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AIBU?

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Original poster

To report someone returning from Spain

641 replies

Archie1989 · 27/07/2020 13:08

A friend of my partner has said he has no intention of isolating on his return from Spain. Should I anonymously report them? My mum was on the shielding list and it’s making me quite angry. People who went abroad would know the risks during all of this....and then to refuse to isolate shows such arrogance and disregard for others.

I don’t know this person well and I don’t want to make my partner feel stuck in the middle.

OP posts:
Keepdistance · 27/07/2020 15:59

I would 'snitch' dont break the rules if you dont want to get caught.
There will be shielding people forced back to work and school aug/sept. They cant choose to keep themselves safe. Why should they just die quietly?

Imagine if that were your child with CF or cancer or your kid's pregnant teacher?

Do you want people from usa or brasil etc not to bother to isolate either

notangelinajolie · 27/07/2020 16:04

Yes, you should absolutely report. I watch the figures and Covid-19 cases in Spain have escalated over the past few days, cases are going up fast and anyone who has just stepped of a plane from there is a potential carrier and at much higher risk of having contracted it than someone who has stayed at home and hasn't just stepped off a plane.
DH's boss is currently in Spain and if he goes back into work it gives carte blanche for all his employees to do the same. I really hope he stays away for my DH's sake - he has an underlying health condition and sharing the same breathing space for 10 hours a day would be a worry.

rookiemere · 27/07/2020 16:07

If you're going to snitch, then have the decency to tell your friend what you intend to do so if they want to avoid it , then they will self isolate.

PhilCornwall1 · 27/07/2020 16:10

@rookiemere

If you're going to snitch, then have the decency to tell your friend what you intend to do so if they want to avoid it , then they will self isolate.
Good idea, have balls to actually tell them what you are thinking of doing.
IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 27/07/2020 16:13

@Keepdistance

I would 'snitch' dont break the rules if you dont want to get caught. There will be shielding people forced back to work and school aug/sept. They cant choose to keep themselves safe. Why should they just die quietly?

Imagine if that were your child with CF or cancer or your kid's pregnant teacher?

Do you want people from usa or brasil etc not to bother to isolate either

If they won’t quarantine then they obviously don’t care about the consequences of their actions as are only thinking of themselves.

Can you imagine taking it into a school or workplace and the potential for awful outcomes just because you wont follow a simple rule to stay home. Beyond belief that level of selfishness imo.

TSSDNCOP · 27/07/2020 16:16

Coronavirus is the gift that keeps on giving for the failed prefects in life, isn't it. MYOB stickybeak.

cologne4711 · 27/07/2020 16:18

Good idea, have balls to actually tell them what you are thinking of doing

And actually change their behaviour, rather than simply having the dubious satisfaction of sneaking on them.

Prokupatuscrakedatus · 27/07/2020 16:18

If you have to report anybody - do it under your name, stand by it.

Flapjak · 27/07/2020 16:20

No, as rather than quarantining people for 14 days they should be testing people on return for actual infection.

WeAllHaveWings · 27/07/2020 16:25

I agree they took the risk of going on holiday mid pandemic, they should be isolating and they need to bear the consequences that isolation causes them as it was has been clear the quarantine rules might change quickly yet they choose to still go.

There is a reason there are no publicised places to report businesses or people breaking the guidance/law. There simply isn't the resources to record and follow up reports, we are reliant on peoples good sense, consciences and worry they might just be the ones who are checked on and get a large fine.

saraclara · 27/07/2020 16:26

I would also self-isolate, but in my position, that is easy to say.

For others, who have had the goalposts moved whilst away and who might be miles from the areas in Spain most affected, it might be a more difficult decision.

Exactly. If I stood to lose a lot of money, or even my job because I came home on Sunday rather than Saturday, from an area of Spain with a lower incidence of Covid than my home area, I'd be distraught and angry, and if I could get away with no quarantining, I can't guarantee that I'd follow the rules.

I live in an area that's in the top 20 areas for prevalence. No way would I shop a neighbour who'd come back from the south of Spain. I'm more likely to have the virus than they are, statistically.

Lweji · 27/07/2020 16:26

@Flapjak

No, as rather than quarantining people for 14 days they should be testing people on return for actual infection.
Actually, quarantine followed by testing is the safest option.

