By now COVID 19 is affecting is affecting all of our lives. We are now living in unprecedented times, with high levels of stress and uncertainty across all of society. Having access to clear and reliable advice can help you better manage this situation. There are supports and information out there. We have gathered here some reliable information and listed some of the supports available to you.
What is COVID 19?
COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by a virus called coronavirus. The main symptoms of COVID-19 are a cough, high temperature, difficulty breathing and shortness of breath. If you develop symptoms you will need to self isolate and phone your GP. Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. The GP will assess you over the phone.
For further information on the virus, and how to protect yourself and others from its spread, visit the HSE website. www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/coronavirus.html
Cocooning Guidance for Cancer Patients
The government has recommended that vulnerable groups, including the over 70s and those that have serious underlying conditions such as certain cancers, need to cocoon themselves and minimise their interaction with people both within and outside of their homes to protect themselves from contracting coronavirus. Full details of the recommendations are available here
COVID-19 Guidance for extremely medically vulnerable
For further information on how the illness affects people with experience of cancer the Irish Cancer Society and the Marie Keating Foundation have a lot of useful information. See links below.
Irish Cancer Society – COVID 19 and Cancer
Marie Keating Foundation – Information on COVID-19 for cancer patients and their families
Reliable sources of information.
Right now it is really important that we get our information from reliable sources. As we have seen over the last few years there is so much incorrect information popping up everywhere. Please make sure that you check the source of the information before believing it, and double check against a reliable source! Here are some sources we recommend that will provide reliable information.
HSE – General COVID 19 information
HSE – COVID-19 coronavirus for cancer patients and their families/carers
World Health Organisation – General COVID 19 information
Cancelling 221+ events
Given the potential impact that COVID-19 (coronavirus) may have on cancer patients we will, if required, cancel in person events to protect our member’s health.
Keeping Connected
There are many services available out there for people to connect remotely and we intend to use these to keep our members connected.
We are running in person events again since spring 2022 in addition to online meetings, but will keep informed of the situation in case we need to change our policy here.
We also understand that not everyone in Ireland has access to reliable broadband! So to try and work around this we have a text messaging service set up.
Available Supports for 221+ Members
We also would like to remind members of the 221+ supports that are already available and encourage you to use them fully. We are always at the end of the phone if you have an immediate worry that you need to talk about – if we don’t answer please leave a message and we will call you back as soon as we can.
- Our numbers are +353 1 2316 683 or +353 1 2316 648
- We are also available by email info@221plus.ie
- If you have any medical questions please remember to use the Ask The Specialist option in the member section of the website.
- And please remember that as members you have access to the members forum. This is a great place to connect with your fellow members.
Resources for coping with life in a pandemic.
There are resources out there to help during this time of need.
- The Irish Cancer Society has extended its Cancer Nurseline opening hours during coronavirus. For free, confidential advice and support for any type of cancer on Freephone 1800 200 700 or by email cancernurseline@irishcancer.ie
- Mindfulness Ireland have useful resources such as Audio Meditations and weekly Live Online Guided Meditations: https://mindfulness.ie/
- Dr Paul Dalton has outlined some techniques to deal with anxiety during COVID-19 which are on the Irish Cancer Society’s website here
- Professor Ciaran O’Boyle also has describe how we can cope with COVID-19 anxiety here
- The Irish Hospice Foundation has just published a resource on Grieving in Exceptional Times here