Many of us here has got letters or texts today saying we are vulnerable due to conditions and /or treatments and need to be part of the shielded ones for at least the next 12 weeks.
The ability to reply to this post has been turned off.
161 Replies
•
Yep..it's a kick..had a text from NHS in the early morning for something else. , then a call from gastro re discharge. Thought I had dodge it...then it binged into my texts.
Thanks for including the second link with the film from Belfast Respiratory Unit telling us to stay at home and asking for help , it really does not home how they feel and how important it is to stay at home without any hysteria or fuss . They are working hard but they are frightened for Us .
Hi scats, I am not sure where you live or what programme you saw, but such dwellings are not built in the UK. We have very strict housing regulation which requires you to provide kitchens in all new accommodation. So hopefully most people have at least minimal cooking and food storage facilities. That is if they have a home in the first place.
Rented rooms often have old plates and room for a kettle and microwave. I know of unscrupulous landlords in rented room that get checked with equipment in then remove it. I have had it happen to me. A while ago 90s, yes but those houses are still there and rented out.
And many don't know HOW to cook for themselves. I had trainee drs at my house to do a training task re coping with chronic illness and one was eating pot noodles. I use to teach at university level and I would say 30% seemed to know how to cook a full healthy meal. Not just throw a pizza in the oven. All children should be taught how to put food in their mouths without relying on takeaway.
The point that I was making to my OH. Unless they also showed it in full on Facebook or Instagram it may miss the young. And choosing to put it on at 8.30 means many older people who needed the warning will have been in bed. I know my Uncle and Aunt go up at 7 and turn off by 8 .
Well.... not TWELVE! OH brings me tea in at 7.30, I then wash and dress into comfortable day clothes. He brings breakfast at 8.30. (You have nooo idea how hard my life is).😂😂😂 I then read until 9.30/10!
It's people above or equal to 5mg pred over 4 weeks with one or more immune suppressant and/or other conditions. So if you don't fit you are staying home...emergency shopping and chemists etc.
Its one of many drugs that are being used to test in treatment rather than prevent I think (?). But in terms of the covid risk groups you are low risk group for pred and hydroxychloroquine, though if you had another at risk condition it bumps you up. If you haven't had a letter yet or a text then so far so good in term of self isolation but they are giving themselves until Sunday 29th to finalise. Don't forget the STAY AT HOME protocols apply to all.
i certainly will stay at home, hopefully if everyone does this the virus can slow down, I am in the UK.
I live in a retirement apartment on the first floor and have a small jack Russell which is difficult. also we don't have our own washing machine, there are two communal washers and two dryers for 40 apartments. I am now hand washing my laundry.
If you are only on 7mg, no other immune suppressants or conditions on the list on the gov website then you need to stay at home except for emergency shopping etc. You should read the links above.
just been told we are not allowed to use the large private gardens around our apartments for our dog meg to go to the toilet, (even though we use doggy bags) seemingly some of the residents wouldn't like it!!!
If you are on under 10mg pred per day and with no other immunosuppressants OR other qualifying conditions such as asthma, raised BP, cardiovascular disease then you may not get a message/letter.
On this scoring grid which is what the rheumatologists were using to classify patients:
I suspect so yes - hypertension in itself makes you high risk, longterm pred at 10 or above will add in poor adrenal function in emergency situations. I don't feel I can contact my tame rheumies - who are busy doing things other than rheumatology!
I had a phone call from rwheumatology tosay to let me know that I'm high risk group due to being on 20mg pred. He said new guidance in yesterday put anyone over 20mg in the high risk group (as defined in the UK).
Don't have anything to evidence this and I doubt I will get a letter soon given my GP will be right behind the curve as I'm fairly newly diagnosedand they are not up to date on my current dose.
I assume that means either that you do not become immunocompromised on short term pred or it is associated with adrenal function being inadequate in response to overwhelming infection.
Not that I have seen - except long term use of pred above 5-7.5mg will maybe have compromised adrenal function and that will be critical in the event of serious illness.
I've just spoken to GP surgery and had it confirmed that I'm in an increased rather then high risk group. I did mention SVT but the receptionist didn't seem to know anything about that. So I'll continue to self isolate and only venture out a few metres to empty rubbish and get some fresh air.
And enter a merely increased to high risk group according to the BSR documentation we have mentioned. Like everyone else you need to stay at home and avoid contact with everyone else outside your household - even family members living in another house.
