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Sensible information and advice about Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The Albert pub in Brixton has put up hand sanitisers around the bar, which is a great idea, so I'm going to try and persuade other venues to do the same. I'm also going to persuade a piece asking clubs to temporarily get rid of the toilet attendants and replace their trays of trinkets and perfumes with piles and piles of soap because their presence tends to dissuade people from washing their hands or making them do it too quickly.

Maybe others could pass this advice on to bars in their area?

Just finished the article: Brixton bars and clubs and coronavirus – two important ways to help keep them safe for customers
 
According to my friend who heard a doctor on LBC, if you suspect that you have Covid19 ...

cut
 
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Sorry if this is the wrong place but I've been bricking it about catching the virus, as I'm sure others have to. I found this interview of someone who has actually had it really helpful.

www.lbc.co.uk

Watch: Coronavirus-stricken ex-Royal College of GPs chair shares her experience

Dr. Clare Gerada, former chair of the Council of the Royal College of GPs tested positive for coronavirus and is in isolation.
www.lbc.co.uk www.lbc.co.uk
 
That sounds no worse than what I had last summer - although in my case it was just the crazy 5 days of fever and almost no secondary symptoms.
It ultimately kept me off work for months and looking into ME/CFS - though it ultimately seemed to be connected to insulin resistance that I had been keeping at bay through daily exercise.
It was very weird and disconcerting for someone who's cycled to work and back for over 30 years and had never been off the bike for more than a week.
 
This might not really fit the thread title but here's the governments instructions for how to self isolate.
It asks things of people that sounds pretty much impossible if you live with other people especially children and do not have a vast mansion.
www.gov.uk

[Withdrawn] COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection

Stay at home guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk
 
Interesting LRB piece by clinician Rupert Beale:

I received an email from a colleague in infectious diseases. His message was in no way reassuring. He made three main points:

1. This is not business as usual. This will be different from what anyone living has ever experienced. The closest comparator is 1918 influenza.

2. early social distancing is the best weapon we have to combat Covid-19.

3. Humanity will get through this fine, but be prepared for major changes in how we function and behave as a society until either we’re through the pandemic or we have mass immunisation available.
Click to expand...
 
If you wash your hands many times a day you may well find you get dermatitis. You can help stop this by:
  • Avoiding using very hot water - soap and comfortably warm water is just as good
  • Dabing your hands dry and while they are still damp use a petroleum-based moisturiser e.g. E45
  • Using alcohol sanitiser which is actually less likely to cause skin problems, so consider using that in between soap-washes (if supplies become plentiful again)
  • If doing stuff where frequent washing is needed, consider disposable gloves e.g. nitrile (lots on ebay, don't get the medical grade ones as they're needed elsewhere) you can then wash/sanitise your gloves frequently while saving your skin, although prolonged glove use can bring it's own skin problems.
 
Both the lancet and bmj have resource pages on Coronavirus.

BMJ particularly good if you want opinion on gp/primary care best practices. Lancet has some early studies on transmission and various other interesting stuff.
 
“Good advice from a nurse..

So what I have seen a lot of is recommendations for how to try to avoid getting coronavirus in the first place -- good hand washing, personal hygiene and social distancing -- but what I have NOT seen a lot of is advice for what happens if you actually get it, which many of us will. So as your friendly neighborhood Nurse let me make some suggestions.

You basically just want to prepare as though you know you’re going to get a nasty respiratory bug, like bronchitis or pneumonia. You just have the foresight to know it’s coming!

Things you should actually buy ahead of time (not sure what the obsession with toilet paper is?): Kleenex, Paracetamol, whatever your generic mucus thinning cough medicine of choice is (check the label and make sure you're not doubling up on Paracetamol) Honey and lemon can work just as well! Vick vaporub for your chest is also a great suggestion.

If you don’t have a humidifier, that would be a good thing to buy and run in your room when you go to bed overnight. (You can also just turn the shower on hot and sit in the bathroom breathing in the steam). If you have a history of asthma and you have a prescription inhaler, make sure the one you have isn’t expired and refill it/get a new one if it is.

This is also a good time to meal prep: make a big batch of your favorite soup to freeze and have on hand. Stock up on whatever your favorite clear fluids are to drink - though tap water is fine you may appreciate some variety!

For symptom management and a fever over 101, take Paracetamol.

Hydrate (drink!) hydrate hydrate! Rest lots. You should not be leaving your house! Even if you are feeling better may will still be infectious for fourteen days and older people and those with existing health conditions should be avoided! Ask friends and family to leave supplies outside to avoid contact.

You DO NOT NEED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL unless you are having trouble breathing or your fever is very high (over 103.5) and unmanaged with meds. 90% of healthy adult cases thus far have been managed at home with basic rest/hydration/over-the-counter meds. If you are worried or in distress or feel your symptoms are getting worse, ring 111 and they will advise if you need to go to hospital. The hospital beds will be used for people who actively need oxygen/breathing treatments/IV fluids.

