Problem at work in relation to virus

[YellowBlueDaisy]

I did a name change because I don't want to be recognised.

I'm from Ireland. Thankfully we are seeing some good results lately with the virus. The virus is suppressed. The case numbers are low and it looks like new cases are related to current cases or clusters. All in all some good progress.

I have a problem at work now. I generally believe that we have to go forward being cautious an continue with all the public health advices.

I work as nanny for family. Every morning a lady comes into the house to help one of the children with home schooling. I'm not going into details but the child would be considered vulnerable. I have my hands full with the other children and the other jobs and duties like cooking and laundry.

I've witnessed a few things from this woman over the past few weeks. She likes to cough openingly without a tissue or using her elbow. It doesn't look as if she is sick and it looks more like she's clearing her throat with a cough. The problem is the cough and throat clearing is not covered.

She is a younger lady and from some of the conversations that we have around the weekends, I get the impression she's out meeting her friends. I don't know what shape that is taking and if it's social distancing meet ups. I don't know.

The hot-spot in Ireland was the East of the country. We don't live in the east. I think chances of her having the virus is slim but seeing her coughing openly is still bothering me.

There's a few problems here

1. people can be infectious before symptoms appear with this virus and we all must continue with the public health guidelines
2. she coughed openly around a vulnerable child
3. this is my place of work.

I talked to the lady I work for before and I suggested wearing masks when being close to the children. The mask wearing isn't happening from that woman. I also asked her to cover her cough. I just got a bad vibe from her when I asked her to cough her cough. I did so politely and kindly without shaming her and I got the impression she didn't like it.

So where do I stand now? If I see her coughing again do I take it to the parents.

This is my place of work. I want a safe place of work. Whamy should I put my health in jeopardy and also that of my families health because of this woman who should know better?

Something else to add: I wash my hands frequently throughout the day. When I enter their house I wash my hands. I wah my hands before serving food. Before we eat. I wash my hands after we eat. I wash my hands after jobs that could be considered dirty like the loading of the dishwasher or washing machine. I wash my hands before doing clean jobs like before emptying the dishwasher and before working with clean laundry. I'm always washing my hands.

How can I trust the woman to do the right thing when she seems to be lazy around coughing? During my days, I already observe that she doesn't wash her hands as often as me. For example, she often leaves at lunch time to drive to the shop for lunch and when she comes back, that is a time when someone should wash their hands when entering home from public and she doesn't do that.

One of the most saddest things I ever read was on another forum where someone had a friend in ICU because in the early days of march, a colleague went into work sick and coughing all over the place. I found that so sad to read. It was at a time there was a public compaign to stay at home if you feel unwell.

At this point it is still important to maintain good hygiene and I’d say more importantly NOT to make others uncomfortable.

Since it takes no real effort to cover mouth when coughing, I think you simply have a goody cow on your hands. I would never dream of doing that.

I would personally take this issue to my employer and politely ask for other employees to be mindful.

Goady cow

don't you need to take this up with your joint employer(s), and let them make the judgement call?