Yes agree. My teenage children are staying with their Dad and I’m self isolating for 12 weeks. Ex husband is dropping off food and medication. My GP said it’s worth it to keep safe
My daughter can't even do that - their dad was on the Braemar and is under a 2 week quarantine after being away for 4 weeks because of that fiasco. Once he's finished that I don't see work being very helpful about more time off - he's a paramedic!
Thank you for replying to me, am keeping indoors anyway as is hubby who will only now go our corner shop to get essentials. Please take care of yourself xxx
I have not heard from the surgery & maybe I won’t. I have Adrenal Insufficiency & take between 4-5mg pred daily. Upped to 5mg 2 weeks ago as had sore throat & sleeping deeply(very unusual for me!). Do you think I am “Vulnerable “ . I have always been told to double my dose if ill or having surgery but from what I’ve read here Pred makes you more vulnerable. Advice would be reassuring. Thank you x
Maybe as well as reading the links in the post you might see if there are other site/forums for adrenal insufficiency and Addison's..though bear in mind some of their advice not all addisons advice applies to you.
Thank you so much PMRpro. Very useful for my husband to read & made sure I have my steroid card & prescription list in my wallet. I must say having been reasonably relaxed up till now the stress levels have mounted hugely having read all that but I know it has to cover people with Addisons which I don’t have. Shortly I will put on my lovely pilates teacher’s new video & BREATH! Thinking about getting in touch with the endocrinologists dept but suspect they will be overloaded x
In Canada they are trying to find all the places where there may be large quantities of suitable masks. They mentioned salons, contractors, dentists of course, a few other possible sources which one would never really think of. I suppose even artists might have a few unused masks stashed away.
I didn't get a letter or text yesterday. Does that mean 7mg of Pred is not a problem with this virus? Can't get through to Dr to ask him, but been indoors for a week so may as well carry on.
If you are on under 10mg pred per day and with no other immunosuppressants OR other qualifying conditions such as asthma, raised BP, cardiovascular disease then you may not get a message/letter.
On this scoring grid which is what the rheumatologists were using to classify patients:
Can I just ask if amending our posts is not allowed? I just tried and a red message said that my permissions for this action had been removed. Confused!
Post regarding covid and the recent letters te covid have been turned off to make sure info in one place. We have been doing that for a week where possible . Sometimes we miss one. If you have comment question to a specific person try a pm? I was in the process of turning one off and between doing it and it being done your comment must have been posted on on thread. 🌻😁
That makes sense. Sorry, first post in days and I ruin the efficient ship ( been watching old films with John Mills, I find him reassuring.) in Which We Serve “ An Efficient Ship is a Happy Ship”.
A reply but on reflection maybe in the wrong place. I have been ill with a cold, streaming nose, aching and even an occasional cough ( quite alarming for us at present). So it was my first attempt to join the flow and may have missed a lot and not be particularly efficient.
Sometimes I find system doesn’t always accept response straightaway - and you’re left wondering what’s going on! Then it suddenly comes up with message “successfully edited” or some such wording.
Thank you so much! Does everybody know about the simple questionnaire on the NHS 111 site, where you answer questions about your symptoms and are told what to do? I used it on Sunday night because I had a temperature and was told to self isolate. It would be interesting to know the advice had my symptoms been worse. I honestly wasn’t sure of the action if you are clearly pretty ill with Covid 19.
What do you mean - from their advice online? I thought they would follow up if you’re really ill with virus....or you would hope they would - do they ask for other issues and/or medication to check if you’re in the “at risk” group.
Just where are you, do you have a fever, do you have a cough etc. Then you get your advice, no questions about underlying conditions when I was sent to bed, I mean isolation where I am already.
You could say that, we are grounded. Maybe the post code is a factor too. I suspect that the answer is “ self isolate” whatever you put. I didn’t experiment in case they came to get me sirens blazing.
There's a hilarious pic going the rounds of FB at the moment of a woman saying when all the hairdressers are off, but your dog groomer has an opening, and a picture of her looking rather like a chocolate poodle!
I think I m in the shielding group. On 9mg pred. With high blood pressure . I live alone in a flat . Could I still go outside the flat for fresh air if there is no one around .
I've just been reading the categories and it sounds like shielded group includes people who are in a precarious condition. If you are otherwise strong I don't think there would be a problem you going out. We are being told that fresh air and exercise is important. But, yes, observe the physical distancing scrupulously and wash your hands when you go inside again!
