Coronavirus and low immunity

[CandiR]

Hi there, I live in York and as you’ll be aware we have had two poor people tested positive for Coronavirus, not good, need some advice/opinions. Myself and my 6 year old have weakened immune systems and I’m not ashamed to say that I’m terrified, if we were relatively healthy humans then I’d be ‘concerned and careful’ however, we both pick up pneumonia etc very quickly and obviously wouldn’t stand a chance against Coronavirus. Locals seem to be carrying on as normal, no masks (apart from our Chinese community, they always have 👍) but I’m wanting to get as far away as possible from this! What would you do/feel?? Thanks in advance

[skischool]

i would do nothing at all,they are in a safe and secure environment being treated and there is no reason for you to worry about,the people they have had CLOSE contact with will have been tracked down and have gone through a very thorough screening process.

Please try not to worry and just take the normal precautions you would take for you and your loved ones to avoid any normal infection.

Best wishes Ski's and Scruff's x

[CandiR in reply to skischool]

Thank you very much Skis and Scruffs, I'll do my best to calm 😊 I live 10 mins from that particular hotel too so its been hard for me to stay rational about it all! (As I say, had myself and my son had been a healthy people, then I'd have coped) but yeh, I'm scared. Thank you for your input 😊😊

[Hidden]

I’m not terrified. I just like to be in the know. Up to date. It’s not by any means out of control in the states at this time. Just wash hands and sanitize as for any virus. Personally I prefer to stay away from crowds. Or wear a mask.

[Caspiana]

Hello CandiR , 👋

It's natural to be scared. I do what I usually do anyway which is actually a bit extreme (lung transplant patient therefore very low immune system). I wear a mask always in public (regardless if it actually works or not it makes me feel better), gloves a must, I carry alcohol wipes and wipe down surfaces ex: if I was having coffee in a cafe I'd wipe the table, spoons etc., I wash my hands every hour even when I'm out doors, bath or shower every day, always wash clothes I've been out in, upon reaching home I brush my teeth and gargle with mouth wash, eat healthy and get enough sleep. I listen or watch the news once a day , reliable news sources only. And importantly stay away from crowded places and avoid any gatherings for the time being.

Carry on living and enjoying life. xx 😊👋

[Belinda3smith in reply to Caspiana]

Hi, would love to wear a mask but no-one does it except for the Chinese. Would like to protect myself from any virus'

[Caspiana in reply to Belinda3smith]

Does it matter if no-one else does? Do what you think will help you. I know you will feel awkward, but you will get used to it. xx 😊

[Belinda3smith in reply to Caspiana]

Thank you I will

[CandiR in reply to Belinda3smith]

This is exactly what I've been saying for years!

(I used to think our Chinese/Japanese community here in York wore masks because of pollution) I only resently found out its customary of those who have coughs/colds to wear them (and now most are wearing them anyway)

I said to my school mum friends that I wanted to wear one, I just kind of wish we were all 'made' to wear one (in this current situation) then I wouldn't look like a burk 😆

[deejames in reply to Belinda3smith]

I believe that the masks that are being worn are not much use as they do not seal at the side. Sadly ordinary 'flu kills many many people world wide every year. It seems there is little to be done to protect against the virus apart from isolation. There are only two cases in the UK and they are isolated in medical units.

Dee

[CandiR in reply to Caspiana]

Thank you Caspina 😊 I don't think it's extreme of you at all!! I think you are looking after yourself sensibly. We would not be doing most of these 'extreme' things if we were 'healthy' so I think it's to be expected! I never thought about wipes, good idea. Thanks again 😊😊

[Caspiana in reply to CandiR]

No worries. Anything to help a fellow lungie. Go ahead and wear the mask of you feel so inclined, There is absolutely nothing wrong with looking out for your best interests without worrying what anyone thinks. Take care CandiR . xx 👋😁

[grannyk3 in reply to Caspiana]

Hi, quick question, I carry wipes with me, too. Do you use wipes on the part of the spoon that goes into food/beverage/mouth? I am in a dilemma about that.

grannyk 🌄

[Caspiana in reply to grannyk3]

Yes grannyk3 grannyk3 😊. I use a new wipe for the utensils. Not the one for the table. And I wipe the whole spoon starting from the scoop or head to the handle. xx

[grannyk3 in reply to Caspiana]

Thanks, I didn't know if it was safe to them on something that goes in the mouth. Mine are the lysol wipes, I prefer not to use anything with bleach.

grannyk 😺

[Caspiana in reply to grannyk3]

P.S. If you have a smart phone please also disinfect it when you get home. Phones we carry around outdoors are quite dirty. Take care. xx

[grannyk3 in reply to Caspiana]

Agree and good idea posting this information. 😉

[Tugun]

Speak to your doctor. They may have some ideas.

[judes]

I personally think that the chance of getting this virus are extremely low. The people concerned hadn’t really been anywhere and the student hadn’t been where there was a lot of people, such as the graduation ceremony.

