Had someone in my flat now worried sick

[Browniesovereverything]

I’m hoping someone can help me to calm down as I’m so terrified. I’ve not had anyone at all in my home for the past 3 months except for my husband and children. Today we needed a plumber for something urgent so called our landlord agency who said she’d send someone. She said he would be in ‘full PPE’ - her words.

I have very severe anxiety and am on medication for it. These past few months have been awful and I’ve barely gone out unless necessary.

The plumber left a while ago, he had gloves on but no mask. He has to come back in a few days after getting a part for the job. I’m freaking out, does anyone know what are the chances we could catch it from him?

Our front door leads directly to our kitchen so he’s been in there, in the hall and then the bathroom. I’ve tried so hard over the past few months to avoid this and it all feels like it was for nothing. My husband says he’s just at risk going to the supermarkets every week but this feels different somehow.

[Eeyoresstickhouse]

Its your anxiety talking. Use some dettol spray on anything he may have touched and you will be fine.

[MagnoliaJustice]

Calm down, you're working yourself up about something very insignificant. Wipe down all surfaces with antibac spray, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly and stop panicking.

[Floatyboat]

How old are you? Is your worry proportionate to the risk the virus poses you? How close to the plumber for how long where you?

[VanCleefArpels]

Your husband is right. Get him to clean all hard surfaces in the areas the plumber was. If you were not standing face to face with him for any period of time the fact he wasn’t wearing a mask is irrelevant.

[MRex]

Open windows and wipe down surfaces, it'll be ok and less risky than the supermarket if he didn't have a cough. You can also complain that he didn't wear a mask and ask for him to wear one next time or say that he can't have entry to the house without one.

[fitzbilly]

It's your anxiety.

Just give everything a good clean with soap and water and it will be fine.

[bridgetjonesmassivepants]

What would happen if you did get Covid?
There is a massive chance that even if you got it you would be fine.
Are you shielding? You say that you haven't left the house in three months.

Best thing you can do is clean anything that he might have touched - at least this is something practical and it will make you feel better.

Instead of worrying about Covid, you obviously know that the thing you have to deal with is your anxiety. You say that you are on medication so you are fully aware that you have an issue.

Try to be kind to yourself - life is going to go back to some sort of normal and you will have to leave the house.

[Bol87]

You’ll be fine. Do you have any underlying illnesses? Are you under 60? Even if the plumber happened to have it & you happen to catch it, you’ll almost certainly be fine. Probably just unwell for a week or so. The fear drilled into everyone about this is more unhealthy than the blooming virus I think 😫

But the chances of him having it are slim. And you just need good hygiene. Give everything a wipe with disinfectant. Your husband is right, there’s just as much chance he’ll bring it back from the supermarket!

Hope you are OK OP!

[AmNot]

Are you getting any help for your anxiety other than medication?

[Browniesovereverything]

Thank you very much for the kind replies, I really appreciate them. I’m a bit calmer, my husband has wiped things down he may have touched and we’ve put clean newspaper down anywhere he walked and will mop those areas in a while.

I’m 40 and in reasonable health but a bit overweight my son had Kawasaki’s disease when he was very young and with all the news about that lately it’s worried me. I just try hard not to take any risks if possible and am trying to lose weight as well.

Thanks so much I’ll try to be logical as my children are picking up on my fears and I hate that so much.

[Browniesovereverything]

No help for my anxiety unfortunately and don’t think there’s any available at moment.

[AmNot]

MH provision has reduced but there should hopefully be at least telephone appts available. Could you ask your GP?

[Browniesovereverything]

@AmNot you’re right, I need to try. I was avoiding acknowledging how bad it was but in sobbing my eyes out and thinking I’m a terrible mother so I need to do something to try to get some help. Will call them.

[kazzer2867]

Hi @Browniesovereverything. Don't panic. My toilet got blocked around 6 weeks ago. Like you I was worried but I had no choice but to call a plumber out. He came with gloves but no mask. He was at my home for hours. When he left we cleaned the entire house (floors, inside and outside doors, banisters, you name it we cleaned it) and opened the windows. Just disinfect your home. You'll be fine.

[PenelopeCleary]

Hi @Browniesovereverything

I suffer from anxiety and started on sertraline just before this all kicked off, which has been a lifesaver. I also went to a course about managing anxiety, although it was suspended because of coronavirus after 1 session, but they gave us a very helpful reference book that is linked to a website - //www.llttf.com (the course is called Living Life to the Full). The first session talked about vicious cycles of feelings and worries and how that can turn into a spiral so you may find something helpful in there?

[Browniesovereverything]

Thanks so much both of you, it’s nice to feel less alone with this. I get laughed at a lot by people who think I’m weak because I’m anxious. @kazzer2867 we’ll do that and also after he comes back again.

@penelope thank you for that! I’m going to have a read now, I hope the Sertraline keeps helping you ☺️

[SallyWD]

Calm down. The chance of him having it is less than 1 in 400