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Related: Lockdown Learning, discuss home schooling during lockdown.
NHS Coronavirus information. Information from gov.uk. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have health concerns, please seek medical attention.
Related: Lockdown Learning, discuss home schooling during lockdown.
Covid
I’m a cleaner in a hospital and I’m really scared
Reallynotok · 18/03/2020 23:53
My children’s school is closing.
My partner will be asked to stay at home.
Meanwhile I’m expected to keep going to work where I could easily pick up this virus and bring it home to my family, every day.
I’m shit scared of getting it myself because I don’t want to die and leave them and I’m shit scared of passing it to my family in case they die.
At work we’re all ‘keep calm and carry on’ of course. And I really want to do my job and do it well, I love my job.
But I’m sat here in tears scared out of my mind by all the uncertainty and the worry that we won’t be safe.
I’m fucking terrified and just need to share it somewhere because I can’t say this to anyone in real life.
nickblainesmistress · 18/03/2020 23:54
Do you have any underlying health issues or are you on any medication? Would you be classed as vulnerable?
Yogawoogie · 18/03/2020 23:57
@Reallynotok talk to your team and keep talking to them. If you were on my ward we would be inviting you with the rest of our team for supervision and support. It is scary but you are amazing. An unsung hero!
Reallynotok · 18/03/2020 23:59
No, I’m 40, not particularly fit but no diagnosed illnesses.
I’m still very scared though.
I wasn’t until today, my thoughts on all this have changed since they said the schools will close.
LittlePearl · 18/03/2020 23:59
Please try not to panic OP.
I'm assuming you are relatively young in which case you are VERY low risk and your children even lower. The Chief Medical Officer said children almost always have the mildest symptoms, and are often asymptomatic. 
Isla727 · 19/03/2020 00:00
Thank you for keeping the NHS going!
I can completely understand why you feel scared though. Do they have showers at your workplace and do you have an opportunity to change into clean clothes afterwards? Is there somewhere separate to the work-toilets to wash your hands afterwards? Do you have any pre-existing conditions?
Flaxmeadow · 19/03/2020 00:01
No, I’m 40, not particularly fit but no diagnosed illnesses
So what is it you're worried about?
Reallynotok · 19/03/2020 00:02
I’m now annoyed at myself for crying because I’m having to blow my nose on loo roll! 
BlessedBeTheFruitCake · 19/03/2020 00:03
Are you allowed to wear scrubs/cloggs so you're not wearing your own clothes and shoes on the wards.
I can understand your concern, thank you for what you do, op.
Isla727 · 19/03/2020 00:03
Selfishly if I was working in as a cleaner in a hospital just now I think I would really want to leave my job and claim Jobseeker's Allowance or Universal Credit but I know that that is probably not an option.
Notashandyta · 19/03/2020 00:03
Thankyou op. Nothing wise to say to help you sadly but thank you to all hospital staff, shop workers, care staff, security guards etc. Thankyou 🌻
Reallynotok · 19/03/2020 00:04
@Flaxmeadow
The uncertainty, the not really knowing how I’ll cope if I do get it and how my family will cope if they do.
Egghead68 · 19/03/2020 00:05
Thank you for the job you do.
You are low risk for serious disease.
Many hospitals are setting up advice lines and psychological support for staff. Could you contact them and talk through your fears?
Do you have all the PPE you need?
Reallynotok · 19/03/2020 00:06
@ Isla727 I keep thinking about leaving but I don’t want to, I love my job.
I hate this virus.
Lifeisabeach09 · 19/03/2020 00:07
@reallynotok, not much reassurance but you are low risk. I assume your family are also (you haven't mentioned any health conditions).
For 80% this will be mild illness--that's you and your family.
Just follow the usual precautions, handwashing, masks /aprons around suspected/confirmed cases if you clean around them (not sure what the policy is)
I found this video helpful as I think it gave me some sense of empowerment regarding my own protection.
www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/when-and-how-to-use-masks
Antipodeancousin · 19/03/2020 00:07
I’m a nurse and I’m scared too. I don’t work in the UK but I’m scared that my hospital isn’t properly prepared for this pandemic and will inevitably make mistakes diagnosing and isolating infectious patients. I am scared I will give the virus to my 60 year old, smoker mum and it will kill her. I’m scared that I’m going to catch it whilst I’m the first trimester of my pregnancy and the fevers will cause birth defects or miscarriage.
All I can say is be scrupulous with your hand hygiene and PPE.
Reallynotok · 19/03/2020 00:11
PPE is fine for now.
I think it’s having the children at home and if there is a lockdown then everyone will stay at home, except us who work in hospitals.
I realise it’s probably silly to worry so much and hopefully by tomorrow I’ll have got my head around it all but right now I just needed to share how this has made me feel.
I’m never usually like this.
1300cakes · 19/03/2020 00:11
Come over to this thread, we all feel the same way.
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/3845375-Thread-for-NHS-staff
Reallynotok · 19/03/2020 00:13
@ Antipodeancousin it’s very worrying isn’t it 
NanSlayer · 19/03/2020 00:14
Take some time off "stress" no point destroying your immune system and having a breakdown, everyone deserves a rest and some room to process what is going on.
Balkinfly · 19/03/2020 00:16
Thank you OP. I will be working in close contact as will DH we will be OK
Reallynotok · 19/03/2020 00:16
If I go off with ‘stress’ I will almost certainly lose my job as soon as they can find a way to get rid of me.
1300cakes · 19/03/2020 00:17
You are low risk for serious disease.
People are trying to have this both ways.
General advice - Do not leave your house! Protect your family - do not send your children to school! You could catch this very easily, just walking on the street. Do not be complacent - in Italy young people are on ventilators and are dying!
Advice to NHS workers - No need to worry, I doubt you'll even catch it and if you do, you'll be fine. And who cares if your kids catch it.
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