Webchat with Dr Jenny Harries, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, Wednesday 25 March at 11.30-NEW ANSWERS ADDED

[RowanMumsnet]

Hello

We're pleased to announce a webchat with Dr Jenny Harries, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, at 11.30am on Wednesday March 25.

Jenny Harries was appointed Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England in July 2019, taking on a broad portfolio including the health service and commissioning support. Jenny’s previous roles include: PHE Deputy Medical Director, PHE Executive Lead for specialised commissioning and Welsh National Health and Healthcare Director. Alongside these roles, Jenny has been a member of the Welsh Medicines Committee and the Clinical Priorities Advisory Group. Jenny has an extensive clinical and public health background (BSc (Hons) Pharmacology; MPH; FFPH) and her work has extended overseas as far afield as New Zealand, Pakistan and Kenya. She was awarded an OBE in the 2016 New Year’s Honours List for services to Public Health. She advises the government on its response to coronavirus.

Dr Harries' time is at a premium at the moment, to put it mildly, so we will only have her for 45 minutes.

As always, please remember our guidelines - one question per user, follow-ups only if there’s time and most questions have been answered, and please keep it civil. Also if one topic is dominating a thread, mods might request that people don't continue to post what's effectively the same question or point. (We may suspend the accounts of anyone who continues after we've posted to ask people to stop, so please take note.) Rest assured we will ALWAYS let the guest know that it's an area of concern to multiple users and will encourage them to engage with those questions.

Many thanks,
MNHQ

*[Message edited by MNHQ to give the preferred title of Dr rather than Professor]

[howwillthispanout]

Hi there

I'm a teacher with asthma (on inhaler) but my school insists I come into school to support children from key workers. I have said no but they now want a GP letter or certificate but GP says they are not issuing?! What should I do please

[chergar]

Hi quick question , some advice is saying those with hypertension should be in the vulnerable group (not shielding group) but that is not one of the underlying conditions on the government list - can you clarify this please?

[DrJennyHarries]

@madroid

Another enquiry about PPE.

My daughter is a dr and there's so little PPE available they are using taped surgical masks which are almost useless.

Please, please is it possible to offer health staff more protective equipment? I'm so worried for my child.

A few of you have asked about PPE and it is a really important topic and right at the top of my work list at the moment.

Actually my daughter is a junior doctor too working on the frontline in a hospital and I have been talking with her about the PPE that she has available and what the recommended kit is.

it seems that there is a bit of confusion over what is recommended and we are working hard to make sure everybody understands. In fact the masks that we recommend currently in the UK are a higher specification than those WHO states and we have some different practices here about gowns and aprons because the NHS has a very strict approach to infection control on wards, including keeping arms bare to stop disease transmission.
There is kit available to go around the country currently - I do know there were a few distribution problems at the start because we have never had to deal with this sort of demand in our health service before but we have drafted in the army to help distribute and I know that all hospitals have had new stocks going into them this week, including through the night to make sure they reach the frontline.
I know everyone is really grateful for the work our daughters do

[DrJennyHarries]

@Squintybumcheek

Hi Dr Harries

Can you advise why those who are in the 'sheilded' category should not go into their private garden? Is there a risk of catching the virus? Or is it because a trip to the garden could then turn into a walk round the block, a trip to the shop etc.

Thanks

Hi. It is really important that the very high risk vulnerable group take really good care of themselves and protect themselves from any unnecessary interactions with other people.
The answer to your question depends a bit on the individual circumstances of the vulnerable person. For some without a private outside space which is well away from any other people it may mean staying in their room for the duration. But for someone who has a private garden space, which is at least 2 metres away from a neighbour in their garden or another persons house - and as long as they are not tempted to natter at the garden gate, or head off to the shops - then being in the garden should be fine and might well be really helpful to their mental health. The virus doesn't last so well outside - it is all to do with the risks of being near other people.

[bluesalmon]

Hi Jenny- I am pregnant and expecting my first child in June 2020. From what I've read, that could be the peak of the Covid-19 cases/deaths in the UK. What I am most worried about is having to go to hospital and then my birth partner not being allowed in the room (like what's happening in New York). They have recently banned visitors (including partners from ante and post natal wards in the Exeter RD&E. How likely is it they will also ban partners/birth partners from the birth room?
Thanks, Kate

[SeasonallySnowyPeasant]

Hi Jenny,

Thanks for coming on and answering questions at such a busy time.

I don’t have a spleen - am I likely to be in the shielded group?

[DrJennyHarries]

@SHooper86

Dr Harries
I was just wondering why the advise says it’s ok for a child to be moved between separated parents houses even though you can’t be sure how well the other parent is isolating/social distancing or who they are in contact with. Yet it’s not ok for couples who do not live together to meet inside each other’s houses? My daughter goes to her dads who lives with his partner and two other children. She was only there 1 day when he contacted to say one of his other children el bit poorly so they would have to isolate for 2 weeks just to be safe including my daughter. What if when she comes home then is due to visit again the following weekend he calls again to say another person in the house is poorly I run the risk of every time I send her it could end up being for another 2 weeks. It’s already upset her having to stay? How is this any safer than keeping children at home or non living couples meeting up indoors? Thankyou

Hello. This is quite a tricky message to get over but we all need to go back to first principles. For all of us it is better if we all cut down on our social interactions and we know that most households have what we call a similar 'risk exposure' - that means if you are all together in one place frequently in close contact you probably have the same risk of catching the virus.
So just like with the couples question it is usually better if you can keep households to the same individual groups over the few weeks ahead when we are all trying to tackle the virus and not mix across households.
However the government recognises that there are safety and wellbeing issues as well as the virus to deal with and for a few children changes to their visiting arrangements could be emotionally very significant. So the advice is try to keep in separate households but its important that families focus on the most important wellbeing issues for their children at this time.

