To think it's about time we limited the spread of ALL viruses?

[Saladmakesmesad]

I've always been a bit puzzled by the way we all pass around coughs and colds every year, and just accept it. People are allowed to sit in meetings and offices and on trains and in churches and pubs and at dinner parties coughing and sneezing, blowing their noses, looking pale, admitting to being dosed up on Lemsip because they had a temperature that morning etc.

Having a cold is unpleasant and horrible. Yes not deadly for most but can be absolutely rubbish, and yet it's socially acceptable to spread it to others.

Does anyone else think it's about time that keeping away from other people when you're sick became the norm (or at least wearing a face covering to stop you spraying your germs)? There will always be exceptions and people that absolutely have to go out, but I'm not talking about those people. I'm just talking about the general culture of it being normal to spread viruses (even, in some companies, more noble than taking sick leave).

YANBU - It's not ok to spread any viruses
YABU - It's fine to go out and about with a cold

I agree with you.
maybe (hopefully) it will be unacceptable to go out with cold & flu symptoms or fever.

however, for that to work a better sick pay system is needed.

Every employer I've ever had has been generally ok with having ill people at work so I wonder if that'll change.

I agree but many employers won’t let you be off sick for a cold. My last employer didn’t pay if you were off sick so I dragged myself in on several occasions when I was really ill, because I couldn’t afford to lose the money.

Our immune systems need to be challenged regularly otherwise they start to go wrong.
We didn’t evolve to hide away from microbes.

I agree and disagree - germs are good and our immune systems need testing. However, I've said to DH that I want to use this as an opportunity to tell his family, especially FIL, that if they are ill with some sort of virus to the point that they have been off work, to tell us BEFORE we go round so we can have a choice in whether we get infected! Hate getting round there and then seeing that someone's ill.

Yes, it's good and important to challenge our immune systems.
Nature, which includes viruses, isn't something we can distance ourselves from, as we are part of it.
Basic good hygiene should be followed of course, but we shouldn't get too clinical.

I hope this will also be the end of attendance certificates for school children. Getting a certificate/reward for struggling into school when clearly unwell makes no sense at all.

I agree, and think that taking a day or two at home at the height of cold symptoms would be in everyone's interests.

Less transmission, and the person (possibly) fully fit more quickly after rest and self care, rather than grimly ploughing on.

But taking sick leave for 'minor' reasons can be really tricky

I dunno. I think if this outbreak leads us to shy away from all bacteria and viruses, and lead the most sterile lives possible, that will have long term implications for our health too.

My husband has a serious autoimmune disease that may in part have been caused by growing up in an overly sterile environment!

That would cover a huge proportion of the population. I bet people are carry a viral load of one kind or another most of the time. If you made people who had just a sniffle stay home, how is the world going to function? According to many estimates, adults have 2-3 colds a year, children twice that.
But maybe handwashing will be more frequent now, which will help.

I used to live in an Asian country where as soon as people got ill with anything -even a minor cough or cold- they wore a face mask everywhere in public. I used to think it was really weird and pointless but watching how they have coped with covid is making me rethink.

We now have the infrastructure in place to WFH, which we didn't before. I'm sure many others do to. I wonder if it could become acceptable to WFH when you are full of cold so you don't spread it around but don't have to take a day off.

Even in lockdown I and then DC have caught several colds though, I don’t know how you avoid.

However, I've said to DH that I want to use this as an opportunity to tell his family, especially FIL, that if they are ill with some sort of virus to the point that they have been off work, to tell us BEFORE we go round so we can have a choice in whether we get infected!

Yes - this 100% for me too! I am SO fed up with one particular set of in-laws arriving (or letting us arrive at theirs) before cheerfully announcing their DS was throwing up all night but ‘seems better’ or their teenage DD is coughing horribly but also wanting to play with the little ones.

Is it really necessary to get 2 - 3 colds a year though or is it just that we are gross about hygiene and really into presenteeism?

My BIL is from another country and has always been grossed out that people here cough into their hands (and I think that is changing for the better too!)

I think wearing a facemask to reduce the amount of germs you spread when I'll is a good idea. Employers could do with being a little kinder to people when they are unwell - in as much as being able to more readily facilitate home working.
However, historically colds will have killed many people who had previously had no exposure to the virus.
But with a warming climate, and more ready access to frequent (and distant) travel, viruses are going to spread and mutate at a faster speed.

I'm emetophobic and fear norovirus way more than coronavirus. Live in fear all the time knowing there's no vaccine, the virus is always there and disgusting people don't wash their hands after using the toilet and spread it all over the place.

The only silver lining to covid is that people will inadvertently stop spreading noro and tons of other viruses as well!!

Yes, sick bugs are definitely the worst. I'm lucky to have quite a strong stomach so don't tend to get much further than feeling bad but I'm petrified of being sick. It's the lack of control.

I just definitely feel like employers especially are way too gung ho about gross people coughing and sneezing all over the office. It's so normal to hear something sniffing in that snotty way or talking all bunged up. Yuck.

110% agree with everything you’ve said.

I agree that employers often make it difficult. Maybe more people could work from home more now if they have a cold or mild virus but feel well enough to complete their work.

As a teacher I have always gone into school unless I have a stomach bug as it's such a hassle to take time off. These days supply teachers are never called in so I feel bad for whichever poorly paid TA has to cover me and I have to prepare and set all the work still. Having said that, after having been in the profession for many years, I rarely catch anything now!

I think people are definitely more aware of hand washing and general hygiene levels now so hopefully that will stop the community transmission of viruses a bit.

I remember when I was a kid the school nurse used to come in regularly and talk about hand washing before eating and that is something that has completely stopped now, I've also seen loads of people walk out of the toilet without washing their hands.

I remember once going to the co-op and the assistant sneezing into her hand and then giving me my change, hopefully people in public facing roles won't have to work when they are ill now.

@borntohula

Every employer I've ever had has been generally ok with having ill people at work so I wonder if that'll change.

One of my sisters works for a supermarket who were happy to have staff with cv symptoms (I kid you not) working and it took a number if staff kicking up a stink before management sent sick person home. So my guess is nothing will change in regards your average cold etc

I agree OP.

I think people get very confused about the 'Hygiene Hypothesis'- yes, it's beneficial for kids to encounter a range of bacteria, particularly from animals/mud etc. when their immune systems are developing. This can prevent a range of illnesses and set up an effective microbiome.

It is even helpful for adults to experience a range of bacteria and build up their microbiomes but it's not helpful to be constantly exposed to viruses, many of which, the immune system is unable to provide lasting immunity to.

Handwashing and not going into work/public spaces when ill should just be normal responsible behaviour and should be encouraged where possible.

I have no time for workplace "heroes" who show up to work when sick as if it is some praise-worthy feat. (Looking at you here, DH )

I'm a big believer in a day in bed when you have a cold, rather than pointlessly struggling through and infecting everyone you work with.

However, I also don't want to live in a fearful, distrustful world of blame.

There are viruses, we will catch them, and mostly we will be grand.

I agree.

Just the amount of people who don't wash their hands in the bathroom is shocking.