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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Morals… I know no one cares about COVID but…

202 replies

aussierules1 · 23/08/2023 15:06

… I work for the NHS and a colleague tested positive last week. We don’t have to test, and I wouldn’t have bothered, but my Nan and Grandad have travelled from another country and are visiting this week. I had a tickly throat and would hate to make them ill, so I tested. I was positive.

My boss told me that as long as I feel well, I should continue to work. I’m feeling a bit rough and VERY tired but fine enough to work. However, I just feel bad for my clients. I work with kids, who come with their parents, who may have vulnerable family members etc… I just feel a bit bad.

I know many people don’t care about COVID and I don’t really either, but I’ve decided to tell my clients and let them decide. Every single one has declined, saying they have vulnerable family members or don’t want to risk it, so I’ve stayed at home and done a couple of virtual sessions/lots of admin.

My boss hasn’t replied to me; I don’t think she’s particularly happy but I think it’s fine.

Am I doing the right thing? Or am I just overreacting and should get on with the sessions? The more I sit at home, the more guilty I feel!..

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
user1493222657 · 23/08/2023 15:10

You are doing the right thing. I'm isolating for 5 days, which is hard but I wouldn't want to pass it on to anyone.

MrsTerryPratchett · 23/08/2023 15:11

I don't want HCPs to come to work with any potentially fatal infectious disease, thanks!

Original poster
aussierules1 · 23/08/2023 15:11

Oh you poor thing, I know it’s boring. I’m just trying not to make other people poorly. I’m getting chest tightness and am very sleepy but that’s about it!

OP posts:
SunsetsAndSandwiches · 23/08/2023 15:13

If more people behaved like you (not just Covid, with any infectious illness) then I'm sure we'd all experience less illnesses. I think you've been unselfish.
If your manager is annoyed, so be it, you gave people info on which to make a decision and they made the choice that was right for them.

WeetabixTowels · 23/08/2023 15:13

YANBU.

I can’t understand how in 2 years we’ve gone from “Oh my god stay away from each other at all costs (even if you feel fine), don’t even stand near, lock yourselves away for 2 weeks, test test test” to “Yeah it’s fine turn up with COVID”. Vaccinations are not 100% taken up and they are not 100% effective. How can the Granny Killing Virus suddenly be absolutely fine to spread around?

Either it wasn’t such a bad virus after all or we’ve all magically grown the ability to feel OK with it

Original poster
aussierules1 · 23/08/2023 15:15

Thing is, I’m a fit and healthy 25 year old and even I feel a bit rough, it’s zapping the energy out of me. I’ve had covid before and had zero symptoms, but not this time! I don’t exactly want to pass it onto anyone else

OP posts:
Duechristmas · 23/08/2023 15:17

This was what we hoped would come out of covid but hasn't, we shouldn't feel guilty or be made to feel guilty for being unwell and we shouldn't knowingly spread illness. I hope you feel better soon .

CwmYoy · 23/08/2023 15:18

Thank you, OP.

catsnhats11 · 23/08/2023 15:18

You are doing the right thing, I would want to know too if I was your client (I would also wfh if I had it)

...but I'd be surprised if all the people who declined (and you mention they ALL did) are also avoiding any situation where they could just as easily come into contact with covid.

Whatmonth · 23/08/2023 15:24

I posted the other day about my DH having covid.
In one reply I was told to get a grip.
He is 6ft 6 and a very fit bloke. On Monday evening he was
rushed into hospital. Can't breath.
I can't visit as I have tested positive.
It will never go away. We need to learn to live but also care for the vulnerable.

GingeNinga · 23/08/2023 15:25

You are doing the right thing staying home OP and it’s really commendable, as I imagine your manager’s attitude is making things uncomfortable.

I’m one of those who are vulnerable, even catching a cold/flu bug sets my breathing back for months, I also have family members who are critically vulnerable, waiting on surgery etc. So it really frustrates me when people decide or are forced to come into work, despite being sick, especially with covid. If you’re able to WFH then do that, if you’re not, stay home, rest up, so hopefully you recover quicker.

