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Covid

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Original poster

In a really horrible situation here

129 replies

Realitea · 20/07/2021 20:50

I was asked if I could let in a repairman tomorrow to a friends house. They have Airbnb guests there but they have to go early due to the appliance breaking down
I was told they’d gone though
Went past there earlier and the guests were still there. After talking to them it turns out they’re leaving early because they’ve tested positive for covid. Wtf! I wasn’t warned and I was standing right there talking to them!
I told my friend and they apologised but they really want the appliance fixed and know the repairman won’t go in if there’s been covid in the house.
So I’m still expected to go in and this poor guy is too.
At the time I just said I will but I’m getting more and more annoyed about this. I don’t want to be part of this and put myself at risk.
Would it be wrong to just say tonight that actually I’m not ok with this?
I’ve been very anxious about getting covid and now feel like I’ve been tricked almost. Also if I have to isolate I’ll lose a lot of money as my job can’t be done from home and I’m self employed.

OP posts:

BusyLizzie61 · 21/07/2021 07:31

@Realitea

It’s in the air so obviously there’ll be a risk We also touched the gate a few times that they would’ve used as we didn’t know The biggest risk was when we spoke to them (by ‘we’ I mean me and my dc’s) I can’t believe i was put at risk like this. Couldn’t sleep at all last night.

I'd report to HSE myself. Nothing may come of it. But something may.

Mrgrinch · 21/07/2021 07:42

I can't get over this. I wonder how they'd feel if you or the contractor were hospitalised? They probably wouldn't care given their attitude to this.

tallduckandhandsome · 21/07/2021 07:47

What did you send OP?

Well done.

TheGenealogist · 21/07/2021 07:50

Yes your friend really should have said that the people have Covid.

However the rest of it is just a wee bit OTT - worrying about cleaning at the weekend after they've left, worrying about having touched the garden gate and not being able to sleep?

Over the last however many months you may have been in contact with hundreds of people who had Covid and didn't know about it.

wildchild554 · 21/07/2021 07:56

When we had a broken gas pipe I was faced with possibility of having to wait 10 days till repair and being without gas. This was because having to isolate due to school bubble closure and people not wanting to come in. I didn't lie, I told them the situation knowing full well that we may have to do 10 days without cooking facilities and hot water and had to do without for 4 days till my landlord found someone willing to come in. If we can do without for 4 days, I think they can manage to wait for their appliance to be fixed.

Qwerty789 · 21/07/2021 07:56

Does everyone who contracts Covid literally die? I must have literally missed that

What you missed is that literally anyone who catches Covid COULD die.

CastawayQueen · 21/07/2021 08:01

I just got covid again and it’s white. What a horrible thing to do.
I’d report your friend to the authorities if I were you

rishisboater · 21/07/2021 08:01

They shouldn't have lied to you, because if you'd known the truth you could have made sure they'd truly left rather than had the conversation at the gate which left you vulnerable.

However, the house isn't a risk in itself. The virus is airborne as many on here have said.

ClawedButler · 21/07/2021 08:14

The chances of you catching covid from what you descibe are low. But not zero. We've had 18 months of a hard, scary message being drummed into us, and it's difficult for many of us to un-do that.

Your 'friend' has shown you very clearly where you come on her list of priorities, and it's well below 'money' and 'convenience'. Good on you for standing up for yourself.

tcjotm · 21/07/2021 08:16

@Realitea

They are, aren’t they. I hate letting people down but no consideration has been given to me or the person doing the repair.

I’m glad you said no. Don’t ever feel bad about letting someone down if you realise after further consideration that what you’re being asked to do is totally unreasonable. That’s not letting someone down, that’s coming to your senses. Especially where the health and safety of people is involved.

Twoforthree · 21/07/2021 08:16

I dont blame you for being angry. I would be.

I bet she lets the repair guy in and I bet it’s not a thorough clean for the next guests, if she has to do it herself.

