dad self-isolates in caravan on his drive
FAMILY TELL OF AGONY OF BEING KEPT APART BY VIRUS RISK
A FATHER-OF-THREE has been forced to self-isolate from his family in a caravan on his drive after being placed on the government’s COVID-19 vulnerable list.
David DuBois, 44, was left with no option but to separate from his wife and children as he has severe allergic asthma, bronchitis and a suppressed immune system.
The dad, from Bolton, moved out of his home and into the caravan on his drive after his seven-year-old son Arthur developed a temperature and his doctor advised him to make no contact.
Since then, David has been living in the freezing caravan alone – often wearing four layers of clothing, a fleece and a woolly hat to keep warm.
His wife Lisa, 42, has had to take on sole caring responsibilities for Arthur and the couple’s two daughters, Rebecca, 10, and Lucy, 12, while also holding down her job as a teacher.
They are trying to keep to their normal routine, but the need to stay apart has come with difficulties, causing ‘tears and frustration’ among the heartbroken family.
Lisa has to text her husband to let him know when his dinner is ready and leaves his meals on the front doorstep for him to collect.
He then has to rely on technology to video call the family so they can eat together.
David, a film producer, says that being unable to hold his family has been the hardest thing to deal with as the coronavirus outbreak keeps them apart. He said: “The family have been amazing, but we’ve all started to show some cracks from being under the strain. The lack of physical contact has been the hardest thing to come to terms with. When my seven-year-old son walks over for a hug and then has to selfpolice and back away, that is heartwrenching.
“My wife has also had to manage being a single parent of three, teacher, worker, cook and cleaner to name but a few of her current roles.
“She has been incredible throughout. Yes, there have been a lot of tears and frustrations but we’re just about holding it together.”
Whenever David goes inside the house for a shower, he has to make sure the rest of the family are all away from him and he cleans every surface with an antibacterial wipe.
He added: “It’s like a military manoeuvre and is psychologically incredibly draining.”
Lisa said it has been ‘heartbreaking’ to have to explain to their children why they could not attend social events.
She said: “The first week was particularly challenging, having to be a worker, teacher and parent all at once is impossible. I tried to be all these things and within a few days I was an emotional wreck.”