AIBU in sending this message?

[Immunitysucks]

Am self-employed and work very part-time
in people’s homes, sometimes they’re there, other times not, I never know.

I’m autoimmune and inject biologic making my system even lower. I have asthma as well as this condition.

When I get a chest infection it normally it takes 2 weeks to clear with 2 rounds of steroids and I’m regularly put on a nebuliser. This happens roughly 3-4 times every winter but I still try and work through it.

AM I being unreasonable in sending a message to all my clients telling them that if they’re at home with even what may be the slightest symptom of corona, they absolutely need to tell me as I won’t be able to work?

One particular family won’t tell me until I turn up and even then will disguise it and make out it’s something else just to get me to work In an ideal world I’d cancel for a few months but obviously can’t.

I’m thinking I should but then my brain tells me that I’m out and about anyway so what’s the point in sending the message??

Can't imagine anyone can object to that, OP. Just explain your health issues in the text.

No I don't think it's unreasonable at all. It's common knowledge that those with underlying health conditions are at more risk. Yes you are out and about anything but are more at risk in someone's home than in public

I got a message from my cleaning company saying if any of the team have even mild symptoms they won’t be coming and likewise if any of my family have even mild symptoms we should tell them and they won’t come for 2 weeks.

I’m a community nurse. I have been advised (told!) not to visit anyone before phoning and confirming they are symptom free and have not travelled in the last 2 weeks. So it would make sense for anyone doing home visits to follow that advice.

@Immunitysucks The first thing that jumped out at me in your post was when you put that you inject a biologic, I do too and I was told to avoid being around people with colds if I could. You are most definitely not being unreasonable.

I work in consultancy and often am in rooms full of people, so before I attend the clients office, I tell them that I can't be around people with colds and normally they are fine with it. I've only had one smart arse Director try and be smart over it, but he was quickly put in his place.

As you've said you are out and about and there is a risk to that, but what you are doing is trying to reduce that risk by not putting yourself in a known situation, nobody can think you are unreasonable for doing that.

Totally fine OP, and hope you're ok

I think your message is fine. My worry in your shoes, though, would be people not declaring things, and your health then suffering.

It seems that you are more worried about annoying your client's than catching a potentially deadly virus. Why would you not send. The message?

Thankyou all - wasn’t sure if I would be coming across as all ‘me me me’. One of the families is particularly vile and would play down their symptoms just to have me in to work because they’re selfish arseholes.

PhilCornwall1 I’m sorry you have to take it too, the side effects can be quite nasty at times can’t they? As if the actual reason for having to take it isn’t bad enough.

Coconut, yes, I don’t like to be thought badly of, don’t like letting people down....

It’s a bad combination really!

Am now trying to work put the wording without sounding unreasonable

Get rid of the selfish assholes anyway....life is too short OP.

Wishing you well

My cleaner sent everyone a message basically saying that if anyone in the household develops symptoms she must be told before she arrives. If she finds out for herself, or after, and it was hidden from her she'll be terminating contracts immediately.

To encourage people to follow it she's only charging her retainer fee for cancelled bookings (a third of the cost for weeks when you are on holiday or organise she isn't needed at least two weeks in advance) even if the notice is last minute.

Even if you send it, can you trust the selfish family not to lie?

Hmmm good point about them lying 😬 I can’t afford to lose them at the mo.

Already lost 90% of my income over the last 7 years because I’ve had to go self-employed since becoming chronically ill/disabled. (Hidden disability) No-one will employ me now as my hospital appointments take up about 15 hours a week, every week plus I have children & can’t now afford c/care. That’s the side that others don’t always understand

No retainer fee involved unfortunately but yes, maybe without waffling I should just say that I must be told in advance if anyone is showing symptoms.

I did leave them once because of the way they treated me but they managed to convince me to return.

I can see them sending a reply that as I’ll be out and about I’m making myself vulnerable anyway so may as well just go to theirs even if they do have symptoms!!

Do we all have someone in our life like this?

Why don’t you just tell that particular family that you can’t come for the next few weeks due to health risks, and send the other message to everyone else? Is there a chance the vile family would find out you’re still working for your other clients?

They’ll sack me. They’re brutal. They won’t find out, they don’t know who else I work for as I never divulge other client’s details.

I had a week off from them 2 weeks ago with a severe chest infection borderline bronchitis - was on 2 lots of steroids and 2 lots of antibiotics. Went to the GP who on site put me on a nebuliser.

If I have any more time I’m off they’ll het rid of me anyway.

I can’t win, can I? Think I’ve answered my own question by what you have all very helpfully posted Sometimes money doesn’t buy what you need.

In contrast I’ve received a beautiful message from one client before I have even been in touch, telling me they know of my situation and I shouldn’t even think of going in if there’s any hesitation in my mind.

Some people are just angels.