Type 1 Covid 19

[Jackie100]

Hi if you have type 1 and have had a heart attack a few years ago should I be isolating for the 12 weeks I have not received a Nhs letter but feel a bit worried ?

 

[Juicyj]

Hello @Jackie100 Yes you should self isolate as you are high risk, however the ‘shielded’ letter which is what I suspect your alluding to has only been sent to vulnerable people such as cancer/transplant patients which enables them to access shopping slots.

Look up your local support group as they can help with shopping if you need assistance.

 

[Brunneria]

Hi if you have type 1 and have had a heart attack a few years ago should I be isolating for the 12 weeks I have not received a Nhs letter but feel a bit worried ?

hi Jackie

Are you familiar with the www.gov.uk website?
https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...avirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do
You will find the government guidelines on there.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others

https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...n-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people

https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...ng-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19

Are you working? Are you able to work from home?

Only you and your doctor/consultant are in a position to decide whether you should be Shielding, or strictly socially distancing, because no one else can assess your health and risk from Covid-19.

The government has arranged for the Shielding letter to be sent out to approx 1.5 million people because they are at very high risk, but that group does not routinely include people with diabetes unless they have significant other health issues.

My suggestion would be to read the links I have posted above, and then, if you feel you should have received the Shielding letter, and should be staying completely at home for the next 12 weeks, then contact your doctor and/or your heart consultant. If they agree, they can arrange for a Shielding letter for you, that you can then show to an employer. You would then have access to other support (shopping, etc.) from local volunteers, priority delivery slots, and so on, so that you can remain at home without setting foot outside.

On the other hand, if you and your doc/consultant feel that stringent social distancing is more suitable for you (as it is for most people with diabetes, whatever type of diabetes they have), then you can follow the guidance laid out on the gov.uk website.

The Shielding letter, or confirmation from your healthcare team, can come in very useful dealing with you employer, and arranging whether you work from home, or get furloughed (sent home on full or part pay).

The term ‘self-isolating’ is usually being used to describe people who are strictly shutting themselves away for 7 or 14 days while they or someone they live with, is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. There is a form on the gov.uk website for you to download if you need it to give to your employer, to explain the time off work. Or the 111 helpline service can arrange for you to get the form.

Complicated, innit?

Best wishes, and please let us know how you get on?

 

[TriciaWs]

If you are not going out to work, even if you do not have the shielding letter you might be able to get priority access for help with other things, eg to get delivery slots, so you don't need to go out.
I knew the govt's limited list for the extremely vulnerable group didn't cover me but hoped they would extend it, and as I have multiple health conditions I filled in their form. I didn't get the shielding letter but they passed my details onto a couple of supermarkets (as I'm still high risk) and one of them has offered me slots so I don't need to risk going out.

Even if that doesn't work you can still get help from the volunteers - try searching on the facebook covid-19 mutual aid list or check if your local council is helping to organise local volunteers.

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable
https://www.facebook.com/CovidAidUK/