On the 18th of March I was told by work to isolate for 12 weeks due to my diabetes. I work in a supermarket mainly shop floor filling shelves but also do till work aswell. Work phoned me and said I need to come back to work on Monday due to me not having a letter from the government to say I'm high risk. I work in West Bromich which is close to Birmingham, Dudley and pass through Wolverhampton to get to work on the tram, these are high risk areas according to reports. I am basically terrified of going back and being in that environment as I know social distancing is going to be a problem. I'm in 2 minds whether to quit my job until all this blows over. Any advice please? I'm type 1 diabetic with a poor kidney function, I also take blood pressure, thyroid and water tablets aged 38
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Nervous about covid 19
- Thread starter Invisey
- Start date
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Deleted member 27171
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Morning @Invisey
There has been lots of confusion about who should follow what rules, particularly in the early stages of the advice. It is good to see your employers were quick to act initially with what they thought was best advice. They are correct however that those with diabetes are not advised to shield for 12 weeks, that advice applies to those in much higher risk groups, such as organ transplant patients and those having treatment for cancer.
I can certainly understand the worry about travelling to work and being in a busy environment. Have your work indicated how they will help you to maintain social distancing measures? Supermarkets generally have been quite stringent in helping to protect their staff as much as possible with screens installed at check outs and marking a safe distance on floors.
Have you told them how worried you are about the prospect? Perhaps they could reassure you about how they plan to help.
There has been lots of confusion about who should follow what rules, particularly in the early stages of the advice. It is good to see your employers were quick to act initially with what they thought was best advice. They are correct however that those with diabetes are not advised to shield for 12 weeks, that advice applies to those in much higher risk groups, such as organ transplant patients and those having treatment for cancer.
I can certainly understand the worry about travelling to work and being in a busy environment. Have your work indicated how they will help you to maintain social distancing measures? Supermarkets generally have been quite stringent in helping to protect their staff as much as possible with screens installed at check outs and marking a safe distance on floors.
Have you told them how worried you are about the prospect? Perhaps they could reassure you about how they plan to help.
Pumper_Sue
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hello @Invisey and welcome to the forum.
It would be unnatural for you not to worry (((((((((((hugs)))))))))))) If I can give you some reassurance I hope it helps. As already stated we as diabetics are at no greater risk than anyone else which is reassuring.
I went shopping on Thursday for a collection of elderly neighbours and have to say the system in place in the supermarkets was excellent. Only one way traffic allowed in the aisles and staff were reminding people to keep their distance. There were shields on the tills for the staff as well markings on the ground at the tills and a member of staff in charge of the line up directing each shopper to a vacant till. Oh and very few shoppers about as well. So now the panic buying is over there is no need to shop till you drop now.
It would be unnatural for you not to worry (((((((((((hugs)))))))))))) If I can give you some reassurance I hope it helps. As already stated we as diabetics are at no greater risk than anyone else which is reassuring.
I went shopping on Thursday for a collection of elderly neighbours and have to say the system in place in the supermarkets was excellent. Only one way traffic allowed in the aisles and staff were reminding people to keep their distance. There were shields on the tills for the staff as well markings on the ground at the tills and a member of staff in charge of the line up directing each shopper to a vacant till. Oh and very few shoppers about as well. So now the panic buying is over there is no need to shop till you drop now.
Stitch147
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- MODY
Hi, I work in a supermarket (local m&s foodhall). Here's my experience.
On the first day of the 12 week thing I got sent home by my manager as he was unsure what we should be doing, he asked us to get clarification from GP. I messaged my GP who said that I have to be very stringent with social distancing. I told this to work, I was back in the following day. They have been fantastic. For the first week, before the official "lockdown" I was off the shop floor as much as possible and helping out backstage in the stock room. Since the lockdown and restricting numbers of customers in the shop I have been in the shop floor more. It's nerve racking but it's not too bad. If things get too bad I just move to another part of the store. I've done a few shifts as a store greeter which I've enjoyed doing. From next week we are being issued with face visors, we don't have to wear them.
Yes, it's scary, nerve racking and sometimes stressful but I am helping others and that makes me feel good.
Hope my experience helps a bit.
Everyone is different. Talk to your manager about your fears before handing in your notice.
On the first day of the 12 week thing I got sent home by my manager as he was unsure what we should be doing, he asked us to get clarification from GP. I messaged my GP who said that I have to be very stringent with social distancing. I told this to work, I was back in the following day. They have been fantastic. For the first week, before the official "lockdown" I was off the shop floor as much as possible and helping out backstage in the stock room. Since the lockdown and restricting numbers of customers in the shop I have been in the shop floor more. It's nerve racking but it's not too bad. If things get too bad I just move to another part of the store. I've done a few shifts as a store greeter which I've enjoyed doing. From next week we are being issued with face visors, we don't have to wear them.
Yes, it's scary, nerve racking and sometimes stressful but I am helping others and that makes me feel good.
Hope my experience helps a bit.
Everyone is different. Talk to your manager about your fears before handing in your notice.
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