Covid and Work, Covid Advice and General Chat

JRT

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256
Had a haircut, she wore a mask and shield, I wore a mask.
Have done two days in the office in socially distanced pods and it was bliss compared to working from home with child asking to join meetings or trying to avoid doing the pdf schoolwork sent home (often with the answer printed next to the question or indeed the wrong answer) no remote lessons for our school and no requests to actually see work they had completed.
Glad to hear it's working out well,must admit I'm glad I havent had to home school anyone!
 

JRT

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I went to the barber 12 days ago. I ask him if he wants me to wear a face mask and he replies - no. He puts a face mask on himself and starts snipping away. Several minutes later, I could feel his breath on the side of my face and I look up (in the mirror) and his surgical style face mask has slipped down so that it no longer covers his nose - fantastic! Thankfully there's not much evidence of Covid-19 around these parts and I am nearly at the end of the incubation period with no ill effects yet.

My employer is asking people to start returning to the office from Monday 3rd August with 50% attendance on some strange rota concocted by HR. I do note that the reproduction rate (R-Number ) is reportedly increasing already so it will be interesting to see how long this lasts.
It all seems a bit up in the air at the moment. One resource that seems quite useful is the covid reporting app. It shows daily how areas and cases are changing. Interestingly my local town has gone up a notch and an area adjacent is even higher. Explains why daughters fiance has been working in that area recently. Not foolproof but gives a bit of insight into risk.
 

ert

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diabetes
fasting
I received an email from my GP stating the Covid-19 cases were increasing in Oxfordshire and to be vigilant. I'm due back at work in September. If the numbers keep rising into a second spike, I'm not sure how that will look.
 
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lindisfel

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I think, John, we need to mask up sufficiently to protect ourselves from any careless idiot we meet or less than effective masking.

As indeed we drive and stay safe by making allowances for the foolhardy.
regards
D.
I wonder if I am unavoidably in close proximity to some one who is not wearing a mask but I am is it that I am wearing a mask to protect that person or am I trying to protect my self from their exhaled potentially virus laden breath the mask I am wearing may not be 100% effective but it will reduce the risk of infection.

And don't forget we are all counted in that group of people we term as others.
 
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Tannith

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why is all the covid emphasis on death rates? Long Tail Covid-19 is a thing, for many people. Its real and awful, and being ignored when making risk assessment and lockdown changes.
I totally agree. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-07-tail-coronavirus-prolong-months.html
It is my main fear for my adult children. One goes out (with partner) unnecessarily and even on public transport. They are age circa 40 and unlikely to die if they catch it. But killing people is not all this evil virus does. If I say anything I'm told I'm giving "unwanted advice". And that's just for saying "it' a pity you can't go there as you'd have to use public transport." An observation rather than advice I feel, as at the time it didn't occur to me that any sane person would use public transport for any but essential journeys!
 
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Bluetit1802

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I had a hair cut the other week. Very, very safe. Masks obligatory. She wore a visor. Chairs disinfected after each customer, as was the sink. My jacket and handbag were put in a bin bag. Hand sanitisers all over the place. Chain across the front and side doors (which were open) to stop people wandering in. Met at door as I arrived, temperature taken, mask checked. Plastic disposable aprons, and a disposable towel.
 
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JRT

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I had a hair cut the other week. Very, very safe. Masks obligatory. She wore a visor. Chairs disinfected after each customer, as was the sink. My jacket and handbag were put in a bin bag. Hand sanitisers all over the place. Chain across the front and side doors (which were open) to stop people wandering in. Met at door as I arrived, temperature taken, mask checked. Plastic disposable aprons, and a disposable towel.
Yes this is how it should be done
 

Daphne917

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3,320
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Type 2 (in remission!)
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I had a hair cut the other week. Very, very safe. Masks obligatory. She wore a visor. Chairs disinfected after each customer, as was the sink. My jacket and handbag were put in a bin bag. Hand sanitisers all over the place. Chain across the front and side doors (which were open) to stop people wandering in. Met at door as I arrived, temperature taken, mask checked. Plastic disposable aprons, and a disposable towel.
Same here - hair finally done last Friday. In addition to the precautions mentioned by @Bluetit1802 there was a screen between each chair and only two customers, one per stylist, allowed in at a time.
 
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JRT

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Thank you so much both of you. I know my daughter had her temperature taken but not sure about rest. I have made my mind up now is not the right time but is interesting to see how closely my hairdresser is following the guidelines. I will be discretely questioning my daughter!
 

ert

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diabetes
fasting
This article mentions diabetics today: 'Michael Legge, an employment lawyer at JMW, the solicitors, said vulnerable people being forced to go into the office may be able to claim disability discrimination if they feel it is putting their health or safety at risk. “Health conditions such as diabetes and pregnancy should both be covered by the Equalities Act,” Mr Legge said.'

