Help. Second round of infections in dh workplace. We all caught it. Should he refuse to go in.

[Skeroooerrat]

I am very upset.
Dh work place which just cannot socially distance due to the nature of the job has has a second break out. I got really poorly last time, in early Feb.
He is shrugging his shoulders and saying the risk is minimal to us becuase we've had. I think he should refuse to go in citing he feels unsafe at work.
Any advice?

He’s right. If you only had it last month then the risk is minimal and if it’s the kind of place that needs people to actually be there, care work etc then he should go.

How long has he worked there?

Is he wearing a mask?
Bear in mind teachers are having to go in if other staff or kids are off quaranting with covid.
Sometimes they only remove the kids within 2m so the rest of the class stay and the teacher.

If it was feb at his work its likely at least one person has remained asymptomatically infected

No not a care home a ware house

Why would he pretend to feel unsafe when he doesn't and isn't?

Surely he doesn't have an option to refuse to go in?

If he's a close contact, that'll be dealt with by normal Covid procedures.

Otherwise, of course he goes in & takes necessary precautions.

While unlikely, it is possible to contract Covid (most likely a different variant) a second time. Listened to an interesting news item on this relating to an Irish university where they've had several incidences of people contracting Covid a second time. Still a small number tho.

Can he ask his employer for asymptomatic testing to be made available. Many councils are offering it for those unable to wfh.

I work in a factory and we've had outbreaks. It happens in some workplaces due to the nature of the job. You just have to get on with it, wear your mask and keep up good hygiene. I guess he could refuse to go in but you can't expect them to pay him and he might get sacked.

Well, he could refuse but would he lose his job or not get paid?!

Outbreaks will happen in anywhere there is close working. It’s rubbish you had it last time but sounds like you all recovered & id say it’s incredibly unlikely any of you would get it again so soon. I had covid in December & still feel reasonably confident of immunity!

I don’t think it’s the nature of the work, more likely the nature of the individuals.

We had a guy who had covid, and he isolated very quickly. Was given paid leave etc. As far as we know no one else at the company got it - he would have been infectious for several working days. Could have been luck. We wear masks religiously, wash surfaces, avoid tight spaces, but also it is inevitable due to the work.

I presume in warehouse type jobs the sick pay is atrocious. This is the main problem I imagine.

He’s right that if you all had it in February you are at very minimal risk.

If he refuses to go in, at a time when other staff cannot go in, then I’d assume his job would be at risk.

I’m sorry you were really poorly last time but try not to worry. All the science says very very unlikely you would get reinfected this close to having had it already.