If you have a pre-existing lung condition (COPD, emphysema, lung cancer) or are on immunosuppressants, now is a great time to talk to your Doctor or specialist about what they would like you to do if you get sick.

One major relief to you parents is that kids do VERY well with coronavirus— they usually bounce back in a few days (but they will still be infectious), NO ONE under 18 has died, and almost no kids have required hospitalization (unless they have a lung disease like CF). Just use pediatric dosing . Be calm and prepare rationally and everything will be fine! 👍”
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posted elsewhere, welcome to scrutinise
 
There's a podcast called This Week In Virology by a pair of science professionals who are creepily enthusiastic about their subject and its been going since around 2006. He's also done a series of lectures. Now having hundreds of millions of views lol 😂

But really good when talking about the science of Sars Cov 2 and and what we actually know about its structure etc. He's got a lot of talks about other coronaviruses like colds, and aids, rabies etc too. It's very technical but kinda helps demystify it to an extent, although I had to stop listening tbh.
 
Useful links for disabled people - COVID_19-UK
From a friend:
Here's a master list of #Covidー19uk mutual aid resources for Disabled people: http://tinyurl.com/DPsCovidList
It includes template letters/policy for PAs & carers, survival guides, support groups and signposting.
This has been created because the Government are not giving disabled people the specific advice or support we need, so we disabled people have to help one another and prepare for ourselves.
All documents in the list are personal suggestions and created by volunteers, not experts (except in our own lives) so we cannot be sure how effective they will be for you.
The authors are not accountable for any measures you put in place as a result of this document but we hope you find it helpful.
Comment or email ne.soli.darity20@gmail.com with any recommendations for resources to be included.
Please share widely. Solidarity forever x
Click to expand...
 
