Hi all could anybody give me any advice about the coronavirus and the workplace I have rheumatoid arthritis and severe asthma

[Oxopinkyblue]

I take sulfasalazine and hydroxy I have to have a flu jab every year due to medical reasons do i come in the high risk and have to stay in for 12 weeks ?

[helixhelix]

Look at the advice on nras.org.uk

nras.org.uk/news/coronaviru...

And other helpful sites like this one

rheumatology.org.uk/News-Po...

[allanah]

I've messaged NRAS to give links and updates from their fb seminar to ight. Bit they have said if you have RA your risk is in creased. 1 dmard, more increased, biologically s higher again steroids higher again, co morbities again higher.

Do not come off meds as the disease flaring Increases your risk, do not stop steroids. If you get the virus contact 111 fir advice to get tested so you know if you need to stop meds temporarily. Yes we should social distance ....

Think that was mainly it. But I hope that's what they said at least that was what I got out of it !!! They will post links on the official groups published by NHS of high risk for you to see.

[AgedCrone in reply to allanah]

Someone posted the FB seminar ....on my iPad:

Part 1 said was no longer available,

Part 2 had no sound!

[allanah in reply to allanah]

Victoria has posted the links

[woodstar1]

Hi I put this up earlier, it could help to show your employer. I'm on the same meds and work as a Prison Officer with no PPE,so far!!

healthunlocked.com/api/redi...

[Oxopinkyblue in reply to woodstar1]

Thanks for the reply I’m actually off work now for 2 weeks due my health and working with the public

[LisaJ42]

Yes according to the guidance from my rheumy nurses. I’m on hydroxychloroquine which is a dmard, albeit milder, but I have an annual flu jab and the advice applies to me so will do you also.

[smadley]

I work in a doctors surgery, I have ra and asthma & I have been told by the doctors to self isolate for 12 weeks, please speak to your employer & make sure they know your medical history just try and keep safe.

[Chiboosmamma]

I spoke to my nurse yesterday at my GPs whilst I was there for my monitoring blood test. I’m in the same boat with RD and asthma. She agreed it was a grey area but strongly advised I follow the government advice in self isolating for 12 weeks.

Phoned my employer nurse/occupational heath and they have also said if I fall into any of the government categories (compromised immunity) then I should self isolate for the 12 weeks. Fortunately for me they have said I will be paid.

At the end of the day it’s not worth running the risk of picking up the infection. If you do you are another person putting pressure on the already stretched NHS.

[Span444]

I take 25mg Mtx and hydroxy. Work in the community as a carer. I've been told by my employer I have to keep working and can only go off work if I get symptoms, then i have to self isolate. The rheumy nurse said i have to keep 6 feet away from people which is hard to do being a care worker. This is what happens when you are in a job on the front line. 😩😩😩😖😖😖

[Leics]

It’s very difficult to know what to do and whether you’ll be paid if you’re in the high risk group. I’m lucky I was medically retired. But my best and lovely friend has a major heart condition and MS too she works in the NHS and so far she has been told if she isolates she won’t be paid. I fear for her so much, at the moment she is well but on annual leave until a weeks time. I hope they get some more information to her and she doesn’t have anymore stress on an already weak heart.

[AgedCrone in reply to Leics]

I think when things settle down, NHS unions will be taking up the cases of people like you friend,

I shouldn’t imagine local managers are fully up to speed on what is really happening at the moment...& they are saying no pay rather than giving people false hope that staff are all going to get full pay .....listening to some info program on the radio it looks as if certain groups will be getting full pay, & others part pay.

[Leics in reply to AgedCrone]

Yeah I’m sure they will but it’s no good to her if she’s dead because she doesn’t have any family except a partner who works away most of the time with vulnerable people.

[AgedCrone in reply to Leics]

Read my reply again... I am saying your friend’s situation will no doubt be reviewed by the NHS once the government have announced what plans are being made for her grade in the NHS.

I agree she is in a very difficult situation but right now I don’t think anybody knows what will be agreed for her.

I'm sure as a very good friend you will support her in any way you can.

[Hidden]

Apparently you should get a letter from your GP next week if deemed vulnerable/risk. However you are best to talk to HR at your work and explain issues. My work place deemed drugs and illness as high risk so I was told not to be at the work place.

[Dreamer85 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Deb, will your work will be paying you sick pay? Just awaiting a decision from my company. It's very confusing.

[Hidden in reply to Dreamer85]

In their statement pre today it said anybody high risk would be sent home on full pay. If you went into self isolation and not high risk without any symptoms pre statement you were put on the sick pay system then after your sick allocation ssp.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Our company has been doing daily staff emails so we all know what is happening. They also appreciated that getting a sick note be hard but as long as you show or get one ata some point you are covered.

[Dreamer85 in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou, hopefully I'll get my company's decision soon 🤞🤞