I live not far from York and don’t have any concerns.

J

[CandiR in reply to judes]

Thanks Jude's, I live 10 mins away from StayCity apartments so it's all been a bit too close for comfort, I will try and calm down! 👍😊

[UHelga]

I’m in a similar situation every year with the annual flu as I can’t have the flu vaccination and seem to catch things very easily. I’ve got used to avoiding busy places in the winter and get all my groceries delivered. Of course that's much harder for you with a 6-year old at school.

On the whole this winter has been a little better than the previous, as I take a higher dose of vitamin D and C, I also take zinc, Sambucol and Echinacea. I wash my hands a lot, and now use an anti cold/ flu nasal spray and barrier cream under my nose when I go to the choir for lung health I belong to and pulmonary rehab. Because sadly I have caught things from both. I’m hoping that it’s just a question of time before more people will wear masks in the UK without attracting dirty looks and derogatory comments (Which is what has happened to me on the few occasions I've worn one)

[CandiR in reply to UHelga]

Thanks UHelga, I agree wholeheartedly with you regarding the masks and I'm sorry to hear you've had things said to you! it had been reported that some (non & Chinese students) who had decided to wear masks had received abuse on campus!?

You can guarantee that the people giving the abuse are healthy individuals with no or little experience of when things do 'go wrong' with your health.

I feel very strongly that it's not 'scare mongering' and it is just common sense.

I'm not particularly worried about people saying anything to me, I'd just 'politely' tell them to mind there own business (😉) It's more of the 'look' I think, it's a cultural thing, I don't bat an eye at the Chinese and Japanese wearing them, it's just us Brits are a bit tense about standing out perhaps! 😊

[peege]

CandiR, I can understand why you're worried.

Buy you and your son a Buff. It's a fine knit neck snood, you pull it up over your mouth and nose when out n about.

Only the Buff brand will do. They wash and dry quickly and are treated so that the breath moisture is wicked away. They also pull up over tge head like a very fine balaclava. I got my fine wool ones via Amazon, I'm small so a child size fits me. I always wore them on London tube. Also my granddaughter has been wearing them since age 2.

[CandiR]

Wonderful, thank you, I've never heard of them before but I will buy two today, I will also probably need a child's one, thank you for the top tip! 👍😊

[Titchykath]

My brother and his wife are English teachers in Inner Mongolia . They have travelled via Beijing to Manchester airport. They arrived a week before Coronavirus was 1st found. They have spent the last 3 weeks between Manchester, Derbyshire, Bristol and Cornwall . They have no symptoms so hopefully all is ok. I usually Meet them in Bristol but haven’t done so this time. They return to England every 6 months. They should be returning back to Inner Mongolia 2-3 wks time. The issue we have as a family is if they get back there will they then not be able to return to England later in the year . They are hoping to come home to England permanently and live in Cornwall. I think they should stay here just in case China is locked down.🙄

[CandiR in reply to Titchykath]

Ah so they won't be allowed back I they return again, I agree, I'd stay put if I were them! 😊

[Titchykath in reply to CandiR]

They jobs to go back to but I would stay in England also. Their possessions are over there, so I don’t know what they would do about those

[cofdrop-UK]

Hello my fellow Yorkshire friend. I do understand your fears for yourself and your little one but when you think about it all of us who are imunocompromised have to be ‘on guard’ and very careful, especially in winter because of all the other bugs and flus circulating.

My sister lives in York and as you know there are many Chinese tourists as well as students. I think it is very community minded of them to wear masks if they have a cold and wish all those Brits who cough in my face in the supermarket would take a leaf out of their books, or at the very least cover their mouths. I alway say something.

As skischool has said the authorities are doing all they can to track down anyone who has been in contact with these 2 unfortunate individuals, and I believe you would have to be in very close contact to be affected.

I am going to stay with my sis in a couple of weeks in York and will do all my usual things but taking all the usual precautions.

I am in no way trying to trivialise your very understandable concerns CandiR but think we just have to stay as viginlant as we always do in winter.

Actually one of my friends used a mask, some of the time, at the ERS Congress and didn’t sit with the rest of the patient group at an open meeting in the morning but did sit with us at a smaller meeting in the afternoon. Noone bothered but then it was all about respiratory.

Please don’t ever feel ashamed of being terrified. We are hear to listen and support - never to judge.

Whatever you decide re the masks, I hope you both stay well.

Love cx

[CandiR in reply to cofdrop-UK]

It’s been 4 months since you replied to me Cofdrop it’s taken me that long to realise you had!! 😆 so sorry and thank you very much for the kind words.

Well.....ALOT had happened since then hasn’t it.

Looking back at the replies is very strange, how horrendous it’s all been/still is.

I took my child out of school not long after this original post and we both have worn masks ever since (surgical and a neoprene one over the top) having said that, we barely go anywhere!

If you or anyone else has been affected by this dreadful disease then I send genuine heartfelt sympathy, let’s all stay as safe as we can Xx