Manchester Solfed - Coronavirus - Your rights to sick pay and wages
Manchester Solfed
CORONAVIRUS: YOUR RIGHTS TO SICK PAY AND WAGES
The government is full of talk about “supporting each other” but is doing little to compensate workers who are forced to take time off work due to the coronavirus. The message seems to be “do the right thing” and self-isolate but do not expect any financial support from us. Below we set out your rights to sick pay and wages when having to take time off work due to the coronavirus epidemic.
The information below is based on things as they currently stand on the 15th March 2020.
LAY-OFFS DURING THE CORONAVIRUS
As in other countries, the government may at some point begin to close workplaces, such as bars and restaurants, as the virus spreads. In which case they may announce special arrangements but as things stand at the moment if you are temporarily laid off due to the coronavirus the following applies:
● A lay-off is if you’re off work for at least 1 working day
● You should get your full pay unless your contract allows unpaid or reduced pay during lay-offs. You should check the documents you were given when you first started work, company policies and staff handbook to see if there is any mention of lay-offs. If there is any uncertainty demand to be paid full pay.
● If your contract states that you are not entitled to pay when laid off you can claim guarantee pay. The maximum you can get is £29 a day for 5 days in any 3-month
period - so a maximum of £145.
● If you're not an employee, for example, if you're a temp, you don't have a right to paid work and so will not be paid if you are laid-off.
IF YOU NEED TIME OFF TO CARE FOR SOMEONE ELSE
If you have a relative who is ill or your children's school is closed, for example, your employer should give you time off, but your employer is not forced to pay you unless your contract requires it.
SICK PAY
CONTRACTUAL SICK PAY
If you normally get paid for being off sick, you should get paid for being off during the coronavirus epidemic. If you are unsure, check out your companies policies in regards to sick pay. You should also check out all the information you were given when you first started work, it should tell you if you are entitled to be paid for sick leave by your employer.
STATUTORY SICK PAY
If you work (and aren’t self-employed), you’re legally entitled to get the governments Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) of £94.25 per week paid to you through your employer. You can claim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) just as long as you have:
● started work with your employer
● earn on average at least £118 per week (before tax)
● follow your employer’s rules for getting sick pay. If there is no laid down procedure you should phone your employer as soon as possible to say you will not be coming to work and never later than 7 days. Always keep a record of your conversation and with who you spoke (There are some restrictions on getting SSP see below)
The Government has changed the rules so that you can claim SSP from the first day you take off work as a result of the coronavirus. For all other illnesses, you will only get SSP if you're sick for 4 full days or more in a row (including non-working days) The government have made it clear that employers need to be flexible. For example, after 7 days of self-certification, you would normally require a sick note (fit note) from your doctor.
But given people may be self-isolating for 15 days this may no longer be possible. You should notify your employer if you cannot get to the doctors for a sick note and keep a record of your conversation and also send an email.
IF YOU ARE ON A CASUAL, AGENCY, ZERO-HOURS, PART-TIME OR SHORT-TERM
CONTRACT.
You’re still entitled to statutory sick pay if you work part-time or on a fixed-term contract.
If you’re an agency or casual worker and you’re working on an assignment when you get ill, you might be entitled to SSP until that assignment ends. If you’d already agreed to another assignment, you might be entitled to SSP till the end of that future assignment. If you’re not working when you get ill, you won’t be entitled to SSP.
If you’re on a zero-hours contract, you can still get SSP just as long as you earn more than £118 a week on average.
If you have doubts about whether you are entitled to statutory sick pay, the best thing to do is simply claim the sick pay of your employer and see what response you get back.
FOR THOSE WITH MORE THAN 1 JOB
If you have more than 1 employer you could be entitled to sick pay from each one. Treat each employer as if they were your only employer and claim SSP off each.
WHO IS NOT ENTITLED TO STATUTORY SICK PAY?
You won’t get SSP if you:
● if you are genuinely self-employed
● have already had SSP for 28 weeks (and the 28 weeks ended within the last 8 weeks)
● had Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) in the last 12 weeks
● are getting statutory maternity pay or Maternity Allowance
● are pregnant, your baby is due in 4 weeks or less and your illness is pregnancy-related
● had a baby in the last 14 weeks (or the last 18 weeks if your baby was born over 4 weeks early)
● are in the armed forces
● are in legal custody (detained either by the police or in prison)
● are an agricultural worker
IF YOUR BOSS REFUSES TO PAY YOU STATUARTY SICK PAY
If you think you’re entitled to statutory sick pay but your employer says you're not and refuses to pay it, you should contact HM Revenue and Customs Telephone: 0300 200 3500
Textphone: 0300 200 3212. Open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.
Alternately you can phone HMRC Statutory Payments Disputes Team
Telephone: 03000 560630
You can also get in touch with us here at the Solidarity Federation.
WHAT IF I AM NOT ENTITLED TO SICK PAY
Shockingly the Office for National Statistics estimates that there are 1,766,000 jobs done by adults in the UK that paid less than £118 a week. Some 70% of these jobs are done by women.
There are also some 5 million people classed as self employed, many of which work in the “gig economy” and are bogusly classed as self-employed. For these people, the only option during illness is to claim benefits with all the delays
and difficulties this entails.
Your rights under the UK employment laws are pretty pathetic. The way to improve pay and working conditions is not through relying on weak employment rights, but by workers coming together and getting organised. For example instead of having to rely on pathetic £94.25 SSP why not get together and demand full pay while off sick with the Coronavirus?
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN STARTING TO ORGANISE IN YOUR WORKPLACE GET IN TOUCH WITH US HERE AT SOLIDARITY FEDERATION FOR SUPPORT AND ADVICE
Click to expand...
 
Useful snippet of information from the Deputy CSO on BBC news this morning about the "entire household isolation for 14 days" rule - if someone else in the house develops symptoms later on, you don't have to 'reset' the 14-day counter. After 14 days, everyone can leave the house again, apart from the symptomatic person who should remain in isolation for 7 days after they first showed symptoms.
 
List of "underlying health conditions": Guidance on social distancing for everyone in the UK and protecting older people and vulnerable adults

Most importantly, the following are at particular risk and should be contact directly by the NHS within the next week:
  • People who have received an organ transplant and remain on ongoing immunosuppression medication
  • People with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy or radiotherapy
  • People with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia who are at any stage of treatment
  • People with severe chest conditions such as cystic fibrosis or severe asthma (requiring hospital admissions or courses of steroid tablets)
  • People with severe diseases of body systems, such as severe kidney disease (dialysis)
 
No mention in that UK gov guidance of heightened risk for people on blood thinning medication, whilst other sources (and countries ) do include that as a significant vulnerability factor. That feels disconcerting and confusing (my partner needs and is on them).
 
Doctor Carrot said:
Sorry if this is the wrong place but I've been bricking it about catching the virus, as I'm sure others have to. I found this interview of someone who has actually had it really helpful.

www.lbc.co.uk

Watch: Coronavirus-stricken ex-Royal College of GPs chair shares her experience

Dr. Clare Gerada, former chair of the Council of the Royal College of GPs tested positive for coronavirus and is in isolation.
www.lbc.co.uk www.lbc.co.uk
Click to expand...

Sorry for this, but it might help some. 20.00 for the next few days LBC are hosting a different phone in every day with a medical expert. Yesterday was a viral biologist. Today or tomorrow will be a GP.

LBC

Talk radio for the UK, letting you have your say on the big issues of the day and affecting London and the UK, with breaking news and opinion.
www.lbc.co.uk www.lbc.co.uk
 
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