Runny nose, cough

[Anonymous]

Hi I am a nanny for three children. A four year old & twin two year olds. Who go to preschool in the mornings four days a week. Over weekend girls developed runny nose. I was not told about it until I got yo work. Girls aldo had coughs. I was told the cough are new. I express concern & decided I was uncomfortable working until symptoms are gone or they get negative covid test. Am I right to be upset? Parents are mad.

[Anonymous]

You always have the right to be upset over something, but a lot of kids also get allergies and coughs this time of year. People are worried because of Covid, when they might not bat an eye otherwise. Kids rarely get it (I do understand that they DO get it though), but I wouldn't be worried.

[Anonymous]

If you’re worried about a runny nose and cough being symptoms of covid, why not look for a family who isn’t interested in sending their kids to daycare or school right now? I agree with pp, this is untenable, because it’s the time of year that it happens even without covid. The family can’t and won’t deal with you needing time off (presumably paid?) every time their kids have the sniffles.

~nanny who doesn’t want to play around either, found a family with whom to quarantine

[Anonymous]

OP, these two responses are ridiculous.
(No offense to the posters!)

But w/COVID-19 positive case rates skyrocketing at such astronomical levels - no pun intended - one can never be too careful.

The parents should have contacted you prior to coming in today & disclosed to you that their children were sick.
Yesss......kids DO tend to get coughs + sniffles around this time of year, especially those that attend daycare/preschool.
And in pre-pandemic times it was simply par for the course.

But we are not only smack in the middle of both a contagious as well as deadly pandemic, we also have record-shattering case numbers that this virus has no plan to go away soon.
So I think it would be in your best interest to stay away from ANYONE who is outwardly showing symptoms of being ill.

[Anonymous]

In normal times, you would be absolutely wrong.

In covid Times, you are absolutely right are are doing the right thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, these two responses are ridiculous.
(No offense to the posters!)

But w/COVID-19 positive case rates skyrocketing at such astronomical levels - no pun intended - one can never be too careful.

The parents should have contacted you prior to coming in today & disclosed to you that their children were sick.
Yesss......kids DO tend to get coughs + sniffles around this time of year, especially those that attend daycare/preschool.
And in pre-pandemic times it was simply par for the course.

But we are not only smack in the middle of both a contagious as well as deadly pandemic, we also have record-shattering case numbers that this virus has no plan to go away soon.
So I think it would be in your best interest to stay away from ANYONE who is outwardly showing symptoms of being ill.

+1

[Anonymous]

I would be angry if my employers didn’t disclose that the kids or parents got sick over the weekend. Like others, not in pre-covid days but most certainly now.

It’s a statement of how they think of you, OP. Your employers are putting their convenience over your health. Something to think about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In normal times, you would be absolutely wrong.

In covid Times, you are absolutely right are are doing the right thing.

+1 They will likely need the covid test anyway to return to school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In normal times, you would be absolutely wrong.

In covid Times, you are absolutely right are are doing the right thing.

+1 They will likely need the covid test anyway to return to school.

No. Kids will have runny noses for months. They’re not barring kids with runny nose and cough from school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would be angry if my employers didn’t disclose that the kids or parents got sick over the weekend. Like others, not in pre-covid days but most certainly now.

It’s a statement of how they think of you, OP. Your employers are putting their convenience over your health. Something to think about.

+ 1 My employer had me come in on Monday and I found out that MB and two kids had been sick with “just a cold” over the weekend. They tested positive yesterday and I’m beyond upset and disappointed in them for putting me at risk. You can’t be too careful.

[Anonymous]

No job is worth your life

[Anonymous]

If you can’t deal with cough and runny nose, find another job that involves no exposure. Parents aren’t going to keep kids home with runny noses if they’re paying for daycare or preschool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you can’t deal with cough and runny nose, find another job that involves no exposure. Parents aren’t going to keep kids home with runny noses if they’re paying for daycare or preschool.

Or find a family that has some sense. Your last sentence is extremely tone deaf in terms of the current situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you can’t deal with cough and runny nose, find another job that involves no exposure. Parents aren’t going to keep kids home with runny noses if they’re paying for daycare or preschool.

First, daycares and preschool in my area absolutely will not allow a child with a runny nose or cough during this pandemic.

Second, it isn’t about “dealing with it” - it’s about both being a symptom of a potentially deadly virus.

Everything is different now. OP’s employers should have warned her and left it up to her as to whether she wanted to come in or not.

[Anonymous]

Thank you! OP here. I have decided to start looking for a new position. In the meantime I'll continue to work for them. Hoping to start something new in January. Thanks everyone.