a COVID what would you do?
 

My in-laws had a pipe leak/burst at their house. Did some water damage, and now they're in the process of the repairs. Part of this requires home inspections by the local municipality. Yesterday, they had an inspector come. The inspection had to be done inside the residence. He refused to wear a mask. Didn't have one on him. Didn't have one in the truck. Refused to wear one provided by my in-laws. What would you guys do?

I don't know what the local regulations are (re: mask requirement) right now where my in-laws live. Heck, things change so much I'm never quite sure what the regulations are where I live, let alone cross-country where my in-laws reside.

So for sake of argument, and assuming there is no legal mask requirement, would you have let the guy inside your house to do a construction inspection? If you give him a hard time, he gives you a hard time. If you say no, then your house doesn't get inspected and your construction gets delayed. That's your problem, not his. BTW, there will be a series of inspections, so he'll likely get called on to return in the future as construction progresses.

If you turn him away today, do you call the town and ask for a different inspector? What if there is no other inspector (other guy's out on disability, paternity leave, extended jury duty, just retired)?

My in-laws are obviously older; my FIL just turned 80. My MIL has some health issues. They have actually been pretty fastidious about this whole quarantine thing these past 5 months. So they've been cautious about this pandemic--that's their stance.

Admittedly, I'm not sure how they've handled the construction thing. Obviously they have workers in their house handling the construction. But as my FIL hasn't raised a stink about this up until now, I'm guessing the construction guys have been masked.

Likely the health risk posed by one unmasked inspector is low. But to a certain degree, there's the principle of the thing: can a worker (the building inspector) refuse a small and not unreasonable request (wearing a mask) when working inside someone's private residence? As a homeowner, do I have to let people into my house when I'm not comfortable with their actions? Realistically I can't refuse the inspections. But can I refuse the inspector? What if I can't refuse the inspector out of reasons of practicality?

Uh, yes. Let him in, get it done, get it over with.

First I don't believe a mask provides much protection, but why not just stay a certain distance from the guy, like six feet? That seems to be the magic number for some reason. :confused: :eek:

Someone is doing the plumbing work I assume, but thats somehow OK because they are wearing masks? The math doesn't work.

If they're really friggin paranoid they could spray lysol over hell and creation afterward.

a written complaint to his supervisor might be fun

or if you mean right at the time he showed up, maybe deny him entry and tell him to go get a mask

or maybe let him in, then hire a co. to hose the pace down with bleach, etc. then send the bill to his supervisor

I'll bet his boss doesn't know. I find it hard to believe that a government employee is not required to wear a mask during his official work. I'd call the city inspection office and ask to speak to the boss.

Talk to his boss

He is a dick, pure and simple. He is used to getting his way because he is a local "Inspector" (Clouseau more than likely) and has small man's authority complex (I just made that up) and he knows if you folks complain he can influence the future.

Don't bother reporting a thing. He knows he has back-up or he wouldn't be such a tool shed. Move forward.

Have your in-laws mask up if that makes them comfortable, stay away from the inspector and wipe everything down afterward.

I think CV-19 is vastly over hyped, the numbers support that, but I wear the mask, respect distancing and, if I was a local municipality rep, would never put older people in discomfort, which is exactly what he did.

Shameful.

I still work a three hour shift at the long term care facility my MIL is in on Saturday mornings doing package delivery, moving the oldsters around, breakfast etc. Zero CV-19 cases. We work it hard, make sure no one is uncomfortable.

Inspector is a putz.

Paul makes some excellent points, perhaps your state assembly member or city council person would be interested.

Whatever your views are on COVID, that guy is a grade A ******* to make your in-laws feel uncomfortable for not reason other than to stick it to them.

Nope - not coming in my house. My house, my rules. I work where wearing a mask is a requirement. Contractors that visit must have the PPE and get a temperature check. I recently visited a clinic and I went thru their protocal. I have contractors coming in from Michigan and the company sent me a questionaire reguarding covid procedures. Their management will review and approve my procedures before they send a tech to my facility. They want their people safe too.

Why is this so hard???

I rethought my answer. Don't complain to his boss.

1. Let him in. Be as nice as can be. Offer some marmalade.
2. Get the signature.
3. Call him back two days later and tell him you tested positive for covid.

I'd let him in but start coughing like hell the moment he steps into the house. Then I'd sip some pop and say "Hmm! that's weird! I can't taste a thing!"

You guys are d cks. I love you both. My FIL will get a chuckle out of those options. Inspector's gotta come back....

He might just kill their project if they screw with him. Already proven to be a petty little fuch.

While my thinking is that Covid, percentage wise, is not as bad as it is made out to be, the one group that is greatly affected by it is the elderly. I very much doubt that his supervisor and/or department head know of the inspector's behavior and would not in any way condone it. The inspector fully took advantage of the situation and your in-laws, especially at their age. I, personally, would not let that pass without discussion with the appropriate department heads or even higher.

After the sign off.

Local govies, in this case, are like the DMV. We are not even sure he has to wear a mask.

Get the sign off, get smart, then decide.

That guy needs to be taught how to respect his elders.

You wear a mask out of respect for everyone you come into contact with, not because you HAVE TO.

Follow him around spraying Lysol at his head

I would have refused admission to my home. My house. My rules. These folks are old.

I also would have filed a formal complaint. Maybe a legal one. I am difficult that way.

Old, weak, and vulnerable people always get the benefit of the doubt.

That guy is a complete dick. Well said.

I've dealt with power drunk inspectors and I've dealt with professionals. Yours sounds like the power drunk kind. He has you over a barrel and he knows you need him more than he needs you. Get the permit signed, berate the POS all the way back to his car, and report him to his superiors (I mean his bosses, there are a lot of people who are superior to this kind of jackass).

In my experience, you best put up with his chit if you want the project to progress. Screwing with him now will only cause him to be a complete ass towards you, and your timeline.

If you don't like this answer, find another inspector to do the job.