Important work event, DC ill

[ReallyShouldBeDoingSomethingElse]

I'd just like to check that I'm right in thinking there's only one option in this situation...

DD (5) is unwell. It's a bad cold. She looks iller than she usually does with a cold and has also complained of feeling sick all day (but hasn't been).

Tomorrow I should be at an event at work. I will be severely letting down someone else if I am not there, someone who has been working towards this event for months and needs me there to do the thing. It will be hugely disappointing and inconvenient if I'm not there.

I'm a single parent. I cope well with finding childcare to cover my work commitments but the problem with tomorrow is that a) I'd obviously assumed DD would be at school b) the only people I know who could be available to provide childcare tomorrow during the working day are retired and really won't want to catch a particularly nasty cold (which could yet turn out to be Covid, Strep or anything else.)

Am I right in thinking my hands are tied and that it's too unfair on DD and on our friends/any professional babysitter to expect someone to look after her when she's ill?

I've been in this situation and I found a baby-sitter willing to look after my ill DD. TV, duvet on the sofa, calpol every 6 hours. It was an easy day for the baby-sitter. The baby-sitter chose to wear a mask and kept her distance as much as possible. Just be honest with the baby-sitter about the situation

Yes you should look after your DD.

Can you message them tonight and put them on notice? Is there no one at work who can cover for you? Or can it be postponed.

I'd phone the possible babysitters and ask them. If your dd is tucked up in bed with an ipad/ tv and drinks then its not going to be an issue on her part to be looked after by someone else and if they wear a mask and wash their hands then a cold is very unlikely to be an issue either.

Can you go to the work event for the shortest possible time? Might be easier to get a babysitter for a couple of hours.

When my daughter was small and ill I had to bring her into work a couple of times so I could go to a meeting - a colleague who was a good frirnd would sit with her for the hour or so. Not very professional, but it felt necessary at the time.

I would phone someone and ask if they would be ok in the kitchen, whilst your dd is on sofa in lounge in duvet. Your dd can understand that she has germs that would be best not spread so she could stay in lounge? You could attend for the minimum time possible?

Can you get a babysitter to be in the house but not near DD- what’s the shortest amount of time you could fulfill the commitment ?

Thanks for the responses. I've messaged a couple of local professional babysitters.