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Original poster

I’m outside. I need a push to go in....

212 replies

fireflylanegirls · 30/03/2021 08:48

Today is the day. I’m back at work.

My son has been at nursery for 3 weeks and today I’m back in the office.

I’m currently sat in the car park and my heart has not stopped pounding.

It just all looks so normal. I’ve seen a few of my colleagues walk by and everyone just looks the same, happy.

I don’t know what it’s like in the office in terms of Covid, I have a meeting as soon as I go in to discuss the changes.

I don’t think I have ever felt so nervous.

I’m 19 days post my 1st vaccine so not even at the 21 day mark.

I feel like turning around and going home! 😩

OP posts:
ExConstance · 31/03/2021 13:20

I love being in my office, some of us have worked here throughout the last year and it has kept me sane. We have the usual precautions and don't let outsiders in, keep the windows open, 2 in the enormous general ofice and just me in my own. Now we are all 3 weeks post ssecond vaccine and it is almost like normal, we stick to the rules but no one worries about getting Covid now.
DH is still working from home 1 day a week (only works 2 days a week) and is totally sick and tired of it.

SmidgenofaPigeon · 31/03/2021 13:23

I’m starting to get a weird vibe off your posts now OP. Like you are stoking the fire until someone says ‘yeah you’re totally right, you’re probably going to get covid from Shannon who sits across from you and drinks tea in the kitchen, and you’ll end up deathly ill on a ventilator’

What do you want?

Notanaturalm · 31/03/2021 13:24

I'm fat and tested positive for covid, all I had was a runny nose.

The hysteria needs to stop.

We need to get back to normal and cannot have another year of this.

The virus has a 98% survival rate.

RuggeryBuggery · 31/03/2021 13:24

I’m probably not the right person to post on your thread.
I’m not sure if it will help for me to say that I think you are being OTT and that your level of worry is not at all rational, sorry, even with the office as you have described.
I am truly sorry that having the vaccine hasn’t allayed your fears more. Would looking at the actual figures help, the chances of one of your colleagues getting covid is very small, the chance of them passing it to you - very small, the chance of you being very unwell with it - very very small (due to vaccine).

RuggeryBuggery · 31/03/2021 13:25

So overall your risk is miniscule. But is that what you want to hear? 🤔

Original poster
fireflylanegirls · 31/03/2021 13:36

@SmidgenofaPigeon

I’m starting to get a weird vibe off your posts now OP. Like you are stoking the fire until someone says ‘yeah you’re totally right, you’re probably going to get covid from Shannon who sits across from you and drinks tea in the kitchen, and you’ll end up deathly ill on a ventilator’

What do you want?

@SmidgenofaPigeon

I’m really not ☹️

I just feel like everyone is just using my anxiety as a reason to overlook the actual risks in my office.

Oh well. I’m back at work now.

May as well just get on with it eh

OP posts:
SmidgenofaPigeon · 31/03/2021 13:38

But that’s what everyone is saying. There aren’t really any actual risks for you in your office. Minuscule ones. But you don’t seem to want to hear it.

MarcsBlondePussy · 31/03/2021 13:38

She wants to hear "yes you are so right. People in your office are gonna drop like flies unless you are all in hazmat gear and breathing apparatus"

MarcsBlondePussy · 31/03/2021 13:41

Good job OP doesn't work in a supermarket, school, nursery, care home, essential shop, police, fire, ambulance etc etc

ACovidofWitches · 31/03/2021 13:53

I feel really sad for you because you're clearly struggling so badly. You're doing really well.

You were always at low risk from the virus and now you are at a REALLY low risk, even with people not social distancing. There is such a low chance of you catching it. You deserve to be kept safe as every employee does but equally, given you've been vaccinated, even 2 weeks in that will have kicked in really strongly. If you keep working on your health/fitness that will help you too. There just isn't much more you can do at this stage.

Ultimately with the anxiety I think exposure if the thing that will help you the most - you need to stick with it and keep going to work and push through these feelings. I am sure it feels terrifying but keep busy and it should get easier. You are at so much more risk walking or driving to work. I'd love to think you'll stop and pause in a few weeks time and remember how bad you feel but also see that it's got easier.

Frownette · 31/03/2021 13:53

@MarcsBlondePussy

She wants to hear "yes you are so right. People in your office are gonna drop like flies unless you are all in hazmat gear and breathing apparatus"
OP is back at work and has faced her fears - so give her a break.
TheOneWithTheBigNose · 31/03/2021 13:53

May as well just get on with it eh

What are your other options? Can you afford to quit your job?

Desmondo2021 · 31/03/2021 13:57

Out of interest OP do you actually acknowledge (or are prepared to consider) that your anxiety is causing you to perceive a greater level of risk than what actually exists.

I would suggest from your posts that you probably need to go off a bit linger either WFH or with stress depending on whats most appropriate for your role. I'm trying to be sympathetic having suffered anxiety myself but your approach to it all and your response are actually quite annoying in the current climate of trying to start getting back towards a more "normal" existence.

DollyParton2 · 31/03/2021 14:04

This post and the title is laughable it’s so completely melodramatic and ridiculous! She just wants some attention. Let’s leave it.

