again. I have a sister who lives in Denmark now, but is home on holiday. I just manage to meet her one day before she leaves, Karen concludes bravely.