Childcare/ AIDS

Doc · 03-15-07, 12:53 PM

Backstory: My wife attends a community bible study twice a week, they have a childcare system set up and Leif goes to that for 2 hours per day on those two days.

Recently we (wifey and I) found out a daycare worker that works there has AIDS. We also know that she doesn't use gloves or any PPE when changing the babies.

Odviously we're worried. The scientist in me realizes that the risks are so low as to be negligable and I shouldn't worry about it. But, the parent in me says- who cares.. any risk that can be avoided, should be avoided.

The woman in question told this factoid to my wife in confidence, and so we're not sure how to broach the subject with the powers that be in the daycare. She also gets paid to do the day care, so if she got 'canned' we'd be pulling that source of income as well. I'd feel bad. Not as bad as if something tragic happened though.

Anyway, caregivers are supposed to disclose this type of information to the managers when hiring, but she didn't. If she had, she would have never been hired for the position.

Maybe I'm just talking out loud here to settle myself about my decision... but...

WWYD?

wob · 03-15-07, 12:59 PM

That's a tough one. I firmly believe that something told in confidence should remain that way. I think the only thing that you could if you are that concerned is pull your kid from that facility and put him somewhere else. Not an easy decision, I hear finding good daycare can be a bitch.

NorCalDoug · 03-15-07, 01:02 PM

WWID?

Find another place for my kid...

and honor the person's right to privacy.

NorCalDoug · 03-15-07, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wob

...Not an easy decision, I hear finding good daycare can be a bitch.

daycare? naw...it's easy to find. lots of places provide daycare.

GOOD daycare, on the other hand? that's a bitch.

Bluto · 03-15-07, 01:04 PM

Is AIDS classified now as a physical handicap where it falls under some kind of anti-discrimination law?

As a parent, I would take my kid(s) out if I knew for a fact the person has it. The responsible parent in me wont take a chance for that caretaker (if she goes bonkers) to prick my kid with tainted body fluid - Just my $0.02.

Jman · 03-15-07, 01:06 PM

Holy crap, that's a tough one. I have/had a few HIV positive friends, never spooked me, but they've had only limited contact with my kids, so the insanely strong protective parent gene never kicked in.

However, I don't like the idea that the caregiver is hiding this information--if it is a requirement to disclose this type of information, well, sorry, she should have told them.

If the caregiver lied or hid the info, and it makes you uncomfortable, I'm leaning toward being a narc. Is it a legal requirement to disclose that info? I don't know the law or the stats, though. Why did she tell your wife that info, but not her employer?

IDave · 03-15-07, 01:06 PM

It is tough, but really, the odds are your kid would get HIV (or something just as bad or worse) from someone who has not revealed themselves to you, there or someplace else. The odds are much higher he'll pick up something (meningitis, whatever) from another kid just from being in a daycare.

If I was the person with AIDS, I'd be worried about working in a cesspool (no offense!)

johnny4ever · 03-15-07, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wob

That's a tough one. I firmly believe that something told in confidence should remain that way. I think the only thing that you could if you are that concerned is pull your kid from that facility and put him somewhere else. Not an easy decision, I hear finding good daycare can be a bitch.

Why would she have never been hired? Is it not illegal to refuse employment based on that kind of medical info?

Despite that, I agree with you totally, the risk is scientifically low but the STAKES are extremely high.

Can you talk privately to the woman in question about taking the proper precautions like she initially confided in your wife? If she is unwilling or unable then you should have no guilt dropping the axe.

J

wob · 03-15-07, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorCalDoug

WWID?

Find another place for my kid...

and honor the person's right to privacy.

Shit. NCD and I agree exactly.

wob · 03-15-07, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IDave

If I was the person with AIDS, I'd be worried about working in a cesspool (no offense!)

Damn, didn't think of that angle. Good point.

Jman · 03-15-07, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IDave

If I was the person with AIDS, I'd be worried about working in a cesspool (no offense!)

