Type 2 Diabetes and the coronavirus - should I stop working?

I wish the goverment would come out be truthful which groups are to shield now they have all the information I am probably going to have to return to work at end of june not looking forward to it in a high st shop ! So please Mr Johnson tell the country the truth or get out !!

I asked my local MP the question what is the latest guideline with regard to COVID-19 for over 70's with Type 2 Diabetes. He sent me a link https//www.gove.uk/government/publications/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing (you have to put in the "staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing twice) and the following is what it said:

9. Clinically vulnerable people
If you have any of the following health conditions, you are clinically vulnerable, meaning you are at higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus. You are 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.

Clinically vulnerable people are those who are:

aged 70 or older (regardless of medical conditions)
under 70 with an underlying health condition listed below (that is, anyone instructed to get a flu jab each year on medical grounds):
chronic (long-term) mild to moderate 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), or cerebral palsy
diabetes
a weakened immune system as the result of certain conditions or medicines they are taking (such as steroid tablets)
being seriously overweight (a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above)
pregnant women
As above, there is a further category of people with serious underlying health conditions who are clinically extremely vulnerable, meaning they are at very high risk of severe illness from coronavirus. You, your family and carers should be aware of the guidance on shielding which provides information on how to protect yourself still further should you wish. Updated advice is available here.

I hope this helps, it certainly said that as I am over 70, have a flu jab each year on medical grounds and a type 2 diabetic I am a clinically vulnerable person on 3 items.

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Following on from what I wrote before I found the following on the www.nhs.uk website:

People at moderate risk (clinically vulnerable)
People at moderate risk from coronavirus include people who:

are 70 or older
are pregnant
have a lung condition that's not severe (such as asthma, COPD, emphysema or bronchitis)
have heart disease (such as heart failure)
have diabetes
have chronic kidney disease
have liver disease (such as hepatitis)
have a condition affecting the brain or nerves (such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy)
have a condition that means they have a high risk of getting infections
are taking medicine that can affect the immune system (such as low doses of steroids)
are very obese (a BMI of 40 or above)
What to do if you're at moderate risk
If you're at moderate risk from coronavirus, you can go out to work (if you cannot work from home) and for things like getting food or exercising. But you should try to stay at home as much as possible.

It's very important you follow the general advice on social distancing, including staying at least 2 metres (3 steps) away from anyone you do not live with.

Unlike people at high risk, you will not get a letter from the NHS.

@BobH12 Thank you, that's very helpful! 

Hope you all are staying safe and in good health!

@madeleine09 Thank you, I am staying as safe as I can and I am in good health. I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in January this year, with a blood glucose level of 50 (or 6.7 mmol/mol), so I am in the lower range and I wasn't put on medication just had to try to change my life style. I weighed myself the following morning and I was 16st 6lb with a vmi of 35.4. So I started reducing my portion sizes, cutting out chocolates and other treats unless no added sugar and exercising more. After 3 months I had a follow-up blood test and my blood sugar was down to 46 (6.3 mol/mol) and all the other checks on liver, kidney, lipid and cholesterol all showed to be much improved. I had lost 1 stone and 8lb, so I haven't got to have another test until next February.

When I started to change my lifestyle I used to go out for a walk every day if possible and using the exercise bike when I couldn't, since the lockdown I haven't been out (apart from blood test) so I am relying on the bike more and now I have lost a total of 1 stone 13-1/2lb and feeling a lot better in myself than I was when I started in January.

I hope you are also staying safe and in good health.

Good morning everyone,

How are you today? 

How are you managing your diabetes now? Is it more complicated this time of year? Have you returned to a "normal life" after these few months of lockdown?

Feel free to share! We are all here to help each other!

Take care,
Courtney

I have Type 2 diabetes, unstable angina, heart disease, hypertension and have a stent.  Have been working through it all as my employer will only allow me to be off with pay if I have a letter.  Work in care home where to date have lost 11 residents either to Covid or failure to thrive brought in by the pandemic.  Dr however when asked got really off and said I would receive a letter of deemed necessary.  BHF say I'm high risk so what's going on?? Either working or on my own, unable to see loved ones as don't want to put them at risk.  My mental health is now suffering.

@Moneymummy63 Wow you are so brave working through it all! I know, it's all so confusing, one minute we're high risk, one minute we're not, if X says we're high risk, Y says we're not! I've given up.

@BobH12 wow well done you I was diagnosed December had a level of 5.5 which wasn’t very high, so took the diet & exercise route.. thought I was doing ok had my appendix out in January was told I should check my levels they were at 6.3 in hospital so started to do this. In February they went up to between 15 & 22 couldn’t bring them down so now on medication they have levelled at between 4.5 & 5.7 so doing ok but it is a mine field