# I’m sick and have a bunch of negative Covid tests. Ok to not quarantine? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [March 3, 2022, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-sick-and-have-a-bunch-of-negative-covid-tests-ok-to-not-quarantine/960413 "2022-03-03T14:15:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2022, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-sick-and-have-a-bunch-of-negative-covid-tests-ok-to-not-quarantine/960413/1 "2022-03-03T14:15:57Z")
So, I’ve had what I think is a very nasty case of gastroenteritis since Monday. I still feel pretty bad but I really need to go out and get a form notorized. I’ve taken two at home Covid tests, every single one has been negative. Do you think it’s OK if I step out for just this one essential errand? ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2022, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-sick-and-have-a-bunch-of-negative-covid-tests-ok-to-not-quarantine/960413/2 "2022-03-03T14:18:58Z")
In my opinion, yes, it is OK. But, I will mention that, depending where you are, there are traveling notaries that will come to you. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2022, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-sick-and-have-a-bunch-of-negative-covid-tests-ok-to-not-quarantine/960413/3 "2022-03-03T14:21:58Z")
Sure. Take whatever precautions you can, wear an N95 mask, and limit contact to the extent possible. As Icarus said - just my opinion. If there is a minor silver lining to the Covid cloud, perhaps more people will take more precautions WRT exposing others to all manner of illness. If you are feeling ill, nearly everything can wait until you feel better. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2022, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-sick-and-have-a-bunch-of-negative-covid-tests-ok-to-not-quarantine/960413/4 "2022-03-03T14:22:35Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > But, I will mention that, depending where you are, there are traveling notaries that will come to you. Looked at that option and will see if anyone has same day availability. I can expense it through work. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2022, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-sick-and-have-a-bunch-of-negative-covid-tests-ok-to-not-quarantine/960413/5 "2022-03-03T16:18:26Z")
If you’re symptomatic, home tests that are negative are NOT considered proof of lack of infection by health experts. Too many false negative antigen tests are occuring. You’d need a PCR test for that to more reliably exclude covid in the presence of symptoms… Symptoms trump negative antigen test results. My patients get quarantined if symptomatic and negative antigen test, at least until the PCR result comes back negative. Of course if local regulations don’t keep you from going out and accomplishing things, you can choose to run the risk. Just mask up, and don’t touch anyone. Which is excellent advice for people carrying more ordinary gastro-enteritis germs too. ---
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2022, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-sick-and-have-a-bunch-of-negative-covid-tests-ok-to-not-quarantine/960413/6 "2022-03-04T02:46:26Z")
A co-worker was out last month for 10 days for non-Covid pneumonia. Her doctor had her get 7 (!) Covid tests during that time. All came back negative. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2022, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-sick-and-have-a-bunch-of-negative-covid-tests-ok-to-not-quarantine/960413/7 "2022-03-07T02:29:15Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > I’ve taken two at home Covid tests, every single one has been negative. “Every single one” is not a construction one usually uses with “two”, and neither is the “a bunch” in the thread title. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2022, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-sick-and-have-a-bunch-of-negative-covid-tests-ok-to-not-quarantine/960413/8 "2022-03-07T02:48:52Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > “Every single one” is not a construction one usually uses with “two”, and neither is the “a bunch” in the thread title. I was trying to say I’d done two a day. But, the situation is over and I continue to test negative ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2022, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-sick-and-have-a-bunch-of-negative-covid-tests-ok-to-not-quarantine/960413/9 "2022-03-07T02:50:16Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Just mask up, and don’t touch anyone. Which is excellent advice for people carrying more ordinary gastro-enteritis germs too. There are lots of other contagious stomach bugs. Wear clean clothes. Mask up. And wash your hands really well before you leave your house. Your will be touching door handles and such. Don’t leave your germs on them.