How risky was this situation?

[Mummytoed]

Just took a furniture delivery. Thought it would be left on the doorstep as always but the man came in to drop it in my hallway. Presumably because it was heavy and he saw I was pregnant and he was trying to be helpful but it freaked me out! Another man came in with the second box breathing really heavily. Neither were wearing masks :(.

The first man then stayed to scan the bar codes so probably was in for about 2 mins total, and the first man about 10 seconds, the front door was open so there was air circulating.

Am i being paranoid? Im heavily pregnant and really cant be catching Covid now :(

Yep.

You are being paranoid.

You are being insanely over paranoid

I’m sure you’ll be ok, you had the door open - and they were not there for long.

I do think it’s bloody inconsiderate of them though.

I am not always assertive - especially when things happen quickly like that. But I think it’s always good to think for next time the situation arises. I would:

• greet anyone who may potentially come to the house wearing a mask myself (they usually then take one from their pocket)

• and then a very assertive -NO - I could be going into hospital soon and I need to be careful! Rehearse a phrase to say.

• I would also phone and complain to the delivery company. Ask about their policy on masks.

Are you housebound? You could have asked them to wear masks I guess but presumably you’re out and about other times in relatively ‘riskier’ situations? If you don’t go out to work does your partner? Do you have anxiety?

Not risky at all. You've not been offered the vaccine?

You’re being paranoid and overdramatic.

The state of terror that some people are in over what is merely a minor illness for the majority of people is quite frankly ridiculous.

Don’t be fearful - live your life. We have to get on with things and this anxiety and stress isn’t good for your baby.

The stress will do more harm to your baby than corona would.

@SmidgenofaPigeon @IndiaMay

I have a friend who tested positive for Covid before her last midwife appt - and I know how difficult it was for her giving birth while the hospital staff had to be Covid safe around her.

Have some compassion.

I have compassion- I’m 30 weeks pregnant myself actually.

However, since I still need to go out to work every day and I enjoy living my life without fear, I’ve had the vaccine and try not to get wound up about very small risks.

I’d say the same to @pinkcircustop. I don’t think you have any idea of the implications of testing positive for Covid when you are about to go into labour. Think about it.

My goodness I can't believe people are living with such fear and paranoia. OP please seek help for your anxiety before it gets any worse.

You are being ridiculously paranoid.

I would try and get a grip on your anxiety before the baby arrives.

@UndercoverToad

I’m sure you’ll be ok, you had the door open - and they were not there for long.

I do think it’s bloody inconsiderate of them though.

I am not always assertive - especially when things happen quickly like that. But I think it’s always good to think for next time the situation arises. I would:

• greet anyone who may potentially come to the house wearing a mask myself (they usually then take one from their pocket)

• and then a very assertive -NO - I could be going into hospital soon and I need to be careful! Rehearse a phrase to say.

• I would also phone and complain to the delivery company. Ask about their policy on masks.

It's not 'bloody inconsiderate'. They'll have seen she was heavily pregnant and taken it in for her so she didn't have to lift heavy boxes in the house.

The risk from doing that is far greater than any perceived risk of catching covid from such a short exposure.

Did you stay back from them?
They weren't in for long though so that's good

@SmidgenofaPigeon my friend tested positive, had to miss her last midwife appt so a breech diagnosis was missed, she had to be placed in an isolated room in hospital, breech position was detected late and she had an emergency c section. The OP states she is heavily pregnant.

@UndercoverToad awful for your friend yes but you can’t go round being fearful that that’s definitely going to happen to you. As I said I still need to go out to work. I’m in my third trimester too. So I’ve had a vaccine, and I’m lucky I don’t suffer with anxiety, like the OP.

My friend is 32 weeks pregnant and teaching 150 teens a day non masked in small classrooms.

Also, it’s by the by but I missed the bit where OP says she was ‘heavily pregnant’- just pregnant. Unless there’s another reason why she’s CEV she doesn’t state she’s shielding and pregnant women don’t actually need to unless high risk.

Being pregnant heightens all sorts of worries health-wise, so I do empathise. But don't waste another moment worrying about this.

@SmidgenofaPigeon I don’t think it’s anxiety - she is just being understandably careful! Believe me, from my friends hospital experience, you don’t want to catch Covid shortly before you are due. She wasn’t ill with it at all, but it was the hospital restrictions etc.

@UndercoverToad and believe me- I won’t be trying to catch covid, but it’s not practical to shut oneself away and fret over every perceived minor risk either. There is a vaccine, OP should consider having it, it might make her feel more protected and less anxious. Stressing over two people who most likely do not have covid in the first place being in her ventilated hallway for two minutes would suggest she’s a rather anxious person.

It's not inconsiderate. They were trying to be helpful. I appreciate it when delivery people come into my house to drop heavy things off.

Also remember that it's hard on their backs to put it down in front of your door and then have to strain again to pick heavy stuff up.

@SmidgenofaPigeon I do agree that it was low risk and nothing to worry about - but I don’t think it’s right to lay into OP saying she is paranoid etc. I think it’s better to think of a strategy to avoid it happening next time. All workmen who have come into my house wear a mask - it’s not an unreasonable request.

Thanks all, didn't expect to start a big debate :)

It's super reassuring to hear I'm being paranoid so I don't mind these harsh responses either but I dont think I'm particularly anxious in general. My DH who's the most chilled person on earth was also annoyed that it happened and thought that not wearing a mask inside was pretty inconsiderate.

I'm also aware that other people are in far riskier situations but that doesn't mean I should lower the threshold of what I'm comfortable with necessarily. DH and I are both working from home luckily and tend to stick to outdoor activities and anywhere indoors people have been wearing masks. So yes strangers in my house for the first time in months did feel a bit weird, I think it all takes some adjustment.

Also would love to be fully vaccinated but unfortunately still waiting for my second.

@UndercoverToad basically explained it better than I did, even though I'm not particularly worried about my personal risk if I were to catch Covid, the implications to pregnancy appointments etc would not be great so I think it's fair to want to avoid that!

Thanks also for the tips on assertiveness @UndercoverToad, that's the main thing I'm kicking myself about. I know there's barely a risk but I could have easily avoided the situation alltogether by asking them to leave it ouside, or wear a mask. I'm terrible at being assertive and also felt bad as could tell they were trying to be helpful by bringing it in. I'll have a stock phrase ready for next time!

Thanks all!