No kidding--it's tough enough being around kids all day even when your immune system isn't strained. Why plant yourself in a situation filled with walking disease vectors?

LoveTractor · 03-15-07, 01:11 PM

IMO, I think it sounds like she's lookin' for a discrimination lawsuit payoff from the church.
1)Doesn't tell the manager and keeps it a secret.
2)Tells a parent in "confidence" that she has AIDS expecting what? The parent not to freak out and alert the other parents and the management? Come on.

Sounds fishy to me. It almost sounds like she wants to get fired for it and then turn around, file suit against the church, and wait by the mailbox for payday.
That's just my opinion though.

Doc · 03-15-07, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorCalDoug

Find another place for my kid...

and honor the person's right to privacy.

Okay, shoe on the other foot for a sec... what if I knew, and took MY kid out of there, but YOUR kid was still there... wouldn't you want to know?

campy · 03-15-07, 01:14 PM

Having a 10yr old and a 1yr old, I'd do the following:

Bring it to her attention that even the "negligable risk" are still a risk and that it's not one worth taking when it comes to the welfare of children in care. However, I would do this in a discrete manner as to not embarass her. If she still fails to make "the right" decision then make a move to get different care. The person's right to privacy is a huge deal, but the children at risk is greater. Think if something did happen to one of the other church goers kid and you could have prevented it.

My .02 as a concerned parent,
Campy

Bluto · 03-15-07, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IDave

...
If I was the person with AIDS, I'd be worried about working in a cesspool (no offense!)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluto

... (if she goes bonkers) ...

Exactly!

e9999 · 03-15-07, 01:14 PM

Not easy.

But if she was supposed to tell them and didn't, that does not reflect well on her ethics. Then one wonders what else is there.
Things told in confidence do not automatically mean no action. (Would you tell nobody or do nothing if you were told in confidence that somebody plans to go on a rampage at the local school?) If you are concerned enough that you would consider pulling your kids, then other parents could be too. Not giving them the ability to make the decision for themselves would also be a breach of ethics, I think.

I would give her first a chance to come out clean to the employer and parents and take it from there.

Doc · 03-15-07, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoveTractor

IMO, I think it sounds like she's lookin' for a discrimination lawsuit payoff from the church.
1)Doesn't tell the manager and keeps it a secret.
2)Tells a parent in "confidence" that she has AIDS expecting what? The parent not to freak out?

Sounds fishy to me. It almost sounds like she wants to get fired for it and then turn around, file suit against the church, and wait by the mailbox for payday.
That's just my opinion though.

Maybe..

But my wife confronted her on the issue. She was suspicious because of some things the caregiver had said in the past. She flat out asked her if she was H4+, and the caregiver admitted it, but asked her not to tell.

wob · 03-15-07, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc

Maybe..

But my wife confronted her on the issue. She was suspicious because of some things the caregiver had said in the past. She flat out asked her if she was H4+, and the caregiver admitted it, but asked her not to tell.

That is a little different, imo. Your wife outed her, and then she asked her not to tell. A little different scenario than what I had concluded from the original post.

NorCalDoug · 03-15-07, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wob

Shit. NCD and I agree exactly.

yeah...I know.

pretty fucked up, ain't it?

Bluto · 03-15-07, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoveTractor

IMO, I think it sounds like she's lookin' for a discrimination lawsuit payoff from the church.
1)Doesn't tell the manager and keeps it a secret.
2)Tells a parent in "confidence" that she has AIDS expecting what? The parent not to freak out and alert the other parents and the management? Come on.

Sounds fishy to me. It almost sounds like she wants to get fired for it and then turn around, file suit against the church, and wait by the mailbox for payday.
That's just my opinion though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluto

Is AIDS classified now as a physical handicap where it falls under some kind of anti-discrimination law?

...

Exactly!

Alright, Im outta here.