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/consumer-affairs/return-back-to-work-uk-coronavirus-advice/
 
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Bluetit1802

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Matt Hancock has stated this evening that from Midnight tonight households are banned from meeting any other household indoors in the whole of Greater Manchester (a HUGE area), Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Rossendale and Pendle in East Lancashire, and Bradford, Calderdale and others in West Yorkshire.

These areas have a high percentage of Asian households. So good luck with policing that - it is Eid tomorrow.

My local authority area is adjoining 4 of those areas, but we have been spared as our Covid rate remains low and at present is not increasing.
 

JRT

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This article mentions diabetics today: 'Michael Legge, an employment lawyer at JMW, the solicitors, said vulnerable people being forced to go into the office may be able to claim disability discrimination if they feel it is putting their health or safety at risk. “Health conditions such as diabetes and pregnancy should both be covered by the Equalities Act,” Mr Legge said.'

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/consumer-affairs/return-back-to-work-uk-coronavirus-advice/
I had a feeling this might be the case. Union didnt leap on it when I suggested it. I think it's a case of having to gather a lot of solid evidence to prove it's happening. In my case its proved tiring and stressful so stepped away for a week.
Good article in Guardian about how those who are shielded are basically been thrown to the wolves when they cease shielding tomorrow.
Still no mention of diabetes, or other high risk people although as far as guidelines go we are now sort of put with shielders, social distance unless with own household return to work if covid safe.
I know there are calls for furlough scheme to be extended so shielding dont have to go back to work.
I'm happy to be shot down in flames but other than a petition I'm not quite sure what Diabetes UK are doing to help. There helpline was supportive which was good.
In the article about shielders the charities that supported shielders were vocal. I know diabetics are a large and diverse group in terms of risk and needs but I still feel we are quite an invisible group. I may be wrong and i know there are those of you who have tremendously supportive employers and healthcare professionals. Unfortunately it's not consistent. I'm finding it increasingly tiresome to have to fight for what some get automatically for no reason than luck!
 
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JohnEGreen

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"Chris Askew, chief executive of Diabetes UK and a signatory of the letter, said: "No-one should be faced with the impossible task of choosing between their health, by returning to work in an unsafe environment, and their financial security.
"The government must ensure that employers are supported to take all the necessary measures to keep all employees safe, if they are expected to attend work outside their home.
He added that the government should introduce a new support scheme for clinically vulnerable people who are unable to return to a safe work environment.
Employers have been told to make sure that people who are shielding can work from home wherever possible, including moving them to another role if required, according to government guidance.
If bosses cannot provide a safe working environment, those who are clinically vulnerable will be able to access financial support including statutory sick pay and welfare payments, it has said.
The charities' letter also suggests extending the furlough scheme for those who have been shielding or are at high-risk.
Currently, the UK's coronavirus furlough scheme is set to finish at the end of October"

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53602276
 
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Mr_Pot

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If diabetes were to be considered a disability that required special measures, shielding etc. then it would be necessary to first define what type of diabetes and how "serious" it was or it could apply to 4.7 million people. Add to that the 5.4 million asthma sufferers and the 7.4 million with heart and circulatory disease etc. and it becomes impractical.
 

Tannith

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https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-07/arh-ykc072720.php
"We found that children under 5 with COVID-19 have a higher viral load than older children and adults, which may suggest greater transmission, as we see with respiratory syncytial virus, also known as RSV," says lead author Taylor Heald-Sargent, MD, PhD, pediatric infectious diseases specialist at Lurie Children's and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. "This has important public health implications, especially during discussions on the safety of reopening schools and daycare."
 
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ickihun

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im in a similar position. I was shielding for 13 weeks and went off sick for 2 weeks sure to stress anxiety panic attacks offsetting my asthma. I was at the time off meds as the gp was going to put me on a new med. I returned back to work and was issued, a return to work followed by a disciplinary, which took place yesterday. They have issued me a written warning, the stress is affecting my health, and I feel that they’re not listening and taking into account my medical history. I’m ringing around organisations trying to get help to no avail. I will be appealing the decision, who can I turn to for support and advice?
I hv sort out union support in my past with excellent support resulting.
They will be getting better and better at resolving these disputes. They will receive plenty of cases.
If not in a union you can join one at anytime. You are protected from any prejudice from work for being a member. That's English current law.
 
