Hi,
I’m currently working full time and my wife suffers with long term asthma. In light of this Coronavirus virus outbreak, would it be advisable for me to stay off work incase I bring back any flu/corona virus symptom back home? Would she be classed as high risk because her asthma is not under control?
Asthmatics are in the more vulnerable group that should take extra precautions. I would also advise your wife to get her asthma under control - start taking a preventer inhaler etc.
I have the same dilemma. My partner is a doctor. As you can imagine, he is in contact with a lot of people. I’ve got severe asthma, TBM and bronchiectasis. I’m also unable to use chlorine based cleaners, spray etc as I react badly. My only human contact during viral season is my partner. Now even that’s became difficult as there are no signs of illness before passing on this new virus. I’m just hopeful that he can do virtual clinics via the internet along with more telephone calls for follow-ups. Preferably Id prefer him to not be in harms way, but it’s not yet an option
I m confused as well, i have mild asthma but I work as a taxi driver. I would try to somehow isolate ..but as long as my 6 and a half son is at school and my husband at work -taxi driver as well..with no possibility to stay home because we have to eat and pay bills... does make any point to self isolate?
I'm in a similar boat here. I have asthma, which has meant some bad flair ups lately, but I also have kids. While they're at school I feel it's impossible to isolate myself. I'm also a teacher and need to pay the bills. My husband could possibly work from home but as a manager it's best he's in to organise things especially when so many others are taking advantage of the pandemic to have time off!
No easy decisions here but until someone close by has the virus I'm just trying to be as sensible as possible.
X
Current guidance suggests that your wife self isolates from you within the home. There's a lot of info online on how to achieve that.
You suggest you both self isolate and that would work as long as you both practice social distancing when you go out.
Worrying times and, as Jandm says, it's a bit of a dilemma. There is, of course, some useful advice on the Asthma UK website but, of necessity, this is rather generic and follows official PHE guidance.
However, every case is different and I think the important thing is to interpret the official guidance in the context of your own situation. For instance, social distancing by 2m may be difficult in both your home and work situations (although an employer should have considered the implications of this in a revised risk assessment); washing hands shouldn't be so much of a problem. Put simply, you adopt procedures which are as close as possible to the guidelines, whilst being able to function reasonably well in all situations.
Since none of the official advice is a guarantee that will stop the virus, I don't think you should feel guilty about not being able to follow it exactly in your particular circumstances. The fact that you have taken the trouble to post on the subject is proof enough that you are taking the issue seriously, whatever precautions you ultimately decide to take.
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