Work COVID and Lupus

[lilliebetfairies]

Hi

I was wondering how you all are managing leaving the house. I am currently struggling to do so for fear of COVID. In a normal winter I am catching any virus going and taking twice as long as my peers at work to get better. For this reason I am highly anxious to leave the house.

My employer is currently deciding whether to allow me to work from home or .....? I have seen occ health that say I am fit to work and only in Yellow as lupus has not shown so far to be a risk factor. He did agree that due to my mental health I was unlikely to leave the house for the next 3 to 6 months. Still waiting to hear if work will except his advice 2 weeks and still no date for a meeting.

Any help or advice re any of the above would be appreciated my anxiety is through the roof I need to work . My job is to work in Secondary and Primary schools across the city. I will be entering up to 7 or 8 different bubbles a day. Which I also feel is increasing my risk of infection.

[Spanielmadlady]

What meds do you take for your lupus? I'm extremely clinically vulnerable as I take immunosuppressants.as for going out I hate it.im rural so have been able to take the dogs out but as for going to the hospital or shops it's terrible.im not an anxious person by any means but after so long I panic and have to get out.i keep a box in the car which has all my ppe in it so I'm never without.i also get a terrible headache which does ease once I'm home .work isnt an issue for me as i cant work now but I know others work in schools and can maybe be more helpful.i know I have to go out sometime but i do keep it to a minimum and take every precaution i can best wishes xx

[lilliebetfairies in reply to Spanielmadlady]

Thank you for your reply. Currently on no meds. I was taking hydro but caused macular degeneration so told to stop taking it. Not given anything as a replacement . Told by Dr that they are not referring me back to lupus clinic as they are too busy to see new patients hospital is working way through those who were already on the list.

[Hidden]

Good morning, I’m in limbo of diagnostics with rheumatologist and I work in the NHS. I understand the worry re been at risk of infection/virus too. My manager has been great this year and occ health so remote working is agreed.

The rheumatologist when I asked said when diagnosis is confirmed that would then determine if on shielding group or not . It seems government advise is if you can work at home then do. Plus you have to assess your own risk too.

Best of luck with it take care x

[lilliebetfairies in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your information. I hope you get your diagnosis sorted soon.

[Tykle]

Even without meds, SLE alone puts you at higher risk (though not the highest). Unfortunately, even those in the shielding group are required to work in schools, despite the lack of social distancing and PPE. I'm still there in my bubble of 37 households, despite my area being in tier 3 and having other risk factors. I'm wearing a face mask at all times (try teaching in that!) as it's really all I can do to protect from the aerosol risk. You have to get yourself in the mindset that any one of the children might have covid and immediately wash your hands if you touch anything they might have touched. A pocket full of paper towels is useful for when you have to open doors etc.

The only way to keep away from work is to be off with stress (I can feel the madness creeping in!) Sorry I don't have better news. They'll be sorry when all the school staff are ill with long covid!

[lilliebetfairies in reply to Tykle]

Sending you love I see you as a hero. I am so scared to put myself in that position. I am lucky that I can still support my children and families virtually. You are so brave. I truly believe that at times education has been left out of the loop when it comes to key worker benefits and praise. Continue taking care of your self and thank you for your honest reply.

[Tykle in reply to lilliebetfairies]

That's so lovely, thank you. I think that schools have been conveniently forgotten in all this. There aren't many workplaces now that expect people to work in packed rooms with so many different households and an open window as the only protection! All we seem to hear are complaints about bubbles being sent home to isolate or what we're doing to boost the children. Honestly, children are at the very least 6 months behind and we cannot get near enough to see where they're struggling and help them. It's an impossible situation and the children have no chance of making the progress they would normally make, never mind bridging the gap. It would have been more realistic to have kept cohorts in the year they were in back in March and just say that from now on, everything will happen a year later. I have to say I'm getting tired of shouting at the TV when they say "schools will stay open" when I know how frightened we all are. So much for smaller classes and more buildings and staff! You're doing the right thing. Stay safe!