Wife has had a text to say she is high risk, where does that leave me

[Yellowskies1988]

Hi. She has huntingtons disease and been showing mild/onset symptoms, I'm not sure how to word it. Anyway she does a few hours a week playing activities in a care home.

Anyway she has been told today via text message that she is high risk and not leave the house for 12 weeks.

I'm a "keyworker" too in the fresh food industry. Where does that leave me? I'm I not allowed to go to work now? We also have 2 boys, both are at home age 7 and 5. 7 YO is autistic too

Only positing here for traffic

www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19

Here's the guidance for shielding. I think that your wife falls into this category. It would be best for you to stop working too, but I understand not all employers are great when it comes to this. This is the part about other household members:

Minimise as much as possible the time other family members spend in shared spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms and sitting areas, and keep shared spaces well ventilated.
Aim to keep 2 metres (3 steps) away from people you live with and encourage them to sleep in a different bed where possible. If you can, you should use a separate bathroom from the rest of the household. Make sure you use separate towels from the other people in your house, both for drying themselves after bathing or showering and for hand-hygiene purposes.
If you do share a toilet and bathroom with others, it is important that they are cleaned after use every time (for example, wiping surfaces you have come into contact with). Another tip is to consider drawing up a rota for bathing, with you using the facilities first.
If you share a kitchen with others, avoid using it while they are present. If you can, you should take your meals back to your room to eat. If you have one, use a dishwasher to clean and dry the family’s used crockery and cutlery. If this is not possible, wash them using your usual washing up liquid and warm water and dry them thoroughly. If you are using your own utensils, remember to use a separate tea towel for drying these.
We understand that it will be difficult for some people to separate themselves from others at home. You should do your very best to follow this guidance and everyone in your household should regularly wash their hands, avoid touching their face, and clean frequently touched surfaces.

Oh and if she's showing symptoms and she's in this group, she should complete the NHS 111 online Coronavirus service even if it's just mild.

@HarrietThePi thanks for that, a few things I there that I haven't read before. Still a massive grey area about what I'm meant to do regarding work

My friend is shielding and her husband can work, but she has to stay 2m away from him at all times. Not easy.

Can you talk to your employer as they may have arrangements for example NHS has hotels for key workers in this scenario to keep going; or keep you home for 12 weeks. If you risk losing your job and need to keep working, then can you try to be super careful - washing, change clothes when you come home, not touch same stuff; sleep separate rooms etc, to minimise her risk etc? It’s very tough, and you can only do what you can.

You can go to work but at home you have to stay 2m apart. Use different beds and bathrooms if possible. Don’t be in the kitchen at the same time. Lots and lots of cleaning as you go.

Take off and wash your work clothes as soon as you get home from work.

If she’s showing symptoms you all need to self isolate for 14 days as you likely all have it!

I'm assuming the OP means showing symptoms of Huntington's not symptoms of COVID-19 - but not sure?

Ah sorry I misunderstood

We are in a similar situation, I didn’t get the letter but go asked me to isolate for 12 weeks anyway, dh can go to work and shopping only, in return, strip on the entrance, bag there to keep street clothes separate, straight to shower. It will be hard but it won’t be forever

dh can go to work and shopping only, in return, strip on the entrance, bag there to keep street clothes separate, straight to shower

We are doing that, I think it's a good idea for everybody to do it - I keep a pillowcase in the porch and put everything straight in there and then straight in the wash. We've stopped washing everything on 30 degrees as well and put it all on 60 minimum, we don't have any delicate clothes.

@DisappearingGirl yes sorry to clear that up... HD symptoms NOT covid19 symptoms.

She wil struggle to keep 2 meters away from our oldest as he wears nappies, he can change himself but also preparing food for the kids too etx

You still need to go to work, but you need to follow the guidance in HarrietThePi's post above in order to keep your wife safe.

It will be very difficult. You won't be entitled to any sick pay/furlough pay etc as the partner of a shielded person, but your employer may be sympathetic and allow you to use up your annual leave and/or take unpaid leave. However, I don't think they are obliged to.

Im surprised she just got a text from last week all vulnerable shyould be shielding for 12 weeks and sholdnt be volunterring

Your wife doesn't need to keep 2 mtrs away from your eldest, because your children don't need to go out, so can "shield" with your wife, so they are therefore safe. The issue is because you need to go out to work (and also presumably to the shops etc) so therefore you must stay away from your wife.

@GabsAlot
Phoned my doctor for advise. They said its. Been sent out most vulnerable first then another stage today...?

HDA have some specific advice that is worth looking at. HD Is on the list of illnesses at high risk but there doesn't seem to have been any distinction between gene positive, early, mid or late stage disease.

@mrsm43s hi thanks for your reply. How does my wife's sick pay work? Do her work need to pay her 80% of her wages? As she left they said she will get £96 per week then it will be significantly lower after 2 weeks

The issue is because you need to go out to work (and also presumably to the shops etc) so therefore you must stay away from your wife.

And presumably the children? Or if he has it and passes it to the children...

Yes - I got text today too. Apparently letter to follow. I think where some of the treatment/medications are split between hospital and GP it may take a little longer to identify.

@Yellowskies1988 you're welcome and apologises I misunderstood your first post to mean she was displaying covid symptoms.

I spoke to my doctor's surgery recently as I'm in a vulnerable group too. They told me that this is all being coordinated by NHS England so the individual surgeries themselves have quite limited information.

My mum got the letter too, she’s a key worker (care home), she thinks she’s I’ll be getting 80% pay but needs to conform this with her boss.

@GrolliffetheDragon so basically the 3 need to stay away from me?
I still work 39.5 hours in a place that I feel could be doing much more to protect us, I'm also the only one who drives so I do the shopping too... Im really confused and concerned financially now

Oh my husband got one today too. We were half expecting it before but when it didn’t come assumed he didn’t qualify. Makes sense it’s two tranches.