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I made a mistake and feel so guilty

(136 Posts)
Brownhamster Wed 10-Jan-24 12:59:01

I went to town and bought a covid test kit yesterday.

Tested positive, in my car, then while in town nipped into a shop for milk and paracetamol. The shop was quiet and I kept my distance. An assistant I know asked how I was, so I told her why I was distancing.......I was not thinking clearly and she told me off!

Esmay Wed 10-Jan-24 16:48:52

Hi keepcalmandcavachon ,

It's only recently that things have become difficult :
We used to have our meds delivered - then the system went wrong :
Yesterday , the chemist told me that I've had my meds when I haven't !

And we used to have food deliveries and that's not great either .
Normally , my back up system works very well .

It will sort itself out .

Thank you .😊

Marydoll Wed 10-Jan-24 16:47:42

MayBee70

I actually thought that the pandemic would make people in this country more thoughtful about the well being of others, the way they are in eastern countries, but I was wrong sad

As someone who is immunocompromised, after reading some of the comments on here, I will continue to be extra vigilant.
I find it quite unsettling how blasé some of the public are about Covid.

I do not expect anyone to keep me safe, that is my own responsibility. However, a little thought for those who are vulnerable and taking reasonable steps not to spread Covid wouldn't go amiss.

I read today that the DWP are now including Long Covid in the conditions that are eligible for PIP. Covid can indeed be life changing.

BlueBelle Wed 10-Jan-24 16:47:30

Avaline The shop assistant could have someone vulnerable at home or know somebody who died from Covid she could have but brownhamster may have been the tenth customer with Covid to be buying paracetamol on that day it is totally on the streets everywhere as is flu and colds at the moment

mumofmadboys Wed 10-Jan-24 16:44:08

I understand the current advice to NHS staff is that they should carry on going to work if they test positive for covid

BlueBelle Wed 10-Jan-24 16:40:44

Doubt if you ll go to hell brownhamster most people are walking around with Covid now and most people aren’t testing themselves there are no rules about staying off work or school any more, so you did nothing wrong
Very few people are testing now
You didn’t go near anyone in the quiet shop, so stop worrying
Someone gave it to me a few weeks back but no idea who
I wasn’t with anyone who was coughing or sneezing

DamaskRose Wed 10-Jan-24 16:39:37

Marydoll

Knowing you tested positive, did you have a mask on Brownhamster?
That least would have lessened the risk.

This.

MayBee70 Wed 10-Jan-24 16:29:47

I actually thought that the pandemic would make people in this country more thoughtful about the well being of others, the way they are in eastern countries, but I was wrong sad

Cabbie21 Wed 10-Jan-24 16:26:36

There are many infections around this winter, not just Covid. Not many people do tests now, so nobody really knows whether it is Covid or not. I hope anyone with an infection is cautious and avoids going to places where there are likely to be older and vulnerable people in an enclosed space, but in general, life carries on.
I would not have said anything in the shop though.

Marydoll Wed 10-Jan-24 16:11:53

Knowing you tested positive, did you have a mask on Brownhamster?
That least would have lessened the risk.

rosie1959 Wed 10-Jan-24 15:57:39

MayBee70

So, what if the shop assistant knew she had covid but was happily continuing to work even though she knew she might infect people? Is it any wonder the covid infection rate is so high at the moment?

She is working in a shop so she may well be in contact with people who have Covid not many test now and if they are like me they may not even know they have it as I had zero symptoms both times.
The OP told her which many wouldn’t even bother.

Primrose53 Wed 10-Jan-24 15:54:08

crazyH

I think GSM meant, why she did the test. What you don’t know, won’t hurt , that’s my motto.

Just what my husband says. 😉. I just had covid and tested to confirm, another a few days later still positive and today negative. Husband had same symptoms but said he wasn’t testing. As everybody else says there is no requirement for anybody to test now. You can get it on public transport, shopping, anywhere but it really isn’t that bad now.

MayBee70 Wed 10-Jan-24 15:51:23

So, what if the shop assistant knew she had covid but was happily continuing to work even though she knew she might infect people? Is it any wonder the covid infection rate is so high at the moment?

rosie1959 Wed 10-Jan-24 15:47:37

Brownhamster please don’t feel guilty you have done nothing wrong you have tested and done your best. The shop assistant actually had no right to tell you off. Many people no longer test and carry on regardless.

pascal30 Wed 10-Jan-24 15:46:01

I don't know anyone who takes a test now.. I frequently travel on crowded buses and have to assume that that is a risk I take.. I think that was rather an over reaction but we don't know what her circumstances are...

