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Coronavirus: Should people work from home, and other questions answered Coronavirus: Ten of your most-asked questions answered
(10 days later)
The UK government is now focusing on delaying the spread of coronavirus. But what might an outbreak mean for you, your job and your finances? If you recover from coronavirus, are you immune? - RubyRed on Twitter.
Here are the answers to a selection of readers' questions. (Let us know your coronavirus questions by using the form at the bottom of this article). It is too soon to tell. This virus has only been around since the end of December, but from experience with other viruses and coronaviruses, you should have antibodies to the virus which will protect you.
I run a small business. At what point should I tell people to work from home? - Kieren Johnstone, Horsham With Sars and other coronaviruses we tended not to see reinfection. Now there are some reports from China of people who are released from hospital subsequently testing positive, but we're not sure about those tests.
It's really all about following government advice at this stage. The key thing was that those people were no longer infectious.
Many firms are already trialling home-working for office-based staff before any potential quarantine. This lets them test home working in a controlled way, before having to do it for real. What is the incubation period for the coronavirus? - Gillian Gibs
As a small business, you'll also need to think about your the way you are supplied, travel and your cashflow. It takes five days on average to start showing the symptoms, scientists have said, but some people will get symptoms much later than this.
Also, check your insurance. Does the small print include business interruption cover? If so, does your policy have an extension for "notifiable diseases"? Also, check if coronavirus is covered. The incubation period lasts up to 14 days, the World Health Organization (WHO) says. But some researchers say it may be up to 24 days.
I'm self-employed. Can I claim benefits if I can't work due to the virus? - Mark Gribby, Nottingham Knowing and understanding the incubation period is very important. It allows doctors and health authorities to introduce more effective ways of controlling the spread of the virus.
Self-employed people who have symptoms or have been told to self-isolate may apply for two benefits, Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance. How long are you ill for? - Nita, Maidstone
But charities are worried that there is still a five-week delay before Universal Credit is paid. For four out of five people Covid-19 will be a mild disease, a bit like flu.
People claiming Universal Credit can be paid early to help them until they receive their first payment. However, this will be taken off future benefit payments. Symptoms include a fever and a dry cough. You may feel under the weather for a few days but you should be back to normal within a week or so of symptoms appearing.
Unfortunately, those who are self-employed cannot get Statutory Sick Pay because that is paid by an employer. If the virus gets well established in the lungs, it can cause breathing difficulties and pneumonia. About one in seven people may need hospital treatment.
Will lenders be allowing people with mortgages to delay payments during the outbreak? - Clare Waters How dangerous is coronavirus for people who have asthma? - Lesley-Anne, Falkirk
Some banks, including NatWest and TSB, are offering customers affected by coronavirus the ability to delay their mortgage payments. Asthma UK's advice is to keep taking your preventer inhaler (usually brown) daily, as prescribed. This will help cut your risk of an asthma attack being triggered by any respiratory virus, including coronavirus.
This will be decided on a case-by-case basis, a bit like the process of helping customers in financial difficulty. Carry your blue reliever inhaler with you every day, in case you feel your asthma symptoms flaring up. If your asthma is getting worse and there is a risk you might have coronavirus, contact the online NHS 111 coronavirus service.
Payments will be delayed for two or three months. So, it is important to bear in mind that any interest and capital repayments which are missed, will be added to the mortgage balance. Are otherwise healthy disabled people more at risk from coronavirus? - Abigail Ireland, Stockport
Most probably, any future monthly mortgage bills will be slightly higher. Coronavirus can be more severe in older people and those with pre-existing conditions. These include heart and lung illnesses, and diabetes.
What will landlords do if coronavirus means people can't pay their rent? - The Urban Troopers via Twitter There is no evidence that disabled people who are otherwise healthy - and who don't, for instance, have respiratory problems - are at greater risk of dying from, or with, coronavirus.
At the moment, landlords are not being forced to allow tenants to delay paying their rent. Should I wear a mask to protect myself and others from the virus? - Ann Hardman, Radcliffe, Manchester
But they are being encouraged to be sympathetic if tenants have to self-isolate, or are laid off work and take a hit to their income. Although doctors and surgeons often wear face masks, there is little evidence that wearing face masks by the public makes a difference.