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ickihun

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P. Union rep has not been of much help just tells me to go to the companies website and look through the policies. I’m waiting for the regional rep to contact me, hopefully I can get some clear direction
Any reply to your call yet? Pm me who they are if you like. I can maybe help you find THEIR policies for your membership. They aren't a free service. You will hv a contract with them. They should be doing THEIR job.
 
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urbanracer

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Not being able to eat as many chocolate digestives as I used to.
Just as I am preparing to go back to work on Monday, I have this morning received a suitably vague letter from my GP's surgery (attached - all personal details removed) .
upload_2020-7-31_11-38-58.png


Is the government advising us ALL to stay at home as much as possible? I thought that advice had pretty much ended with the exception of obvious specific areas.
I have no idea if this has gone to everybody or just to diabetics in this locale.
 
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Max68

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"Chris Askew, chief executive of Diabetes UK and a signatory of the letter, said: "No-one should be faced with the impossible task of choosing between their health, by returning to work in an unsafe environment, and their financial security.
"The government must ensure that employers are supported to take all the necessary measures to keep all employees safe, if they are expected to attend work outside their home.
He added that the government should introduce a new support scheme for clinically vulnerable people who are unable to return to a safe work environment.
Employers have been told to make sure that people who are shielding can work from home wherever possible, including moving them to another role if required, according to government guidance.
If bosses cannot provide a safe working environment, those who are clinically vulnerable will be able to access financial support including statutory sick pay and welfare payments, it has said.
The charities' letter also suggests extending the furlough scheme for those who have been shielding or are at high-risk.
Currently, the UK's coronavirus furlough scheme is set to finish at the end of October"

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53602276

This article mentions diabetics today: 'Michael Legge, an employment lawyer at JMW, the solicitors, said vulnerable people being forced to go into the office may be able to claim disability discrimination if they feel it is putting their health or safety at risk. “Health conditions such as diabetes and pregnancy should both be covered by the Equalities Act,” Mr Legge said.'

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/consumer-affairs/return-back-to-work-uk-coronavirus-advice/

There are several problems for diabetics which is why we seem to have been left in the cold.

Firstly I, on advice from my Union, called the Equality & Advisory Support Service over a month ago to ask if I was covered with regard to discrimination through disability. I was told by a very sympathetic advisor that basically it's down to which Judge you would get at any Tribunal because Diabetes isn't written in black and white when it comes to disability discrimination. I think the assumption was that Type 1 would be more likely to be included than Type 2 (not my words).

It's down to the fact that diabetes affects people in different ways and in many ways is a hidden condition to others, much like when I had my work tribunal against the DWP with my Vertigo. If people don't "see" it then it doesn't exist!! For instance and I apologise if anyone is upset by my example, but take me who still plays football with the kids at school and then take someone else who may be in a wheelchair with the condition. A Judge will look at how the condition may impact you, so pre covid there is no way on earth that I could argue that my diabetes stops me from working. It may change as Covid continues of course but again it's all down to a Judge and a Tribunal at the time of writing.

Secondly with regard to Statutory Sick Pay and Welfare payments, as long as we remain in the Clinically Vulnerable Group rather than the Shielded Group we have difficulty because we were never told to officially shield. We were told to work from home if possible, but now the Government wants people to go back to work. Again it would/may be different if the Government said "all back to work except for those with the following conditions who are required to continue to work from home and NOT re-enter the workplace until further notice". Unfortunately they are not saying that, they are using this "if the work place is safe" situation which you cannot prove it is or it isn't. Let's face it no work place is going to be 100% safe with Covid. It might be for one day or a week but certainly the risk increases for every day you are there and the risk also increases as the year goes on and the weather changes. It's like what are the chances of you having a car crash on your way to work? If you work 5 days a week the likely hood is far higher than if you work two days.

It makes me laugh when the Government start banging on about mental health being affected by being stuck at home. At least at home you can stay reasonably safe and can make your own decisions re risk. It's the one thing that makes me really nervous about going back and that's the fact that I am "always" going to be on edge. The asymptomatic reality of this virus means that I will never relax at all constantly, permanently wondering if I am going to fall ill within the next 6 days. That's the problem because you "don't know" if you have been infected or not and that means you will never be 100% sure if you are covid free. Sounds dramatic but it's probably as close as I will ever get to experience being on death row, never knowing when the Governor is going to call but you could be there for years or a couple of weeks!!

The problem is no body whether it's the Employers, Unions, GP's or whoever is going by anything else bar what has proven to be flawed Government Advice. I wouldn't even by a car of Boris!! Someone somewhere needs to take responsibility, even if it's to make a legal challenge because it makes no sense that the risk to the clinically vulnerable can change from March to July/August when the same pesky virus is still out there.
 
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