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AIBU?

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Original poster

To warn colleagues a member of my household has COVID, or not?

59 replies

covidisoverornot · 14/03/2022 17:23

Somehow in the whole 2 years of the pandemic I've avoided this situation up until now, and I'm not sure what the done thing is given that restrictions are pretty much ended in England.

I'm going into the office this week, but I WFH most of the time (so it's not necessary to go to the office). I'm also going out for leaving drinks for a colleague.

A member of my household has COVID and I have been around them a lot. I feel like I'm coming down with something (slight light headedness but that's all), but all of my lateral flows are negative.

Do I warn my colleagues?

(If it was any other week I would just WFH but I need to go into the office)

OP posts:
Dontfuckingsaycheese · 14/03/2022 17:58

Ds (currently positive) rang me today to tell me his work are insisting on him going in tomorrow. Even go out with a colleague in his van on Weds but not to tell him. It’s so hard to do the right thing these days 🙁

Shrekles20 · 14/03/2022 17:59

I think if you feel like you’re coming down with something you shouldn’t be going into the office if you can wfh…I have covid and it was a good couple of days after I felt that way before I tested positive.

Original poster
covidisoverornot · 14/03/2022 18:04

I would prefer to WFH, I hate going into the office and avoid it as much as possible. However, I've not been in the office in several weeks and I think my manager is hinting that she wants me to be in more often and I think I'm getting a reputation for not wanting to come into the office.

I've also been ill recently with something else which meant I couldn't come into the office so I think it would seem like the boy who cried wolf...

I feel fine aside from slight headedness (which may not even be virus-related)

At the moment my plan is to do a LFT tomorrow morning, at 6:30am before I leave the house.

OP posts:
Original poster
covidisoverornot · 14/03/2022 18:05

We're going for a meal and leaving drinks so will be sat closely around a table. The office is open plan and we'll go for lunch together too so I can't really keep a distance from them, unless I sit in the corner of the office and don't join them for lunch or in the evening (so would be pointless going in)

OP posts:
GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 14/03/2022 18:05

You don't HAVE to but you should. They may have vulnerable people at home.

Original poster
covidisoverornot · 14/03/2022 18:06

I should add I'm firmly in the camp for not going.

I just don't think my colleagues and manager will feel the same way

OP posts:
Neverendingdust · 14/03/2022 18:06

Don’t be that person OP. Stay home, you know that’s the right thing to do.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 14/03/2022 18:06

You should really do a PCR test. Or at least a LFT this evening. Why wait until tomorrow?

Fabricedesauveterre · 14/03/2022 18:09

@covidisoverornot

I should add I'm firmly in the camp for not going.

I just don't think my colleagues and manager will feel the same way

Ask your manager, don’t assume! Be clear you are happy to come in if required
JemimaMuddledUp · 14/03/2022 18:16

@GreenFingersWouldBeHandy

You should really do a PCR test. Or at least a LFT this evening. Why wait until tomorrow?
She would have to lie about her symptoms to get a PCR.
Original poster
covidisoverornot · 14/03/2022 18:20

@GreenFingersWouldBeHandy

You should really do a PCR test. Or at least a LFT this evening. Why wait until tomorrow?
I last did a LFT a few hours ago. I can't do another one this evening as we're having to ration them as we can't order any more off the government's website

I can't get a PCR as I don't have symptoms, plus by the time I get my result I would have been to the office anyway

OP posts:
Jconnais1chansonquivavsenerver · 14/03/2022 18:21

@Dontfuckingsaycheese

Ds (currently positive) rang me today to tell me his work are insisting on him going in tomorrow. Even go out with a colleague in his van on Weds but not to tell him. It’s so hard to do the right thing these days 🙁
That is downright immoral, though unfortunately not currently illegal in the UK. Thank you, Bloody Boris Johnson.
DoobryWhatsit · 14/03/2022 18:27

I'm a teacher, so no WFH option, but I've always told my line manager whenever anyone in my household has tested positive. It would feel weird and secretive not to tbh, but I guess we're quite a close department of 10. Plus I tend to wear a mask in communal areas and generally keep my distance a bit more. Seems like basic common sense to me.

Barkingmadhouse · 14/03/2022 19:04

Of course you should tell them!

Unsureaboutit9 · 14/03/2022 19:08

If you don’t even want to go then why not pre warn people? They may say not to come which is what you want, doesn’t sound like you’d gain anything by not warning them.

Echobelly · 14/03/2022 19:11

I wouldn't go into the office if I didn't have to under the circumstances - I am enjoying going back but seeing as it's perfectly easy for me to stay at home if a family member has it that's what I'd do.

VladmirsPoutine · 14/03/2022 19:13

What do you expect the outcome to be of 'pre-warning' them. If you still go in they might think you selfish. They can't make you stay at home but warning them doesn't really do much for them Confused

Raindancer411 · 14/03/2022 19:20

Son was negative in the morning and positive by the evening. I would give your manager the choice and not go to the meal if she still wants you in. At least you can say to your colleagues if you were to pass it on, you did suggest staying home. If you do go on. Wear a mask and sanitise your hands regularly maybe.

RocketFire7 · 14/03/2022 19:29

I wouldn’t- it’s time to get on with life now. The sooner testing is phased out the better.

lemonnandliime · 14/03/2022 19:32

@covidisoverornot

I would prefer to WFH, I hate going into the office and avoid it as much as possible. However, I've not been in the office in several weeks and I think my manager is hinting that she wants me to be in more often and I think I'm getting a reputation for not wanting to come into the office.

I've also been ill recently with something else which meant I couldn't come into the office so I think it would seem like the boy who cried wolf...

I feel fine aside from slight headedness (which may not even be virus-related)

At the moment my plan is to do a LFT tomorrow morning, at 6:30am before I leave the house.

I've currently got covid and a headache is one of the most horrible symptoms I've got. It's constant and no painkillers make it go away.

For what it's worth, I did a LFT that came back negative with just a nose swab.

I did another one with a throat and nose swab that was positive.

The next morning I repeated both tests and the nose one was still negative, throat and nose positive.

LFT are ok when they work but they're clearly not that reliable unless you test at precisely the right time.

Fernsinthegarden · 14/03/2022 19:36

I’d probably treat it the same way as if someone in my household had a different contagious illness, like a sickness bug or flu ‘sorry guys, x has this, I’m feeling a bit dodgy but well enough to work, let me know if you’re happy for me to attend or I could attend virtually if you need me there?’

Fernsinthegarden · 14/03/2022 19:38

@lemonnandliime the headache was definitely the worst bit, I’ve had migraines more manageable! Hope you feel better soon.

Blossom64265 · 14/03/2022 19:43

Your colleagues have the right to know. They may need to avoid you because of their own personal circumstances.

WombatStewForTea · 14/03/2022 19:44

I can't get a PCR as I don't have symptoms, plus by the time I get my result I would have been to the office anyway
You realise nobody checks if you have symptoms. I felt ill on Fri but not the official 3 symptoms but negative lateral flow. Felt worse on the sat but still negative lateral flow. Knew it was wrong so booked PCR and it's positive. Only just starting to show on lateral flows. I'm a teacher and could have spread it to many others had I listened to the negative lateral flow
The main symptoms were never updated which was bullshit

KylieKoKo · 14/03/2022 19:46

@lemonnandliime what a waste of tests!

Op I wouldn't go in in your circumstances BUT I'm in the privileged position of having an employer who supports us in working from home and erring on the side of caution. I understand that not everyone has this luxury.