The Residential Landlords Association says its members should discuss the problem with tenants, be flexible and arrange for money they owe to be repaid when things return to normal. Public Health England has said they "do not recommend the use of face masks as a means of protection from coronavirus". They say there is very little evidence of widespread benefit from their use, outside of clinical settings,
Most affected tenants, it says, will be in genuine hardship and suffering stress. Can you catch the virus from food prepared by an infected individual? - Sean McIntyre, Brisbane, Australia
What if you're not on a salary and can't work from home if your workplace closes? - Joseph, Glasgow Someone infected with coronavirus could potentially pass it on to someone else, if the food they prepare has not been handled hygienically. Coronavirus can be spread by cough droplets on hands. Washing your hands before touching and eating food is good advice for anyone, to stop the spread of germs.
If you are employed, your employer has an obligation to pay your Statutory Sick Pay for up to 28 weeks. Can coronavirus be transmitted by door handles, other surfaces and money? - Jean Jimenez, Panama
Normally, you would be eligible after four days of being ill. However, the government has responded to the spread of coronavirus by saying that companies will temporarily pay Statutory Sick Pay from the first day off. If someone infected with the virus coughs on their hand and then touches something, that surface may become contaminated. Door handles are a good example of a surface that might pose a risk.
In the case of small employers, the government will fund sick pay for the first 14 days, It's not yet known how long the new coronavirus might be able to live on such surfaces. Experts suspect it is hours rather than days, but there are differences of opinion.
Eligible employees are entitled to £94.25 a week. It is best to wash your hands regularly to help reduce the risk of infection and the spread of the virus.
I am buying a house. What if one party self-isolates after exchanging contracts? - Linda Lawford, Totton The Chinese government has said that cash received by all banks must be sterilised before being released to customers, in order to reduce the spread of the disease.
When you exchange contracts for a property, you have made a contract. You would be liable to lose your deposit if you fail to complete the sale and, possibly, face a claim for damages. Using contactless cards can minimise the risk of handling cash. However, these cards can also harbour germs and viruses.
In exceptional circumstances, the buyer and seller can agree to delay in completing the sale. Best practice is to wash your hands thoroughly after handling cards, coins or banknotes.
However, self-isolating would not necessarily mean you could not complete. This final step could be done over the phone or online. Can the coronavirus be transferred through items posted to the UK from abroad? - Stefan
At what point will the government advise people not to travel in confined spaces? - Lou Doret, Exeter There is no evidence that this is a risk. Some diseases, including coronavirus, can spread through surfaces contaminated by people coughing or sneezing on them, but it is thought that the virus does not survive for long.
When its health experts advise it to do so. However, this might never happen. Something sent in the post is unlikely to be contaminated by the time it arrives at its destination.
For now, transport bosses in the UK say they're reviewing cleaning procedures. Transport for London says it's using a more powerful disinfectant. How do you get gas and electricity if you are on a prepayment meter and can't get to a Post Office to top it up? - David E P Dennis, via Twitter
Meanwhile, it's been announced that a London Underground train driver has tested positive for coronavirus. The energy companies have promised to help you if you have a prepayment meter. So you may be able to authorise a friend to top up your energy card for you.
Passenger numbers on trains have fallen as more people work at home. You could also ask your supplier to send you a card by post, which is already topped up. The government says that if it's urgent, the supplier should be able to add credit directly to your account.
Will panic buying continue to affect supermarkets? - Thomas, Porthmadog You need to ring the company and talk it through. The new scheme has only just been announced so we will have to see how well it works. You should be able to top-up online as well.
The issue has been getting stock onto shelves quick enough to fill the gaps as shoppers strip them bare of certain products.
There has been a specific problem with hand sanitisers, where demand has outstripped supply.
But overall, the key message is that we're not going to run out of food. Shoppers should buy what they need.
If things take a serious turn for the worse, all our supermarkets have plans in place to keep us fed. The big challenge will be doing this with potentially far fewer workers.
If schools are closed will there be financial help available for parents? - Richard, Eastleigh
Employers have to give you time off to deal with a domestic emergency, but they don't have to pay you.
The time you take has to be a reasonable amount. You can apply for some unpaid leave as well.
And the government has relaxed the rules for applying for benefits if you have coronavirus.
What questions do you have about the coronavirus?What questions do you have about the coronavirus?
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