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Husband is type1 diabetic, I’m a teacher

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Ruby red

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Hi I have been self-isolating due to seasonal cold for seven days. My husband has been keeping a distance as he is type1 diabetic and obviously does not want to catch anything.

As a primary teacher I am supplying work on line for my class but now my school has also asked me to go in on Monday. A rota will be made for us to look after children of key workers and vulnerable children. Of course I agree with this but my husband is worried about catching anything! He has asked me not to go in.

What is your advice please and can I refuse to go in.

Many thanks
 
Hi @Ruby red, there are many, many different scenarios that families/households are having to deal with. My understanding (based on my own place of work which is emergency workers) is that when a household is no longer self isolating (under the 7/14 day rules) then a person who shares a household with a person with underlying conditions are NOT covered. I imagine if this were the rule, hardly anybody would be at work. Having said that, my employers (public service worker like you) do have a thing known as 'special leave' which MAY cover your situation or any others that come under extenuating circumstances. You can ask them for leave under this I would have thought and they can then use their discretion. I definitely would not refuse to go in, I don't think that is the way to do it and may leave you subject of disciplinary action. I do understand where employers are coming from, especially in those key worker situations. They need people to be in work or an extra burden is placed on those who ARE there.

Of course you do not want to put your husband at risk, is it that you think you may catch Covid 19 at school and infect him with it? That could happen as we all know but I doubt the Head would give you time off indefinitely or for the 3 months 'self isolation' being bandied around that your husband could take advantage of. My daughter is a Teacher in a situation like this, who lives with me and I am worried about her passing something onto me but what can you do? I am still going into work by the way, heard nothing yet about self isolating as a type 1.

As above, speak to your Teacher and emphasise your individual concerns. Is it definitely a cold you have or could it be the onset of Covid, if the latter then govt advice is to stay off for the whole 14 days I believe and there is no way the school could force you in early in that situation without rendering themselves subject of a complaint. Hope this helps and good luck to you & hubby. x
 
Thank you for the very informative information and advice, I really appreciate it. You are absolutely right, what can you do! Keep calm and carry on! Take care! X
 
Ruby, bless you. I'm type 1 and my wife is a senior consultant at the local hospital. She's drawing up battle plans and estimating probable deaths (including staff) for different strategies. I would dearly love to give her a hug but I can't. We've been metres apart for 2 weeks. She must do her job, we all need her, but I'm scared for her. Sorry to hijack your post but I read it and thought we're going through the same nightmare and it all came out. Sorry.
 
Hi Bill it’s good to hear from another point of view. I think we would all like to give your wife a big hug, fantastic job all NHS staff are doing and we are so proud of them all. I think I’m letting my husbands anxiety affect me, which is understandable, I would never forgive myself if he became seriously ill because I passed on the virus and I suspect your wife feels the same however, we must all do what’s needed and look at the bigger picture I suppose.
Take care of yourself x
 
A rota with different teacher each day seems like a unnecessary risk, as a single child could infect many teachers. Can you get it change so each teacher goes in for a week?
 
Hi Ruby, I am also in the same position as you! My husband is type 1 and I am a teacher. My school have told me that unless we are self isolating as a family then I must go in. We are not seeing anyone at all but my husband is continuing to work ( but sees no one all day in his job which is outdoors). Everyone I know says I am mad to go in the work!! It is so difficult! I am due in on Friday so have a few days to think! Please let me know what you decide to do.
 
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