Read this, I dare you ;) -- Morning All - I imagine it is as tiresome for you as it is for me to keep whacking things up as and when they cross my path. I am going to try and do a daily update of relevant and interesting things. That'll be my small bit. I am spending far too long online atm trying to keep ahead. - As I am a news junkie and seem to straddle the patient perspective (26y diagnosed, 51y old chap married with a teenage daughter - still RRMS on ocrelizumab for a year now) but also rub along with some people far cleverer than me, like medics and researchers etc. I enjoy being able to share what I think are useful things. - I am self-isolating with my wife. We don't think we'll dodge it forever but we do hope that when we get ill it will be at a time when, if we need it, the NHS is less stressed than it is about to be. - Caveat: all info should be considered of the moment. Things are changing so fast it is hard for anyone to stay abreast. The evidence base used for big decisions is not there. People are working night and day to change that. ------- INFO ------- Money and Jobs - this is a major area of worry. Say what you will about the government, they have stepped up with initial economic support commitments that are roughly 20% (1/5th) of GDP. Even the Labour Party seems to be impressed. - Not everything has been got right in this first pass. They have been less clear on benefits though they haven't ignored it. As Tories I don't think Social Welfare comes naturally to them. There is no way they will be allowed to gloss over the disadvantaged and vulnerable in society now. If anything good comes of Covid-19 it is likely to be a change in spending for the better. Just my hunch. - Mortgages - do not just default. get it in writing. Write to your mortgage company and request a Payment Holiday. It doesn't matter if they don't answer or say no. You now have a record that you are trying to be responsible and face into the issue. If you don't it will be interpreted as hiding from your obligations, even though you are not. - Rental - Same thing. Can you imagine a landlord trying to evict for non-payment of rent (if you really can't, don't take the piss) in the next 6-12 months? Whatever bluff and bluster they may make It sounds like govt support is coming for this too. - General debts like car, phone, loans - write to them. Explain the circumstances. Lost my job, Coronavirus, MS, stress, fatigue and so on etc. There are about to be millions affected. This is temporary, you won't be able to swerve them forever. - It appears that people with blood type A are more vulnerable to the effects of Covid-19 than type O. No mention of type B. I doubt that exempts you. Sorry ;) I am A-, hooray. - More and more reports - anecdotal but credible sources - are coming out that people on MS drugs aren't being affected badly as it was feared. This is GOOD NEWS. - Around the world, researchers are working v hard to develop a vaccine. You may have heard they injected some healthy volunteers in Seattle. This will not make it come any faster. Think 12-18 months. - Shift.ms is stepping up to make more MS Reporters videos to address your ongoing concerns. They too will be changing. Shift is trying to keep up. - The online MS community here and on Twitter, patients and Doctors, is being all shades of awesome. Nice work. No one should feel alone and no one should be left wondering. - The thoughtless bastards who scam vulnerable people in times of crisis have not gone away. Be vigilant, especially when you are distracted by worries and concerns. These people are lower than low and have not suddenly changed for the better. Snake oil salesmen, vaccine deniers, financial scammers etc. People are people and some will always try and take advantage of your weakness. Just be aware. - The UK government has toughened its advice. Social Distancing is key. If in any doubt as to why then watch the excellent animated graphics here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/corona-simulator/ - Keep taking your drugs until you hear otherwise. It certainly seems that if you are having a relapse then it is likely to make you more vulnerable than taking a DMT does. - Ring your nurse now if you need to know anything. They are likely to be driven into frontline care very shortly and will be harder if not impossible to contact for a bit. - The NUMBER 1 thing you can do is wash your hands. I said, WASH YOUR HANDS :) - Links - https://www.hse.gov.uk/news/coronavirus.htm https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/primary-care/ https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public -- Stay safe, stay in touch, ask questions, and try and smile to find the humour. In true British style there are many self-deprecating memes, cartoons, jokes etc already doing the rounds.