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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask cleaner if they've been vaccinated?

204 replies

daisiesandpeonies · 22/09/2021 12:44

I am keen to have a cleaner again, my pre-pandemic cleaner is refusing to have the covid vaccine (I know this because we are friends on Facebook and she's constantly posting conspiracy theories.) I felt it would be more respectful to just discreetly get a new cleaner than tell her I'll only ask her back if she gets vaccinated. However how do I tell an agency that I'd only like a vaccinated cleaner? Are they even allowed to ask, so should I?

OP posts:
daisiesandpeonies · 22/09/2021 13:12

My initial thought was that I can't ask someone something so private, as much as I'd like to. Which others here are just certainly confirming so there we go! I just won't hire a cleaner. It would be nice but can easily cope without. I'm anxious because I have a relative at very high risk. Vaccination doesn't rule out chances of transmission but lessens it, so for someone to come into our house who also goes in and out of other peoples homes, in their bathrooms and touching personal items etc, it is a worry.

OP posts:
AlphabetAerobics · 22/09/2021 13:15

Presumably you’re asking because you’re worried about YOU passing the virus to HER… given the vaccine doesn’t stop you transmitting it.

I mean I’m sure this is about altruism and not knee-jerkism.

BeepBoopBop · 22/09/2021 13:17

@cloudacious

I think it's an entirely reasonable request during a global pandemic and does affect your health since vaccination reduces transmission.

You can advertise for a vaccinated cleaner.

Me too.
leakymcleakleak · 22/09/2021 13:18

Its tricky to figure out who it is ok to ask - I would have thought there would be a market for people who advertise themselves as being vaccinated, so maybe you could try and seek out people who make it clear they are?

As others have said, it absolutely lowers chance of transmission, even if it doesn't remove it, which is a good thing.

As an employer, I'd like to know simply because it helps risk assess: however I do think on principle it makes more sense for only a v small cohort of employers to be allowed to know and a smaller cohort of employers to make a vaccine mandatory, i.e. healthcare and care workers. I know because staff members have taken time off to get their vaccines and mentioned it but I appreciate mandatory disclosures are problematic.

Someone who hasn't had the vaccine because they're concerned around fertility/brain tumours - well, I wouldn't love it, but I don't think the risk is huge. However I guess if I knew I'd try and make sure they didn't clean the room I was working in, rather than just nipping out for a walk/timing their arrival for my lunch break. Personally however, I would be v wary having someone vocally anti-vax all over social media in my house because my assumption is if they believe covid is a hoax they're taking absolutely no precautions in any settings.

The funny thing is, I'm pregnant and talking to my GP lately about how low the rate of take up is among pregnant women realising the most 'at risk' place my baby and I are likely to be in the next few months is the public maternity ward. There's basically nothing to be done about some situations.

Riapia · 22/09/2021 13:19

OP, this is AIBU.
Views expressed on AIBU are not necessarily those of the person posting them.

idloveapenis · 22/09/2021 13:19

@user64325

You are not being at all unreasonable. I hazard a guess that someone has posted a link to this in an anti vaxxer group which is why you are getting such a hard time. Someone who is pro vax will have zero issue showing you proof of vaccination.

It isn't at all like asking someone if they have the TB vaccine since one is rare, and one is extremely likely 🙄.

This is BS, I'm fully vaccinated, had Covid a few weeks ago and I'm CEV, if someone asks me for my vaccination status for any reason, they will be told to jog on. I'm pro choice and that choice has absolutely nothing to do with anyone else. I don't disclose the reasons I'm CEV so why is any other part of my medical history anything to do with anyone else
Happy36 · 22/09/2021 13:19

I haven't read the full thread, but feel it's or vastly greater importance that your cleaner and all members of your household wear masks, social distance, ventilate the workplace/home as much as possible, and stay away from each other and take a test if any of you has any symptoms.

Frogsandsheep · 22/09/2021 13:21

@Yerroblemom1923
That’s not true. Vaccinated doesn’t mean you’re safe at all.

I’m double vaccinated and I’ve never been so unwell in my life as I was last week with covid. My husband was also very unwell and worryingly unwell for 24 hours, again double vaccinated.

I think OP is being unreasonable too but I am getting increasingly frustrated with the vaccine=safe myth.

HarebrightCedarmoon · 22/09/2021 13:24

It's not unreasonable to ask, it's not unreasonable for her to not tell you either way, it's also not unreasonable to choose someone else to come into your home who will share that information with you.

grey12 · 22/09/2021 13:24

YABU

Ask whatever cleaner you choose to wear a mask and gloves. Provide them with mask and gloves

PurpleDaisies · 22/09/2021 13:24

[quote Frogsandsheep]@Yerroblemom1923
That’s not true. Vaccinated doesn’t mean you’re safe at all.

I’m double vaccinated and I’ve never been so unwell in my life as I was last week with covid. My husband was also very unwell and worryingly unwell for 24 hours, again double vaccinated.

I think OP is being unreasonable too but I am getting increasingly frustrated with the vaccine=safe myth.[/quote]
You’re a lot safer though. Much less likely to go to hospital or die than without.

