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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Will you self isolate if covid positive test?

953 replies

Monopolyiscrap · 12/02/2022 00:47

Compulsory self-isolation is ending if you test positive with covid. Instead, people are being advised to choose to self-isolate.
In reality, I think many people will not. I would not get paid if I self-isolate but am well enough to work, so why would I forego a week's wages?

So will you self-isolate if you test positive with covid?

YABU - Yes I will self-isolate
YANBU - No I will not self-isolate

OP posts:
Orchid876 · 12/02/2022 07:53

Sorry, that's should say "if we're told not to come to work if positive".

Iggly · 12/02/2022 07:53

@okthx

No. I will not even test. I’m so sick with a non covid respiratory infection and nobody cares for me to isolate and protect others, I must be at work. At the same time asymptomatic people with covid staying at home for a week. I think this show must not go on,
The issue is your employer not the covid measures.

Sounds a bit vindictive and you want everyone to suffer as you are, instead of wanting things to be better for everyone.

Covidisherenow · 12/02/2022 07:54

@montysma1 it's pointless trying to make others feel guilty. People can't have endless amounts of sick leave.

zafferana · 12/02/2022 07:54

Who is going to know when free testing ends?

Mumoblue · 12/02/2022 07:55

Yes.

I’ve had COVID, and it was an awful experience. Why would I want to subject other people to that?

I also wouldn’t go out if I had any other serious contagious illness. That’s just common sense (I hope).

RuthW · 12/02/2022 07:55

Depends on guidelines from my employer (NHS). Nothing has been said yet.

Iggly · 12/02/2022 07:56

[quote Covidisherenow]@montysma1 it's pointless trying to make others feel guilty. People can't have endless amounts of sick leave.[/quote]
People don’t need endless sick leave but need sensible sick leave.

That’s the problem with this country. We have one of the worst sick leave policies in the West. We are the sick man of Europe and will continue to be so.

If you force people to work when sick, funnily enough, they don’t magically get better and probably end up even worse!

Lavender2021 · 12/02/2022 07:56

No sick pay. I work in a low paid job and most of my team live month to month so when the government decides we don't have to isolate the covid pay will stop and everyone will come to work with it.

burnthur5t · 12/02/2022 07:56

No as work won't pay me

Waxonwaxoff0 · 12/02/2022 07:56

Won't be testing.

waterlego · 12/02/2022 07:57

I’m on zero hours contracts, I need to work to pay bills. I don’t routinely test so unless I actually have symptoms and then test, I won’t know I have the virus. Obviously if I feel ill and test positive, I will stay home until the symptoms have gone, just as I would with D&V, chicken pox or whatever.

User0458832 · 12/02/2022 07:57

I won't be taking a test in the first place.

okthx · 12/02/2022 07:59

@Iggly
Well, I have to come to work and cover for those asymptomatic people who stay at home with covid, even thought they are not sick. I could in theory stay at home, but normal procedures would apply, and my absence due to a “simple cold” would be looked down upon, because it’s not serious enough, especially when the workplace is “suffering” with staff absences due to covid. I see no logic in anything anymore.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 12/02/2022 07:59

@montysma1

Nice the people here happy to endanger their colleagues.
My colleagues and I have discussed this. We're all more than happy that we won't have to isolate any more.
Iggly · 12/02/2022 08:01

[quote okthx]@Iggly
Well, I have to come to work and cover for those asymptomatic people who stay at home with covid, even thought they are not sick. I could in theory stay at home, but normal procedures would apply, and my absence due to a “simple cold” would be looked down upon, because it’s not serious enough, especially when the workplace is “suffering” with staff absences due to covid. I see no logic in anything anymore.[/quote]
And again that is a problem for your employer to deal with.

I’m not saying isolation should last forever. I think we just need a sensible thought out plan based on facts and evidence, not on feelings and intuition.

User0458832 · 12/02/2022 08:01

I imagine those with full sick pay will take time off work.

Theworldisfullofgs · 12/02/2022 08:02

Yes. My friend (62 and well) died unexpectedly from Covid just before Christmas.

lumpofcomfort · 12/02/2022 08:02

I think it's harder in jobs where you have lots of contact with people. If you are working from home and only popping out to get something from the supermarket, you won't be putting many people at risk. If you are a nurse working on the geriatric ward, you are in contact with a lot of vulnerable people. I'm a primary teacher so would parents be cross if I was coming in knowingly with Covid and passing it round to their kids?

gettingolderandgrumpy · 12/02/2022 08:03

I would but I can wfh and I think my work wouldn’t want me in . I’d still go out for walks some exercise though.

easyluckyfree · 12/02/2022 08:04

Depends on whether my parents want me to (temporarily living with them) and what work wanted me to do. I would not have a problem with not self isolating and would not mind others doing the same. I am also vulnerable to covid.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 12/02/2022 08:05

@WhateverHappenedToFayWray

I tested positive for covid nearly 3 weeks ago and I am still suffering with symptoms. I struggle to sleep at night as I am struggling to breathe. I am young and have no underlying health issues btw.

I genuinely can't believe how selfish some people are. I would feel terrible if I passed it on to someone who was vulnerable.

Yeah, yeah. Selfish to want to be able to actually pay my mortgage and rising bills.
Toanewstart23 · 12/02/2022 08:07

@Theworldisfullofgs

Yes. My friend (62 and well) died unexpectedly from Covid just before Christmas.
I’m sorry But what’s your point
Ravenclaws · 12/02/2022 08:07

If I had symptoms I would test. If I were positive I would use my common sense and definitely not go to busy public places, into the office or anywhere else where I'd be likely to spread it to anyone. I think parading around like normal knowing you're covid positive is a really shit thing to do.

Iggly · 12/02/2022 08:08

Yeah, yeah. Selfish to want to be able to actually pay my mortgage and rising bills

The problem is that we accept having shitty employee terms and conditions and an economy which favours the top 1%. And we accept it.

roastingmichael · 12/02/2022 08:08

@GrandTheftWalrus

I had covid a few weeks ago and didn't isolate as my dd needed picked up from school. My dh had a positive lft and didn't isolate and went to work, he works alone and doesn't use public transport to get there. He sanitised all surfaces and everything he used before he left.
Disgusting.