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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To isolate even though my lateral flow was negative?

26 replies

LeedleLee · 23/12/2021 09:47

Hi all. My dad, who looks after my toddler whilst I'm at work, tested positive for COVID this morning. He is okay, just feels like he has a nasty cold.

Obviously I have had daily contact with him. I have done a lateral flow this morning which was negative, but I have still ordered a PCR just in case. Because of this I did not go into work this morning. My boss was fine with it and very understanding but I have had a colleague messaging me demanding why I'm not in as I have had a negative test?

I should also add that I am currently 12 weeks pregnant. My boss knows this but my colleague does not.

I know official government policy is that I don't have to self isolate (I am double jabbed, but my dad is too, and has also had a booster!), but am I really being unreasonable in choosing to isolate until I have a negative PCR? Confused I do tend to worry/have health anxiety anyway.

OP posts:
rrhuth · 23/12/2021 09:50

There are three questions that are relevant:

  1. Is your boss OK with what you did? From what you said, it sounds like it
  2. Is there anything bad about being more cautious than the current ridiculous English isolation rules? No
  3. Why the fuck is your colleague asking you about this? Rude colleague. Just ignore them.
whatsthecraic91 · 23/12/2021 09:50

The new rules is you have to isolate until you have a negative PCR double jabbed or not. Don't think a lateral flow counts. Tell your colleague to mind her business!!

AyeOop · 23/12/2021 09:52

Of course you are not and your colleague had no business to message you
Ignore them
Congratulations BTW!

DingDongDenny · 23/12/2021 09:52

Your boss agreed and she is not your boss, she needs to wind her neck in

SleighbellsZ · 23/12/2021 09:52

Your doing the right thing!
Main thing is your boss is fine with it, which they are.
Your colleague shouldn't be messaging you shit like that.

Fingers crossed for you and hope your dad recovers well!

Original poster
LeedleLee · 23/12/2021 09:56

Thank you all. I didn't think I was being unreasonable! My boss even said 'so I assume you're not coming in?' before I even told him I wasn't.

OP posts:
CaptainCarp · 23/12/2021 09:56

Our work asks you to get a PCR if you've been a close contact before coming back to the office.
They also ask for you to take LFTs at least every couple of days (if PCR is neg) & obviously isolate immediately if symptoms develop.

It's above the isolation rules but we've not had any mass outbreaks through the office so I think its a good move.

icedcoffees · 23/12/2021 10:00

It's not up to your colleague - your boss says it's fine so it's fine - please don't stress Smile

TheCatterall · 23/12/2021 10:05
  1. Congratulations
  2. Block your colleague. They have no need or right to be contacting you about this.
Roundeartheratchriatmas · 23/12/2021 10:05

whatsthecraic91

If you are fully vaccinated the rules are to take lateral flows every day not to isolate or take PCR.

SmellyOldPartridgeinaPearTree · 23/12/2021 10:08

Reply and say 'because I didn't want to give you covid 2 days before Christmas'

InTheLabyrinth · 23/12/2021 10:09

@whatsthecraic91

The new rules is you have to isolate until you have a negative PCR double jabbed or not. Don't think a lateral flow counts. Tell your colleague to mind her business!!
@whatsthecraic91 have you got a source for this? I thought it was still business as usual for close contact if double vaccinated or under "18+a bit". Daily LFD test recommended. England at any rate.

LeedleLee your boss is happy with it. It's fine. Anyway, presumably someone needs to do childcare for your son today, as your Dad cant. Ignore your colleague.

FawnFrenchieMum · 23/12/2021 10:11

I have voted YABU purely because, almost everyone will be a contact at the moment. It can take several days for it to show up on a PCR so you may go back tomorrow and still be positive in a few days.

HolyMilkBoobiesBatman · 23/12/2021 10:11

Seriously? Your coworker would rather you come in and potentially infect everyone right before Christmas?!

I’d be tempted to forward the messages to your boss for them to deal with.
Otherwise ignore, you’re being responsible, your boss is fine with it.

Original poster
LeedleLee · 23/12/2021 10:14

Thank you all. @InTheLabyrinth yes, I think the official guidance is just daily lateral flows. But yes, I wouldn't have any childcare for DD so wouldn't have been able to come in anyway!

OP posts:
TooWicked · 23/12/2021 10:14

Your boss is ok with it and that’s all you need to worry about.

Having said that, I can see why your colleague is pissed off if they’re having to pick up your slack two days before Christmas because you’ve chosen to stay off work when you don’t have to.

whatsthecraic91 · 23/12/2021 10:14

@InTheLabyrinth

To isolate even though my lateral flow was negative?
TheKeatingFive · 23/12/2021 10:15

Nothing to do with your colleague, ignore them

MinnieGirl · 23/12/2021 10:16

The rules state you do not need to self isolate if you have been double jabbed and don’t have symptoms. You are encouraged to do daily lateral flow tests to ensure you haven’t caught the virus.

You would need to isolate if you develop symptoms.

BornIn78 · 23/12/2021 10:16

[quote whatsthecraic91]@InTheLabyrinth [/quote]
That’s Northern Ireland isn’t it.

Where are you based OP?

Original poster
LeedleLee · 23/12/2021 10:19

@whatsthecraic91 thank you for that! I did not know that. I assume because of the new variant?

OP posts:
StruggleStreet · 23/12/2021 10:19

You don’t legally have to isolate I don’t think but if you want to and your boss is okay with it, then it doesn’t matter what your colleague thinks.

Are they annoyed because they’ll now have to pick up your workload?

Original poster
LeedleLee · 23/12/2021 10:20

@BornIn78 I'm in England.

OP posts:
BornIn78 · 23/12/2021 10:20

Well then you don’t need to isolate, the screenshot above is for Northern Ireland, not England.

IamnotSethRogan · 23/12/2021 10:21

Firstly your colleague is bizarre. 2 days before Christmas (or any other time) I wouldn't want any close contacts near me so would be pretty grateful that you're not coming in. I also imagine your boss is relieved that you're not coming in and spreading it around coating him a greater chunk of their work force.

Tell your colleague to fuck themselves. Or report the message to your boss as I think that crosses a line.