Coronavirus (Covid-19): Guidance for people affected with ME/CFS - UPDATE (9 June).
New ME Association Guidance: Key points on Employment, ME/CFS and the Coronavirus.
Extracts from the MEA’s new six page downloadable leaflet written by Dr Charles Shepherd.
At present we don’t know whether people with ME/CFS are more likely to catch coronavirus or to develop serious respiratory complications if they do. What we do know is that they are at increased risk of an exacerbation of ME/CFS symptoms, or a relapse of their ME/CFS, if they catch a serious viral infection like the coronavirus. People with ME/CFS should therefore be considered ‘vulnerable’ whose health is likely to be exacerbated by Covid-19 infection and they should be stringently practising the social distancing measures outlined by the Government.
ME/CFS is not one of the conditions that is listed in the new ‘extremely vulnerable’ category that covers people who are likely to develop very serious respiratory complications if they catch the covid-19 infection - But if you have ME/CFS and other conditions as well - which include cancer, organ transplantation, immune deficiency diseases and the use of immunosuppressive drugs such as oral steroids - then you need to continue to self-isolate for 12 weeks and clearly cannot physically go to work.
Key Points on Employment, ME/CFS and the Coronavirus covered in the leaflet
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
Furloughed Workers
If you are Self-Employed
Employers must ensure the workplace is safe
Returning to Work Risk Assessments
Individual risk factors
Risk factors at work
Reducing the risk at work
All of the MEA’s Covid-19 leaflets and letters are available to download from our 21 May update.
Action for ME (AfME) have a ‘Coronavirus and M.E./CFS’ page - which has been set up to keep track of up-to-date advice regarding Coronavirus, and support available from Action for M.E. AfME are monitoring this page, and it gives the time when it was last updated.
AfME explain Lockdown and social distancing
From Monday 1 June, lockdown is easing for people in England. You can spend time outdoors, including private gardens and other outdoor spaces, in groups of up to six people from different households, following social distancing guidelines. Those considered at increased risk of severe illness from Coronavirus (including those with underlying conditions, such as M.E. - see "Essential advice" above) continue to be advised to "stay at home as much as possible and, if you do go out, take particular care to minimise contact with others outside your household." See section 9. Clinically vulnerable people of the guidance for Staying alert and safe (social distancing).
AfME’s Essential Advice
It remains essential that people with M.E. follow existing advice about social distancing “to reduce social interaction between people in order to reduce the transmission of Coronavirus.” It is intended for use in situations where people are living in their own homes, with or without additional support from friends, family and carers. If you live in a residential care setting, other guidance is available.
#MEAction continue to add information to their Covid-19 Resources page, giving information about the coronavirus outbreak and its effect on people with ME. It includes links to useful governmental sites regarding the outbreak as well as resources and articles particularly developed for people with ME. https://www.meaction.net/covid-19/
The 25% M.E. Group has leaflets available to download for people with severe M.E. on its website.
Take care, and stay safe everyone.
New ME Association Guidance: Key points on Employment, ME/CFS and the Coronavirus.
Extracts from the MEA’s new six page downloadable leaflet written by Dr Charles Shepherd.
At present we don’t know whether people with ME/CFS are more likely to catch coronavirus or to develop serious respiratory complications if they do. What we do know is that they are at increased risk of an exacerbation of ME/CFS symptoms, or a relapse of their ME/CFS, if they catch a serious viral infection like the coronavirus. People with ME/CFS should therefore be considered ‘vulnerable’ whose health is likely to be exacerbated by Covid-19 infection and they should be stringently practising the social distancing measures outlined by the Government.
ME/CFS is not one of the conditions that is listed in the new ‘extremely vulnerable’ category that covers people who are likely to develop very serious respiratory complications if they catch the covid-19 infection - But if you have ME/CFS and other conditions as well - which include cancer, organ transplantation, immune deficiency diseases and the use of immunosuppressive drugs such as oral steroids - then you need to continue to self-isolate for 12 weeks and clearly cannot physically go to work.
Key Points on Employment, ME/CFS and the Coronavirus covered in the leaflet
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
Furloughed Workers
If you are Self-Employed
Employers must ensure the workplace is safe
Returning to Work Risk Assessments
Individual risk factors
Risk factors at work
Reducing the risk at work
All of the MEA’s Covid-19 leaflets and letters are available to download from our 21 May update.
Action for ME (AfME) have a ‘Coronavirus and M.E./CFS’ page - which has been set up to keep track of up-to-date advice regarding Coronavirus, and support available from Action for M.E. AfME are monitoring this page, and it gives the time when it was last updated.
AfME explain Lockdown and social distancing
From Monday 1 June, lockdown is easing for people in England. You can spend time outdoors, including private gardens and other outdoor spaces, in groups of up to six people from different households, following social distancing guidelines. Those considered at increased risk of severe illness from Coronavirus (including those with underlying conditions, such as M.E. - see "Essential advice" above) continue to be advised to "stay at home as much as possible and, if you do go out, take particular care to minimise contact with others outside your household." See section 9. Clinically vulnerable people of the guidance for Staying alert and safe (social distancing).
AfME’s Essential Advice
It remains essential that people with M.E. follow existing advice about social distancing “to reduce social interaction between people in order to reduce the transmission of Coronavirus.” It is intended for use in situations where people are living in their own homes, with or without additional support from friends, family and carers. If you live in a residential care setting, other guidance is available.
#MEAction continue to add information to their Covid-19 Resources page, giving information about the coronavirus outbreak and its effect on people with ME. It includes links to useful governmental sites regarding the outbreak as well as resources and articles particularly developed for people with ME. https://www.meaction.net/covid-19/
The 25% M.E. Group has leaflets available to download for people with severe M.E. on its website.
- Message from Dr Willy Weir and Dr Nigel Speight, Medical Advisor to the 25% ME Group - Coronavirus Update 7 March
- Message from Dr Nigel Speight, Medical Advisor to the 25% ME Group
Coronavirus and members of the 25% ME Group
Take care, and stay safe everyone.
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