Autistic People and Coronavirus (also called Covid-19)

How people might manage change, or be supported to manage change.

Coronavirus is a new illness – also called Covid-19. A lot of people will catch it over the next few months but nearly everyone will get better. People aged over 70 or people who are already very unwell (with cancer for example) may be seriously ill if they catch the virus. The NHS will send everyone they think is at risk of being seriously ill with coronavirus will receive a letter from the NHS over the next few weeks.

We need to help make sure the virus does not spread, especially to these people, so the latest advice from the Government (March 2020) is to stay at home as much as you can. This is because germs can spread easily between people without you knowing.

You can leave the house to:

• Buy food
• Exercise once a day on your own or with people you live in close contact with
• Go for any medical appointments
• Go out to help a vulnerable person (for example buying them food)

If you are out doing these things, make sure you stay 2m/6ft away from other people.

When you get back home, wash your hands with soap for 20 seconds

• We should not meet friends or family who we do not live with

If you are feeling really hot and unwell, or have a new bad cough, you'll need to stay at home for at least 7 days.

Drink lots of fluids and try to sleep a lot so your body gets better quicker.

Do not go to the doctors, as that spreads the germs to other people in their surgery.

Ask for help if you are not feeling well enough to cope. Here are some ideas:

There is help and advice online at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/... if you have a way to use the internet. Or search online using the words NHS Covid. The top thing it finds should be the information page, which is kept up to date.

Family, friends or carers may be able to help you also.

For more advice and guidence please download the full document here.