Keyworker Support Thread

[SpiritEssence]

How are you all doing ? I work for a supermarket so been through it all from the start of this. It's been very stressful and the attitude of some people has been disgusting.

But just wanted to be positive as we keyworkers have done so well and we should be proud of ourselves in what ever sector you work kn as a keyworker. It's been tough but and upsetting at times. But keep going we are the backbone of this country.

[Note from MNHQ: title was originally 'To all keyworkers who have worked through this' and has now been changed at OP's request]*

[Figmentofimagination]

Main downside is customers not social distancing in stores and acting like we don't exist (brushing straight past when trying to work in the aisles).
^
This.

My husband works in a supermarket as a supervisor. He's is mentally struggling. He's exhausted after every shift. He's been shouted at by customers when he tries to tell them to take a step back, had to deal with idiots not understanding/complying with social distancing and trying to jump queues, he's doing his best to support the staff at his store but there is only so much he can take on.

[runningon]

I'm not a key worker, but have been working throughout.
Hats off the the key workers - especially dealing with the dickhead general public.

My work is private and I work with a very small team, so feel safe at work, but it has been an exhausting 3 months.

I couldn't have coped with members of the public during this time, it's bad enough being with them in the supermarkets once a week!

[WheresTheEvidence]

Worked throughout in a day nursery yes it was quiet but we had lots of new children starting and while weve had fun it's all a bit relentless, either working or sat at home. Feel bit resentful watching everyone enjoy all this time off

[cheninblanc]

Onceuponamidnightbeery - YOU ARE NOT JUST A SHOP WORKER!

[Iliketeaagain]

NHS in the community here. Exhausted and have a permanent knot of anxiety about one of my team getting ill and dying of COvid, combined with the brave face I put on every day. Plus, all the goodies that so many people donated went to the staff on half-empty wards and those of us seeing people in their own homes were forgotten about, when we haven't actually stopped any of our services because we have 100s of vulnerable adults who would end up in hospital or die without our input.

Fed up of the constant changes about PPE, and having to count gloves by 1 so we can show we have so much ppe - 300 gloves sounds better than 3 boxes , still not enough in a team of 20 who go through 20 boxes of gloves a week and have been told not to come in to a base. And the announcements made at 5pm on a Friday afternoon when quite frankly, we can't do much about it.

We are absolutely not prepared for a 2nd wave. Have managed to not cancel any of my teams annual leave and encouraged them all to have a week off at some point to rest.. all the while mine was cancelled. I'm hoping I get a week in before the 2nd / 3rd wave hits.

Combine that with the local social media complaining how "kids shouldn't be guinea pigs and going back to school" yet being ok with key workers kids being guinea pigs, plus the admin staff around treating clinical staff as if they are infectious 2nd class citizens..

I'm fed up and exhausted, I'm doing the job of 2 people after my counterpart was redeployed, working 50-60 hrs a week - only saving grace is that I can do some of it at home. Not sure when I'll get some time off when I can actually switch off.

In to all that, add the guilt that I'm failing my daughter with regards to home teaching and her mental health isn't great because she's struggling without seeing her friends or school.

All in all, things aren't great. Only haven't applied for any other jobs as I'm not sure the grass is greener anywhere else at the moment.
(Phew - that was long, I guess I have a lot of pent up emotions!)

[ladylunchalot]

NHS (non clinical role) and I'm exhausted. It's an effort to get out of bed each morning no matter how much sleep I get. Dh is shielding and I'm terrified I bring the virus in to him - my line manager has been utterly crap and is really not supportive. Dd (14) is struggling mentally but is fortunately getting camhs help with online appointments with them - she'd been on their waiting list for ages. Ds (11) has autism and epilepsy but is coping not too bad - no interest in school work, I'm picking my battles as I just don't have the energy to nag him about it.
Just back from doing my weekly food shop and can't get over the sheer lack of social distancing and being the only person there wearing a mask.

[ilovepixie]

I've had people hand me money out of their mouth, and out of their bra! And then they shout at me when I refuse to touch it!

[cheninblanc]

ILiketeaagain community here too. No donations, huge portion of our work force off. And yes we're counting Gloves too and no where near ready for any second wave

[SpiritEssence]

I've had quite a few rude customers throughout lockdown and now just ignore them and tell them not to be so rude and walk away.

Amazing how selfish people are during all this and expect supermarkets to be like normal. In my shop we have 70 members who are isolating and the store took temps on and now they have got rid of most of them.
But we are still expected to do all those jobs as well as our own. I'm also frustrated at my company as there bringing out new things and expect us to deal with this as well as everything else at the same time.

