Policy for doing support work in the covid 19 pandemic.

This page is specific to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our covid protocol still focuses on somewhat older science relating to droplet transmission. We are currently reviewing this. It will be updated rapidly.

This resource contains information which may be useful for performing care or advocacy work, or describes overall policy and principles.

These are the guiding policies QueerCare will be using to develop protocols for doing support work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bracketed numbers on the end refer to Principles and assumptions for doing support work in the covid-19 pandemic

1. People doing support work should be as unlikely to be infected as is possible. (1, 2,3)
2. If people are infected, they should have as low a chance of passing on the infection as is possible. Systems should be designed on the assumption that anyone may be infected.(1,4)
3. If someone is infected and shows symptoms, it should be easy to trace all contact they have had with at risk people. They should cease doing support work immediately(2,3,4)
4. The minimum number of people should be able to have direct or indirect contact with at risk people, to reduce their exposure. (1,2,3)
5. All meetings should be done digitally, where possible. Where people have to meet, they should have minimal contact.(1,2,3)
6. Hand washing should be done frequently, and always done following touching the face, or using public transportation. (5,8)
7. Wearing gloves should be done while handling all items which may be given to people who are immunocompromised and while in proximity to anyone infected. (5,8)
8. All items given to someone at risk must be disinfected on all surfaces that will be handled by them. (2,3)
9. Public transport used by as few people as possible, as infrequently as possible. Public transport should be avoided where possible, and disinfection must be carried out after items are taken on public transport. (1, 6)
10. Masks should be worn wherever possible, by both people doing support, and people needing support. If in short supply, medical masks should be reserved for situations where people will be in close physical proximity, and cloth used as a substitute in other scenarios.(5)
11. To ensure people feel safe and secure in asking for help, data must not be shared beyond support groups (e.g. with private companies, political parties or with councils, the NHS or the police) without that person's express consent. (10, GDPR)
12. Support should be provided without needing to have someones data shared with another organisation (such as a private company, political party, a council, the NHS or the police). (10)