Hi everyone, just a bit confused re government letter being sent out to U.K citizens in the high risk category. I haven't received a letter as yet, I have moderate COPD, so wondering if that would come under "at risk" and not high. Have any of you received this letter? Many thanks!
hi Susan , ive had my letter , i have severe asthma and severe emphysema , you may still be going to get a letter , look on nhs 111 online for the different catergories , hope this helps .....stay safe x
just found this on nhs 111..... The algorithm looks to identify: People who have had an organ transplant who remain on long term immune suppression therapy People with specific cancers - people: with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy or radical radiotherapy for lung cancer with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma who are at any stage of treatment having immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments for cancer having other targeted cancer treatments which can affect the immune system, such as protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors who have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last 6 months, or who are still taking immunosuppression drugs People with severe respiratory conditions including all cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe COPD. Severe asthmatics are those who are frequently prescribed high dose steroid tablets. People with rare diseases and inborn errors of metabolism that significantly increase the risk of infections (such as SCID, homozygous sickle cell) People on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase risk of infection People who are pregnant with significant congenital heart disease
I think severe COPD and guess than means stage 3 and 4?
Hi Susan 46141,
I have my letter, it arrived on the first day they were meant to get to people, and I also receive regular daily messages on my smartphone with reminders, and any updated changes. I have Severe COPD, stage 3 of 4, irreversible. Not sure if you'll have been given any of those descriptions for yours. But, having said all of that, MANDY 83 has said everything which applies in this instance. Another minor matter would be, if you have had to be hospitalised as an emergency case, that would 'qualify' you for the letter, too.
As someone like Mandy 83, who has the letter, I would add that Mandy mentioned the information being on the Website, and that is where you could look to read up about anything you aren't sure about. The TV covers most parts on the News and other events throughout the day, so I always listen on there, just in case something has completely changed.
If it really does bother you, then you could call your GP or the 111 service for advice.
Mandy 83 has said all of the facts, she is absolutely correct with all she says.
Best Wishes, Georgy0
Good evening Susan Hope you are keeping safe and well. My understanding is the definition of severe is based on spirometry , with an FEV 1 of 50% or less of predicted values. Those like me with a reading of 72% are on the list of advised to operate shielding so avoiding contact with anyone who doesnt live with us. Best wishes Robert
In America we don't expect any such letters or proclamations. That does not suggest that we are not informed. My COPD puts me in the category where if I were to contract Covid-19, it would most likely kill me.
Unless you are a young and healthy and under 30 years old , I would say you have a greater risk from Covid-19 . To be safe don't qualify your risk or rate your chances. Unless you are a medical or public safety worker then STAY HOME !!!
Trying to spin the Pandemic to suit your personal situation is just selfish and could further promote the unnecessary spread of this virus. Stop thinking that the rules apply to everyone accept you.
All the Best
There is another post in the COPD forum, something like "Let's talk Coronavirus" which you might want to be in tho clearly your question has been answered here. That answer might initially feel like being left out in a sense but very shortly you'll see that it is actually good news: You're not as sick as you thought! Here in the States we've got no guidelines for specific lung issues. i am doubly concerned between my bronchiectasis/chronic bronchitis and the fact that i've been on steroid tabs for more than a month (on top of 2 inhaled steroids i use twice daily). Yet i am so much better off than so many others here.
Come chat with us in the other thread where we talk about our fears and how we feel living with our lungs and this threat.
"Coronavirus, Let's Talk" is the other post.
Hi Susan. I received my letter last Tuesday and also get a text at least once a day from NHS. I'm not sure whether you would be in this group as you say you have moderate COPD. Those in this group are, as the letter says, are at risk of severe illness if they contract this awful virus so I guess ,in a way, you are fortunate that you haven't received one. If ,however you do get a letter in the next few days, this will give you details of how to get extra help, ie with shopping, medicine delivery and food parcels containing everything you need to get by for the duration of your isolation. Also, the list has been sent to supermarkets who are prioritising deliveries for us. This, of course, is available to those of us who dont have family or friends nearby. . My COPD was not discovered to be severe on spirometry but on CT scan. Just mentioning this because someone else who has replied has said that FEV below 50 is what qualifies you. I have no idea what my FEV is but was told by my hospital consultant that it is my CT scan that suggests severe rather than spiro results. I wish you all the best and I hope you are managing alright through this.
I'm pretty sure that's not what she is saying.
Determining the severity of ones illness is (and should be) private between a patient and their Dr.. One should not need their government to list "at risk" persons to know they are at greater risk.
If such a letter list ways to gain assistance in this crisis, that's good as not everyone is computer savvy (especially the very elderly). At risk categories should not be needed to access help.
My point earlier was that too many people spin the situation to fit their custom case. In fact, being young or healthy or anything else prevents them from contracting Covid-19 or spreading it to others.
Unless you have a critical job, are going to buy groceries, or having prescriptions filled then STAY HOME !!!
I've meant no harm, but those not isolating for the greater good of all need to be punished. Valid reasons to go out should also include restaurant take out and driving to work.
All the Best
Hi Susan 46141,
I agree with some of the comments made here, that you are fortunate if you do not receive such a letter as the one being discussed here.
This is not to lessen the seriousness of your health condition, it is praise of you at being able to avoid the steps some have to take in order to try and avoid the virus. Believe me, it is no picnic to live in a house with other people, but not be allowed to sit with them as normal. So many preparations are required, and so much has to happen, while avoiding all contact with everyone else. Having to phone family who are sitting together, just to have a conversation is a strange feeling when those family members are in the next room. Another factor ' could ' be taken from this information, and that equals more chance of survival, and Life. None of us has any real guarantees of anything at this moment in time but surely your odds are better than some, for surviving it. That has to be a good thing to hear.
