Fat people even more likely to be affected by COVID than previously thought

[pocketem]

UK government scientists are urgently investigating whether people living with obesity may be disproportionately affected by the coronavirus, after emerging data from intensive care units suggested a stronger link than previously thought.

New data from the UK’s Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre, which has been presented to ministers and SAGE scientists, has found that the proportion of severely obese patients in ICUs is twice the proportion in the general population.

Ministers have become increasingly alarmed by data coming out of Britain’s intensive care units, with some members of the government suggesting obesity may end up being a factor in the UK’s higher death toll.

The UK is currently projected to have the highest number of coronavirus deaths in Europe. Around 1 in 4 UK adults are obese. In 2018, the WHO found that the UK had the third highest obesity rate in Europe, behind only Malta and Turkey.

More here:
www.buzzfeed.com/amphtml/alexwickham/uk-scientists-coronavirus-obesity-link

@Querlouse No being at risk due to being overweight is the reason.

So you have proved that them being at risk is not the real reason for this thread
Which i already knew anyway

But Thank You for proving me right.

I'm not obese anymore (lost 2.5stone) but still 'overweight' on bmi calculator my bmi is 28.5 I think (5 foot!)

Am I still a risk? Don't understand it.

@ToffeeYoghurt I can't do anything, pic attached is taken after waking up and showering. Yes it's as itchy as it looks!!
I can afford a one off private but not sure where to start. They have agreed to redo bloods in 3 months but from what I've seen I thought thyroid antibodies meant you would definitely need meds

Pic, after 4 antihistamines

@danni0509 you’re in the safest BMI category for coronavirus, which is the ‘overweight’ category. For some reason this fact is being ignored on this thread, probably because some people are more interested in fat shaming than facts.

@HelenaDove Yes, bit of a give away isn’t it? And also not strictly accurate. The government advice for shielding people is actually to talk to their employer about whether they can be furloughed.

Thanks @ChipotleBlessing that's interesting.

That's not how furlough works. Its not up to the employee. Their employer has to prove there's no work for them. Being fat isn't a reason.

People can be furloughed if they are shielding. At the moment obesity isn’t a condition for shielding, but if that changes, and furlough still exists, then they could ask.

I’m hoping to just bring my BMI down through eating and exercise and don’t want to shield anyway but I’m going to ask to continue to wfh once the office reopens due to being higher risk due to my weight.

You poor thing ClientQ
I hope you get your dermatology appointment soon. Some places are doing virtual video appointments but it won't work if you need physical tests. Has your GP prescribed any steroids, cream perhaps?

I don't know when they start thyroid treatment but I've heard the UK has a higher threshold than many other countries. I'd say it's worth trying your GP again. Be clear about how your symptoms are affecting you and your quality of life. Ask if you can trial the medication to see if it helps.

People can be furloughed if they are shielding. At the moment obesity isn’t a condition for shielding, but if that changes, and furlough still exists, then they could ask

I can't imagine obesity would ever become a condition for shielding! Perhaps it should, but there would be an outcry and it would be very unfair on employers. And how would you prove you were obese enough to be shielded?

Client that looks sore as well as itchy.

Chipotle Yes Hoist by her own petard!

The government advice for shielding people is actually to talk to their employer about whether they can be furloughed

Being obese is not currently a reason for shielding. If you think the comments on here are mean, just wait for the outcry when people can instantly be furloughed if they are obese!

People have been furloughed at my workplace for not having a licence or car as they can no longer get a lift. Even though one of them used to cycle in previously!

elding! Perhaps it should, but there would be an outcry and it would be very unfair on employers. And how would you prove you were obese enough to be shielded

Well i thought that would be down to the expertise of people like yourself

People who believe that obesity is a risk for Covid but that obese people shouldnt #StayHomeSaveLives

If goalpost moving and cognitive dissonance are requirements for the job you are a shoe in.

just wait for the outcry when people can instantly be furloughed if they are obese

But youve been saying all the way through that they are at risk so why are you so against this?

@HeIenaDove makes me laugh. Obese people
Are creating the problem and clogging up the NHS but if they were to shield therefore less likely to end up in hospital that would also be wrong and unfair!

I thought a bmi over 40 was a reason to shield ?

I know Cognitive dissonance at its finest.

I thought a bmi over 40 was a reason to shield ?

No - I think it’s vulnerable rather than highly vulnerable

I think the way our society is currently sets people up to fail. The food industry has a lot to answer for. The size of the general population has changed massively since the 40s but I am sure people essentially haven’t changed but availability of wrong food, over use of cars, fear of parents so kids don’t roam like they used to plus stress of modern living all factors. Recently lost 2 stone myself had to reset my whole way of thinking it’s not easy and I have had to be quite hardcore to do it and I am lucky in lots of ways and I found it hard so can totally see how others would struggle if long hours job small kids etc.

The shielding list doesn't include some of the most vulnerable. The conditions with the highest death rates aren't on it - type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiac conditions. These people are the most vulnerable of all. Extremely vulnerable but no official protection.

The irony is it may yet turn out that some on the shielding list are more protected against serious complications. It's very early days so this should be read with caution but possibly immunosuppressants have a protective effect. People taking them might be more likely to catch Covid but less likely to get to a critical stage. As I've said, take that with a lot of caution for now - and it's possible these drugs only help those who don't have autoimmune issues, we don't yet know.

Obese people
Are creating the problem and clogging up the NHS but if they were to shield therefore less likely to end up in hospital that would also be wrong and unfair!

Oh I know. Same as

“Obese people are disgusting, I hate seeing them” at the same time as “they should get out and exercise”

And people talking about the drain on the NHS, but who are also opposed to weight loss surgery which would probably be cheaper in the long run for some than the cost of treating heart disease, diabetes etc

Yes, obese not currently in "shielding group" nor over 70s nor BAME.

I have never once said obese people are creating the problem or clogging up the NHS.

But youve been saying all the way through that they are at risk so why are you so against this?

I am not particulalry against it. I am telling you what the law is regarding furlough. If the medical advice is to shield obese people then that's fine. I am saying a lot of people will be angry about it. I didn't say I would be angry about it. You are very keen to apportion blame where there is none!