I’m a primary school teacher in a school of 700 who has been working from home since 18th March when the government released guidelines for Covid 19 for vulnerable groups including those with MS. I had my second round of lemtrada back in March 2017 so not in any high risk category as such,
However with rumours of schools reopening (even if it’s phased) I wondered if anyone was in a similar position and how they are feeling? Not sure if the 12 week guidance has changed at all or been reduced if extended? Obviously until the government releases accurate information (which I know will be constantly being reviewed and changing anyway) I know I shouldn’t worry but I can’t help it!!! Myself and my partner haven’t left the house other than for fresh air and gave gas no contact with anyone else.
I’m sort of in the same position as you and have stayed at home (except for exercise) since exactly the same date. I have mild RRMS, am on Tysabri and wasn’t sent any sort of shielding letter from either my GP or the hospital.
I only work part time usually and do not have a class of my own - I can see all sorts of things going on online with teachers and children at my school (ClassDojo etc) but have no real contact with anyone myself to make me feel that I am ‘doing my bit’ during the crisis. I understand your frustration at not really knowing what we should be doing - I live in a sea of feeling guilty for being at home, not feeling unwell at all and knowing everyone else is bearing the brunt of it all!
Maybe someone, somewhere, will give people in our position some clear guidance soon…
I came on here looking for exactly the same thing. I’m RRMS, not too bad but not nothing, fatigue esp bad and - relevant to Covid crisis - immune system crap and I get everything going and very badly. Not shielding as no letter but, like you, taking ‘vulnerable’ status v seriously and only going out of house for short walks at quiet times.
Like you, there is talk of going back to school in August - I’m in Scotland - and school have asked for people to email if they are ‘vulnerable’ or shielding so I’ve told them. But no real advice for our group from gov or council who I work for. May be too soon as things change quickly but it is making me anxious. Do we follow shielding advice now? Or does our group no longer exist and we just go back the same as the ‘normals’?
I am doing what I feel comfortable with which is basically carrying on being careful. I really don’t want to go in to supermarkets, or a school, full of people until the numbers of cases are so low that my chances of getting Covid are very slight but I wouldnae mind a bit of support from the powers that be, e.g. if I need to continue to work from home from August or get signed off.
No help from me here but maybe it is nice to know others are in the same boat?
I am also looking for guidance on returning to life. I am wondering mostly about my boys returning to school and how this works if my immunity is lowered as I’m on Ocrevus. I have no immediate plans to return to my teaching as vulnerable and school are being great. But there is no advice for people living with those who are vulnerable. My husband is working from home. But can kids return to school? Meet friends outside? How seriously can children social distance…really? Guidance is non existent . Any thoughts? X
There is a link on this website for this - basically unless you have had a letter from the Government or doctor, then you should be talking to you employer - the advice is unless you can work from home, then you should be asking what can be put in place to get you back to work.
Obviously everyone with MS is different and its not a case that we can all do the same - personally, I have been in school throughout alternating between looking after the children of Key Workers and doing my SENCo role, but I also know that I would have struggled being at home without doing anything and the guilt would have eaten me up. I hope you all.keep.safe and find a middle ground that.works for you. X
. Any thoughts? X