[frankie001]

Ccu nurse. We have been well supported by managers. Am sick of wearing Ppe. Am sick of seeing such sick patients, but at least we now have time to provide care as we would like to. I’m back Tuesday after 2 weeks off as felt mentally exhausted.

[sunshinewishes]

Policing.

Just finished a 13 hour shift. Back in again tomorrow.

Exhausted.

[Paperchainpopp]

In the beginning it was hard. It’s become a lot easier as you have to do it really. Also I’m grateful to maintain my job and I know I’ll be safe even at the end of October.

[m0therofdragons]

I’m nhs management and I think the adrenalin has gone and now we’re all exhausted with no holidays to look forward to. I’ve booked annual leave and asked my team to do the same to ensure breaks but breaks for me mean home schooling 3 dc so hardly restful. Next week is looking wet so can’t even have dinner in the garden. Nice weather makes it easier (although the grass will probably look better for some rain!). It’s draining!

[Divebar]

@sunshinewishes

And as an added joy we get to be spawn of Satan on top of it all. .

[m0therofdragons]

Should add that I’m grateful I don’t have financial worries many do have.

[JustTryingToGetThroughThis]

Well done to all of you.
I was in aldi the other week and they asked me not to pack at the till and put in trolley and pack at shelf.
I said that's fine no problem, saw there were loads at the packing shelf and said I'd pack at the car.
She said omg you're so understanding I regularly get my head bitten off when I tell people they can't pack here. She looked stressed
I couldn't belive it.. I mean wtf. The staff don't make the rules.

Admittedly I generally would have bags open laid out in trolley and throw it in them so wouldn't of been any more time consuming but that's the rules.

I actually then added flowers to it and gave them to her once paid. Made her feel better and appreciated I know how hard retail is I did it from leaving school till my mat leave with dc2 so I'm greatful for everyone working to help others

[SpiritEssence]

Would anyone mind if I asked mumsnet to change the title and turn this into a keyworker support thread as I dont see one on here and would be great for us to have a place to come and vent on ?

[LongTallSammie]

Tired and in need of a holiday.

[HotWatBot]

That's a great idea OP.

[BeingLonely]

Front line NHS and I’m fucking knackered. Mentally and physically. I feel sick at the thought of the work load that’s coming soon from all the cancelled and postponed work

[sunshinewishes]

@Divebar - I can see why we do it 🤦🏼‍♀️

[alphabetannie]

@Copperblack 💕💕 to you and your family, thank you for what you do.

[Piixxiiee]

Stressed. The pressure is mounting. I'm a teacher been in every week 2 day and virtual meetings/course/ teaching 2 to 3 days / evenings. I'm suppose to be part time. Also home schooling. Had some very scary stuff going on for a vulnerable child in my care which has added to it all. Now hours have changed, been called in more so my children now in school.... 1 likes it, 1 cries. Theres no end in sight.

[alphabetannie]

A&E junior doctor.
Proud of my team who have shown more resilience and determination than I thought possible.
But otherwise down, exhausted, stressed, anxious +++.
Ironically covid made my job less busy (albeit countered by huge increase in risk to life) but the mental strain has been colossal.

And I just really miss my mum who I still don't feel safe seeing whilst I'm so highly exposed :(

[StillMedusa]

TA in special school here, so we have stayed open throughout for keyworkers, vulnerable children and for some whose families just cannot cope (have several severely autistic children with very challenging behaviour)

Stressful..yep.. not my own class or my usual children, and it's doing different things, in a different room and everything is limited and sterile and we have no PPE but have to scrub everything they touch... no hope of social distancing when children (including 6 foot adult sized ones) need personal care/nappies changing and they need and are used to, physical contact.

At first it felt like a new challenge, now as guidelines change every bloody day, it is depressing, and I feel detrimental to the children..we work so hard to help them socialise, share...and now we are telling them to do the opposite!

DD1 28 is a frontline doctor on covid wards... I think she will have PSTD. DD2 is a nurse.. children's hospice.. continuing but with miserable restrictions. DS2 is a supermarket worker and frankly he's had the hardest job of all.. so much abuse, including him and a cooworker walking home after their shift, being set upon by some abusive bloke for being 'germ ridden low lifes' He has autism and was utterly terrified.

I'm due in school tomorrow but one of our household has symptoms so we went for testing yesterday and can't go in til we get the all clear... said member is a T1 diabetic and a support worker (my daugter's partner who lives with us) and frankly it's a relief.... really hope he negative as he could be really ill....