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Adults who require a flu jab for any chronic illness to self-isolate for 12 weeks

234 replies

NewChapter11 · 16/03/2020 18:20

My ds 20 and I are both asthmatics who require an annual flu jab - do we fall into this category then? And what is even the point if dh is out working everyday in contact with the public.
None if this makes sense - what a bloody nightmare.

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Catsrus · 16/03/2020 18:57

that is what they said - I'm in that group and I heard it clearly. By underlying medical conditions they mean anyone who is in the category of needing a flu jab for medical reasons. I'm 64 & have Asthma, this isn't going to be fun for anyone - but FGS look at Italy! We can avoid that level of death IF we obey certain basic rules.

And I have family members going out into the community too -but this means that I only ever will have contact with two potential sources of infection, not the hundreds I'd meet in a normal 12 week period. That's why it makes sense.

veeboo · 16/03/2020 18:57

They did not say that. They said everyone should avoid non essential travel and social contact. Pregnant women, the over 70s and those with health conditions should consider that advise particularly carefully. By the weekend those with the most serious conditions (they suggested leukaemia in the speech as an example but not pregnancy) will be advised to isolate for 12 weeks.

This is all copied on bbc and the guardian now

FamilyOfAliens · 16/03/2020 18:58

Keep your distance, can you use a different loo etc.

Like everyone has a second toilet ffs.

turkeyontheplate · 16/03/2020 18:58

It's fucking insane that we don't know who it applies to and who it doesn't. DH has asthma and prescribed inhalors but is very fit and well controlled etc. I have T2 diabetes and hypertension, neither of those conditions were actually mentioned. How can they just drop this on people and not be crystal clear about what it means?

Genevieva · 16/03/2020 18:58

If in doubt you self-isolate. The advice is now that if anyone in your household is vulnerable, you all self-isolate.

Similarly, if anyone in your household has symptoms, you all self-isolate.

For the next 12 weeks, even if no one in your family is vulnerable and no one has symptoms you still limit all social contact. Those who can should work from home. Those who can't should go straight to work and straight back home. No after-work drinks. No weekend BBQs a a friend's house. We do our work and we do the occasional food shop / online food delivery. We walk the dog or do outside exercise at a distance from others, but we do not stop to chat. It is very clear. We also make sensible decisions on physical contact with elderly and vulnerable relatives who live separately from us. If they need our support then we self-isolate so we can visit them.

The government is not forcing major events to be cancelled, but it is withdrawing the police and ambulance protection that they require. This means they cannot go ahead. They won't be insured without that, so they will need to be cancelled.

By telling people what they should do, but not what they must do, the government does not burden itself with having to arrest stupid people ignore the recommendations. On the whole, I think compliance will be sufficiently widespread for there to be nowhere for those people to go, no one for them to meet and nothing for them to do, so they will not be a risk.

SuDaji · 16/03/2020 18:59

It's very confusing. I live with people who without a doubt are high risk, so will have to stay home for 12 weeks when asked. However I am not high risk, but work as admin in a medical setting. Am I supposed to stay in for 12 weeks too or just risk bringing it in to the house? I understand things are moving fast but I wish they would give us more clarity.

PlomBear · 16/03/2020 19:00

I have mild asthma. I’ve started a new job. I can’t just not go into work for 12 weeks!

Whatsnewpussyhat · 16/03/2020 19:00

I have flu jab and steroid inhaler every day. Who will pay my bills if I cant work (in a public facing roll) for 12 weeks. I also have a germy toddler who goes to nursery. I cant isolate from her.

bellinisurge · 16/03/2020 19:01

I'm also entitled to a flu jab because I have MS. But because I don't need any meds and have control of my condition, I don't think it means me.

Apolloanddaphne · 16/03/2020 19:01

I have mild, well controlled asthma. I normally get the flu jab but this year I forgot for some reason. I am hoping I don't need to self isolate for 12 weeks!

AnotherMurkyDay · 16/03/2020 19:08

Well that sucks doesn't it? Do my whole family have to isolate for 12 weeks with me too? I think my kids might lose their minds (as well as me)

Aragog · 16/03/2020 19:10

I get offered (and take up) one every year due to taking methotrexate doe psoriatic arthritis.

At the moment it doesn't say self isolate, but it does say to minimise social contact.

For the next two weeks its out if my hands anyway - dd has a cough all weekend. She was home today because of it - schools said definitely stay away. But, as she is a teenager due to take a levels she is obviously old enough to stay home alone, me and dh have both been in work today. But from now on we are off for a fortnight. DH can hopefully then return and for me it will be a fortnight's Easter holidays (I teach) - so in a month's time we shall see...

inlectorecumbit · 16/03/2020 19:12

Front line NHS worker with asthma- what do l do ??

Nishky · 16/03/2020 19:13

I have asthma so sort of knew I was a high risk but this has shocked me tbh. That will teach me to have my head in the sand.

EasterEggz · 16/03/2020 19:16

I'm asthmatic with annual flu jab, and I'm pregnant. I am changing my entire lifestyle to WFH, and withdraw socially. I have to protect my baby at all costs even if my job goes or our income is halved. This is a case of protecting life, not simply being inconvenienced.

cologne4711 · 16/03/2020 19:16

If one person is symptomatic, the whole family must self-isolate for 14 days

This isn't about that, this is about people who are vulnerable isolating themselves.

Russell19 · 16/03/2020 19:17

Can anyone link to this online anywhere? I heard him say 'shield yourself' but don't actually know what that means. Apparently someone else at work with asthma has asked and has been told they still need to come in.

Nishky · 16/03/2020 19:18

@EasterEggz that all must be a bit scary. You are doing the right thing. All the best

zobalina77 · 16/03/2020 19:18

I have pulmonary stenosis and was also born with a hole in my heart and so have the flu jab. I'm guessing this means me, but I can't see work being happy. I work on customer services in a supermarket and we're exceptionally busy at the moment.

IkaBaar · 16/03/2020 19:19

I think with conditions like asthma there is probably a sliding scale- i.e. some are more vulnerable than others. Those who need lots of different medications maybe more vulnerable than those on only a single preventer inhaler. Good control and fitness will help too.

Luckily DH and I are now working from home. His work policy is now that if you live with someone with serious health conditions/elderly you should work from home.

I plan to stay at home except walking the dog at quiet times. I’ve had many hospital admissions with asthma so don’t want to risk it!

covetingthepreciousthings · 16/03/2020 19:19

I keep trying to find these guidelines on the NHS or gov websites but don't think they've been loaded up yet.

I feel shaky and awful right now. I have asthma, which has hospitalised me in the past, but I work in the shop, should I not go to work for 12 weeks?

They need to be more clear.

bananabob · 16/03/2020 19:20

What the hell are we supposed to do it we are in a vulnerable group but people in the house are still working? No way we can isolate away from them in this tiny house.

Mlou32 · 16/03/2020 19:21

Does this count for pregnancy? My GP says if we were going into or in the middle of flu season then he would be giving me a flu jab due to being pregnant.

Genevieva · 16/03/2020 19:21

@Russell19 your employer is being an arse. Your colleague just needs to tell them that they need to self-isolate and they have to suck it up.

neeting · 16/03/2020 19:22

I can't understand why everyone is struggling so much with this advice.

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