Bella23 Wed 10-Jan-24 15:41:41

Don't feel bad we all make mistakes.
I hope you feel better soon.
The shop assistant probably asked you what was wrong because now and then they have to check that people are not buying too much paracetamol, she was probably just checking you were genuinely under the weather.
I was at the hospital on Monday and no one was wearing a mask, not even the healthcare workers, nurses etc. who I was very near.flowers

MayBee70 Wed 10-Jan-24 15:36:13

People who work in shops have been at the forefront of the pandemic right from the start. The country would have ground to a halt if they hadn’t’ve kept on working throughout the pandemic and they haven’t really had the thanks or recognition they deserve. We all still need to do everything we can to reduce transmission ( even though the government seem to want people to think that covid is a thing of the past). Even though there are no set rules any more we should still do whatever we can to protect ourselves and others. And we should all make sure we’re in a position whereby if we test positive were adequately prepared for the fact that we may be laid up for a while.

Ro60 Wed 10-Jan-24 15:25:01

Best wishes hope you get over it easily.
Your only mistake was over-sharing x2!😉 - firstly being friendly with the shop assistant. I'm sure that wasn't the first pack of paracetamol she's sold today.

25Avalon Wed 10-Jan-24 15:22:01

The shop assistant could have someone vulnerable at home or know somebody who died from Covid. Just saying. It would have been more responsible to have worn a mask but as others have said there is no legal responsibility just maybe a moral one.

crazyH Wed 10-Jan-24 15:17:15

I think GSM meant, why she did the test. What you don’t know, won’t hurt , that’s my motto.

Nessieguru Wed 10-Jan-24 15:09:54

Yes get well soon Brownhamster {flowers} I had Covid several months ago and kept myself away from others as much as I could but on Day 5 I had to go into a shop to get milk. I masked up and got out of there as quickly as possible. The milk was for my mother who is housebound. I put it in her front door, using gloves and left it there. I think as long as we're doing what we can with the upmost care then we can't do anymore. Please don't feel guilty.

Patsy70 Wed 10-Jan-24 14:46:04

hamster58

Oh poor you. Please don't feel bad, that person was being unrealistic. Just imagine if you hadn't done the test until you got home, and therefore hadn't kept your distance, she'd be far worse off. Plus of course you needed to get what you needed for staying at home subsequently. There must be masses of people in the shops carrying all kinds of viruses, and many won't bother to be as thoughtful as you were. Wrap up, rest and get better soon x

I agree with this. Get well soon Brownhamster. 💐

Ziplok Wed 10-Jan-24 14:40:04

Don’t feel guilty at all. You did nothing wrong, other than, with hindsight, telling the assistant why you were distancing. There will be many people, I imagine, walking around oblivious to the fact that they might have covid. There is no longer any obligation to test, so I think many do not bother to do so. I think covid, like the common cold, is now something we all have to live with and use our common sense, especially now so many of us have been vaccinated to help protect us from the very worst effects of covid. You weren’t mixing with anyone vulnerable. Relax and I hope you soon feel better 💐.

keepcalmandcavachon Wed 10-Jan-24 14:30:05

Esmay, it may be worth looking into pharmacy delivery services and perhaps a Tesco delivery too ( very easy to use and helpful drivers) for future peace of mind. Hope you feel well soon flowers

Esmay Wed 10-Jan-24 14:19:59

Don't feel bad about it .
If you are doubting yourself then you gave a social conscience .

Unfortunately , my close friend , who normally gets my shopping and meds if I can't is having a mental crisis . So far it hasn't been diagnosed and it's getting worse .
Another friend has gone on a long holiday .
Another has moved .

I always wear double masks , disposable gloves and keep my distance .
I've had to go out feeling ill to get my meds and basic foods , because I've had no choice .
My Covid tests have been negative .

hollysteers Wed 10-Jan-24 14:19:13

Germanshepherdsmum

Why on earth did you do it?

Very sympathetic 🙄