To refuse to touch my work computer

[TellerTuesday4EVA]

Just found out that a colleague I job share with came into work yesterday (Tuesday) despite having a sickness & diarrhoea bug Sunday afternoon through to Monday evening. Last week she had all 3 kids off school with the bug at different points & her husband also had two days off work. So it's obviously contagious.

I just think that is so bloody selfish. We use the same desk, telephone, chair etc & I've now convinced myself I'm going to catch whatever the hell it is (norovirus has been in local schools so highly likely it's that)!! I've got so much left to for Christmas before breaking up on Friday & if I now end up catching it it will probably spears through my own family over Christmas week.... I'm actually incandescent with rage!!

The worse of it is that it's actually really quiet at work so would of been no hardship to anyone if she hadn't come in.... AIBU to fuck off home & refuse to touch anything??

Update. I started writing this at 9am and didn't hit post... bottled out of going home so I'm still sat here at work spreading her germs all over myself 😡

people who say "I've never done this and I never get sick" - has it occurred to you that you've never done it precisely because you don't get sick?

Back in - ooh 2008 I think - I was off work for months and finally got investigated for Epstein Barr just before recovering. I now think it was just one bug after another.

Even then, my doctor lamented the increase of open plan offices, hot desking, etc. Emphasised the need for cleaning everything at work and very thorough handwashing after using the Tube or indeed chip and pin machine.

I'm not technically immunocompromised. I do have asthma and it's rare for a cold to just be a cold.

Last time I had norovirus - well, I won't go into it but the effects of it lasted for several days.

If wiping down everything in sight results in fewer bugs, great. London offices, public transport etc are absolute hell holes for this. When people say "you're not exposed to enough germs" I want to live where they do!

Anti-bac doesn't work well with noro. You need bleach-based wipes.

Info here

www.verywellhealth.com/should-you-use-hand-sanitizer-770727

people who say "I've never done this and I never get sick" - has it occurred to you that you've never done it precisely because you don't get sick?

Eh?

You don't get ill by touching a computer. You get ill when you touch your eyes and mouth with contaminated hands.

That's why we should wash them regularly, preferably before eating, etc

Public transport is ridden with all sorts of germs. We don't wipe every surface we touch.

An interesting thing I learned is that hot water is not any better than cold water at killing germs. It’s the action of water and friction that kills them.

people who say "I've never done this and I never get sick" - has it occurred to you that you've never done it precisely because you don't get sick?

I actually think I don't get sick because I don't wipe anything down/use antibac/wash my hands every 5 mins. I work in a hot-desking office and go on public transport - just not fussed about germs. It's worked for me so far and I'm really dubious about our over-zealous use of antibac these days.

Do you not wipe everything down before you use it anyway? I never use a computer I havent wiped with antibacterial wipes first

whaaaaat?

Havaina I mean, if they never get sick, they never have to think "oh shit, I've had 30 days off this year with chest infections, what measures can I take to prevent getting ill".

because they never get sick. My late father was the same. Bullet proof. Apart from the cancer that took him out, obviously! But he had something like....35 years no sick days?

the bosses in my last place were like that. Everyone could have a major illness, but they wouldn't get it.

presumably these people are being studied so we can find out what super gene they have!

I didn't get sick for about twenty years. Never used anti bac, shared computers phones, spoke to people who were sick etc etc.

You know when I got constantly sick. When I became a mum and a small person started sneezing in my mouth and coughing in my eyes, man alive now I get sick.

It’s the action of water and friction that kills them.

They're not killed, they are washed away.

Oh I see @AutumnRose1. Understood!

Maybe we’re all stronger in different ways. Like I never get headaches or stomach bugs but I have very sensitive skin and have bloating issues.

@Lweji ah yes you’re right

people who say "I've never done this and I never get sick" - has it occurred to you that you've never done it precisely because you don't get sick?

No, strangely enough I don't believe that I have some mysterious superpower of that nature. I think I don't get sick because I've allowed my body to build up its natural immunities.

Of course if people have a weakened immune system, then things are different. You should protect yourself.

Equanimitas "I think I don't get sick because I've allowed my body to build up its natural immunities."

ah, you weren't the child who was constantly at the hospital then?

The flu virus only lives on hard surfaces for 24 hours.

Best to keep clorox wipes, lysol and hand sanitizer handy this time of year. It's awful knowing you're being potentially exposed, but realistically you're probably exposed all the time in public places. Good luck, hoping for you to not catch anything!

Isn’t there a special phone/keyboard etc sanitiser that cleaners use for offices? I know this doesn’t guarantee against the norovirus but might make you feel a bit better whilst you get your hands on some dettol wipes.

Get some anti vac gel and stop being such a big baby
Gonna order a shit tonne of this though Non vac 2020 for me !

Offices are a nightmare this time of year, let alone when you share desks etc. I agree with carrying wipes, I always wipe mine down, seen as though the cleaners tend to just spread the same cloth along all of the keyboards and desks which probably doesn't do much (they do a fab job at keeping everything else clean, but ew- they just do what they can with what they are told to do and the resources though, I do understand that). I keep a tub of antibac gel as well in case.

Gonna order a shit tonne of this though Non vac 2020 for me !

Wipe it! You have to do your job!

The telephone sanitisers all left on the B Ark!