MyOtherProfile · 21/07/2021 08:19

You've done the right thing OP.

Mummyratbag · 21/07/2021 08:22

Chances are you are OK now, but I presume you need to isolate? How much work will that lose you?

Selfish woman has not even allowed you to do your own risk assessment (or the workman) because she doesn't want to lose money, but cares not about either of your livelihoods (nor health).

At this point I wouldn't care if it was 72 hours or I could air it...it would be a big fat NO from me.

muddyford · 21/07/2021 08:27

Report the whole situation to AirBnB.

HerMammy · 21/07/2021 08:47

Your job involves going into properties to clean, you’ve no doubt been in some with positive previous guests, I’m mystified at the level of paranoia still existing despite the abundance of information available.
You are opening a door no need to touch everything or if you’re cleaning spray and wipe as you go.
If you were so scared you’d not be working as a cleaner going i to random homes 🤷🏼‍♀️

SchadenfreudePersonified · 21/07/2021 08:56

@Realitea

I do live with someone who’s vulnerable. I’m getting more and more angry about this now. The repair man could also be vulnerable for all we know. Yes they knew the guests had tested positive they just didn’t tell me as they probably knew I’d say no about going or stop the repair from happening!

That tells you everything about them.

They have no concern for you or your family - don't think twice about telling them you can't do it. You have no responsibility towards them.

Original poster

Realitea · 21/07/2021 09:24

A few people have said I should isolate
I’m not sure if I should as I was outside. They were inside but spoke to me through a window that was open both sides.
Don’t know what to do!

OP posts:

LIZS · 21/07/2021 10:02

No you don't need to isolate. Unless you were really close up and had a lengthy conversation, which it sounds not, the risk outdoors is small.

PerciphonePuma · 21/07/2021 10:14

What if the repair man has a highly vulnerable family member? They could lose their lives!!!!

Allthebubbles · 21/07/2021 10:17

I agree that you should have been told but if you were outside and 2 metres away I think that would not count as close contact. How long was the chat.
At my school we have a 2 metres and 15mins guidelines.
If it was under 15 mins I'm sure you'll be fine at that distance.

Santastealer · 21/07/2021 10:19

@Realitea

A few people have said I should isolate I’m not sure if I should as I was outside. They were inside but spoke to me through a window that was open both sides. Don’t know what to do!

You only need to isolate if test and trace have contacted you. Which they wouldn’t if your only contact was a brief conversation outside.

Silverparting · 21/07/2021 10:26

What a shitty thing for your friend to do.
Please dont put that workman and his family at risk.
I can't believe your friend acted in this way and that you felt bad for thinking about saying no!

crapshow · 21/07/2021 11:38

Oh ffs the brainwashing has reached pandemic levels. You're being ridiculous. If that's the case stay sealed into your house. Don't you realise covid could be anywhere and actually is but we're not dropping like flies. Honestly the amount of hysteria is mind boggling. Stay home or put a hazmat suit on but just get on with it.

Helpme20 · 21/07/2021 12:01

@Realitea - You do NOT need to self isolate. If you have any LF tests that school were handing over, just do one for yourself and your DCs, for your own peace of mind. It is extremely unlikely that you have caught Covid whilst talking to them through a window and as you were outside, the risks are even lower. You will not be at risk to clean over the week end. To keep yourself safe, wear PPE and good hand hygiene.
The REAL issue here is that firstly your 'friend' is a CF for putting you and repairman at risk. I would tell the repair man.
Secondly the guests should NOT have left and travelled home when there are positive. They should have stayed in the accommodation for at least 7 days until they are no longer able to spread. I really hope they haven't used public transport or stopped at shops etc.

Original poster

Realitea · 21/07/2021 12:06

I agree @Helpme20
and @crapshow I’m not even going to argue with you - I deserved at least a forewarning so I can make my own judgement

OP posts:

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