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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask if I was your cleaner

70 replies

Tootsey11 · 03/11/2020 17:42

Would you want to know my Ds was from today self isolating as he was sitting next to someone yesterday for 5 hours and now that person has tested positive.

I'm a cleaner in other people's homes. Ive been told I do not need to stay in but our house is that small I cannot socially distance from him.

Neither of us has symptoms, I've had CV in March.

Would you want me round to clean in the next 14 days?

OP posts:
Dinosauraddict · 03/11/2020 20:02

I wouldn't want you to come round, but would still pay you as that would be my choice.

Whichoneofyoudidthat · 03/11/2020 20:06

I'd want to know and would cancel too.

OverTheRainbow88 · 03/11/2020 20:14

I would cancel, having had covid before is irrelevant as you can get it again.

I would pay you and paid our cleaner full throughout the first lockdown.

Original poster
Tootsey11 · 03/11/2020 20:17

A mixed bunch of answers.

Now I've got someone asking for a one off clean tomorrow.

I hate turning work down!

OP posts:
TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 03/11/2020 20:20

No, I would want to know where you put the clean dusters - this time!

ItsmineAllmine · 03/11/2020 20:21

You don't have to turn work down though!

If you were employed in a job, your boss definitely wouldn't be asking you to stay off work because there is no need for you to do so. If your child develops symptoms then you need to stay off - otherwise craxk on as normal!

Disfordarkchocolate · 03/11/2020 20:31

I'd want to know. I'd pay you to keep away to be honest.

101namesforme · 03/11/2020 20:35

I wouldn't want you in my house, sorry. The chances of passing it on are far too high and I am clinically vulnerable (not extremely vulnerable/shielding).

Even if you had it in March, were you tested or just think you had it?, you may well not be immune and could develop it and pass it on.

You have done the right thing but if you had come to my house and not given me the choice about it first I would be really angry that I had been put at risk.

FreshFreesias · 03/11/2020 20:37

Wouldn’t bother me

orangenasturtium · 03/11/2020 20:44

I would want to know and I would not want you to come but I would pay you if you hadn't been told to self isolate. If you came without telling me, I would probably fire you.

You do realise that you don't just need to socially distance from your DS, (which you've said is impossible) if he has been told to self isolate, he should be self isolating within the house ie staying in his room, not using shared spaces, using a separate bathroom if possible or cleaning it after use if not?

purplecorkheart · 03/11/2020 20:45

No, I am sorry but given the nature of my job and the people I come in contact I have to reduce all risks as much as I can on their behalf rather than mine.

Invisimamma · 03/11/2020 20:47

I'd want to know. Its not a risk I'd be willing to take. You don't know if any of them are more vulnerable (my partner is, but you'd never know as he doesn't disclose his condition).

In fact I had opposite situation in Sept, my son was home from school self isolating due to contact, whilst I was having work done in the garden. I told the workers the situation and gave them the option to come back in 2 weeks. As it was outside they were happy to continue.

WeirdlyOdd · 03/11/2020 20:49

you should let people know and leave the decision up to them - they may well have vulnerabilities you are unaware of.

Original poster
Tootsey11 · 03/11/2020 20:51

@Orangenasturtium we don't have the space to stay apart. One bathroom one tiny kitchen.

I honestly feel if he has it already then it's too late to avoid him. He is a huggy teen and last night hugged me and this morning before we set off.

OP posts:
orangenasturtium · 03/11/2020 20:52

I would want to know and I would not want you to come but I would pay you if you hadn't been told to self isolate. If you came without telling me, I would probably fire you.

You do realise that you don't just need to socially distance from your DS, (which you've said is impossible) if he has been told to self isolate, he should be self isolating within the house ie staying in his room, not using shared spaces, using a separate bathroom if possible or cleaning it after use if not?

SD1978 · 03/11/2020 20:54

Yes I'd want to know. People should be given the choice, and most will probably cancel. But by telling them you'll probably still have clients after the 14 days are up.

orangenasturtium · 03/11/2020 20:56

Also, even if you had it in March, you may not have developed immunity or you may no longer be immune. It seems that subsequent reinfections may be milder, so you could be infectious and asymptomatic. Furthermore, it seems that people are most infectious before symptoms appear.

orangenasturtium · 03/11/2020 21:03

He shouldn't be in the kitchen and he needs to clean the bathroom after using it. It doesn't matter how small your house is, he should be staying in his room anyway. If he has his own bedroom, then he can self isolate at home.

Actually, he was only exposed yesterday, it's not too late, he probably won't be very infectious now if he has cuaght the virus.

Also, even if you had it in March, you may not have developed immunity or you may no longer be immune. It seems that subsequent reinfections may be milder, so you could be infectious and asymptomatic. Furthermore, it seems that people are most infectious before symptoms appear.

AliceMcK · 03/11/2020 21:03

No, definitely not.

Meuniere · 03/11/2020 21:05

I can’t understand why you are asking your clients.
You do not need to self isolate. You have no reason to tell them.
In 2 days time, you will have no income.

This is crazy

Original poster
Tootsey11 · 03/11/2020 21:10

@Meuniere I'm asking them because in case I already have it and don't want to bring it into their home.

OP posts:
BeardieWeirdie · 03/11/2020 21:14

Why are people saying you should be distancing from your son/isolating yourself? That is not the guidance at all. My daughter was quarantining for two weeks after a dinner lady tested positive. Everyone else in our house was allowed out to work/shop as my daughter was displaying no symptoms.

Original poster
Tootsey11 · 03/11/2020 21:18

@BeardieWeirdie probably because I work inside other people's homes. Handling their stuff etc. Not the same as going to work in a shop etc

OP posts:
orangenasturtium · 03/11/2020 21:20

Sorry. MN is playing up, I didn't mean to keep on at you by posting a gazillion times @Tootsey11 Grin

Ethelfleda · 03/11/2020 21:26

I’d want to know but would still have you around.

And we paid our cleaner for the whole of lockdown even though she didn’t clean! No way do I want to let her go - she is awesome!
She is about to have a baby (in just over a month) and am considering paying her for a few weeks after as well!