Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To insist that my friend doesn't go back to work on Tuesday without a negative covid test result?

253 replies

RingPiece · 29/08/2020 22:37

Teacher friend at a large inner city secondary school, says she's woken up feeling ill - sore throat, no sense of taste, temperature, shivers, etc. She's back to work on Tuesday. I've told her to get a covid test sent to her home and wait for the results before going back to work.

She said it's unlikely she'll get the test, send it back and get the results by Tuesday, as it's BH, and so will

'have to go in anyway , as it could just be a cold and I always go to work when I have a cold'

She also thinks she may be better by Tuesday.
Aibu in saying she really needs to get a test. Her school's huge and she'll come into contact with loads of staff on the Tuesday and then with the 90 children in her bubble on the Wednesday, not to mention all those commuters on her train and tube journey to and from the school.

OP posts:
Original poster
RingPiece · 29/08/2020 22:50

She doesn't drive. Lives in central London, zone 2. Lives alone. There's no one really to drive her as that could be putting themselves at risk.

OP posts:
MarshaBradyo · 29/08/2020 22:52

Well not getting a test then putting hundreds at risk is not the way to go

Skysblue · 29/08/2020 22:52

She’s scared and in denial but that’s no excuse. No sense of taste means it probably is covid. Ask her how she’ll feel if she goes in and a kid gets it from her and passes it to their family and loses a parent. She can go to a drive in test centre.

If she absolutely insists on going to work then you should call the head. Literally could save someone’s life.

AntiHop · 29/08/2020 22:52

She really has to stay off work until she's had a negative test. She's being massively irresponsible.

Skysblue · 29/08/2020 22:52

Just saw that she doesn’t drive. She’ll have to miss a day or two of work then while waiting for the test result.

Original poster
RingPiece · 29/08/2020 22:53

I told her she's risking disciplinary action and now she's going to think about it. It's funny what motivates some people.

OP posts:
Skysblue · 29/08/2020 22:53

(Depressed that someone this irresponsible is teaching kids).

RevolutionRadio · 29/08/2020 22:54

There are some test that will test people on foot, would be worth putting her post code in the testing site and see what's near by.

Sewrainbow · 29/08/2020 22:54

She needs to get the test. I know how she feels I'm a healthcare worker and would normally go to work with a cold not least because we get pe realised for more than so many illnesses in a certain timeframe. BUT things are different now and workplaces also need to accept that now people will have to be off with what they think is a "minor illness" until proven not to be covid. At least your trust has said that covid will not be included in the usual sickness disciplinary procedure.

Sewrainbow · 29/08/2020 22:55

Penalised that should be!

Original poster
RingPiece · 29/08/2020 22:55

There are some test that will test people on foot, would be worth putting her post code in the testing site and see what's near by

I did not know this
Thanks. I'll check.

OP posts:
gamerchick · 29/08/2020 22:55

You know she's probably right and it's just a cold. I had that cold recently, but I still.got tested.

Drive through it is or she'll have to take a few days off while she does the posting thing. Tell her to book something now.

I had a quick turnaround on my last test. It doesn't always drag on.

Emma1962 · 29/08/2020 22:55

Even if she chooses not to get a test, with those symptoms she should isolate for 14 days. Imagine if it is Covid & she goes spreading it around school. More hassle than a few days off sick. How would she feel if a parent knowingly sent their child into school with these symptoms. Please tell her to be responsible. I’d be so peed off as a parent if my child’s teacher went into school feeling like that. I’d rather keep my kids off for an extra 2 weeks.

MrsHamlet · 29/08/2020 22:56

@Skysblue

(Depressed that someone this irresponsible is teaching kids).
I have to agree with this. I know the teacher guilt only too well - but this is not a snotty nose/headache/whatever situation.
Serin · 29/08/2020 22:56

She is selfish.

ZZGirl · 29/08/2020 22:57

Absolutely needs to get a test and should not be going into work until she's had a negative test and if she spoke to her SLT, they'd say the same.

EndoplasmicReticulum · 29/08/2020 22:57

Even if it turns out to be "just a cold" and not covid, if she spreads the "just a cold" to other staff and children who then have to get tested, isolate, their families have to isolate.....
Massive pain in the arse for others / the school.
And that's assuming it's NOT Covid.

ilovesooty · 29/08/2020 23:00

@Bridecilla

My dad took my step mum for a test on Wednesday because she had symptoms. They drove straight from the test car park to a carvery for lunch. I'm so angry and disappointed with them. They're 72 and 73, their irresponsibility throughout this epidemic has changed my views of them horribly
That is disgusting.
Lilybet1980 · 29/08/2020 23:00

@RingPiece

She doesn't drive. Lives in central London, zone 2. Lives alone. There's no one really to drive her as that could be putting themselves at risk.
There are also walk through test centres in London. Although presumably you’re supposed to walk there and not get public transport!
crankysaurus · 29/08/2020 23:02

If she's unsure can she call / text someone from SLT for advice? (which will no doubt be stay at home, get a test)

Augustbreeze · 29/08/2020 23:07

She could potentially be disciplined if school realises she's come into school with symptoms or even if someone
gets to hear that she was ill at the weekend even if she's "better" by Tuesday. Would that persuade her?

BlackeyedSusan · 29/08/2020 23:08

You are allowed to walk or cycle to walk in test centre.

Augustbreeze · 29/08/2020 23:08

Actually you don't need to walk to a walk in test centre, no, just walk up to its entrance rather than driving up and then staying in your car to swab or be swabbed.

gurglebelly · 29/08/2020 23:10

She's being a knob, she needs to know she's being a knob. How will she feel if an entire year group has to isolate as a result of her 'soldiering on'

Trackandtrace · 29/08/2020 23:14

And this is why vunerable children/staff or those with vunerable family at home are so concerend about returning to school.
The risk is bad enough that social distancing is imposible byt then you have families or staff breaking the rules with parties and to top it off you have thise who disregard the risk and will attend work or send their children in with symptoms Angry

And yet it is us parents with genuine concerns that are being treated like we are too anxious, unhinged individuals who will risk our childrens mental health and ruin their future pospects for nothing.

Please tell your friend that IF it is covid she could kill someone. Even if it isnt covid and a child becomes ill with this bug they will have the worry of is it covid and if the school ask her 'did you have a negative test?' How will it look to admit no i didnt take a test and came in anyway.
She will at best bring herself and her school into desrespute and at worse be the cause of deaths in her area.