GardeningIdiot · 23/08/2023 15:26

I care about Covid. I have a friend who went from a marathon runner (32) to bed-bound with Long Covid. Life ruined.

I can't see how any HCP would not care about it .

VittysCardigan · 23/08/2023 15:28

My OH is a bus driver & tested positive a week or so ago. His managers said he could work if he felt up to it. He decided (quite rightly imo) he didn't want to chance passing it on. You never know who might have vulnerable people they could pass it on to. Not that it's a pleasant experience for many, but outright dangerous for some.

19lottie82 · 23/08/2023 15:30

YANBU OP. It really annoys me when people say why do you even bother testing? Just go about as normal.

what about vulnerable people?

PickAChew · 23/08/2023 15:33

You're doing the right thing. Particularly as I've had to rearrange a couple of appointments as the letters instruct us to do if we have any covid or flu symptoms.

I've not stayed at home but until I'm through the worst of this snotty phase, I'm staying out in the open and not entering shops.

OhLookIveChangedMyNameAgain · 23/08/2023 15:33

You did the right thing. I wish more people behaved like you. You gave your clients the option. I don’t think about covid anymore really or test but always tell people if I’m unwell to give them the option of understandably avoiding me until the bug has gone. I always pre-warned people if I had bugs before covid too.

Whatmonth · 23/08/2023 15:34

My DH isn't in the vulnerable cattagory but I am.(cancer)

GoingGoingUp · 23/08/2023 15:34

YANBU. It’s not just about covid but any infectious illness. Why on earth was it acceptable and even required for someone with an infectious disease to go into the workplace and spread their germs. I fully appreciate its different when you can’t wfh, but when the risks can be managed, they should be.

WhereTheTeapotsJibberJabberJoo · 23/08/2023 15:36

I hate the tests and won't do them but I would isolate if I were able to at first signs of infectious illness. Both Covid and flu are dangerous to vulnerable people anyway.

Hope you soon recover, OP.

LoobyDop · 23/08/2023 15:36

It’s the right thing to do. Of course we shouldn’t all be tip-toeing around carrying on as if we’re deadly and everyone else is even deadlier, that’s no way to live. But if you KNOW you’ve got it, it’s only fair to do what you can not to pass it on.

NancyPickford · 23/08/2023 15:39

I'm late 60s and tested positive this week. Been in bed since Monday feeling very rough indeed. A fortnight ago I was at the hairdressers and my stylist was saying how we should have just let it 'rip through' the population and then everyone would be immune, and that 'some' elderly people would die in the process but (shrugs her shoulders). I piped up 'well I'm 'elderly' and I don't want to die!!!' She was a bit embarrassed, said it hadn't occurred to her to put me in that category, but I feel she was just spouting stuff she had read and hadn't applied it to actual people.

PinkCherryBlossoms · 23/08/2023 15:41

I think what you've done is fine.

WasThereAnotherTroyforHertoBurn · 23/08/2023 15:43

I lost two family members to covid in the space of six weeks, one I can reason out, he was 83, but the fit and well 55 year old, I will never get over it.

Thank you.

Tinkerbyebye · 23/08/2023 15:44

Guidance is to try and stay at home. You are doing the right thing. Having had it once I don’t want it again

IthinkIamAnAlien · 23/08/2023 15:44

YANBU I know two people in their late 70s who are normally fit and well who have been badly affected by Covid. They both say they feel it's over and then they're knocked back the minute they try to do anything.
I hate the dismissive people who try to say it's nothing or it's just a respiratory infection. NO IT ISN'T!
As was amply shown during the pandemic, the virus can attack many organ systems and can hide in the body like other viruses and return when the immune system dips.
My daughter has several friends who were sporting and active but now have Long Covid. It's so selfish to ignore people who become ill, anyone who tests positive absolutely should isolate.