Coronavirus

[Frenchie05]

I have stage 4 ckd with high blood pressure should I self isolate from work as I work in a college with lots of people and don’t want to risk catching the virus?

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador]

Hi Frenchie,

When in doubt; call your doctor and get their opinion as they know your exact medical condition. Very Important!

Also look into the policy of the college from which you are employed during this time. My husband is a full time professor; they have extended spring break a week and are planning to revert to on line teaching.

Five colleges in our area have adopted this plan.

I don't know your role, but if your doctor has concerns about you being in public see if you can work from home via computer. If not a family medical leave which your doctor signs, protects your job.

Protect your life first!

Let me know what the outcome is for you.

Stay safe.

B...

[Frenchie05 in reply to Bet117]

Thank you Bet117 I’m going to speak with my doctor tomorrow. Will keep you posted.

[Celtic]

Bet has already given you great advice. Those of us with chronic conditions such as CKD are at higher risk should we contract Covid19. Versus Arthritis states that severe cases are at risk of pneumonia and kidney failure. So keep yourself as safe as possible by whichever means available to you.

[Frenchie05 in reply to Celtic]

Thank you Celtic appreciate your advice.

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

We cannot tell you what to do, but as Bet117 suggested you should rely on your doctor's advice.

I know most colleges in the US have gone to on-line classes, or have extended Spring Break.

[Frenchie05 in reply to WYOAnne]

Thanks for your comments and advice.

[Jayhawker]

I’m a university professor. My campus has suspended all on campus classes for this next week as we come off our spring break. During that week faculty will convert these classes to online classes. We’re staying online until April 10th and will then reassess as to whether that will be needed for the duration of the semester.

During that same time period all campus committee, department, unit, and any other meetings will happen virtually. They may begin in person, on campus after April 10th.

Unfortunately our staff and administrators are still expected to work on campus though. However, we’ve got a meeting with our faculty senate to discuss that issue first thing tomorrow morning, virtually, of course. I’m the first Vice President on faculty senate so have been doing research on this issue throughout spring break last week. My hope along with that of the senate executive council, is that we will be able to convince campus administration to allow all staff to work from home during this time period as well.

I’m not sure how your campus is set up, but if you’re faculty you’ll likely be able to work from home online with chairperson approval. If you’re staff you may have, as is currently the case for our staff, no option to do that now.

The one exception for you as staff on this would be to contact your HR office right after you’ve talked with your nephrologist’s office. If your nephrologist believes you need to work from home for 4-8 weeks or so that should be put into writing. Then have your doctor send that directly to your HR office. Call your HR office immediately after talking with your nephrologists office to give HR a heads up and request a meeting to discuss workplace accommodations. There are a couple of federal laws that should kick in to protect your job for you and allow the campus to provide needed accommodations so you can continue to work safely, depending upon what you do on campus. (Janitors wouldn’t be able to work from home but might be able to work during different hours when they wouldn’t be around many people for instance.)

Anyway, start with your doctor’s office. Ask your doctor to put his or her recommendation in writing and FAX it immediately to your campus HR office. Then call HR directly right after you talk with your doctor. And, if you’re faculty I’d suggest that you give your chairperson and dean a heads up about all of this. If you’re staff I’d give my immediate supervisor a heads up.

Jayhawker

[Frenchie05 in reply to Jayhawker]

Thank you Jayhawker for your very detailed and informative reply. I really appreciate your advice and intend to speak with my doctor first thing tomorrow. I hope everyone can stay safe in this time of crisis.

[Hidden]

My wife wants me to cancel my CT scan Friday as we have a newborn in the house and wants me nowhere near the VA

[Frenchie05 in reply to Hidden]

It’s such worrying times for everyone just now! Keep safe

[Jayhawker in reply to Hidden]

I’m waitlisted on a transplant list right now. I have to get my monthly blood work done for that today. So I’m heading in to a hospital this afternoon. YIKES!!

I’m wearing disposable plastic gloves which I’ll dispose of before coming back into my house. Of course lots of hand washing. Plenty of space between me and others. No touching my face. And I’m taking a few Clorox wipes with me to wipe the chairs down before I sit in them...

I’m washing my clothes with detergent and Clorox as soon as I get home. I’ll shower again and do more thorough hand washing after I get home.

But I’m a little nervous about this. I just cancelled my dental cleaning tomorrow. I’ve rescheduled it for two months from now at my dentist’s Recommendation.

I do expect I’ll have developed obsessive compulsive disorder after this is all over!!

Jayhawker

[Frenchie05 in reply to Jayhawker]

Oh no! Thinking of you JayhawkerI hope all went well today! You’re certainly doing all the right things and not leaving anything to chance. I would do the same and cancel my dental appointment you don’t won’t to expose yourself to any unnecessary risk.

I feel I am becoming every so slight obsessive too as I appear to de driving my other have crazy with my constant reminders about washing hands and keeping distance from people etc etc.....the list goes on and on lol.

Things are starting to escalate in the UK and they are predicting our outcome will be similar to Italy!!! My concern and worry grows daily and hope that we don’t lose too many lives??

Stay safe!!

[Jayhawker in reply to Frenchie05]

That is truly concerning news. I’ve been keeping an eye on all our friends across the pond and truly hoping all goes well for all of you. This is incredible!

We just heard from the White House in a press briefing today that we should expect this to continue for at least an additional 4-5 months. They’ve been studying the spread patterns happening in other countries. We seem to be 1-2 weeks behind Italy. Our data apparently looks very similar to what theirs did a few weeks ago according to what was shared in the briefing today.

This is definitely concerning.

When I walked into the hospital for my labs today they immediately took my temperature; it was normal thankfully. Fortunately they had just sanitized all the chairs, wiped them down with disinfectant, right before I arrived so I didn’t need to use my Clorox wipes.

I wore the disposable gloves. I put them in my trash as I came home so they didn’t come back into the house with me. I put all my clothes and my cloth purse in the washer with detergent and Clorox. I washed and dried them. I showered again washing my hands thoroughly again in the shower. Then I used Clorox wipes on all the doorknobs, light switches, counter tops, faucets, my cane, my phone, etc. and, after that I did one more thorough hand washing.

Now I’ll self-quarantine until my eye appointment next Tuesday. I hope I’m still feeling okey, cough free, normal temperature, etc, by then. However, I have no idea what else I could have done...

What an ordeal!

Jayhawker

[Frenchie05 in reply to Jayhawker]

Things are definitely ramping up very quickly.....very scary! I am self isolating too but my partner still has to work am very worried but all we can do is follow the advise and hope for the best outcome.

Take care and stay safe

[Jayhawker]

instagram.com/p/B9FFVnigLEE...

[Frenchie05 in reply to Jayhawker]

Loved the video 😂😂👍

[Hidden]

When I cancelled my appointment the receptionist said everyones cancelled so who knows when they will start getting any of us back in.

[Frenchie05 in reply to Hidden]

I think cancelling was definitely the right move as you don’t want to put yourself through any unnecessary risks and worry!

Keep safe!