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I'm high-risk with asthma. How to stay safe with viruses?
Asthma & Allergy | Last Active: Apr 25, 2020 | Replies (65)Comment receiving replies
Unfortunately, once the stay at home order is lifted, I must return to work. My heart starts racing every time I think about it. I, too, am high-risk, being 64 with COPD. I am hoping that wearing a mask and hand washing will be sufficient. Is there something else I should be doing? I plan to go to work and back home, not stopping anywhere. My wonderful husband goes to the store for me after work, then when he comes home he strips in the garage and carries his clothes directly to the washing machine before washing his hands and putting on "relax at home" clothes.
Replies to "Unfortunately, once the stay at home order is lifted, I must return to work. My heart..."
I worry for you but don’t know what else you could do but try as best you can to keep as much distance as you can from others. You have a very kind and conscientious husband. Good luck, stay safe, and try to keep positive thoughts.
@gramajojo - Good morning and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I can certainly understand your fears about returning to work. What kind of work environment will you be returning to? I'm sure that there will be strict hygienic guidelines when you return. Companies will not want anyone to be re-infected (if this can happen). I just had a conversation with a fellow Mentor and he has made plans for different scenarios for the future. I'm going to make a couple of outlines, keeping in mind what the state of our country is in and what it might become. Does this make sense?
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@gramajojo What kind of work will you be returning to? Will you be in close contact with a lot of people? In addition to a mask and handwashing, remember to clean frequently touched surfaces regularly with a disinfectant, alcohol or bleach. It would not be bad to ask your employer to provide this. Find out what your employer's policy will be to assure that employees stay home if they are ill or have been exposed to family members with Covid-19.
My friends who are preparing to reopen their workplace are also keeping the lunch/break room closed, asking people to bring their own food and beverages, staggering start times, limiting workers to one per vehicle, and not allowing employees to gather in groups - all meetings will remain virtual for the near future.
Sue