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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Reporting someone for failing to isolate

357 replies

WouldYouShouldI · 17/07/2021 00:44

Under what circumstances would you report someone for failing to isolate? Would you report any breach, no breach, or would it depend on circumstances?

I've been told by a friend that a family member of theirs (should be isolating because someone they live with has tested positive) is not isolating, and is even going out to work- and they work with vulnerable people in a medical environment!

Should I report them regardless of the possible consequences on my friend (who will be blamed if they get caught)? Or encourage my friend to do the same, again despite the consequences?

I'm torn!

OP posts:
HankMarvinjg · 17/07/2021 07:06

True though, can you imagine.

minatrina · 17/07/2021 07:09

Some absolute weirdos on this thread

I don't know whether I'd report. I wouldn't consider it unless vulnerable people are being put at risk, which in this situation they clearly are. I'd be more bothered about vulnerable people being in danger than people on Mumsnet who use terms like "drama llama" thinking I'm a curtain twitcher.

Nazi Germany comparisons are very odd too and clearly not very well-informed.

devildeepbluesea · 17/07/2021 07:09

@Guavaf1sh

This sort of post is a warning to us all how quickly we can fall into fascism
This. It's been a year now that I've realised just how easy the general public made it for the SS.
supercatlady · 17/07/2021 07:10

I think you should let the employer know.

warmfluffytowels · 17/07/2021 07:11

I wouldn't report anyone as I think the entire thing is bonkers.

I get the distinct impression it would be some MNetters dream to live under permanent restrictions Hmm

Northernsoullover · 17/07/2021 07:12

When I worked as a contact tracer (clinical lead looking at complex cases) quite often you'd get a case of a person you knew personally. Obviously you have to inform your manager that you couldn't deal with it but the knowledge is in your head. So say it was your cousin or neighbour and then you witnessed them or member of their household breaking isolation you would be in a huge quandary. It never happened to me but it did to my colleague. I'm not sure what the outcome was if anything but I know it was raised with senior staff.
My point is don't assume that the OP is acting on hearsay.

jihhy · 17/07/2021 07:12

True though, can you imagine.

What in case you are found guilty? Best way to avoid that is not end up in court...

Superfoodie123 · 17/07/2021 07:12

Get a life OP. Go and help some homeless people with no where to sleep tonight and maybe you'll feel better about yourself

OceanTurtles · 17/07/2021 07:13

@WeGoHigh

It baffles me that people could defend this with the circumstances the OP has set out. If your vulnerable family member was being cared for by someone living with someone who’d tested positive would you be so blasé? I know everyone is exhausted at this stage but come on
Agree.
jihhy · 17/07/2021 07:13

@Superfoodie123 do you know feel better about yourself?

jihhy · 17/07/2021 07:13

now not know

jumpbounce · 17/07/2021 07:14

Yes I would as someone with a vulnerable child who shielded and is now back shielding due to high cases who isn't vaccinated then this idiot could be working with my child in a medical environment and pass covid on!

I can't believe how many people would just let it go, yet it is currently still the law to self isolate as a close contact, where do you draw the line with the law breaking and not reporting it?

Hellcatspangle · 17/07/2021 07:14

I’m aware of people who are meant to be self isolating have not symptoms and they are going out to the park/walks

Hardly the same as going to work with vulnerable people is it?

DrJump · 17/07/2021 07:14

I would report but I am in Australia and we are always aiming for zero cases. Particularly with the Delta strain which seams to infect whole households fairly quickly.

HankMarvinjg · 17/07/2021 07:14

@jihhy

True though, can you imagine.

What in case you are found guilty? Best way to avoid that is not end up in court...

Lolz. You funny
jihhy · 17/07/2021 07:15

Thank you 😘

frumpety · 17/07/2021 07:15

There would be a lot of things I would have to be absolutely sure of first, is the 'positive' person definitely positive ? not just isolating because they have been pinged ? How long ago did they test positive ? Is the person going to work, part of a trial where they test regularly and only isolate if they get a positive result ? What is the relationship of friend to family member ? do they live in the same house, town, country ? Do they usually get on well or could there be a malicious element to the tale telling ?

HankMarvinjg · 17/07/2021 07:15

Carry on curtain twitching hun

Cam2020 · 17/07/2021 07:16

Don't they have to do regular lateral flow tests if they're working with vulnerable people? Perhaps they think if they had Covid, it would show up there?

Don't 'report'. I agree with PP this has echoes of Nazi Germany.

minatrina · 17/07/2021 07:16

@warmfluffytowels

I wouldn't report anyone as I think the entire thing is bonkers.

I get the distinct impression it would be some MNetters dream to live under permanent restrictions Hmm

No we just care if people die unnecessary??
AvaCallanach · 17/07/2021 07:17

@mrsnoodle55

My daughter had covid several weeks ago; I was invited to join a government study whereby 50% of participants (close contacts) would isolate for the 10 days as per the current rules, and the other 50 % would take LFT’s daily and continue going to work etc unless positive on the daily LFT.

If they asked me, boring old little me, it’s highly possible many others are being invited too. So it may well be this person is going to work completely legitimately. This is the way it is (hopefully) heading anyway from August for the double jabbed.

I am on this same study. DD has covid; I am allowed out for essential purposes (including work) as long as I return a negative LFT each day.
aubreyii · 17/07/2021 07:17

Report. Definitely. The fuckwits who cannot see that what person A does affects person B,C,D etc are idiots.
"Mind your own business" was also used in Weimar and Nazi Germany by those willing to turn a blind eye to the atrocities going on.

Jewish neighbour being beaten up? Mind your own business, keep your nose out, it doesn't affect you" was the far far too frequent view.

luckylavender · 17/07/2021 07:18

@Crazycakelady17 - the rules aren't changing until mid August

jumpbounce · 17/07/2021 07:18

And quite frankly the UK situation during a pandemic, (and let's not forget we are not the only country in the world with restrictions, infact we probably are the only one having a 'freedom day') is not comparable to nazi Germany. Wise up

StealthPolarBear · 17/07/2021 07:19

@Cam2020

Don't they have to do regular lateral flow tests if they're working with vulnerable people? Perhaps they think if they had Covid, it would show up there?

Don't 'report'. I agree with PP this has echoes of Nazi Germany.

Except those tests have high false negatives rates. Which is why the rules about testing and isolation are as they are.