Original poster
fireflylanegirls · 31/03/2021 14:07

@Desmondo2021

Out of interest OP do you actually acknowledge (or are prepared to consider) that your anxiety is causing you to perceive a greater level of risk than what actually exists.

I would suggest from your posts that you probably need to go off a bit linger either WFH or with stress depending on whats most appropriate for your role. I'm trying to be sympathetic having suffered anxiety myself but your approach to it all and your response are actually quite annoying in the current climate of trying to start getting back towards a more "normal" existence.

@Desmondo2021

I know I’m anxious. But for instance a colleagues now is sorting some papers next to me. She’s at the side of me and less than 2m away!

It’s making me feel physically sick.

I’m scared to ask her to move now Incase she think I’m just ott

OP posts:
Nicknacky · 31/03/2021 14:11

Put your phone down and concentrate on work rather than winding yourself up to a frenzy on here.

No one can say anything that will lessen your anxiety.

ARoseDowntown · 31/03/2021 14:15

This is ridiculous, for you and for everyone around you as you will be projecting a vibe. You are not handling being at work well, for mental health reasons. This has absolutely nothing to do with Covid as you drove to work, which incurs a higher risk of death or injury than a vaccinated person is at from the coronavirus, and yet you’re fine with that. You’ve built Covid into something that it isn’t and it’s all in your head.

Your reactions are totally out of proportion and - worse - they’re aimed at others. You need to look to yourself first, before criticising others.

This thread is fueling your fire. Nobody would tell someone recovering from broken legs to just get up and walk. They need physio and rehabilitation. Nobody can tell you to just get on with it, you need help and rehabilitation. However, it would be unreasonable for the person with broken legs to not help themselves get well, or go straight back to their job as a postman. You're not helping yourself, in fact you’re actively stoking your own anxiety. You’re not ready for work. You can’t handle it. Get more help before you go back.

Bluetrews25 · 31/03/2021 14:22

Look, just get yourself some surgical masks and wear at all times unless eating.
They have stopped me from getting covid from patients who were unmasked and found to be positive a couple of hours after I'd spent 30+ mins very close to them. This has happened on a weekly and at times daily basis.
But I don't think you'll pay attention to this as it does not reinforce your belief that you are right.
Someone told you the other day that your vaccine protection is increasing daily and will be at maximum at 21 days. But you are still thinking you have no protection today.
You need to work on your mental filter, disqualifying the positive, all or nothing thinking and jumping to conclusions. You're olympic standard at them!

Original poster
fireflylanegirls · 31/03/2021 14:28

@Bluetrews25

Look, just get yourself some surgical masks and wear at all times unless eating. They have stopped me from getting covid from patients who were unmasked and found to be positive a couple of hours after I'd spent 30+ mins very close to them. This has happened on a weekly and at times daily basis. But I don't think you'll pay attention to this as it does not reinforce your belief that you are right. Someone told you the other day that your vaccine protection is increasing daily and will be at maximum at 21 days. But you are still thinking you have no protection today. You need to work on your mental filter, disqualifying the positive, all or nothing thinking and jumping to conclusions. You're olympic standard at them!
@Bluetrews25

What are surgical masks?

OP posts:
SmidgenofaPigeon · 31/03/2021 14:30

What are surgical masks?

Are you for real Confused

Mindymomo · 31/03/2021 14:30

If a colleague is under 2 metres away, I would tell them that as you have just returned from mat leave, you would be happier if they would stay at least 2 metres away, just until you feel happier about returning.

Where my sons work, one has coloured wrist bands, red for no one near, orange you are ok people being near but be careful and green that you are happy them being close. The other son has been given watches that bleep when someone is within 2 metres of someone else. He also does lateral flow tests once a week.

You are not alone being scared to be back at work, but both my sons are happy with their present arrangements.

katieg03 · 31/03/2021 14:30

@MarcsBlondePussy

Good job OP doesn't work in a supermarket, school, nursery, care home, essential shop, police, fire, ambulance etc etc
Exactly!! If everyone took the same stance as you OP the country would be in a right state. That food that's in your fridge wouldn't get there and the midwife wouldn't have delivered your baby. You've just got to put your big girl pants on and get on with it.... Lots of us haven't had the vaccine yet and still have to go to work. I had covid. I had only been to one super market in a period of 11 days. I'd not left the house even to check my car. You need to be realistic here. If it's that hard, quit your job.
mibbelucieachwell · 31/03/2021 14:30

Poor you. How horrible to feel unsafe at your work.

Do you think you'll feel safer next week when you'll be 3 +weeks post vaccination? If so I'd be tempted to feign an illness for the rest of the week.

You have a right to feel safe at your work. Would working from home some of the time be an option?

SmidgenofaPigeon · 31/03/2021 14:33

@mibbelucieachwell have you actually read the full thread?

Advising someone to feign an illness to get out of facing or admitting their anxiety and letting their colleagues pick up the slack is pretty questionable. I’m glad I don’t work with anyone that has your attitude.

Bluetrews25 · 31/03/2021 14:35

The blue ones with elastic. You can buy them in aldi or any supermarket in multipacks for a few quid.
If you've not been into shops you won't have seen them, I suppose.

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