People seem to have vastly different definitions of what “safe” or “effective” or “it works” means when it comes to vaccines.

VainAbigail · 22/09/2021 13:26

@daisiesandpeonies

My initial thought was that I can't ask someone something so private, as much as I'd like to. Which others here are just certainly confirming so there we go! I just won't hire a cleaner. It would be nice but can easily cope without. I'm anxious because I have a relative at very high risk. Vaccination doesn't rule out chances of transmission but lessens it, so for someone to come into our house who also goes in and out of other peoples homes, in their bathrooms and touching personal items etc, it is a worry.
Assuming though that the cleaners wear PPE anyway so therefore don’t directly touch ‘personal items’?
JaneTheVirgin · 22/09/2021 13:27

[quote Frogsandsheep]@Yerroblemom1923
That’s not true. Vaccinated doesn’t mean you’re safe at all.

I’m double vaccinated and I’ve never been so unwell in my life as I was last week with covid. My husband was also very unwell and worryingly unwell for 24 hours, again double vaccinated.

I think OP is being unreasonable too but I am getting increasingly frustrated with the vaccine=safe myth.[/quote]
...but you are safe? If you were that sick while vaccinated, imagine the possible ET tube you'd have down your throat while connected to a ventilator if you were unvaccinated. Congratulations, it possibly saved your life.

PurpleDaisies · 22/09/2021 13:27

Assuming though that the cleaners wear PPE anyway so therefore don’t directly touch ‘personal items’?
Mine doesn’t but I’m not in the house when she’s there. I assume she leaves my vibrator alone if that’s what you mean by personal items!

user64325 · 22/09/2021 13:38

But it doesn't force anyone to tell you. If you advertise for a vaccinated cleaner then anyone who takes offense to this need not apply?

Dfhugdhvdnjrs · 22/09/2021 13:39

There needs to be a clearly expressed public expectation that everyone without a recognised medical reason is vaccinated. Other countries are making it extremely difficult for people to move around/access services etc unless they are vaccinated, and this is entirely proportionate given that the vaccine is safe and effective.

PurpleDaisies · 22/09/2021 13:42

@Dfhugdhvdnjrs

There needs to be a clearly expressed public expectation that everyone without a recognised medical reason is vaccinated. Other countries are making it extremely difficult for people to move around/access services etc unless they are vaccinated, and this is entirely proportionate given that the vaccine is safe and effective.
No. It’s against people civil liberties and will make vaccine hesitant people more likely to dig in and not get vaccinated.

I do not want to live in a society like that. People should be able to make bad choices for themselves.

Tal45 · 22/09/2021 13:43

I don't think there's a problem with advertising for a fully vaccinated cleaner. If people don't like it then they don't have to apply. Of course people may lie and you would have no way to check, but there's no way around that. I just applied for a job working closely with people and put on it that I'm double vaccinated, I don't see the issue at all. I have to prove I'm double vaxxed to fly abroad and I wouldn't let it put me off doing that.

LaBellina · 22/09/2021 13:44

No it’s none of your business to ask a new cleaner. You can, however, advertise that you’re looking for a vaccinated cleaner and hope they didn’t lie about their status because it would be very intrusive to ask for a proof of vaccination.

LaBellina · 22/09/2021 13:45

A new cleaner that was introduced to you by your agency I mean.

inmyslippers · 22/09/2021 13:45

If you're so worried, you could always just clean your own shit up.

This 👌🏾

Peaplant20 · 22/09/2021 13:45

Whoaa sorry you’re getting such a hard time on this thread OP. It’s completely reasonable to ask and anyone I know would think the same. Lots of people saying none of your business - they don’t have to tell you no one is forcing them. But it’s perfectly reasonable to ask. Also not sure why people are saying why does it matter if you’re double jabbed when everyone knows perfectly well that you can still get it and pass it on when you’re double jabbed so they’re just being childish saying that imo.

Karmagoat · 22/09/2021 13:54

Tbh it's none of your fucking business

itsgrand · 22/09/2021 13:54

@daisiesandpeonies

I am keen to have a cleaner again, my pre-pandemic cleaner is refusing to have the covid vaccine (I know this because we are friends on Facebook and she's constantly posting conspiracy theories.) I felt it would be more respectful to just discreetly get a new cleaner than tell her I'll only ask her back if she gets vaccinated. However how do I tell an agency that I'd only like a vaccinated cleaner? Are they even allowed to ask, so should I?
give me strength!!!

right I've few questions for you

  1. Why exactly do you only want a cleaner who has been vaccinated?
  2. Are you double vaccinated?
  3. Will you be at home when the cleaner is there? (technically you should either be out or make yourself scarce so as not to get in her way therefore how is her vaccine status impacting upon you?)
FWBNC · 22/09/2021 13:57

@VelvetChairGirl

according to the CDC vaccines dont stop you catching or passing on Delta or Mu.
Common sense tells you a vaccinated person is much less likely to get COVID, if they don't have COVID, they can't pass it on!! & if they do get it, they're more likely to be asymptomatic/minor symptoms & also less likely to pass it on.
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