University Student Advice

[GeorgiaSkelton]

Hi guys,
I’m a Type One Diabetic Student Nurse currently in my first year of studies.
Since the Covid-19 situation I’ve moved home from my student Accomodation to live with my family. I am due to move back into a private Accomodation with 6 other people in July and have been told by the landlord that this is possible as it is classed as essential travel. However, I’m a little worried about moving into a house with 6 people who I am currently not on lockdown with. I’m following the strict social distancing rules but because my diabetes isn’t that well controlled I’m at higher risk
What are my options regarding my accommodation because I’m going to have to pay for a house I can’t even live in due to my health which is out of my control?
Thank you so much)

 

[ringi]

The risk to people under 40 with diabetes is much lower then the risks to older people.

The landlord will very likely win any court case over you refusing to pay rent, and if he/she has done the paperwork correctly will be able to force the parents of any of the tenants to sell their homes to cover your rent and his/her legal costs. Hence you must pay the rent or find someone else to take the room.

 

[ert]

The risk to people under 40 with diabetes is much lower then the risks to older people.

You're forgetting that people with type 1 diabetes were found to be 3.5 times more likely to die.
I would recommend that you contact your GP and specialist diabetes team for advice.

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/coronavirus-statistics

 

[Mr_Pot]

You're forgetting that people with type 1 diabetes were found to be 3.5 times more likely to die.

In the case of a young person that's 3.5 times a very small risk which is still very small.

 

[ert]

In the case of a young person that's 3.5 times a very small risk which is still very small.

It's better to rely on science than guesswork. Irrespective of age, type 1's with abnormal levels of t-cells (lymphocytes) due to autoimmune response, the only defence against Covid-19, are at risk. Again, it's better to contact your GP and specialist team.

 

[DCUKMod]

Hi guys,
I’m a Type One Diabetic Student Nurse currently in my first year of studies.
Since the Covid-19 situation I’ve moved home from my student Accomodation to live with my family. I am due to move back into a private Accomodation with 6 other people in July and have been told by the landlord that this is possible as it is classed as essential travel. However, I’m a little worried about moving into a house with 6 people who I am currently not on lockdown with. I’m following the strict social distancing rules but because my diabetes isn’t that well controlled I’m at higher risk
What are my options regarding my accommodation because I’m going to have to pay for a house I can’t even live in due to my health which is out of my control?
Thank you so much)

When did you sign the tenancy agreement for this place?

Do you know why your diabetes "isn't that well controlled"?

 

[Rachox]

I can’t help with comments about your personal risks but if you decide not to go back, is it possible to advertise your room and find someone else to take it, so you aren’t out of pocket?

 

[NicoleC1971]

I would agree with ringi above that your risks are on a par with other people of your age so you should carry on and not put your studies at risk by having to worry about finding new housing.
Please see the information produced by the NHS's Professor Partha Karr (also the

You're forgetting that people with type 1 diabetes were found to be 3.5 times more likely to die.
I would recommend that you contact your GP and specialist diabetes team for advice.

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/coronavirus-statistics

Actually that statistic was amongst those hospitalised with CoVid and not the whole type 1 population.
Average age of type 1 who has died of it is 70.6 and the actual number (365) reprsents about 0.07 of the UK diabetic population i.e. 7 in 10,000 which is higher than the total mortality rate (based on recent anti body studies as between 0.02-0.04%) but perhaps lower than the OP is imagining.
Personally I am prepared to take that risk.

 

[ert]

I would agree with ringi above that your risks are on a par with other people of your age so you should carry on and not put your studies at risk by having to worry about finding new housing.
Please see the information produced by the NHS's Professor Partha Karr (also the

Actually that statistic was amongst those hospitalised with CoVid and not the whole type 1 population.
Average age of type 1 who has died of it is 70.6 and the actual number (365) reprsents about 0.07 of the UK diabetic population i.e. 7 in 10,000 which is higher than the total mortality rate (based on recent anti body studies as between 0.02-0.04%) but perhaps lower than the OP is imagining.
Personally I am prepared to take that risk.

Would you give the source for the average age of the type 1 group as 70.6 quoted? I'm in my 30's and have had abnormally low levels of t-cells since my diagnosis with type 1. My specialist says I'm vulnerable because of this and that I have no defence against Covid-19 if I were to get it. The Lancet is supporting that your level of t-cells is more important than age. As a type 1, it's important to consult with your medical team.

 

[Xtrius]

Hi guys,
I’m a Type One Diabetic Student Nurse currently in my first year of studies.
Since the Covid-19 situation I’ve moved home from my student Accomodation to live with my family. I am due to move back into a private Accomodation with 6 other people in July and have been told by the landlord that this is possible as it is classed as essential travel. However, I’m a little worried about moving into a house with 6 people who I am currently not on lockdown with. I’m following the strict social distancing rules but because my diabetes isn’t that well controlled I’m at higher risk
What are my options regarding my accommodation because I’m going to have to pay for a house I can’t even live in due to my health which is out of my control?
Thank you so much)

 

[Xtrius]

It's important to watch for yourself. It's even more important to get good results upon your blood sugar. Focus on your diet, and have a proper response to your blood sugar levels. You have one life. Make the best of it. Don't get low with the disease. Live your life feeling the joy of living. I'm quite sure that you are able to do it.

 

[NicoleC1971]

Would you give the source for the average age of the type 1 group as 70.6 quoted? I'm in my 30's and have had abnormally low levels of t-cells since my diagnosis with type 1. My specialist says I'm vulnerable because of this and that I have no defence against Covid-19 if I were to get it. The Lancet is supporting that your level of t-cells is more important than age. As a type 1, it's important to consult with your medical team.

Prof Partha Karr published a survey of diabetics admitted to hospital with CoVid 19. He studied the cohort for type of diabetes, age, otherr co morbidities.
Obviously a low t cell count would be an added vulnerability but his conclusion was that of the cohort he studied age was more critical.
Our of interest do you know why your t cell count is so low? Is it connected to poor sugar control? No need to answer as this is just to satisfy my curiorsity.

 

[DAC1]

Hi guys,
I’m a Type One Diabetic Student Nurse currently in my first year of studies.
Since the Covid-19 situation I’ve moved home from my student Accomodation to live with my family. I am due to move back into a private Accomodation with 6 other people in July and have been told by the landlord that this is possible as it is classed as essential travel. However, I’m a little worried about moving into a house with 6 people who I am currently not on lockdown with. I’m following the strict social distancing rules but because my diabetes isn’t that well controlled I’m at higher risk
What are my options regarding my accommodation because I’m going to have to pay for a house I can’t even live in due to my health which is out of my control?
Thank you so much)

I can see your issues with accommodation etc but I can't help but pick up on your comment "my diabetes isn’t that well controlled". I think it's really important for you to get it well controlled not just for your own longer term health but also, as an operational nurse with clinical decisions to make and medications to administer. Is there a Medical Officer (MO) at your uni you can chat with about your diabetes and its management. A DAFNE course and a Freestyle Libre sensor would so help you both now and going forward....goodness I sound like a politician!! I was a Type 1 at Durham uni 45 years ago and the MO was soooo helpful throughout my time there.

 

[Butent10]

I can understand that due to Covid-19 people feel lack in their studies and online study is not that much perfect for everybody, so I would say that you can try this resour work which absolutely saves your time and rest of the time you can improve your skill which can actually pay you rather than just being bored.