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Original poster

WTAF. Where has the sympathy/compassion gone?

32 replies

indignatio · 31/01/2022 18:46

I have tested positive yesterday (perhaps it comes to us all). I am lucky, my job is portable and I can WFH when I need to.
So, work are (generally) great, usual messages of look after yourself, if you are up to it, do what you can. Basically do what is right for you.
Clients however, a different mindset, I have said on automatic email responses that I am working when I am able. Apparently this means a call to my PA to badger her to badger me that they are the most important when I am available.

OP posts:
Whitefire · 31/01/2022 22:36

It happens, I had to leave work to take a PCR, someone rang (he had rung that morning, call backs within 48hours) and was very annoyed that I was working at home 25miles away and that I should contact my union to make the company employ a second person in my job role to ensure that someone was always available to visit him instantly.

I have been off work for four weeks, goodness knows what I will be walking back to tomorrow. (And that is dependent on me testing -ve tomorrow morning as DD is +ve)

Hope you are feeling better soon. DD was really rough day 1 but since has been working away on school work (year 11)

TheDoveFromAboveCooCoo · 31/01/2022 22:41

People can be shits.

A couple of months back I had to go for diabetic eye screening and they use drops that makes your eyes very sensitive to light and blurred vision for a few hours after so very difficult to look at a computer screen.

Took a call from an employee (shouldn't have cos I had booked the morning off) and explained to her I couldn't put the letter she needed together for a few hours and explained why. (I didn't have an assistant at this point)

She then emailed the entire hierarchy of my managers so finance director, people director and the fecking CEO to say it was unacceptable my department was unmanned for half a day and she needed her letter immediately.

(She was politely told to be patient and jog on)

WingingItSince1973 · 31/01/2022 22:59

I'm getting the feeling that anyone getting covid now doesn't have the empathy and shock as in the earlier days of the virus. I have family all positive this week and they are really poorly. Funny enough I had it this time last year and had texts constantly and people worried etc etc. I think sadly the novelty has worn off for some. Hope you feel better soon. You're poorly, you shouldn't be working, you need rest xxx

Tealightsandd · 31/01/2022 23:08

I'm sorry OP. Some people have always lacked compassion - or even basic common sense (eg. if somebody isn't well, whatever the illness, they're not going to be as available if at all until recovered).

It's been that way long before the pandemic.

Don't let it get to you. Some people are rude or ignorant or overly demanding (sometimes all three). Ignore them. Take the time you need to get well. Rest when you need to.

I hope you feel better soon Flowers

PAFMO · 01/02/2022 06:45

I think it's because so many people are now asymptomatic or, with Omicron, have vague cold symptoms that many think "having Covid" is no longer an illness. The govt telling us we don't need to test/isolate/blablabla doesn't help.

Get well soon Flowers

HariboMaroon · 01/02/2022 13:59

It’s because it’s not that serious or shocking anymore.

Thank god.

countrylady2 · 01/02/2022 14:06

A lot of people only care about themselves or their immediate family. Some people still think this is a hoax which is absolutely ridiculous. When they are ill they will want the sympathy then.

Original poster
indignatio · 01/02/2022 21:00

Thank you all. Feeling less sorry for myself today with a good number of clients sending positive thoughts and wishes rather than demands.

OP posts:
Original poster
indignatio · 01/02/2022 21:05

Thank you for letting me vent yesterday.

If I could ask, please if someone says they are ill and will answer when they are able, it is because they care and want to do the best they can. So unless it it actually urgent, please give them this grace period.

OP posts:
itwasntaparty · 01/02/2022 21:37

I disagree with your sentiment @indignatio if you're ill, you're ill, put your ooo on and don't be a martyr. Doesn't matter if it's covid or something else, and there's still a lot of other germs around. You won't get a gold star for 'soldiering on'.

Theimpossiblegirl · 01/02/2022 21:45

It's the narrative that Omicron is mild and people are isolating rather then ill causing the lack of empathy. I feel so ill but the guilt is horrendous, so I'm working when I can.

