HIV/AIDS: What are you doing to stay safe from the coronavirus?

I am a healthcare worker and as I am still digesting the seriousness of this I am now becoming more cautious as well and constantly thinking what I can do a d for others

Hi all — 

  I am a Therapist/Case Manager working in the San Francisco Bay Area. I live with HIV in my own personal life, and many of the clients I work with are also HIV+ or are afflicted with co-occurring disorders. At this point in the COVID-19 pandemic, I have been off work and self-isolated since the middle of January. I have practiced extreme social distancing, wearing a mask and gloves if I go anywhere outside my home, and keeping my own personal health maintained as best I can. I stay in touch with my Dr. and I am completely TERRIFIED to go anywhere near a hospital or my Dr.’s office. They are what I like to think of as “reservoirs” of infection in a pandemic like this. 

      I joined carenity because I have found there to be a severe dearth of information out there on living with HIV and the co-morbidity it would have with COVID-19 thus far. I return to work on Wednesday, April 1st, and I am scared. I’ll be taking extreme precautions and social distancing at work, and wearing gloves, mask & eye protection, BUT, the fact is: my clients are often in and out of hospitals and community clinics and I am inordinately aware that will increase my risk of exposure to COVID-19. 

   As a person living with HIV, I have been acutely aware of how my status makes me ultimately more vulnerable to COVID-19 and I suppose I am just reaching out to try and find some support within the community. Maybe also to find a forum where I can ask questions, get support and vent if I need to. At this time, my CD4 count is good, I remain undetectable, and I know that I am COVID-19 negative. I want to remain that way however, and I’m fully aware that returning to my job increases my risks.

Thank you, 

Ben A. Schaeffer, RAS, CDS, CCM

Transitional Housing Program Case Manager/ Co-Occurring Disorders Therapist, East Oakland Community Project, East Oakland, CA 

@healthyme I make sure to be 100% compliant with my medication. as I have been fortunate that I'm HIV undetectable going on 10 years now and my t-cell level has always remained around 700-768.

I work in a store I wanna be safe will they fire me if  I don’t  go back  rite now im

scare I be round people 

@Ashleyhall Hello Ashleyhall, I'm sorry you're feeling scared. I think many can relate to how you're feeling right now, this is a difficult time. Do you work in a critical industry?

Hello members, I hope you don't mind me tagging you. Do any of you have any words of advice or comfort for Ashleyhall? Are any of you also working right now? What are you doing to stay safe?

@fveryspecial‍ @Russo9955‍ @Seadoo22‍ @Puprio‍ @Kghoneim‍ @Mandobie‍ @Lujack‍ @markB1958‍ @Natekolniak1‍ @SunkeeAngel‍ @Msnatlanta‍ @Seamuda‍ @julius‍ @cwbyemt‍ @Apostah‍ @NYCHaynes‍ @sdavidson472‍ @Plantdad2020‍ 

Take care,

Courtney

God afternoon all.

I had to take myself out of the equation last week and requested time off for medical leave due to high risk. Since then, I have self -isolated at home only running out for essentials and checking on family members nearby.

I took responsible for my own health to ensure I get to see tomorrow. 

fveryspecial 

I've been positive since 96. I work at a FL Health Department. Speaking with my Dr at the health department, he stated that he and another infectious disease Dr were discussing how they have not heard of any COVID19 cases in HIV clients, believing it is due to the medication we take. There is no data I can direct you to verify this. I just thought you would like hearing this. This said, I do not mean that we can relax and not be concerned. We should continue to protect ourselves as we should have been doing prior, and should continue even after things calm down.  

Taking my meds and staying inside. 

Hey everyone, how are y'all doing with all of this craziness??

@PeerJanice Oh that is so good to hear! I hope someone comes out with some information about this. I was really worried at the outset of this mess because I assumed that our community would be badly affected since our immune systems can be down.

Let's stick together thru this! We will all be fine if we just keep our heads, follow the rules, and stay safe!

Sending good thoughts out to those of you who are critical workers or working in essential industries keeping us all moving! 

@PeerJanice I've also heard whisperings of this, who knows if it's true. Hopefully it is!

Take care and stay safe everyone!