[DrJennyHarries]

Thanks all, I'm signing off for now.

Sorry I couldn't get round to all your questions this time but it's been great to chat and thanks for having me.

[JustineMumsnet]

Thanks so much Dr Harries for your time and for the very clear answers and thanks to Mnetters for all the questions. Jenny and team have promised to try to send a few more answers over the next little while if they possibly can.

[RowanMumsnet]

We're going to close the thread now but will re-open it to post up some more answers, hopefully later on today or early tomorrow.

Thanks
MNHQ

[RowanMumsnet]

Hello - some more answers coming up to questions asked by @yulertula @bluesalmon @HotPenguin @LilyPond2 JoyBloggs from GN via @LaraGransnet @BiscuitBarrels and @dbih1969

[RowanMumsnet]

@yulertula

Will there be enough staff in maternity units during this time to adequately deliver babies and care for mothers?

I'm 26 weeks pregnant (baby due beginning of July), and concerned there may not be.

My due date currently coincides with the flat-ish part of the curve, but I'm worried NHS staff and resources will have been exhausted by this time.

Thank you for all that you and your organisation are doing in these unprecedented times.

@bluesalmon

Hi Jenny- I am pregnant and expecting my first child in June 2020. From what I've read, that could be the peak of the Covid-19 cases/deaths in the UK. What I am most worried about is having to go to hospital and then my birth partner not being allowed in the room (like what's happening in New York). They have recently banned visitors (including partners from ante and post natal wards in the Exeter RD&E. How likely is it they will also ban partners/birth partners from the birth room?
Thanks, Kate

Response from Dr Harries

Hello, a few of you have asked me about childbirth arrangements during this time. The NHS is asking the public to help protect patients and staff from coronavirus as far as possible by advising strict limits on visitors in most cases. I know that having someone with you during childbirth is very important though and it will usually be fine. You do need to check with your doctor or midwife nearer the time to make sure it is safe for the hospital and your baby.

We can’t predict precisely where we will be on the epidemic curve at the time your baby is due – that depends of course on us all making sure we keep washing our hands and protecting each other by sticking to the social distancing rules until advised otherwise. However, we will be moving some antenatal and other clinical services to virtual clinics. That will mean that even if there are some staff shortages caused by self-isolation, there should still be enough midwives and doctors in our maternity units to support women through their pregnancy and to take care of you when you are due to give birth.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has published some advice for pregnant women and their families which you may find helpful. There are some comments on these very questions.

[RowanMumsnet]

@HotPenguin

Hello can you advise on whether it is safe to exchange books? With school and libraries closed I am keen to get new books for my son and I was thinking about setting up a local swap system, but I am worried about whether the virus could transfer via books. Many thanks.

@LilyPond2

My husband is at high risk due to high blood pressure. Should we be continuing to open our post as normal or is there a risk of contracting COVID-19 that way (given that we have no idea of the hygiene habits of anyone who may have handled the envelope or the letter inside it)?

@LaraGransnet

From Gransnet user JoyBloggs:

Thank you for all your hard work and clear advice during this emergency.

I know people who are going to very great lengths to clean/sanitise their shopping deliveries whilst others say they're just unpacking it and storing it as usual. What is your advice?

Also, (apologies if this is a stupid question, have googled unsuccessfully)... can the virus survive frozen? For example, if I were to put a pack of frozen food into my freezer that had just been sneezed on by a delivery person incubating Covid-19, could the virus be reactivated in the future when the item was defrosted?

Response from Dr Harries

A few of you have asked about whether it’s safe to handle books, post or groceries that haven’t been sanitised.



The virus can last in an active state a bit longer on hard surfaces than soft ones. This is why we suggest you particularly clean down things like door handles and other frequently touched objects more frequently than usual with your normal cleaning agents.



However it is practically quite difficult to keep cleaning everything all the time! So the important thing to do is to make sure you wash your own hands thoroughly, more frequently than usual for at least 20 seconds. The risk of transferring the virus is when you put dirty hands up to your face – your eyes, mouth and nose where it is easier for it to enter the body. Washing your hands and changing your habits of touching your face will keep you much safer.

[RowanMumsnet]

@BiscuitBarrels

Hello, and I appreciate your time in doing this - thank you.

I would like to know what will happen with cancer patients’ treatment plans? I have a family member who was in the middle of a course of chemo and we have no idea what will happen about his treatment now.

Response from Dr Harries

Hello biscuitbarrels, I know this must be deeply concerning and I wish your family member well.

People undergoing active chemotherapy are particularly vulnerable to this virus because they will usually suppress your own immune system. These people have been asked to follow our shielding advice and stay at home for a period of at least 12 weeks. They will be contacted by their GP or specialist and provided with expert advice. But arrangements for planned cancer treatments should go ahead – if you do develop symptoms of coronavirus you should let your doctor know. This is outlined in the letter.

Cancer is a really difficult diagnosis to deal with and affects both your physical and mental health so make sure your family member also takes a look at the useful links in the letter they should receive which will direct them to some online resources to help them cope more generally.

[RowanMumsnet]

@dbih1969

Hello, does it matter what type of thermometer we use? Should they be digital.?What is the most accurate way to use a thermometer with children

Response from Dr Harries

There are a few different types of thermometer, digital ones are generally accurate and simple to use. You should take the temperature under the armpit for children under five.

The NHS has some advice here but make sure children aren’t hot from a bath or warm room, wrapped up in a blanket or wearing warm clothes. If they’ve just been running around that could also affect their temperature.