You would still need to be very careful, as you are at risk, and it could make you very poorly. You'll still need to be vigilant about everything involved, as we have all been hearing in the last few weeks. Concentrate on what is best for you in the long term, please, as your life is far more important, than a letter in the post .
Take care of yourself. Georgy0
Consider this if you will.
From Prisons to #10 Downing Street, from Cruise Ships to Naval Ships, from a Chinese factory worker to Prince Charles, this COVID-19 virus shows no partiality. It has no respect for boarders, age, or sex. The best way to fight back is to limit/stop it from spreading. Social distancing/isolation is currently our best weapon in this fight. Until medical research can find a way to prevent or cure this virus all must endure a short time in isolation to protect ourselves as well as those in our communities.
While we are being socially responsible, I encourage the following:
Create Art, paint or sculpt or do whatever your talented at. Wright, if your talented wright a play or poetry or even a book. Wright Music, create during this time of sadness music to lift our hearts. Out of shape? Work to get in better physical condition. Read, you now may have the time read what you have been putting off for years. Clean out your closets/storage areas. Paint/maintain your property. Plant a vegetable garden. Clean your car/truck.
Make good use of this time and you'll find that you won't feel so separated. Of course al things dependent upon our physical abilities.
All the Best
There is obviously different rules/advice in the UK. Unfortunately, the young are not immune sadly. Good luck.
Morning Susan, looks like it is for those who have severe COPD
I got mine a week ago plus phone calls regarding deliveries and assistance. However my COPD is quite severe.
I don't see the poster saying she wishes to take advantage of the situation either. She is merely asking a question.
High risk people are advised to self isolate and it can be a good idea for anyone even at a lower risk. Everyone else is expected to practice social distancing and I certainly am.
Hi Larry 49o33
As you rightly explained, the US and the UK are getting messages across to people in completely different ways.
As an example, you wrote that washing the car could keep you occupied, whereas I cannot come into contact with anyone, not even my Husband. I am not allowed to leave the house, not even to be outside in my garden, when the weather is favourable. I cannot eat with my family, and have to keep my utensils/crockery completely separate from everyone else. When I am in the kitchen, the family must not come in. I had to pack a small bag, for the eventuality of hospital treatment being necessary, which obviously I hope won't be. My FEV is not the main issue, either. It is not a good result, it is below 50% but the main factor is I also have Other immunity conditions that do affect me badly, under normal everyday circumstances. Hence I received the letter which explains much more on a private/personal level, and the other people who have received individualised letters, do so accordingly with their personal circumstances, too.
If I lived alone, then shopping or collecting medicines, would not be possible so Help would be needed and if there wasn't anyone nearby who I could ask to collect them, I could then contact a Help number, and a volunteer would do this for me. If everyone received the letter, how many volunteers would be required? Can you see what I am trying to say?Anyone who is not able to get their own food or medicine, can & should also use the Help Line for a volunteer service.
I realise this might be seen as 'preferential treatment' being given to those in a severe category, and pigeon-holing people is not the best way of dealing with this particular situation. However, for some of us it is necessary to receive such a letter, due to the personal content included to tell us exactly what we needed to do. It would be very unlikely for any of us to survive, if the virus got a hold, so it was important for us to be told of this, to clarify the situation and be prepared.
I wish it had not been necessary for me to receive this letter, and I would much prefer to be one of those people who can go and wash my car. However, I must not step outside of my property under any circumstances.
You did say the US and the UK are dealing with this matter in different ways. If Mr. Trump had decided you should receive letters, I would expect you to be more sympathetic towards those who did not, and help with explaining the contents of the letter to anyone who asked. This is what I have tried to do, with Susan who had asked if anyone had received a letter. The actual letter itself is not the significant topic, but the contents within, are. That can be shared with those who ask, with the exception of some parts of a more personal nature. I am not the enemy here, the Virus is, and I am willing to share with anyone who asks, how the contents of the letter might be better understood on an individual basis. Mr. Johnson decided to do this, because of the way in which the virus could take us more quickly, than those who might be stronger and stand a better chance of survival if they got it.
Any Age Group is susceptible, not just the elderly or more vulnerable. Anyone can get it, and receiving the letter does not guarantee the virus will get us, just the survival chances are less if we do.
Additionally, I would dearly love to have a capacity of 72%, and you should feel Proud of that. Keep yourself safe, in any way that you can. Just as I am trying to do here. Please do not judge me to be proud of having received a letter from our NHS, but please allow me to enlighten anyone who asks about it's contents because I wish to help those who ask, to stay safe, too.
My dearest wish is for Everyone to overcome this virus, not just select groups. That would be exceptionally cruel of me, and that word does not match my personality, in any shape or form. It is hurtful that you or anyone would assume this to be the case, when the opposite is the truth.
Georgy0
If your age or preexisting medical condition precludes you from outside activities, that I can well understand. Extra care is certainly in order, but not being allowed to step onto your front/back porch to get some fresh air is not reasonable. As long as no surface contact is made, then a walk in your own back yard seems fairly harmless. Yes stay home and use good sense, but must you walk into a furnace because some government official says to. Has the UK declared Martial Law. Respect the social policies that apply to all in this Pandemic, but you can still enjoy those things that don't apply in this crisis. Clean the house and wash your hands often. Opening a window for some fresh air should not harm anyone.
All the Best