If you are immunosuppressed will you be going to work tomorrow?

[Littlemiss74]

I take immunosuppressants and seeing the governments plans for the over 70's am wondering if there will be any specific advice for younger people who are vulnerable and go to work.

I work in an office, around 80 people in the building. I don't use public transport.
I have a laptop so can work from home but I also attend meetings with colleagues.

I was happy to continue going to work but as things get worse I am getting more and more anxious.

Anyone in similar situation, are you planning to go into work tomorrow? I'm really not sure what to do.

I think doing the right thing to maximise your chances of infection delay should be the most important decision.
Becoming ill (ill-er even if it's a mild case and you don't have the extreme response) is just adding to the stress of you and whatever support network you have, delaying that as long as possible is just common sense.
Slowing the spread for those poor sods who have no option.

I'm a nurse in triage in A&E and on DMARDs for arthritis. I have to go to work tonight but I wish I didn't. I work for a private company 'in partnership with NHS' so don't get any sick pay apart from SSP after 4 days, amd I'm a single parent. SSP wouldn't even cover my mortgage!

I am immunocompromised (currently on chemo) and have two secondary school-aged children. Agonising over whether to keep them off school from now since surely it is just a matter of time before schools are actually closed anyway. Feel as though I am being selfish and just thinking of myself but I am in a position to look after them at home. It is such a quandary. It's hard not to feel that the government thinks we are dispensable (I am in my early 50s) but I have pretty much been in self isolation for weeks anyway. Apart from exposure to the kids of course ...

@Littlemiss74 - thanks.. though I'm still unsure what to do, wonder if I'm overreacting.. you know..

It's like when I get a cold I always take a couple of days off sick but when I get a cold.. I get one bad, and it usually ends up on my chest so whereas others might go to work not feeling 100% but still go in, I do take those days off to rest, sniff, blow and cough as much as I want, and feel better. No point spreading germs and it's difficult to concentrate when eyes are streaming and nose is blocked.

I suppose I would feel better if others were doing it.. so far, I'm the first one to work from home.

Yes but I'm not sure for how much longer. We can't really WFH and I don't know what to do

@Littlemiss74 I’m happy to go into work if it’s fairly safe, we are doing community visits by phone now, I think the commute is the biggest risk, I’ll see what the advice is tomorrow

Hi @Littlemiss74
Just heard back from the hospital where I’m treated
The advice is on the British Association of Dermatologists website. It doesn’t say much, usual precautions.
Stay safe
Wiglio

My mum is immunosuppressed and has been told this morning by her doctor to self isolate.

Me too. I am self isolating and handwashing, cleaning door handles, light switches etc.
However, DH has to get shopping etc, so he is wearing gloves and handwashing.
It is really hard.

I'm on mercaptopurine because Crohn's. I am in work. Fortunately, I work in a quiet office but there are a few cases of Covid in my workplace. I also travel by car so I'm not sharing with anyone else. My bosses have been pretty good about WFH arrangements and I think I'll take them up on it later in the week.

I really hope that good data collection around WFH and productivity is happening.
As a society we should have been encouraging WFH far more than we have done so far.
I am certain it will be shown that it works well on many, many levels, and should continue when this is over.
Leave the public transport/ commuting/ energy consumption for people who have to work out of the home.
The technology is there.

I decided to go in today after a quick risk assessment - maximum 4 people in our offices and basically have an office to myself; going to and from work after/before peak times. Tube lines I take are fairly empty at these times now. Taking usual hygiene precautions. Hope I’m doing the right thing, just don’t want to pass anything on to diabetic husband.

I'm on ritiximab infusions. Working from home for the foreseeable future. Dh also wfh because that is his companies policy for now but who knows how long that will last. My Rheumotologist thought it was sensible.

I have taken young dc out of nursery so feeling relatively 'safe' but know people will think we are being over cautious. I also know it will hurt grandparents bit to have the close contact with dc but as they are still working I just don't feel I can risk it.

I wish there was more comprehensive advice for the vulnerable as well as the elderly so people would understand. Thoughts are with anyone who still has to go out to work.

I have autoimmune diseases but not currently on immunosuppressants. My specialist still advised I self isolate if I can. Luckily work were already going to suggest that I do given my health issues, so am now on wfh indefinitely. But I really feel for those in roles that can’t do this - I was almost at the point that I was thinking if they don’t let me I’m going to hand in my notice.

I'm immunosuppressed and chronically ill, and live with someone over 70 with COPD. Due to the illness making me unemployable I'm self employed so at least I can control when I stop, and I will be stopping, I can't put both of us at risk - but when I do that's the end of my income until this is over. I'm also concerned that without official advice saying this matters, it won't do my reputation much good with customers who are being told it's all fine, carry on as normal, just wash your hands. I have to work away from home in a city for the next few days while staying in a hotel and it's scaring the crap out of me, but I've had no reasonable grounds to cancel the work that would have been accepted.

The contradictory drip drip drip of 'we might do this... and it might be over 70s or it might be other people too, and it might be tomorrow or in a few weeks or at some point' is bloody torture, I wish the govt would pull their bloody finger out and make a decision so I can make some in turn. There's no knowing how widespread this is now and I feel like I'm putting both of us at risk every time I walk out the door when just catching an ordinary cold means a serious few weeks for both of us and is something dreaded.

There's nothing I could do at home, hardly have any work to do as it is so I really resent having to come in to just sit at my desk all day. We have lots of visitors passing through our building which doesn't help. I've worried for a while that I will be sacked due to the lack of work (newish role that I don't think they thought through) now I'm convinced it's only a matter of time or I'll have to take unpaid leave. I feel like life is completely on hold

We've just been told the office will close until further notice from Friday.
Our department is smallish and flexible but we share space with prison service staff so no idea how they will fare.

Crapita are even being forthcoming with pay info and a dedicated number of you get it and get into financial difficulties if I didn't know better I'd say it really was the EOTW!