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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be a little frustrated we have to wear masks whilst the families don’t

71 replies

Cinammonroll123 · 02/12/2021 15:08

In a part time home care job I have.

Often when I go into the homes, families are there and they never wear masks etc with their elderly or vulnerable relatives.
However we have to, I walked into a house the other day and the client’s entire family was there, not one of them had a mask yet I am expected to, I know this as we’ve had families report other carers who didn’t wear PPE.

It’s not a big deal in ltself wearing one for work, it’s just a bit annoying how they are so quick to go on about protecting their relatives yet wear nothing themselves

OP posts:
Original poster
Cinammonroll123 · 02/12/2021 15:10

Started getting emails saying we’ll be sacked if caught not wearing ppe, which I fully understand but I’m sick of being reported as a whole group when they don’t wear them

OP posts:
Ihateeveryone56 · 02/12/2021 15:14

You do realise that you’re the one going into their home? Do the relatives live there? Masks are to protect other people. My mom has carers come in but I do not wear a mask when they arrive as they are the ones entering our home doing the work they need too and then leaving. You’re the one going to multiple patients and multiple homes not the family… sorry YABU if you don’t want to wear a mask don’t be in that type of job.

Original poster
Cinammonroll123 · 02/12/2021 15:15

The relatives don’t live there for the most part no

As I said I don’t mind wearing one, it’s the hypocrisy of the families

OP posts:
Skyll · 02/12/2021 15:17

They’re family. You’re not. You’re in contact with many vulnerable people they’re in contact with just their vulnerable family member.

Just wear the Ppe.

Original poster
Cinammonroll123 · 02/12/2021 15:17

They have jobs, their own families etc. They are not solely in contact with their family member
I do wear it

OP posts:
StopGo · 02/12/2021 15:19

My DM has carers and frequent visits from community nurses etc. I always wear a mask as a matter of courtesy if I'm there at the same time.

MaryAndGerryLivingInDerry · 02/12/2021 15:20

You’re going from house to house, being in close contact with dozens of people every week, of course you have to wear a mask! The families- you have no idea what precautions they’re taking when you don’t see them.

dustandfluf · 02/12/2021 15:23

Multiple replies missing the point entierly of the OP's post. This is not complaint about wearing masks! It's a complaint that the relatives are not doing their bit to protect the patient as well as the carers being exposed to them! Most carers have to have compulsory vaccinations now. Random relatives in people homes don't. The polite thing to do is wear a mask when a carer comes round to care for their relative.

Electricdreams22 · 02/12/2021 15:25

It’s nice that some families wear or offer to wear a mask out of courtesy

Electricdreams22 · 02/12/2021 15:26

Carers who weren’t double vaccinated by 11th November will have had their employment terminated by now

OchonAgusOchonOh · 02/12/2021 15:28

@Ihateeveryone56

You do realise that you’re the one going into their home? Do the relatives live there? Masks are to protect other people. My mom has carers come in but I do not wear a mask when they arrive as they are the ones entering our home doing the work they need too and then leaving. You’re the one going to multiple patients and multiple homes not the family… sorry YABU if you don’t want to wear a mask don’t be in that type of job.
That is a really horrible attitude. The carer is wearing a mask to protect your dm and you. Surely you could repay the courtesy and wear one to protect the carer? Obviously some of the carer's clients may not be able to wear masks and that is different but an able bodied person who expects the carer to wear one but won't wear one themselves is pretty selfish in my opinion.

I have asked my cleaner to wear a mask to protect us. We all show her the same courtesy and wear a mask to protect her if we are at home when she is in. It's common courtesy.

Obsidiansphere · 02/12/2021 15:31

I have to wear full ppe when I visit my mum in her care home…I’m surprised you don’t have the same rules.

MrsTerryPratchett · 02/12/2021 15:34

@Electricdreams22

It’s nice that some families wear or offer to wear a mask out of courtesy
This. Everyone is arguing their position and not thinking about common courtesy.
EmpressCixi · 02/12/2021 15:37

I agree OP. Everyone should wear masks around vulnerable elderly...including family members. Unfortunately only the government could mandate that. It’s good that your company is taking things seriously though.

gogohm · 02/12/2021 15:41

You don't need to wear one visiting family, as someone working you have to, just like the gas engineer visiting me is wearing one and I'm not because it's my office.

We don't wear one with dsd but her carers do because we typically are eating (favourite activity is going out to eat)

Mrsjayy · 02/12/2021 15:47

So somebody goes to see their grandma you want them to wear a mask because you think itsnotfair! You have to wear yours as a carer. I think maybe you are in the wrong job 🤔

fakereview · 02/12/2021 15:49

@Obsidiansphere

I have to wear full ppe when I visit my mum in her care home…I’m surprised you don’t have the same rules.
I think the OP is a home carer rather than in a care home.

If I had a visitor to my home (whether guest or to do work) and they asked me to wear a mask, I'd do it

So if you are unhappy OP, ask them to wear a mask while you are there. No good moaning on MN, say something.

AwaAnBileYerHeid · 02/12/2021 15:52

I wear a mask when my mums carers come in. It's just common courtesy; they are keeping us safe so we should keep them safe.

Ilikewinter · 02/12/2021 15:55

I agree with OP on this one, when my MIL carers came round I'd put my mask on because I was aware that she was visiting multiple clients that day and i didnt want to risk passing anything onto her.
Isnt it just common courtesy?

trappedsincesundaymorn · 02/12/2021 15:55

@Mrsjayy

So somebody goes to see their grandma you want them to wear a mask because you think itsnotfair! You have to wear yours as a carer. I think maybe you are in the wrong job 🤔
So you expect the carer to wear a mask to protect the family, what about the carer? Do you not think that maybe she would like you to protect her and her family? Who's going to look after granny if the carer gets covid because the grannie's family couldn't be arsed to wear a mask for the time the carer is there.
WorriedGiraffe · 02/12/2021 16:00

I do think they should wear them. But you are employed to take care of these people, and wearing PPE is part of that. So it’s irrelevant what other people do really, they arnt employed there and it’s none of your business.

Maverickess · 02/12/2021 16:10

Some of these replies Hmm It would seem some people can't wait to stick the boot in where carers are concerned, even when that means missing the point entirely...... The OP isn't complaining about wearing a mask, she's flagging up that there's a risk associated with being around others who refuse to when as some have rightly pointed out, she's got to go into several homes in the course of her job, which increases the risk, being around those who are refusing masks 'just because' increases it further.

OP - I agree that when a carer is in the home delivering care then anyone else present should wear a mask, it protects the carer which in turn protects that client and all the others they then visit, and reduces the risk of the carer catching it and being off work and thus unavailable to deliver care too, or at least move to another room to reduce the risk.

JustLyra · 02/12/2021 16:15

We’ve been asked by DH’s Nan’s carers to wear masks if we are there when they are in.

Steelesauce · 02/12/2021 16:19

You're there in a professional capacity, going from home to home of patients. Their family are going to see mum/nan/auntie etc. I don't wear a mask to see my Mum. You'd be potentially passing covid to multiple vulnerable people without ppe.

OchonAgusOchonOh · 02/12/2021 16:24

@Steelesauce

You're there in a professional capacity, going from home to home of patients. Their family are going to see mum/nan/auntie etc. I don't wear a mask to see my Mum. You'd be potentially passing covid to multiple vulnerable people without ppe.
You wouldn't be wearing a mask to see your mum. You would be wearing a mask to protect the carer who you expect to wear a mask to protect you and your mum. Basic manners really.
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