Lockdown 2 – easy to understand COVID-19 advice for Duchenne families

The Government has released guidelines for the second English lockdown.

Some people living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy will be in the “clinically extremely vulnerable” group, while others will be in the “clinically vulnerable” group. 

Now that clinicians understand more about how COVID-19 affects children, some who were originally placed in the “clinically extremely vulnerable” group may now be in the “clinically vulnerable” group. If you haven’t already done so, please contact your GP or specialist consultant who will advise which group you/your child is in on an individual basis.

Clinically extremely vulnerable

If you are in the “clinically extremely vulnerable” group you are currently advised:

• To only leave the house for exercise or attend doctor’s appointments
• To avoid any non-essential travel
• That if you choose to meet somebody from outside your household/support bubble you should do so as safely as possible (outside, with social distancing and masks etc)
• To try to maintain social distance from everybody (including those in your household) wherever possible
• That if you cannot work from home, you should not attend work (and may be eligible for benefits)
• Not to attend school
• That people you live with (who are not in the “extremely clinically vulnerable” group) can attend work (if they can’t work from home) and school

There is more information online and you should also receive further guidance from the Government shortly.

Clinically vulnerable

If you are in the “clinically vulnerable” group you should pay careful attention to the rules. These include:

• washing your hands regularly
• maintaining social distance (at least 2 metres) from others
• wearing a mask unless you are exempted
• Stay at home unless you need to leave for one of the reasons listed on the Government website (for example, shopping for essentials or a doctor’s appointments)
• in public outdoors spaces you can meet with people you live with, people in your support bubble or one other person 

You, and those you live with can:

• attend work if you can’t work from home
• attend school
• take exercise outside

More info is available on the Government website.