Current Covid Etiquette?

[Lemonjade]

I'm feeling rubbish - headache, body aches, runny nose. I have a few LFTs at home and was about to test when my sister called. She said I absolutely shouldn't test because we have DM's birthday dinner tonight and it's better not to know?!?

I know there is no requirement to test, isolate etc but it feels wrong (to me) to go out and about as normal if I do have Covid. I could probably dose myself up and drag myself out this evening. Feel a bit confused.

Also, I have a big day in work tomorrow and need to be in the office. I'd hate to suspect I may have covid and potentially pass it on to people.

Confused! Any thoughts?

JFC
I’d judge the hell out of my sister if she suggested I didn’t test and possibly put my own mother at risk.

That was my reaction too but brain was feeling foggy and I couldn't think straight. Going to test now.

Surely you wouldn't want to go out while ill and spread your germs to your mum, sister, colleagues, randoms in the restaurant regardless of whether it's covid or a nasty cold ?!

How olds your DM? I'm very much in the live and let live category, but I would go out with my grandparents etc if I had or thought I had COVID. We try and avoid the grandparents even with a cold. If it was a girls night with your sister than I would have said it's a different story

Etiquette is, if you are feeling rough test BEFORE going to an event, if positive, send apologies to the host.

Poor Etiquette is to turn up ill. I have a special place in hell for people who show up obviously ill, neglecting to mention the faint covid line they had until a few days after meeting.

If you feel ill, stay at home and avoid passing it on. Whatever it is you are suffering from.

Why is that so difficult?

Does it really matter whether it's covid or not? So if you were covid negative you would still go and pass whatever it is you've got onto others? It sounds like what I have by the way. Currently in bed as feel like my limbs are made of lead and head is thumping. Just take some time off and look after yourself.

This 100%, regardless of whether it's Covid or not.

It doesn't matter if it's covid or not, if you're unwell keep the germs at home.

I honestly don't get the attitude of it's better not to know. I'd rather know myself anyway. I currently have covid. I started feeling ill at work and left to go home and have basically been in bed since feeling awful.

but because I'd tested and we knew I had covid, DH avoided seeing his parents at the weekend because his father has cancer.

If you're not feeling well, I'd stay at home. No one is going to thank you for passing whatever you have on, whether it's a cold, flu or covid. Doesn't sound like you'll enjoy it if you're feeling ill anyway.

It's covid. Staying put and really annoyed with sister. Thanks all.

I’ve got Covid at the moment too. Feeling very guilty about being off work because WFH is possible, but I’m poorly.

Ive never had it before. Do people generally stay off work with it? Every time I feel a bit better I take a nosedive.

If you're to ill to be at work then you're too ill. I had 2 weeks off with covid as I literally couldn't get out of bed, but DH worked from home right through.

My workplace policy is that you wouldn’t be allowed onsite with your current symptoms regardless of testing. It doesn’t matter if it is Covid or some other virus, you aren’t supposed to spread your germs.

people not testing and going out when they may have Covid is why families like mine have been forced into near total isolation at this point. When people were being cautious when things were worse, we actually had more freedom than we do now.

Covid is generally treated as just like other illnesses now. I haven’t tested in over a year, I just stay home if too unwell to go out but other than that go about my usual day. People have started going in to my workplace with colds again this year as otherwise people would never be in.

I was off for 3 weeks because I was so unwell
My work doesn't want anyone in with covid so it's WFH or sick

Hope you feel better soon. I'm off work with covid at the moment too - I had a runny nose and sore throat and eyes all weekend but thought it was just my hayfever starting (especially since the house is full of daffodils as three different people thought it would be nice to buy a bunch 😂) Tested Monday evening because I started to feel felt awful (temp of 38, which is 2 degrees higher than normal for me, shivery, splitting headache) and it was positive, so as per the rules at my school I'm out for the rest of the week. Feeling really guilty as I was at my Nanna's on Sunday for Mothers Day and I'll feel terrible if I've given it to her.

@Lemonjade - Very glad you tested and now know that you have Covid. I'm astounded your sister didn't want you to test for your Mother's sake and others at the Dinner

Etiquette dictates these days that you SHOULD stay home if you aren't well and have nasty symptoms of anything ( not necessarily Covid). So irresponsible of your sister.

OH and I recently discovered we both had Covid. I had the merest sniffle but OH had lots of symptoms of a bad respiratory bug. Friend we'd been in touch with told us she had covid - so we both tested. I would never have known - but my husband would not have gone out with the way he was feeling

Thank you for testing OP, you did the right thing.

@LondonPretty I work in HR. If you are sick then you are sick. Working from home has skewed expectations - staff and managers. From an HR point of view give yourself the freedom to be ill. Sometimes you need to take a day or so to shake it, rather than dragging things out by working when you aren’t well enough. Don’t feel guilty.

@LondonPretty sorry that was for @Findyourneutralspace !

I definitely wouldn't want to risk passing it on to anyone but imagine your guilt if you knowingly gave it to your DM
My DS actually tested positive for the 4th time on Sunday!
We will meet for a belated Mother's Day meal when he's clear