Do I or don't I?

[confessionsofatrolleydolley]

I have been to Malaysia, Israel, the US, Greece and Bolivia in the last 30 days. I have been off work for a week (annual leave), but have developed a dry cough, heavy chest, mildly sore throat and back ache radiating around to my stomach (pretty sure that's not a symptom but thought I'd include it in the interest of full disclosure). Usually I'd shrug it off as a bit of seasonal illness, but for once I'm not sure whether to do so would be flippant...I have taken my temperature though and don't have a fever, which I'm pretty sure is the defining symptom.

My husband doesn't have any symptoms of anything and will be going to work in the city tomorrow because his bosses would not be supportive if he chose to stay at home.

Should I be worried? Should I be isolating my family to potentially protect others? It's unlikely this is coronavirus but I can't shake that "what if?" I don't want to endanger others, but to isolate our family could potentially harm my husbands career (his industry just doesn't really accept illness as a reason to not work, it would put him in a vulnerable position). Especially if it's nothing.

I feel like the advice is changing daily and I need a reality check - am I being a drama queen or should we be taking some sort of action here?

YES isolate, you have a dry cough. The advice is self isolate if you have a dry cough OR temperature. You’re doing it to protect the most vulnerable, not for yourself. No question here.

@Splitsunrise absolutely, I'm thinking about protecting others. It's just that I could be seen to be making a big fuss over nothing in the eyes of my husbands work by asking him not to go in as he's not exhibiting symptoms himself and I don't want to make things difficult for him. I'm guessing you can tell from my username that I work in an industry that is in serious trouble right now and we will be heavily relying on his income. I guess I'm just asking for opinions on whether a dry cough is enough to warrant rocking the boat. As I said, I have been told that "it's not coronavirus without a fever". Perhaps this is bad information?

100%.

Self isolate for 7 days if you have a new cough. Absolutely no question.

He doesn't have to yet but you work in a high risk industry.

Someone I line manage contacted me today to ask if they should come in tomorrow due to illness in the family. Given what the illness is I said yes. His manager should decide.

Definitely

You have a new cough.
You need to self isolate for 7 days.

Your DH doesn't have to self isolate if he has no symptoms.
You need a room to yourself with an ensuite ( ideally ) .
You should not interact with dcs or DH.
Have food brought to you and ware taken away, washed on high setting in the dish washer ( if possible).
Best of luck.

@CoronaVera thank you, that's helpful. His work know what I do for a living, he contacted his manager who has effectively told him to come in anyway which I absolutely understand because he doesn't have any symptoms himself...I can't help but feel this is a little irresponsible though because as we all know you can be a symptomatic for a while (or completely) and I know he works with some people who have health concerns. But I guess the guidance is what it is for a reason!

@Designerenvy this is part of my concern, we have two DC (3yrs and 9 months) and I certainly can't keep away from them if my DH has to carry on going to work! I can't ask my DM to help either as she's not too well (chemo) so there's no real way I can stay away from other family members. I don't know what to do.

It's tough. Self isolation is the ideal . Not everyone can self isolate 100% .
So, you can't limit contact with DC's but if you could when DH comes home from work ?
And have no contact with anyone else outside your immediate family .
Kids are said to be more vectors of the virus than sufferers, and if they get it, it's usually mild.
So keep them indoors too, cos they could easily spread the virus , without being very symptomatic.
You can only do your best with your individual circumstances.

@Designerenvy thank you for some rational advice when I'm stressing over what's right to do.

I will keep the children home with me and limit contact when DH is home best I can! If he starts showing symptoms, we will have to reconsider his work.

I just can't bare the thought of being responsible for anyone else getting sick

Best of luck

How are you getting on? Guidance has changed so are you all in isolation now. Are you feeling better?