Should I tell work now?

MiniMooTwentyTwo · 2021-09-23T10:32:19+00:00

So my colleague has covid and is unvaccinated. Her isolation is due to end and she will return. Of course this is gov guidance but our office is so small and I'm worried about catching it. I am vaccinated and 6 weeks pregnant. Should i tell work now so I can avoid contact?

WheelieBinPrincess · 23/09/2021 11:33

What would you like work to do about it?

SickAndTiredAgain · 23/09/2021 11:33

But she’s just had it and has done her full isolation? She seems like quite a safe person to be in contact with once she’s no longer contagious I’d have thought.

Twizbe · 23/09/2021 11:33

You're vaccinated and if her isolation has ended then she poses little risk to you.

Keep practicing good hygiene and you'll be ok.

Jenny19892022 · 23/09/2021 11:36

I can potentially work in a alternative location but thanks for your reply.

Jenny19892022 · 23/09/2021 11:37

Great thanks that's the reassurance I needed!

WheelieBinPrincess · 23/09/2021 11:37

You will not be able to avoid people who have had covid for your entire pregnancy. You need to be realistic.

Jenny19892022 · 23/09/2021 11:37

Yeah thats what I needed reassurance of. Brill thanks :)

Jenny19892022 · 23/09/2021 11:37

(New name in responses!)

HopefulRose · 23/09/2021 11:46

Really nice responses here 😌

Do what makes you feel comfortable. If you let your work know perhaps you could work from home for a while? Out of interest why isn’t your colleague vaccinated?

shivawn · 23/09/2021 12:10

If she's recovered from covid and completed her isolation period then I think she's probably one of the safest people in the office for you to be in contact with!

It's really up to you if you want to tell work now or not. 6 weeks would be a bit too early for me to feel comfortable with but these are strange times and you might be better having a risk assessment now if you're anxious. It's brilliant that you're vaccinated and I hope that you take some reassurance from that!

Evianontoast · 23/09/2021 12:19

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the issue here is more how you feel about the pandemic and how it makes you anxious, rather than the immediate risk, no? Because as others have said, if she's done her isolation and you're vaccinated, the risk is minimal.

In that case, I think your anxiety is perfectly valid. This is a difficult and scary time and I swear the advice for pregnant women has changed so much in the last year or so that it's hard to really keep track - so naturally you'd err on the side of caution, this is a life you're talking about after all! I think like the person above said, you need to do what stresses you out least.

When I went for my 20 week scan I was queuing at the reception. The receptionist asked the heavily pregnant woman in front of me for her lateral flow and she lent in, pulled her mask down and said "I'm actually just recovering from COVID so I can't do a lateral flow, as it would just come back positive". Needless to say, Husband and I both panicked and Husband instantly wispered "don't touch anything she's touched, get the hand sanitiser" to me. I am also fully vaccinated so in reality, the risk is reduced but knowing of a COVID case is scary! I tested myself twice in the week following because of anxiety about it! The point of the story is, COVID is a massive unknown and your feelings are valid.

Jenny19892022 · 23/09/2021 12:42

@HopefulRose

Really nice responses here 😌

Do what makes you feel comfortable. If you let your work know perhaps you could work from home for a while? Out of interest why isn’t your colleague vaccinated?

Not sure why

Jenny19892022 · 23/09/2021 12:43

@shivawn

If she's recovered from covid and completed her isolation period then I think she's probably one of the safest people in the office for you to be in contact with!

It's really up to you if you want to tell work now or not. 6 weeks would be a bit too early for me to feel comfortable with but these are strange times and you might be better having a risk assessment now if you're anxious. It's brilliant that you're vaccinated and I hope that you take some reassurance from that!

Yeah very true. Thank you 😊

Jenny19892022 · 23/09/2021 12:46

@Evianontoast

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the issue here is more how you feel about the pandemic and how it makes you anxious, rather than the immediate risk, no? Because as others have said, if she's done her isolation and you're vaccinated, the risk is minimal.

In that case, I think your anxiety is perfectly valid. This is a difficult and scary time and I swear the advice for pregnant women has changed so much in the last year or so that it's hard to really keep track - so naturally you'd err on the side of caution, this is a life you're talking about after all! I think like the person above said, you need to do what stresses you out least.

When I went for my 20 week scan I was queuing at the reception. The receptionist asked the heavily pregnant woman in front of me for her lateral flow and she lent in, pulled her mask down and said "I'm actually just recovering from COVID so I can't do a lateral flow, as it would just come back positive". Needless to say, Husband and I both panicked and Husband instantly wispered "don't touch anything she's touched, get the hand sanitiser" to me. I am also fully vaccinated so in reality, the risk is reduced but knowing of a COVID case is scary! I tested myself twice in the week following because of anxiety about it! The point of the story is, COVID is a massive unknown and your feelings are valid.

Yes you are probably right! Thank you for a lovely message, I hope all is going well!