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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

How am I ill?

57 replies

Newnamenewopenme · 23/09/2020 22:24

I’m full it cold. It’s just a cold, but it’s horrendous. We’ve not been anywhere because we have had shopping delivered and as we are both teachers and back at school we thought it was best to avoid family and friends for a couple of weeks to see how it all plays out.

I don’t go near kids at school, both mine and the kids hands are washed constantly and the classroom is wiped down regularly. I’ve not been near other staff as my classroom is miles away and the day is so chaotic I just don’t get chance.

How can I still have a cold? I can barely breathe I’m so bunged up and I don’t think it’s deserved! 😭

AIBU to be think someone is breaking into my house on a night and sneezing on me? There is no other explanation!

OP posts:
TheEC · 23/09/2020 22:26

If you’re in a confined room with anyone it’s inevitable. I don’t know anyone who is in a school environment that hasn’t picked up a cold over the last 2 weeks. Feel better soon

Mistlewoeandwhine · 23/09/2020 22:28

I tutor English online. I tutor kids from 15 different schools. This week ALL of them have bad colds.

Sewrainbow · 23/09/2020 22:29

I feel the same this week been at home doing uni online. But such a heavy cold havent felt this rubbish in years.

I can only assume it was last friday afternoon we had to go in for a session only 2 hours, socially distanced in masks all the time, we cleaned our computers before and after using them and I only went to loo once and washed hands etc but there were loads of students in the coffee shop area not distancing. Considering I've worked in a hospital throughout covid and been scrupulous about cleanliness etc its bloody unfair and miserable Sad

Mistlewoeandwhine · 23/09/2020 22:29

It does make me think how, despite all the safety measures, Covid is clearly going to be transmitted through school children.

Tearingmyhairout1998 · 23/09/2020 22:30

My mum said the same, she’s absolutely full of the sniffles, wonder if it has anything to do with being locked in for months and not mixing so we’re that little bit more susceptible to colds and flus

jgjgjgjgjg · 23/09/2020 22:33

I think this proves that we really don't understand well how viruses are transmitted. If the cold that SO many children now have can be passed around so easily then common sense says that COVID19 can be passed on in exactly the same way.

Original poster
Newnamenewopenme · 23/09/2020 22:33

I’ve had the windows open all day to keep the room well ventilated and I’m always at least 2m away. Nobody uses my desk other than me and I clean it all day for no germs to get on it. I want to ring in sick tomorrow but there’s already so many off that it would be really hard work for whoever gets stuck with cover.

OP posts:
TheRuleofStix · 23/09/2020 22:34

I teach primary so more exposure but yep we’ve all had colds! Little super spreaders aren’t they?! ShockEnvy

QuimReaper · 23/09/2020 22:35

Your immune system will be in your boots after lockdown! Everyone seems to have it. Maybe your partner's passed it onto you?

Di11y · 23/09/2020 22:37

Except with colds kids sneeze and get snot on their hands etc, if you have covid you're not sneezing the virus everywhere in the same way.

ContadoraExplorer · 23/09/2020 22:38

My LO started settling in days at nursery, she was in for an hour the first week and I ended up with a cold because she had a snotty nose the day after.

Kids are little germ carriers at the best of times but, after being kept away from people for so long, all of us have lost some of that built up immunity. Entirely inevitable.

SierraHotel · 23/09/2020 22:38

Yep, I'm a nursery nurse..currently have sinusitis and a chest infection following a cold last week. Absolutely the pits..I feel your pain.

Original poster
Newnamenewopenme · 23/09/2020 22:38

@QuimReaper he doesn’t seem to have it! He doesn’t catch anything, it’s infuriating.

@TheRuleofStix I’m not sure about primary having more exposure, I’ve taught around 220 kids so far this week for at least an hour each!

OP posts:
sirfredfredgeorge · 23/09/2020 22:42

rhinoviruses, which are the most likely virus you have now is very small, aerosolizes very easily with sneezes and stays in the air a long time.

COVID is larger, is not usually accompanied by sneezing, and aerosolization is not as observed as much, so much in fact it wasn't considered a likely means of transmission for most of the time.

Harriedharriet · 23/09/2020 22:43

How would you know the difference between a cold and Covid 19? Am curious as am fearful!

TheRuleofStix · 23/09/2020 22:44

@Newnamenewopenme yes but you said you don’t go near the kids! My class are in my face all day - that’s what I meant by more exposure Shock.

RoseTintedAtuin · 23/09/2020 22:45

If you’re feeling crap and would normally call in sick then I wouldn’t alter that. That’s what supply lists are for and the school must be aware that this is possible/likely at the current time so try to not feel guilty and focus on going back with your immune system at full strength. Hope you feel better soon

SeenYourArse · 23/09/2020 22:51

@Harriedharriet

How would you know the difference between a cold and Covid 19? Am curious as am fearful!
Are you serious? 7 m this in and you don’t know the COVID symptoms? Persistent/continuous DRY cough (not phlegmy/ catarrh cough!) Fever Loss of taste and smell NOT... bunged up/stuffy/runny snotty nose Chesty cough Sore throat Runny eyes
SeenYourArse · 23/09/2020 22:52

^ tut 7 months in that should read!

Original poster
Newnamenewopenme · 23/09/2020 22:52

@Harriedharriet because I had a test on Saturday! I was worried at first because I started with a cough until the rest of the cold caught up.

@TheRuleofStix I didn’t think about you having them closer. That’s definitely a benefit of having older ones.

@RoseTintedAtuin we had 12 off the other day, so kids are quite excitable at the moment so the more regular staff in the better. It’s almost the weekend.

OP posts:
ToastyCrumpet · 23/09/2020 22:57

It’s a lot easier to catch a cold than to catch Covid.

TheRuleofStix · 23/09/2020 22:57

@Newnamenewopenme yes the 2 metre distance thing is not something that 8 year olds are great at. It’s hard when they’re upset and want comforting too - I have to remind myself as much as them.

Almost every child in my class has had a cold already despite all the hand washing and sanitizer Hmm.

TheRuleofStix · 23/09/2020 22:58

@ToastyCrumpet very true - thank god!

MintyMabel · 23/09/2020 23:21

If you’re in a confined room with anyone it’s inevitable. I don’t know anyone who is in a school environment that hasn’t picked up a cold over the last 2 weeks. Feel better soon

And yet we’re told that the other coronavirus will never spread in schools as they are Covid safe.....

MintyMabel · 23/09/2020 23:23

COVID is larger, is not usually accompanied by sneezing, and aerosolization is not as observed as much, so much in fact it wasn't considered a likely means of transmission for most of the time.

But it is very much the case that now we know better and in fact airborne transmission is far more likely than surface transfer.