Testing upon return can mean that a recent infection is missed, thus giving a false sense of security.

A 14 day quarantine is also too short anyway, at least for asymptomatic people.
It's really just a token measure.

Another poorly thought out measure, as usual, by the UK government.

CHIRIBAYA · 27/07/2020 16:26

I don't understand why you want to do it anonymously when you are certain you have the moral high ground. Why not show some integrity and be upfront about what you are doing when it will be so straight forward to justify your position? As others have argued, would you report a car theft anonymously or a drink driver? It's very sneaky to do otherwise. You seem very motivated to do the right thing so it shouldn't be a problem for you.

starrynight19 · 27/07/2020 16:31

Why wouldn’t you just challenge the person op when and if they do decide to not quarantine.
Agree with so many others on here , what’s the difference coming back from a place in Spain with low cases to being in Blackburn / Leicester.
It’s a farce the lot of it. See no punishments if we travel into places with high cases in our own country though.
We cannot possibly live like this forever no matter how much some people seem to revel in it.

Venicelover · 27/07/2020 16:32

@madbirdlady22

You could just as easily be on holiday in the UK and that area has a spike and gets lockdown

I would expect anyone that has been advised to self isolate if they were advised to do so, regardless of where they have been.

If the UK starts issuing guidance around local lockdowns I will be following it, as I do not want many tens of thousands of people to die.

I seriously do not understand your logic.

UK - 764 approx daily infection rate
Spain - in excess of 2000 daily infection rate

Clearly this is a big difference between the two, and we have to respond to that.
If we end up with a deadly second wave that kills another 50, 000 people in the UK it won't be difficult to see why, because people simply can not seem to grasp the basics!

There are specific areas of risk in Spain, a ban/quarantine for those areas affected might be better, rather than a countrywide quarantine diktat.

Northern Spain seems to be by far the worst.

Jaxhog · 27/07/2020 16:33

Yes with no hesitation. It’s to protect others who have no say in those that put them at risk.

Of course. It's these people who will be the cause of more job losses when we have to go into a second lockdown.

Chochito · 27/07/2020 16:34

Was he on the mainland? Most of not all of Spain has fewer cases than UK so yes you would be U without having more information. Why don't you ask him why he's not isolating?

MooneyBadger · 27/07/2020 16:36

@rookiemere

If you're going to snitch, then have the decency to tell your friend what you intend to do so if they want to avoid it , then they will self isolate.
I agree with this.

If your aim is to prevent your partner's friend from leaving the house before the quarantine period is up, this would potentially be far more effective than waiting for them to break the rules first.

At least be honest about it.

Boogiewoogiebugleboy · 27/07/2020 16:39

Good points up thread. If the snitches insist on reporting people- have some bloody courage and backbone. Own it and give your name to your complaint. Don’t be a pathetic coward.

Aragog · 27/07/2020 16:40

People who booked holidays recently would be very aware they had no Covid insurance if they had to go into hospital .

My annual insurance covers treatment for Covid and Covid related issues. It didn't in April when they changed the rules but as of about 10 days ago it does cover it again.

My EHIC card would also cover me for treatment to.

Lweji · 27/07/2020 16:41

You'll need to set up camp outside his home to ensure he's complying with the quarantine, though.

The thing is, if the government who set up this rule won't bother monitoring people (no idea if they will or are), why should the public have to?

It's a fairly random decision, and quite frankly, not something that I'd worry too much about.

wewereliars · 27/07/2020 16:41

Spain has less coronavirus than we do. This inept government is trying to look like it's doing something. This country is awful enough at the moment without having to content with self appointed members of the stasi

KeyWorker · 27/07/2020 16:43

Report them to who? Who is in charge of enforcing self-isolation anyway?

PhilCornwall1 · 27/07/2020 16:45

@KeyWorker

Report them to who? Who is in charge of enforcing self-isolation anyway?
According to the OP, the "COVID Police". You couldn't make it up!
Thisfucker · 27/07/2020 16:47

@HeckyPeck
Also no one is being killed as a result of the reporting
Also no one is being killed without the reporting. The op doesn't even know this person, the person hasn't said anything to the op. The op wants to report another person to the Covid Police because of something he/she has said, not done.
That's disgraceful and deeply unpleasant behaviour. Op can and should only control her own actions.