Life is hard enough dealing with COVID-19 without having to worry about the gross habits of others.
If it was only about you wearing a mask, not touching your face and washing your hands, things would be simpler. But even if you take these precautions, you might still be at the mercy of others – especially if you have had to return to the office after the initial COVID-19 lockdown.
Take John in Burnaby, who contacted me about what the past few months have been like since he was forced to return to his office job in the tech industry.
John doesn’t want his last name used because he’s concerned about what management might say because, so far, management has ignored his concerns about how his co-workers have been behaving.
When the office reopened, management talked a big game about social distancing and washing hands, etc. They put out a few bottles of hand sanitizing and, well, that’s it.
“I didn’t want to go back to the office because things were functioning well with people at home, but we were assured it would be safe,” John said.
But upon a return to the office, John found himself as the only person wearing a mask and sitting eight feet away in a large cubicle with a co-worker who doesn’t understand boundaries.
“The guy who sits about eight feet from me has been coming to work coughing and sneezing, and no mask at all,” John said. “One time, he sneezed three times into his hand and came over to my desk to touch my elbow and my paperwork. The manager said to me, just walk away if you see something that you don't like. Really? This guy was right next to me.”
After sharing his complaints about this behaviour and other incidents involving co-workers who aren’t bothering with social distancing, management finally let him move to another area of the office. But he feels like he’s been made out to be a pariah for speaking up.
“Wearing a mask means that one cares for others and his/her own health,” John said. “Wearing a mask means showing respect for others around you.”
If you have returned to an office situation, please listen to NOW columnist and Burnaby family physician Dr. Davidicus Wong.
“Face masks and social distancing are two of the most effective measures every one of us should take to reduce our risks to others and ourselves,” he said. “Workplaces have a responsibility to maintain a safe environment for all … Prolonged exposure in enclosed spaces … puts others at high risk for infection. If you know – or suspect you have a COVID-19 infection, you have a responsibility to protect those around you. Don’t go to work or school and avoid social events.”
Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.
