I have a dreadful cold, want to call in sick- but it's not covid

[piddocktrumperiness]

Hi everyone. I've got a terrible cold, nothing unusual; sore throat, v croaky- runny nose and the lot. No temperature. Negative for covid. I previously would lemsip up and go into work (I teach in a school) and only call in sick if I'm absolutely incapacitated because for one thing, the workload coming back grows and the guilt of leaving the kids sets in quite quickly anyway.

We don't wear masks in class, I have an autoimmune condition and I don't want to be spluttering and sneezing and coughing in class. There is no real guidance on this. We're told that If we're v unwell we should stay at home, If we have covid symptoms, I should stay home but a part of me thinks I could go in and soldier on because I don't have a temperature, I've done it pre pandemic and as long as I keep drinking warm tea, keep my tissues on me and keeping my distance I should be fine but it doesn't sit right with me knowing how rife the cases of covid are- even though they are unrelated. What is acceptable for 'unwell' anyway?

I guess I'm looking for someone to tell me it's ok to call in sick because truthfully, I would get back into bed and sleep as much as I can, but when medicated would feel ok to pop to the shops. The pandemic has made me over think illness and mixing and I don't know what is the right thing to do.

I realise schools are completely different to most workplaces, but we're not even allowed in the office with a cold at the moment. Think how many people you could infect and inconvenience by needing a PCR test.

If you can, stay home. Isn't it mad we all used to go into work feeling rough with a heavy cold!

So you're quite happy to go in an spread your germs and make others feel like crap!.. Selfish

Gosh stay home if you're really ill, the parents won't thank you for spreading your cold and sore throat to their children. Imagine all the stress and hassle those parents will have to go through if their child catches it from you. Their children will have to be put through covid tests to show the school it's not covid, the parents will have to take time off work to look after their children. One person having a bad cold and sore throat and going into work can have a huge knock on effect to others.

There is something very wrong when modern life makes us feel we should not rest when we are sick. Very wrong. Hope you feel better soon op x

Stay at home and order a test , by the time the negative test comes back hopefully you will feel better .

If you aren't well, you aren't well and should stay at home.

Schools are bad for martyrdom and presenteeism at the best of times, but it's wrong.

If it helps relieve the school based stress or guilt, in the current climate if you spread your illness to the children then several families could have to be off work waiting for PCR tests to come back and/or having to take time off work with poorly children.

Why on earth would you go in? You'd probably infect a load of people. It's less selfish to stay home.

Stay home and order a PCR... it's the sensible thing to do and gives you up to 48 hours recovery time even if it's negative.
I work in Special Ed and the week before last my team all went down with a horrible cold.. everyone looked and felt unwell and one by one each needed a day off.

Then last week we were all back. Tuesday one TA tested positive for Covid, Friday the next one did, plus one child (class of 8 kids 3 TAs one teacher) and Sunday I joined the Covid crew. Currently I feel exactly as rough as I did with the cold!

I get that it's hard to NOT go to school, but really, the place will survive just fine for a day or two! (unlike our class... bit short on staff right now!!!)

Thank you everyone- I have called in sick. You are all right- isn't it odd how we all used to go in when feeling poorly like it was nothing?
I've ordered a PCR test to double check

The situation has changed. In the past if you gave someone a cold then they might feel a bit poorly and they might possibly have to stay home for a day or two if feeling too unwell and if they were really unlucky or vulnerable they might be seriously ill.

Nowadays on top of those pre-existing risk you're probably imposing a significant admin burden, worry and restricted freedoms due to suspected Covid. Some of the kids in your class might be sharing a house with their grandparents, or other vulnerable family members.

One good thing that may come from the pandemic is that it has become socially unacceptable to go into work or crowded places, on public transport etc if you are ill and infectious. Nobody should be doing that: it doesn't make you a hero, it's actually really selfish!

Please for the love of God if you are a teacher don't go in sick and make children ill. They have missed so much school!