Wife high risk but her work want her to do a covid test test

[Yellowskies1988]

She's been at home for... 7 weeks maybe 8 now. Her work rang her to do a test. She is an activity coordinator in a care home.
Apparently they want her to go down in the car (my car as she doesn't drive) and do a covid19 test.
Will have to have the kids with me as can't leave them with my nan (she is and has always been our only childcare option, obviously not seen her for 8 weeks or more)
I was at work when my wife's manager rang her yesterday she told me when I got home. I'm unsure if her work can actually request this as she has the text and the letter from the government. It states on that the letter is to be used as a sick note where required.

She has a wasting disease (don't like that term) she has been showing early onset symptoms for a short while now, maybe a year.

I'm I being unreasonable here to say "your not going"? Or are her work being unreasonable?

[StoneSourFan]

Is this not the antibody test that has just came out? I know NHS staff and care staff are being offered it to see if they have had corona virus without symptoms. I know a couple of people who have had positive antibody tests with no symptoms what do ever. If so I would take the test. She shouldn't be going to work if she's shielding x

[crimsonlake]

Since she appears to be shielding I see little benefit in her having the test. Tbh, people could test negative on the day, but inbetween the results she could catch it. In care homes it is impossible to follow the social distance rules, I know as I am an activity coordinator. She needs to ring work to clarify.

[DontStandSoCloseToMe]

My mum was tested s couple of weeks ago (random selection no symptoms), she stayed in her car and a man in a hazmat type suit dropped a test through her window (open 2 inches), she did it then dropped it in a box all from the car so low risk there, the going back to work she needs to discuss with get manager why she is being asked to be tested. You've also not been clear if she is on the vulnerable list or the shielding list there's a difference

[bringmelaughter]

She has a shielding letter which means that she’s highly vulnerable to Covid19. Going out to rake a test for work and going back to work would both be against medical advice and carry a high risk especially as she works in a high risk area.

It’s obviously her choice to go against advise and take the risk but I’m surprised you want her to go for the test & possibly go to work.

[AnnaMagnani]

If she was shocked to get the shielding letter, and she is at a very early stage then there is a chance she received it on the basis of being coded to have the disease at her GP, regardless of her stage of illness.

There has been much debate about this for example with people with Huntington's where people got sent shielding letters just for having the diagnosis but only those at advanced stages were at increased risk. There is a very clear summary of this on the HDA website:

www.hda.org.uk/getting-help/covid-19-information-and-advice-hub/shielding

www.hda.org.uk/news/clarification-of-covid-19-high-risk-huntington-s-textsletters

If your wife is very well, you might want to get individual advice from her GP or consultant about whether she has to shield as a some of the letters in the very beginning were a bit random. I spent ages where I work figuring out who did and didn't have to shield but I suspect most places didn't have time for this and just sent out letters to as many people as possible.

On the other hand, if she works in a care home, she might be happy to shield for as long as possible so she knows it's safe for her to go back to work.

[Marnie76]

I would suggest to her that she phones them back to clarify if they are expecting her to go back. I presume she would have to take public transport to get there (not wise if she’s high risk), and arrange childcare before even getting to the problems of actually working there.
There’s no point heR taking a test if she can’t return anyway.

[Pootleflump76]

Why don’t you request a home test.

[Yellowskies1988]

This site really needs an EDIT button.

I'm more concerned about weather or not her work want her to go back or not after taking the test?

Its inconvenient to have us all go but I don't mind I was just stating that the circumstances need us all to be on site.

[Namenic]

You could ring GP to ask about advice re:risk of working, leaving house. Also depends on current meds etc.

[Yellowskies1988]

Also @helpwithpuppyplease she is an adult yes but her illness affects her ability to process things properly and make decisions.
@plunkplunkfizz it sort of is as her illness affects her to make decisions and as her carer I have to put her welbing first so actually yes it is

[ASandwichNamedKevin]

@helpwithpuppyplease the OP says his/her wife can't drive so OP would have to bring her and the children.

OP it depends on your wife's status and the reason for the test.

[Carolebaskins]

Take the test but make it clear to work that even if it's negative she is officially vulnerable and you have the paperwork to prove it. She won't have to go back in until the government advises it is safe for the vulnerable groups to stop shielding.
She is protected as she has the letter.

[helpwithpuppyplease]

If she has had a shielding letter she should call her work and remind them of this and tell them she won't be coming as it's against government advice.

[Lindy2]

I assume they are testing all their staff. I think this will become normal routine for places like care homes.

What's the problem with her going in for the test? Is it the inconvenience or risk you are worried about?

It could be carried out while she stays in the car. It is literally just a 10 second swab in the mouth and nose. I'm not understanding your issue.

[Carolebaskins]

Sorry I misread, if she has a shielding letter then I would say that's enough to mean she doesn't have to go to work etc however as the government are asking people to have tests even when they are very ill with covid, I think you may have to just suck it up and take the test.

[Yellowskies1988]

I'm not telling her she can't go! My opinion is that she should go.

I think her work want her to go back in is the reason behind it

@helpwithpuppyplease - thier is absolutely no issue with the kids been left with me I stated that my wife doesn't drive so we would all have to go!!

@tokyosushi she is mixed. She was shocked to get the letter of high risk in the first place. Think she just wants out of the house to be honest. She is a games coordinator. Keeps her busy when she is their. She is keen to see why social distancing measures might be in place

@intelinside57 & @BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz yes she is I stated that in my OP

@Firefliess I'm certain they would want her back at work yes

[Carolebaskins]

I work in management in a large care home group.
If your wife has a shielding letter than she doesn't need to attend. It's simple.
If she hasn't and she has been working then it wouldn't be unreasonable to get the test as it is in the best interests of her colleagues.

[plunkplunkfizz]

Not really your place to tell her she’s not going, is it? You can advise her but it’s her decision.

[DDiva]

If shes shielding surely she shouldn't be going anywhere, did she remind them of this ?

[Socksontheradiatoragain]

What does your wife want to do?

[Potentialmadcatlady]

If she is on the shielding list then she will be protected from being let go/sacked in the same way as you are protected when on sick leave- according to BBC financial advisor yesterday

[Finfintytint]

I thought you could have a test kit delivered to you.

[Bairnsmum05]

Seems like a pointless exercise. It will show if she has covid however as she is sheilding, she won't be planning on a return to work anyway so I'm not sure of the reasoning behind this.

[helpwithpuppyplease]

Is there a problem with the kids being left with you? Ywbu to tell her she can't go, she's an adult capable of her own choices.
If she is shielded (rather than just vulnerable) then she would be unreasonable to go and she just needs to remind her employer she's shielded

[Soontobe60]

Having a test will only tell them if she currently has the virus won't it? Or have antibody tests been released in the last couple of days?
TBH, her taking a test with you and the kids in the car seems safe enough unless she has been completely shielding from you all too.