If you get self isolating/shielded letter etc. You must stay at home. I may try the garden in a few weeks but it says you can open a window...I have to let the dog out and like I say once things settle I may try the more secluded area of my garden but bear in mind the virus sticks to surfaces so you have no idea where and what is contaminated. . Keep reading the daily chats for updated information. But you can fill in the risk score and enter your details online on the risk score post by pmrpro. Stay home stay safe.
Are you able to leave without encountering people in any of the other flats? I live in a condo building and as no one seems to be doing more than collecting their mail or walking their dogs (lots of dog owners here, building has 100 units) I hardly ever see anyone. Wrap up well, wear gloves, and get some sunshine if you can. If you see anyone else in the hallway, don't go past them, wait.
The most common method of transmission is through droplets, hence the instruction to stay at least 2 metres away from everyone else. We all now know how to protect ourselves from contaminated surfaces. Wash hands, don't touch your face. Protecting yourself from invisible droplets is more problematic. But psychological health is also important and will be good for your immune system. But if the law is you can't go out, then so be it. This too shall pass!
Have you had a message yet? What makes you think you are in that group? How old are you? Age is also a factor to add in.
It isn't just not meeting someone - especially when you live in a flat. Others use the lift and the stairs, especially the handrail, so the virus may be anywhere and that is where the risk lies. It has now been found the virus can survive for up to 17 days on metal and plastic and experts are beginning to realise the "smear" contagion is significant - that is what you pick form surfaces when you go out and the main reason patients in the shielding group are told to stay at home.
I came across this article this morning. I think this important for people to know, but I don/t want to cause a panic.
The CDC has found that the virus can live on surfaces for up to 17 days, which they found out by looking at the cruise ships where so many passengers got sick.
For disinfecting, you'd be better off with a bleach, alcohol or peroxide solution than soap and water. You need less liquid to accomplish disinfecting of foods and packages. Apply with paper towels and allow to air dry. No need to rinse. Double bag the paper towels for disposal. (Yes, I know, environmental concerns. This is an emergency.)
for bleach - 1/4 cup to 1 gallon water
for alcohol - 60% alcohol 40% water
for peroxide - 50% peroxide 50% water
Never mix the agents together. Note that each can cause damage to some surfaces and countertops. Try to wear gloves, because the solutions can be drying. But if you can't, moisturize after. You can use plastic bags to substitute for gloves, and them toss them, too.
Also for hand sanitizer we are told that we need at least 60% alcohol so how can diluting that with water remain effective? I am concerned about these instructions. Can you give a link where you found them? Please and thank you.
Thanks for pointing out my error. I edited the line in the post.
I'm simply passing along info from the USA. You should do what you think is best.
Not everything is suited to be doused with loads of soap and water. One can use any of these solutions for cleaning produce or packages or surfaces, as none of them have enough chemical in them to harm you unless you're drinking them.
Yes I'd read that the virus can live on some surfaces rather longer than originally thought. Whatever, we have to wash our hands anyway because at the moment there is always going to be the possibility of a fresh deposit so I'm not sure this news really means we have to change the habits we are already being told to develop.
I'm not going to panic. Whether the surface was contaminated 17 or 2 days ago, I won't know and have to wash my hands (or not if I'm that other person) anyway. What it may mean is that the 14 self isolation is a bit short, but I think we knew that already because I've read that there may be an outside chance of transmitting the disease as long as 27 days, I wonder how long the quarantine lasted for covid-19 positive individuals in Taiwan? nationalpost.com/health/how...
It's possible in a pinch that even a homemade mask or a scarf of tightly woven fabric fitting close to the face works better than nothing to filter out virus particles. Might be a level of protection to help in a situation where you are in the great outdoors, or a sparcely populated supermarket.
I plan to make a supermarket run later this week, hopefully during an hour set apart for seniors and high risk folk, and may use a scarf to cover my mouth and nose while I'm in the store.
Yes, it certainly has to be better than nothing. I know there are many sewing groups that are producing masks for medical staff because hospitals, especially rural ones in the USA, have virtually no inventory of protective gear and are able to get precious little.
Our daughter is lead nurse at a small hospital in northern Maine. The virus has been slow to reach their area and she's thankful because it's giving them some time to prepare as best they can. She said contractors, welders and others have been dropping off masks at the hospital. Virus may well be in the area but they have zero test kits.
The ability to reply to this post has been turned off.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
CHAT COVID SATURDAY 28TH MARCH.
Covid: How a £20 gadget could save lives
