"Anyone with a B-Cell abnormality is high risk"

[jijic]

Just sharing some words from my specialist today. I've been advised to stay home entirely, though I got permission for walks/bicycle rides provided I can stay 6 feet/2 meters away from people.

He also said my young age isn't going to help me with this one, so if you're under 70, please don't assume that you're at less risk. You're not, except for the fact that you might have fewer co-morbidities.

I'm seeing some bad advice here and in other CLL groups, so I wanted to share and remind folks that every single person you encounter is a potential vector. The fewer people you see, the less your risk (and the less you can cause risk to others). Someone said "there are no right or wrong answers" and that's just a cop-out. There are right answers, and whether or not your government chooses to do the right thing, you have the power to do so yourself.

So please: Self-isolate as much as possible, keep 6 ft. between you and others, wash your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds, speak to your specialist, and take this seriously.

[jijic]

Also, let me just say that I recognize that some of you have no choice because of work and can't stay home, and I really feel for you. But at least try to limit all other interactions as much as possible and practice social distancing whenever you can!

[mrsjsmith]

Thank you I am.

Since diagnosis I have been careful with what I touched but as of today I am now avoiding public transport.

Stay well.

Colette x

[Newdawn Administrator]

I wouldn’t argue with anything you’ve written except for seeing ‘bad advice on here’. (Please report anything you see as bad advice to Admin). I think there’s been a wealth of posts supporting the much higher risk we immunocompromised face. I’m not seeing any minimisation on this site because the risks are well recognised at any age and Dr. Byrd’s article particularly reinforces this.

Best wishes,

Newdawn

[Groetjes]

Good advice. We are following similar strategies in Ireland. Low profile in community, working from home and no visitors is the way to go. Stay safe.

[cajunjeff]

I was the one who wrote there are no right or wrong answers, so I suppose I am the one you say is giving bad advice. With due respect, you took my comment out of context. I was answering a person deciding whether to fly to a treatment visit. I think there are two possible answers to that question. Our treatment visits are beneficial. Many doctors consider domestic travel to be safe. But there are risks with travel to balance.

It’s easy enough to say everyone would be safer to hole up in a room for three months. There wouldn’t be people to deliver our medicines, keep the power on, or bring food to stores.

I am taking all the precautions everyone else without Cll is supposed to take and going beyond that, where possible, because I have Cll and believe I am at increased risk. I’ll be taking all those same precautions as I go to work today. Some of us support our families, some of us employ people who rely on us.

Should I take precautions and go to work today? Or should I close my office? I don’t think there are absolute right or wrong answers to that question. I struggle with knowing what is best. Maybe I am copping out as you say. I just don’t see bright line answers to all covid questions as you might.

Finally, I agree we with Cll are a high risk population that needs to take extra precautions. Some of us need to take extreme precautions, perhaps total isolation. But until I see data, I reject the notion that we all occupy the same risk bucket. Without data, how can any doctor suggest someone that is 40 years old with Cll is just as at risk as someone that is 80. I just don’t believe that.

I do believe anyone in any age group with Cll should assume they are in a higher risk group. We all have to make our own choices, in consultation with our doctors. What is right for one person might not be right for another. There are way too many variables with each decision we have to make. Sorry if that sounds like a cop out. Figuring out how to keep my business going and how to support people who depend on me isn’t so clear to me.

Help me out. Shut my business down and send everyone home? Figure out the most at risk and try to set up remote working stations? Keep the office open and educate employees on social distancing and other strategies? What’s the right answer?

[jijic in reply to cajunjeff]

Actually, it wasn't your comment I was referring to - someone else said the same thing on a different thread here!

But yes, I think figuring out remote work stations is your best bet. Obviously some essential staff may need to get to the office sometimes, so keeping things disinfected and educating employees is important. My office is currently "default work from home" although some staff have to be there at certain times. Every little bit of social distancing matters!

[jijic in reply to cajunjeff]

Also, I'm sorry, but just because many US docs think domestic travel is safe doesn't mean it is. The US is far behind Europe on all of this, and you'd never hear a doctor here say that!

[cajunjeff]

I'm not in to the US vs Europe argument thing, it feels divisive to me. Its a unique epidemic and mistakes have been made by all.

There was a doctor here on the news reporting that with proper precautions, air travel can be safe. But if you are getting on a full flight, it will come with an increased risk of covid infection. I would not be surprised if they cancel more, if not all, domestic flights.

Its a balancing act, just as your business is using essential people to keep it afloat. The airlines will soon be teetering on bankruptcy. Maybe that is for the greater good, I dont know. I juts do not see then answers as to what to do as clearly as you.

My view is that we all are going to have to accept certain levels of risk to support our families and to try to maintain some level of normalcy.

I agree with your post to the extent it was critical of those downplaying and minimizing the risk of covid. I don't agree that in deciding what precautions we each much take that there are some absolute right or wrong answers.