I keep meaning to post but haven't had chance to look up the papers to link them in. I had my routine annual clinic with my consultant via phone. It was very interesting, as he mentioned a few recently published studies. Essentially it seems that cases are not being reported in enough detail (as to what type of diabetes the patient has/had) and simply saying diabetes. We also don't know how much control comes into it and can only assume. I assume this is in the anonymised data being passed to research teams, not patient notes. Numerous studies are trying to identify risk for T1 in particular.
He was very clear, he congratulated me for my control, but said that shouldn't make me complacent. He said the research to date states that a diabetic is between 20-60% more likely to contract covid-19 and be admitted and experience complications, compared to a non-diabetic of the same age. I am not sure whether these factors can be pulled apart or not, and will post the papers he mentioned when I've had chance to look them up, sorry.
He also told me that while the government advice says to follow social distancing, the sensible thing would be to effectively shield as much as possible. He did not think I should go into work, and advised me to talk to my line manager, offering to perhaps perform other duties which were not previously part of my role but would be possible from home, if my previous role was not possible from home. He said to get back to him if they refused.
I'll admit I was quite shocked at how plainly he was talking, he said the fact that I've got good control is a bonus, but doesn't seem to change the risk. He suggested at the very least they should be putting my name at the very bottom of the rota, but also justify why my role cannot be undertaken from home. You should also request a risk assessment for working in school.
I'm making it clear I still want to work, but agree with the union stances, that current proposed guidelines don't safeguard the wellbeing of clinically vulnerable staff or pupils. I'd prefer to be fit to work from home and be useful than spend a little time in work but then be off sick for at least 2 weeks...
He also said the guidelines about shielding letters have been interpreted in very different ways from different GP practices. If you haven't had a letter but believe you maybe should have, or are being pressurised to going to work and don't feel safe, it is worth contacting your diabetes team or GP. He said lots of GPs are giving letters to those who have multiple conditions plus at least one from the 'clinically vulnerable list'. Sorry for the long post!