I’m a frontline care worker AMA

[Ilove]

Cannot find the AMA topic

I’m a front line care worker in the community

No, we do not have the PPE we need

Yes, we are funding it ourselves

Yes, i am working more than full time at the moment

Yes, I have kids

Yes, I am struggling to reconcile work with home life

Yes, If i don’t work bills won’t be paid

Yes, AMA

Some proper twats on this thread, which is sadly unsurprising.
The OP worked as a nanny, but after being discharged from her duties, returned to her former role as a carer.
It's really not hard to grasp

Are things improving or is it all lies?

Where in country are you?

You've only been doing it for 4 weeks, signed up when the lockdown started, and you're finding it tough even though you haven't done it for years like other people.

Go away OP.

I don’t know why you’re so pissy about working as a care when you chose to take a job as a carer? Again I came here thinking this would be interesting but you just want a rant, that’s fine

People are being very unkind to OP. What is the matter with some people? I am in awe that the OP has changed posts to help in our current situation. You are doing valuable work OP and it is terrible if you cannot obtain the PPE you need. Society should be extremely grateful for your contribution.

When did your employer start buying PPE? Back in January or in March?
If they started sourcing it recently, do you think they should have started earlier?

Would staff at your care home be willing to facilitate visits with family if it took place in the garden of the care home with no touching and a barrier to ensure 2-3 metres social distancing? I feel we should move towards this for the sake of the elderly who don't have interaction or anything to look forward to.

OP, are you working in a care home? If so do any of your residents have Covid-19?

Have you or your colleagues been tested? If not, why not?
Have any residents been tested?

I don't think op is returning.
I apologise for not understanding her work situation. I didn't find it clear though.
OP also used two user names which didn't help matters (ilove and ILOVE).

Also she hasn't made it clear that she isn't nannying. I think she's pissed that her bosses are WFH and still requiring her to come in. She says 'I'm a nanny' nowhere does she say that she's now taking up extra hours work at a care home. When she says she's been working in care, she is applying that to nannying

Crikey

To clarify

I have worked as a nanny for several years. I'm self employed as a nanny. I wont get any government money before june, if then, to make up for the fact I am not earning anything as a nanny right now. None of my nanny families need me at the moment as they are all WFH right now.

So I had 0 income. I have also, for at least a year, done minimal care work for an agency, going to the homes of people who are ill, or disabled, and need care. When the nanny work dried up I asked my care agency did they had any extra help. They do as have a LOT of staff off, either with symptoms or self isolating.

The agency have been ordering PPE. It isnt available. It has rocketed in price.

I'm angry at the governments lack of action, and their lies.

When the world returns to normal, and kids are hack at school, and parents at work, I will go back to nannying.

Clearer now?

Hell, we stick tubes down people and have no PPE. Will lend you some of ours when we get it.

Also
If you are a home care worker, going from home to home, I would imagine the PPE is there to protect your clients moreso than to protect you.

If you are a home care worker, going from home to home, I would imagine the PPE is there to protect your clients moreso than to protect you

I'd want at least an apron and gloves if having to deal with piss, shit and sputum.

I have no idea why you are getting a hard time on this thread OP.

Heck I get stressed just going to the supermarket. I can understand anyone in a frontline role will currently be beyond stressed about the PPE situation. So it is more a rant than AMA maybe but bloody hell, is posting location really the most crucial aspect of this?

I also can see that there is a dissociation between the global supply problems and an individual’s view. Do I expect anyone on the frontline to say “oh it is ok, these are unprecedented times every country had supply issues I shall stop complaining”. No. I do not expect that.

Do I think if I worry or care for the OP it means I care less for her colleagues, other HCPs or indeed the stress the government individuals must be under (love them or loathe them). No I do not.

OP and all others, I am so sorry you are in this situation. It is beyond shit.

I have a family member in a similar role and it's just dreadful.
I can sew. Thinking about making a set of scrubs. We have some nitrile gloves, could sew a mask. Kind of desperate, isn't it, but could help.

To a PP regarding testing. No, no tests offered within this sector so far. Fair enough, NHS get these first but the care sector needs to getting them too.

The vitriol and wilful inability to read the op’s thread properly then piling on with preconceived judgements is pretty much symptomatic of many threads on Mumsnet. Less judgement and more kindness goes a long way. Just because it’s on AIBU doesn’t mean ops should be torn to shreds for personal thrill.

Also spare a thought for the people who require the care you give who are the most vulnerable to this virus and have no idea who will be entering their home on a daily basis, I think the company you are working for have been naive in their response to providing PPE and shouldn't be bitching about the cost and just waiting for the government to provide it, I'm assuming they charge for their services, they should just order what's necessary and protect their staff and customers, we are four weeks in now it's not a new problem.

Oh. I was expecting an insightful AMA thread.

Lockitdown erm hello ppe is there to protect us as well as our service users we are at risk of picking things up off them as they are off us .I am a community carer .OP ignore the nastiness half those throwing around the vitriol highly likely wouldn't do the job themselves .Look after yourself and stay safe .