To expect people ill with Covid stay home?

[LakelandHiker]

This week, my manager and a friend who goes to my exercise class are ill with Covid. I don't know if they've tested, but they've both said they have it. However one is still coming into the office and the other still attending the exercise class. AIBU or overreacting here... but why don't they stay home until clear? Even if 'feeling 95% better' wouldn't you wait until potentially exposing others? I can't help but feel mad at them both for being so selfish. I often look after an elderly relative and can't risk passing Covid on to her as she is frail. I get life can't be on pause forever but my manager can get paid sick leave and my friend can miss a class, it isn't like there's anything at stake...

My family comes first im afraid. Im not becoming financially unstable to avoid someone getting covid in 2026. Regardless, i dont test anymore and dont know anyone who does. Unless im physically unable to leave my bed im going to work to pay my rent, feed my family and survive. Don’t care if you think thats selfish, unless youd like to pay in which case tell me where to send the cheque.

It is a cold its just one of millions of variants of it.

It a shitty situation especially when you are looking after an elderly relative. I'm not sure of the guidelines/recommendations in the UK as in Ireland, but I think I recall that the UK encourage people to get out and about and continue as normal, whereas our guidelines/recommendations are 5 days home or until negative test. So your colleagues aren't really doing anything wrong. Even though we have recommendations people here are fed up and rightly so, it doesn't help those of us with vulnerable people, my own disabled DD I've spent thousands on covid tests 😔 have to keep on top of it with her due her disabilities

…my manager and a friend who goes to my exercise class are ill with Covid. I don't know if they've tested, but they've both said they have it.

From the op.

I care about your family's fortunes to exactly the same degree you care about disabled people.

You can have the flu and not be very incpacitated by it, same as covid. These are just the names of viruses and they hit everyone differently

Its a complete myth that flu will leave you bedbound and knocked out, some people can function like they just have a cold, some people will end up in hospital, some people will have no symptoms at all, same as covid.

Fab, I’m not asking you to care about my family 🤣

@HappyLizard23 I'm with you - unless I am bedbound I can't afford not to go to work. Rent to pay!
People who don't understand this lead very privileged lives indeed.

Who's even testing??

God, reading some of these replies makes me glad I’m not immunocompromised. Society really doesn’t give a shit.

well said, they’re obviously people who can miss a few days wages and have no bother. Very privileged indeed

Yes, being immunocompromised or caring for someone who is, and fearing constantly for their survival, is the absolute epitome of "privileged".

FFS.

In the kindest way possible, that’s not my problem. I will ensure my family and kept warm and fed. That means I HAVE TO go to work.

@MrsDoylesLastTeabag So how do you suggest I pay my rent then? Not everyone can afford to take time off. What's your work status?

‘Society’ would be far better off if proper sick pay was a thing and people could afford to stay home sick without missing out on food or risking homelessness.

Absolutely agree! But until then we will do what we need to do to survive

@ToKittyornottoKitty Absolutely. Nobody wants to go to work genuinely unwell, but they will if there is no pay otherwise.

I cant work from home, if l have a cold im.goung to work, no sick pay.

What a rare and unusual topic for this time of the year.
Next : fireworks yay or nay?

This is exactly the point. Thank you.

These discussions get so heated because individuals have genuine, urgent competing needs in the current employment and economic system and there is no compromise possible.

I have had a bad day and am at the end of my tether so I reacted angrily to a very emotive issue. But no, it should NOT be up to individuals to feel they have no choice but to risk making others very sick or lose their pay.

If they feel well enough to work they aren't ill are they?

No chance am I staying in if I dont need to, whether its Covid or any other ailment I might have.

Particularly since with a lot of viruses youre infectious before you even have symptoms 🤷‍♀️

@MrsDoylesLastTeabag The truth is that is the reality for many self-employed people. I can't see it changing any time soon.
I've even been to work when miscarrying, unfortunately.

Some of us can’t stay home unless we are actually ill, some people aren’t paid beyond statutory sick pay, some of us actually have jobs that can’t be put aside

You'd think people who can't afford time off sick would be keener on etiquette that says stay at home if you can when ill.

No exercise class is compulsory, that person going to a completely optional exercise class could pass on her bug to people who end up having to take time off work sick and lose pay as a result.

Surprising to see people who can't afford to be ill cheerleading that sort of attitude.

If they haven’t tested for Covid they’re simply assuming that’s what they have which is a ridiculous thing to do.