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Original poster

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

80 replies

Yellowskies1988 · 07/04/2020 14:45

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

OP posts:
gigglingHyena · 07/04/2020 17:27

Do you mean showing early signs of covid 19, or early signs of Huntington's? The initial post could be read either way.

As far as I understand it those I the shielded group, if they are not able to work from home are only entitled to sick pay. Certainly this is what my sheilding family member has been told.

Those who are self isolating because a family members has covid19 symptoms I thought has been told full pay. Didn't the Government bring that in early on so that lack of pay wasn't stopping people completing their isolation?

Furlough is the 80% pay from the government for those who are not able to work in businesses closed by the outbreak. There is also the possibility that this can be used to allow those who need to be caring for children to have the time off to do so, but this is a recent conformation of how furlough can be used. I'm not clear if the employer still has to be able to show they have less work though.

There doesn't seem to be any provision for the family of sheilding people, which is a huge issue for lots of people.

Floralnomad · 07/04/2020 17:32

pleaseplease , I assume that the letters are advisory but would be helpful to someone who wanted to stay at home but was still expected at work etc . I’ve not left our house or garden for over 2 weeks now and my sister and adult ds ( who don’t live here) are doing our shopping . I haven’t had a letter but have multiple health problems including asthma and another chest problem and a neurotic family who are convinced that if I get it I will die .

MyDcAreMarvel · 07/04/2020 17:33

I’m fearful of what happens when the schools go back because then I will have to stay away from my children.
I won’t be sending mine back there is guidance to say you do not have to. They won’t be back before September anyway.

frippit · 07/04/2020 17:35

I'm in your position too. If my husband gets it he will be extremely lucky to survive. Luckily I'm working from home for now and he is retired on ill health. I am isolating with him as it's the only way I can see to keep him safe and alive.
As far as I see it if I go out there's a chance I will get it and then it will pass to him. I'm his carer and he can't be left alone overnight.
I don't know what will happen if I'm expected to return to work in a few weeks.
We've decided for me to stay home for as long as possible and then play it by week by week depending on the situation. I've no intention of putting him at risk so it may mean I lose my job and take a hit financially.

Florencemattell · 07/04/2020 17:48

Your wife can be furloughed, see link.

Shielding Employees
You can claim for furloughed employees who are shielding in line with public health guidance (or need to stay home with someone who is shielding) if they are unable to work from home and you would otherwise have to make them redundant.

www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme#who-can-claim

Sorry for your predicament, it’s a very stressful time for families.

Lightuptheroom · 07/04/2020 18:10

Not saying this is your case, but my DH got the text today and rang his gp as he doesn't fall into any of the group's mentioned. He was advised to go to the website as that would confirm if he was eligible for the help shielding people are entitled to with getting prescriptions etc. It came back they he was not eligible, which means that the text was either sent in error or a hoax. It's worth each person checking it out to make sure before arranging to shield for 12 weeks

MyDcAreMarvel · 07/04/2020 18:27

The website doesn’t come back with any answer though that makes no sense?

Lightuptheroom · 07/04/2020 20:54

DH is going to speak to go tomorrow in our case as it's very confusing. Will see what they say and work it out from there

MyDcAreMarvel · 08/04/2020 21:18

@Yellowskies1988 the advice has changed on April 4th and you can be furloughed see here
Shielding Employees
You can claim for furloughed employees who are shielding in line with public health guidance (or need to stay home with someone who is shielding) if they are unable to work from home and you would otherwise have to make them redundant.

Employees with caring responsibilities
Employees who are unable to work because they have caring responsibilities resulting from coronavirus (COVID-19) can be furloughed. For example, employees that need to look after children can be furloughed.
Link

www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme?mc_cid=177bacbc11&mc_eid=ac4e65ab23

And here workingfamilies.org.uk/articles/coronavirus-carers/

QuaverQueen · 08/04/2020 21:32

The guidance states that you do not need to self isolate.

If you have someone else living with you, they are not required to adopt these protective shielding measures for themselves. They should do what they can to support you in shielding and they should stringently follow guidance on social distancing, reducing their contact outside the home

My DH is in the sheilded group and I’m an NHS nurse. DH is isolating at home with DD and I obviously can’t be ‘stringently social distancing’ so am keeping 2m apart from them in the home. We haven’t been in the same room since he got the text. Sad

It’s not easy but I’m not entitled to (and don’t want) paid leave. The hospital will put me up in accommodation and when things really kick off that what’s I’ll have to do.

QuaverQueen · 08/04/2020 21:33

I would be entitled to leave if I was DH’s carer as a PP says but I’m not.

MyDcAreMarvel · 08/04/2020 21:37

The guidance states that you do not need to self isolate.
Yes but it also states that if you need to care for a shielded family member you can be furloughed.

MyDcAreMarvel · 08/04/2020 21:42

@QuaverQueen Sorry missed your second post, the op is a carer and my dh is my carer.
Thank you for the sacrifice you are making in for working in the nhs , and having to stay away from your dh. I don’t know you but I am so thankful to you. My darling dad died ten days ago from corona virus , a wonderful nurse put her own life at risk by sitting with him so he did not die alone. You are all heroes.

QuaverQueen · 08/04/2020 21:50

I’m very sorry to hear that @MyDCAreMarvel Flowers

I had End of Life training today and am probably going to need it, it’s a scary time. Sad

MyDcAreMarvel · 08/04/2020 21:53

Yes it’s is. And thank you.

TheWickerWoman · 08/04/2020 22:04

Sorry to come across dumb here but can employees who have to do the 12 week shield be furloughed even though the company is still open.

My daughter has had to take the 12 weeks and has been told she will only get SSP therefore taking quite a drop in wages . She cannot work from home and the business is still running (classed as a key worker) Is there no other way around this?

MyDcAreMarvel · 08/04/2020 22:13

Yes they can be furloughed even if the company is open . It’s a request though it’s up to her employer as it’s no cost to them though, they hopefully won’t refuse.
www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme?mc_cid=177bacbc11&mc_eid=ac4e65ab23

MyDcAreMarvel · 08/04/2020 22:13

*she not they

thegreylady · 08/04/2020 22:19

We have had the same text. We aren’t sure which of us it is meant for as we are both elderly with several health conditions but no corona symptoms. It came to my mobile as dh doesn’t have one and mine is on both medical records. If anyone doubts it I will photograph my phone and show you.

Wife has had a text to say she is high risk, where does that leave me
TheWickerWoman · 08/04/2020 22:24

@ MyDcAreMarvel

Thanks. I’ll let her know

MyDcAreMarvel · 08/04/2020 22:26

You should get a letter soon with the name on, if not phone your GP surgery.

Queenie8 · 08/04/2020 23:18

I'm in the very vulnerable group. I received my letter on the 24th March. I have also had the text. My oh is working from home. We have isolated since 23/3.

If the schools go back before the 12 weeks my DC will not be attending.

onlinelinda · 08/04/2020 23:49

@Thegreylady, it should be clear if you call the doctors surgery and ask them to check.

thegreylady · 09/04/2020 08:32

@onlinelinda thanks I will do that today

Franklydear · 09/04/2020 10:53

@Queenie8, Scotland already said not back this academic year and England cancelled all exams, I don’t think you’ll have a problem...

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