So just to put anyone in the picture who doesn’t know me: I was diagnosed with a rare form of muscular dystrophy called nemaline myopathy at four years old.
When the news first started reporting about Coronavirus/COVID-19, I thought it was like Ebola and the Zika virus. I thought if anyone in the UK had it then it would only be a few people here and there around the country. Things started escalating very quickly and everyone was wondering if it was the media scaremongering or if the Coronavirus was really something to be concerned about.
Boris Johnson said the other day that people are comparing this virus to the common flu, but that actually "this disease is more dangerous". I have to have my flu jab every year because it would have serious health risks for me; even a good old-fashioned cold can put me in hospital. I am starting to wonder what contracting COVID-19 would mean for me, and those like me.
Over the weekend I checked the Muscular Dystrophy UK website, and it says:
Currently there is no specific information on whether people living with a muscle-wasting conditions are at increased risk of infection with coronavirus. However, what is known is that coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease. There are no specific guidelines or recommendations yet for patients with a muscle-wasting condition.
My immune system is weakened as a result of having muscular dystrophy, so does that mean I am at a higher risk or not? It’s a massive grey area, to say the least.
As I previously mentioned, I am studying and working at a college. I am at the same place for both roles every day of the working week. I am now having to start questioning if that is safe for me and safe for the people I live with, as I live in an annex connected to my over-70-year-old grandparents. The news over the weekend stated that: "Every Briton over the age of 70 will be told 'within the coming weeks' to stay at home for an extended period to shield them from coronavirus." When I say my annex is connected to my grandparents' house, I come in and out of my part of the house through their house. I also have dinner with them during the week and sit with them in their lounge at night.
Whilst reading this article, I also came across a part stating that: "Over-70s – and younger people with certain health conditions – will be told they must remain at home and have groceries and vital medication delivered." Nowhere does it say what these “certain health conditions” are, though! Which could put me in the position of having to decide for myself whether I risk going out and about. I am not just having to think about myself, but the two people over the age of 70 who I live with who I don’t want to put at risk, either.
Yesterday the Prime Minister made further announcements in regards to this isolation period, and it seems like people like myself will be in isolation for around 12 weeks along with the over 70s.
The UK Government website says:
We are advising those who are at increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID-19) to be particularly stringent in following social distancing measures.
This group includes those who are:
- aged 70 or older (regardless of medical conditions)
- under 70 with an underlying health condition listed below (ie anyone instructed to get a flu jab as an adult each year on medical grounds):
- chronic (long-term) respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis
- chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
- chronic kidney disease
- chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis
- chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), a learning disability or cerebral palsy
- diabetes
- problems with your spleen – for example, sickle cell disease or if you have had your spleen removed
- a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherap
- being seriously overweight (a BMI of 40 or above)
- those who are pregnant
I understand why this is being done to prevent us getting anything that could put us in hospital unnecessarily. On the flip side, though, what am I meant to do for 12 weeks? I was at home literally this time last year for that period of time after having my hip replaced and that was bad enough. Let alone having to do it now when I feel well!
I have more questions now. I started a media production degree in September last year: how will I finish the year if I am at home? I can do all my coursework from home, but how do I do production work stuck in the same four walls? I work as a support worker in the same place I do my degree, and I can’t support the students from home, either! Then there’s my archery training. I was training for the Rio 2016 Paralympics before a shoulder injury prevented that. I only picked up my bow again in January of this year. I can’t shoot at home either, not properly.
I am sure as more information is delivered over the coming days I will be able to process this and start putting a plan into place, but for now I am on an emotional rollercoaster. I go from being frustrated at the idea of being isolated, to getting upset about the fact that I can't see my friends, family and my partner, and then I just start laughing about the whole thing before going back to being annoyed. It’s a vicious circle right now, a circle that a lot of people will be going round and round for a few days, at least, and that’s OK! At the end of the day we are only human and we do have emotions.
Without sounding like a broken record, please look after yourselves. My nan always says that all we really need is happiness and health so if you think you are someone at risk then really think about what you do to protect yourself, or those around you who may be vulnerable. Remember that the symptoms we are being told to look out for are high temperatures and a new continuous cough. Even if you think you have these symptoms due to a common cold and you’re feeling fine, you should still be thinking about those around you who if they contracted it would be at a higher risk of serious health implications.
If you are unsure then the best thing you can do is check on the NHS website or call 111. Here’s hoping we find out more over the next few days, because all this uncertainty isn’t helping anyone, either.