Helpers & Crowded Places

[aussiegal]

Oze Kid, even if your helper doesn't hang out in crowded places she will come into contact with people that do, i.e. other friends. Unless of course she doesn't hang out with friends at all, which is probably not the case since you say she goes clubbing. (another nice spot for her to catch something). Our helper doesn't hang out in crowded places but she goes to church twice a week and that is ample time and opportunity to catch something.

I don't think i'm being paranoid, just realistic and pls note I haven't asked my helper to change her life at all at this point. I have simply stated my concern.

As for continuing to be out and about in Vic, I applaud your for living your life but maybe it also explains why there is such a big problem over there. People have clearly failed to adjust their lives in any way to try and keep the flu under control.

 

[aussiegal]

So I'd rather not focus too much on a possibly human right issue. Aren't we all trying to take some measures necessary to prevent from catching this bug? In my household for example, hubby will not touch the kids when coming back from work without first taking a shower and brushing his teeth etc.

I agree with this. It's about everyone doing their bit, acting responsibly to stop the spread of the bug. This means adjusting our lives temporarily. It's not a big deal but it might mean the difference between everyone getting sick to only a small number of people.

 

[HappyV]

Perhaps the fact that Melbourne is in the middle of winter has more to do with it...............

 

[HK2008]

I forgot to mention that one of my hubby's collegues got infected by this swine flu last Friday out of the blue, hence hubby is taking the pre-cautions very seriously.

So once again it's not about who should go where, it's about everyone in the same household(of course helpers included) taking some responsible measures and trying to minimise the possibility of catching the bug...

 

[aussiegal]

Perhaps the fact that Melbourne is in the middle of winter has more to do with it...............

So why then wouldn't Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, all of NZ etc also have a high number of cases. The spread of such illnesses has a lot to do with how things are handled, how quickly people act etc.

For the record, Australia's flu season hasn't even begun yet.

 

[AndreaY]

HK2008, your husband works at Macquarie by any chance? Hee hee, cos my husband went thru the same drill, shower etc, when he found out on friday about his colleague confirmed case. He even refrained from kissing or hugging the kids that night, cos being friday, he was very tired and thought he may be coming down with flu.

Anyway, I provided my helper with disinfectant gel and facemasks when she went out on Sunday. I assumed she was responsible enough not to do anything stupid like share eating utensils etc, so never asked her, nor asked her to stay away from crowded places. But I think it's perfectly ok to ask nicely, it's just voicing your concern, it's not forcing her to do anything.

It's not asking helpers not to go out, but merely to try to avoid crowds. I see absolutely nothing wrong with it, as I am also trying to do the same thing, not to mention what the government is asking so as not to make the virus spread so quickly.

 

[HK2008]

Andrea Y, totally agree with everything hahaha...

 

[Shenzhennifer]

I don`t think it`s very nice to ask your DH to avoid crowded places on their time off. You don`t own them and it`s their free time anyway. I think they would have the common sense to take precautions, as it`s their health as well.
I just wonder where everyone is living. Because when I walk outside at any given time there are scores of people everywhere. Everyday is a Sunday shopping day around here.

 

[aussiegal]

I don`t think it`s very nice to ask your DH to avoid crowded places on their time off. You don`t own them and it`s their free time anyway. I think they would have the common sense to take precautions, as it`s their health as well.
I just wonder where everyone is living. Because when I walk outside at any given time there are scores of people everywhere. Everyday is a Sunday shopping day around here.

I don't think anyone has actually asked their helper to avoid crowded places but rather to act responsibly. For what it's worth my husband's company has certainly told them what they can and can't do and I don't see why it should be any different for helpers who after all are our employees. At the end of the day if he goes to work and affects people because he put himself at risk somewhere then it's not right. Companies have formal plans in place for dealing with such crises, maybe there should be one in place for helpers?

 

[0ze_Kid]

Melbourne has not handled it very well from what I can see. It has not had the SARS outbreak of a few years ago and people have the attitude that it will not happen to them. It spread so quickly in Melbourne (from the media reports I have read) because of a cruise ship which had an infestation and unleashed its passengers on Melbourne. Who, of course spread to the wings! We also had parents who had been to the US/Mexico and Canada with children that were then sent to school (one would assume with colds, not making the connection).

The recent bushfires are an excellent example of the lack of communication the government has with its community when it comes to things like this. They leave it in the hands of the media - who decide what part of the story will make them money and what will not.