Should You Notify Other Residents In Your Building If You Have Cvd-19?

[ladybirder]

I am thinking of blocks of flats. My block is small and we will all use the door handles and light switches, utility cupboard doors plus buttons in the entrance halls and on each of the different floors at some time or other. If I had it or even thought I had it, I would, out of courtesy let everyone know. Someone here thought they had it but never told anyone until afterwards which has really annoyed two other residents. It didn't bother me as I was isolating but I'm interested to know what others think.

[Mamyalynne]

I would contact my neighbours and also possibly post a note in the hallway saying I was self isolating and why.

[Rosie29]

I think it would be necessary to let others know. And also to maybe suggest to people that they might want to carry sanitiser or wipes with them to clean the switches etc.

[ladybirder]

The person in question did isolate apparently but didn't think to wipe all the handles and switches used.
As far as I know nobody else has had it so no harm has been done but I understand why some people are annoyed. It could probably have swept quite easily through the block. Probably only had a cold and not the virus.

[rowanwitch]

The rules in our block (sheltered housing) don't require you to inform anyone but the support worker. Extra cleaning of contact points like like lift buttons and door handles is now routine. They recommend you put a note on your door saying self isolating if you are doing it or shielding if you are vulnerable.

[emmie]

not thought of it to be honest, i live in a small block and no one has posted whether they have covid or not. The caretaker does the stairs but that is as far as it goes i believe.

[MartinMillar]

I think it’s common courtesy to tell people in the block.
I would also be tempted to leave some cleaning wipes out and a waste paperbin so that people can wipe communal handles.

[Vagus]

Whilst wiping all switches, handles, etc, would help, I think the best thing anyone and everyone can do in these circumstances is wash their hands as soon as they enter their own home.
No one knows who has touched all those things prior to themselves, even if someone has cleaned them another person may have touched them immediately afterwards.
I’m not sure it’s necessary to inform everyone in the building about having COVID.

[bednobs]

There is nothing compelling you to do so. If you are self isolating presumably you are only touching things in your own flat. Personally I would be very unwilling to share my confidential medical details with what is essentially a bunch of strangers. There nothing thet can do about it anyway as presumably by the time one feels I'll ans starts to isolate one would have done all the touching if communal stuff anyway. If other residents show symptoms they should be isolating and getting tested anyway regardless of if someone I the block has it

[ToraToraTora]

you just have to make sure you wash your germans and avoid touching your boat.

[Old_Geezer]

If one is staying isolated then I think any notification is just an act of courtesy. I don't believe it's a necessity. I Have no idea about legality but would have thought the authorities would tell one.

I don't see why the neighbours are getting het up... oh hang on... the nation is in paranoia mode, and like headless chickens over masks and the like, aren't they. So, ok I understand. Tell them not to go out clapping the NHS then, then they will be able to keep away from all those untrusted disease ridden others.

[Peter Pedant]

// It could probably have swept quite easily through the block.//
actually the patchy expression within families has got the doctors puzzled

there is a good argument for the protesters that covid next to you SHOULDN;T vary their behaviour so there is no need to know.

[Mamyalynne]

Bednobs makes a fair point, if you and your neighbours are all strangers then there may be no point in alerting them.

I answered from my personal experience and the nine households here all look out for each other.

[jno]

I guess if I had Covid I'd be isolating, not running round grabbing door handles - if I went out I'd wear gloves. And other people should be washing their own hands after touching things in common areas anyway.

But if I just felt a bit funny, I wouldn't bother: might just be a cold or food poisoning or something, and that would be nobody else's business.

So in both cases, my answer would be no.

[bednobs]

s if you are worried about touching communal doors this is good (and also does cash machines/chip and pin and touch screens as well as opening door) https://musthaveideas.co.uk/pages/hands-free-hero-web

[ladybirder]

Thank you for all your answers everyone.
We're all pretty friendly here and some socialise in the summer on the roof terrace. In fact 4 people from 3 different flats have spent a few of these hot nights sleeping out on the RT!!.
Nobody is saying it should be compulsory to notify everyone if you have the virus, perhaps just courteous to do so. Bednobs I wouldn't consider telling residents I have the virus the same as giving them my private medical details and we are certainly not a bunch of strangers. As with mamya, we do generally look out for each other. They've all certainly looked after me during lockdown.
Good link Bednobs, thanks, looks to be a useful little tool especially as you can hang it on your keyring.
TTT I am definitely washing my germans and not touching may boat.

[Mamyalynne]

I have moored my boat and left the Germans to swab the decks.

[Hopkirk]

If you are locked away I'll, how are you going to let them know?

[douglas9401]

Some folk just live to get annoyed about something, leaving a note would be a waste of time and may even lead to the formation of a committee to oversee what needed to be done about the 'unclean' leading in turn to unpleasantness.

I'm sure the Germans have a word for it. :-)

[Mamyalynne]

Fortunately we don't work that way here, a note in the communal hall can bring forth offers of help with shopping,taking rubbish out and even the odd gift of a freshly cooked meal when I have been incapacitated - it also alerts folk to the fact that someone may be slow to respond to a knock or ring at the door.

[EdmundD]

I am having a procedure in September at my local hospital as an out patient. The hospital have written to me to say they require me to self isolate for the 7 days before the procedure and to be tested for Covid-19 3 - 5 days before the procedure.

I will be self isolating in a flat which is one of six in the block. As I have recently tested negative for Covid-19, will be tested again before the procedure and have no intention of leaving the flat during those 7 days I don't feel the need to inform my neighbours in the block. I very rarely see any of them anyway.

If I need to go into the communal area to e.g. collect mail I will put a mask and gloves on (and make use of Bedknobs