I need help with my employer trying to force me back to the office when I have type 1 diabetes and can perform 95% of my role from home.

[Midnightcatpatrol]

The statement about not being higher risk was addressed directly to the OP, who is 30 yrs old. I believe the two Lancet studies concluded that below 50 yrs old, there was not enough extra risk to be statistically significant. The risk went up with increasing age.

That's fair enough, thank you for clarifying.

 

[Midnightcatpatrol]

I’m sure I’ve read elsewhere that it’s Type 2 that’s the increased risk, and they’re not sure if it’s because of the increased risk of obesity and lower likelihood of good control that’s the main factor in that.

This is where we need to be careful. There is no exclusivity of those factors to type 2

 

[grovesy]

I’m sure I’ve read elsewhere that it’s Type 2 that’s the increased risk, and they’re not sure if it’s because of the increased risk of obesity and lower likelihood of good control that’s the main factor in that.

During lockdown there were reports were some were reporting they were advised to shield because of high HBA1C.

 

[Madeline]

This is where we need to be careful. There is no exclusivity of those factors to type 2

No there isn’t but they are statistically more likely. I’ll see if I can find the article.

 

[Midnightcatpatrol]

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(20)30238-2/fulltext

Has beautiful figures, blobs to the left are better, to the right they are worse. The greatest factors regardless of type along with the diabetes itself are age, renal disease and BMI with a U shaped (underweight patients do as badly as morbidly obese patients)

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(20)30272-2/fulltext

"compared with people without diabetes, the odds ratios (ORs) for in-hospital COVID-19-related death were 3·51 (95% CI 3·16–3·90) in people with type 1 diabetes and 2·03 (1·97–2·09) in people with type 2 diabetes. These effects were attenuated to ORs of 2·86 (2·58–3·18) for type 1 diabetes and 1·80 (1·75–1·86) for type 2 diabetes when also adjusted for previous hospital admissions with coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, or heart failure."

When outcome is adjusted for CVS inpatient admissions as well as the outcomes for T1 are worse when adjusted for other factors when compared to both T2s and non diabetics. The numbers are lower of course but the 95% confidence intervals don't overlap.

Still, without those associated poor risk factors the risks are still low. I'm certainly not staying in all the time.

 

[freesia]

I agree with @Midnightcatpatrol. I certainly won't be staying in, but will go out, taking care. We have got to get back to some kind of "new normality" soon. People are losing their jobs left, right and centre and i wonder how many people are now suffering with mental health issues. Depression, fear and anxiety in people seem to be at an all time high from what we read, putting more strain on the NHS when their mental health budget hasn't got the funding to cope.
Small businesses rely on people going to work, going to the shops, spending their disposable income to keep going, but if people aren't going back our high streets will be in an even worse position than before Covid.
We need to be back at work to keep the economy going. As long as companies/shops are taking the necessary precautions to be "Covid safe" and can make adjustments if needed they are doing all they can. We need to do our bit by wearing masks (unless there is a reason not to), sanitise, handwash, social distance and follow instructions if there is a local lockdown. Our parents, grandparents etc fought wars, all we are being asked to do is go back to work.
As @rebrascora said in a previous post, this virus will be with us for a long time yet so we need to adapt to it. If anyone has other underlying health issues, then discuss going back with your GP or think of a reasonable adjustment that could be made and put it to your employer. It will show a willingness to return and open a dialogue to discuss adjustments.
I can see how people are frightened to go out, but we can't use just diabetes as an excuse. After almost 3 months of not working, i couldn't wait to get back, purely to have a face to face conversation (with social distancing) with others. As humans, we need that interaction. I know i do, its just not the same talking through a computer.
Please - if you haven't already been out, try it. Its not as bad as you might think. Just remember your mask, sanitiser and social distance.

 

[Midnightcatpatrol]

I agree with @Midnightcatpatrol. I certainly won't be staying in, but will go out, taking care. We have got to get back to some kind of "new normality" soon. People are losing their jobs left, right and centre and i wonder how many people are now suffering with mental health issues. Depression, fear and anxiety in people seem to be at an all time high from what we read, putting more strain on the NHS when their mental health budget hasn't got the funding to cope.
Small businesses rely on people going to work, going to the shops, spending their disposable income to keep going, but if people aren't going back our high streets will be in an even worse position than before Covid.
We need to be back at work to keep the economy going. As long as companies/shops are taking the necessary precautions to be "Covid safe" and can make adjustments if needed they are doing all they can. We need to do our bit by wearing masks (unless there is a reason not to), sanitise, handwash, social distance and follow instructions if there is a local lockdown. Our parents, grandparents etc fought wars, all we are being asked to do is go back to work.
As @rebrascora said in a previous post, this virus will be with us for a long time yet so we need to adapt to it. If anyone has other underlying health issues, then discuss going back with your GP or think of a reasonable adjustment that could be made and put it to your employer. It will show a willingness to return and open a dialogue to discuss adjustments.
I can see how people are frightened to go out, but we can't use just diabetes as an excuse. After almost 3 months of not working, i couldn't wait to get back, purely to have a face to face conversation (with social distancing) with others. As humans, we need that interaction. I know i do, its just not the same talking through a computer.
Please - if you haven't already been out, try it. Its not as bad as you might think. Just remember your mask, sanitiser and social distance.

Agreed, i'm being a little pedantic. Yes there is an increased risk but at 30, with good glycemic control and not underweight or obese the risk is very small. 2-3 times a tiny risk is still tiny.

 

[freesia]

During the pandemic so far, many people with type 1 and 2 diabetes have worked on the front line throughout. To ALL of those workers, i thank you.

 

[freesia]

During the pandemic so far, many people with type 1 and 2 diabetes have worked on the front line throughout. To ALL of those workers, i thank you.

Can i just say that by ALL, i do mean everyone, ALL key workers.

 

[PhoebeC]

I agree with @Midnightcatpatrol. I certainly won't be staying in, but will go out, taking care. We have got to get back to some kind of "new normality" soon. People are losing their jobs left, right and centre and i wonder how many people are now suffering with mental health issues. Depression, fear and anxiety in people seem to be at an all time high from what we read, putting more strain on the NHS when their mental health budget hasn't got the funding to cope.
Small businesses rely on people going to work, going to the shops, spending their disposable income to keep going, but if people aren't going back our high streets will be in an even worse position than before Covid.
We need to be back at work to keep the economy going. As long as companies/shops are taking the necessary precautions to be "Covid safe" and can make adjustments if needed they are doing all they can. We need to do our bit by wearing masks (unless there is a reason not to), sanitise, handwash, social distance and follow instructions if there is a local lockdown. Our parents, grandparents etc fought wars, all we are being asked to do is go back to work.
As @rebrascora said in a previous post, this virus will be with us for a long time yet so we need to adapt to it. If anyone has other underlying health issues, then discuss going back with your GP or think of a reasonable adjustment that could be made and put it to your employer. It will show a willingness to return and open a dialogue to discuss adjustments.
I can see how people are frightened to go out, but we can't use just diabetes as an excuse. After almost 3 months of not working, i couldn't wait to get back, purely to have a face to face conversation (with social distancing) with others. As humans, we need that interaction. I know i do, its just not the same talking through a computer.
Please - if you haven't already been out, try it. Its not as bad as you might think. Just remember your mask, sanitiser and social distance.

Love this!