My au pair came home after a holiday with 3 friends, and presented with COVID symptoms. He has tested and we are waiting for results (if takes 2 full days...who knew?). I’m not sure what to do, and what is reasonable.
On one hand, he’s a young man (24) who is in a foreign country away from home, and he’s part of our family, so I’m looking after him of course while he self isolates. On the other hand, I’m anxious that he continues to self isolate for 14 days even if it’s a negative result, and I’d even want a re-test after 7 days or so, in case it was a false negative.
He’s not the brightest bulb in the chandelier, and was not taking this very seriously until the symptoms appeared. My fear is that a negative result might make him think it’s all fine and he can go back to “normal”. I’m annoyed and frustrated with his general attitude about COVID, which has been a bit cavalier in my opinion (I’m super careful, whereas he doesn’t properly wear masks, hangs out with a small number of close friends in his personal time...same ones he went on vacation with, etc...). I’m trying to see things from his perspective, and there aren’t better childcare options available to me at the moment.
There’s a complicating factor...I have 2 young children and am a single mother, so really need the extra help at home to be able to work from home. I’m taking a couple of days off work, and don’t have anyone near me who can help, especially as there’s potential virus exposure.
Is it reasonable to require the 14-day quarantine? I’ll be self-quarantining and having the kids only play in our garden...just ordered food online for example. Is it reasonable for me to take 2 weeks off work for this? They have so far been supportive, but I don’t want to push my luck.