Original poster
indignatio · 01/02/2022 21:46

@itwasntaparty interesting, I don't feel at all like a martyr. Merely a professional who wants the best for her clients. I know I'm not able to work at optimal capacity at the present, but am still able to do some work without prejudicing recovery. However, what I appreciate is some tolerance on usual timings given the fact I am not 100%

OP posts:
treeflowercat · 01/02/2022 23:05

If you'd said you were working when you were able then I'd interpret that to mean you weren't able to do a full non-stop day, but could muster the energy and concentration for a few hours of work during the day. It implies you are mildly ill, as does the fact you've started and contributed to a MN thread about it!

treeflowercat · 01/02/2022 23:08

So if I needed your time, I would feel it reasonable to let your PA know that... It's not like I'd be asked your PA to wake you from a coma... You've said your working, so people will take that at face value!

5128gap · 02/02/2022 15:31

To be honest it's probably less about lack of sympathy for covid and more about the frustration of someone being both working, yet below par/not fully present. If you were properly off sick than presumably your clients would know they either had to wait until you were better or deal with a colleague if urgent. You've created a weird situation where they're left to judge the urgency (which to them will be very urgent naturally) and not know if they'll be dealt with because you're working 'when you can'. If you're not well enough to do all of your job as you normally would, then go off sick, at least as far as clients are concerned.

lightand · 02/02/2022 15:44

@WingingItSince1973

I'm getting the feeling that anyone getting covid now doesn't have the empathy and shock as in the earlier days of the virus. I have family all positive this week and they are really poorly. Funny enough I had it this time last year and had texts constantly and people worried etc etc. I think sadly the novelty has worn off for some. Hope you feel better soon. You're poorly, you shouldn't be working, you need rest xxx
In the early days, people were as much worried for themselves as others. They wanted, and perhaps needed, to know the latest news. I had it at the very beginning[caught it before 1st lockdown], and then had long covid[it didnt even have a name for months]. I was a novelty for months. I still get asked now whether I am fully recovered. Which I am. Thankfully.

Sorry for all those who are suffering in any way.

treeflowercat · 02/02/2022 15:51

Also, it would have been no different before Covid... So, irrespective of whether you are being reasonable, I'm not sure why you think everyone was so much more "compassionate" before 2019. People know that Omicron is probably not going to be too dissimilar to a bad cold in most cases, so of course they're not reacting with the "shock-horror" that they would have done back in March 2020.

oldtableleg · 02/02/2022 16:04

either you're ill or you're not - which respiratory virus has infected you is largely irrelevant. I was ill with covid therefore took sick leave, dh was asymptomatic so wfh during isolation. Neither of us expected or experienced any sympathy or drama, it wasn't a big deal either way.

Tealightsandd · 02/02/2022 16:09

which respiratory virus has infected you is largely irrelevant.

SARS-COV-2 is not a respiratory illness. It is an inflammatory and vascular disease (with often respiratory symptoms).

mydogisthebest · 02/02/2022 16:37

Some ignorant people will never be sympathetic regardless of what is wrong with you.

A few years ago DH had a stroke. He was taken to hospital and I was told it was likely he would not survive the night.

He is a self employed heating engineer. Even though, obviously, I was worried sick and upset I phoned all his customers (the one he was working at and the ones he was due to work at for the next few weeks to tell them).

Most were kind and understanding but 2 ranted and raved at me, one demanding that the work be completed

Myalternate · 02/02/2022 17:23

@Tealightsandd

which respiratory virus has infected you is largely irrelevant.

SARS-COV-2 is not a respiratory illness. It is an inflammatory and vascular disease (with often respiratory symptoms).

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) is a strain of coronavirus that causes COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), the respiratory illness responsible for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. So, it would appear it is correct to refer to it as a respiratory illness.
Tealightsandd · 02/02/2022 17:28

I've spent too long on here today (things to do! Smile) but I'll be back later with some info - expert analysis of SARS-COV-2 being an inflammatory disease (that often affects the respiratory system).

treeflowercat · 02/02/2022 17:40

@Tealightsandd

I've spent too long on here today (things to do! Smile) but I'll be back later with some info - expert analysis of SARS-COV-2 being an inflammatory disease (that often affects the respiratory system).
Whatever the virus's biological mechanism, it remains true that, for most people, Covid's main symptoms are primarily experienced as impacting the respiratory system.
Tealightsandd · 02/02/2022 17:47

Main initial symptoms, maybe.

The long term damage of Long Covid, not only respiratory.

treeflowercat · 02/02/2022 18:13

@Tealightsandd

Main initial symptoms, maybe.

The long term damage of Long Covid, not only respiratory.

True, but for great majority, the initial symptoms are the only symptoms.
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