Weekly Coronavirus Resources for People with T1D – 8/14/2020 

Everything you need to know this week about type 1 diabetes and coronavirus updates, in one easy-to-read place! Researchers, advocates, clinicians, and organizations around the country and across the web have been hard at work, creating resources for people living with T1D to better handle the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. We’re taking the opportunity each week to share some of those resources that may help people get through this challenging time with the help of partners and experts. We will be sharing the most recent, most relevant content from Beyond Type 1, JDRF, and more!

Take a look!

Here are some of the stories to keep an eye on this week.

Mergers and Advancements in the T1D Tech World

• Medtronic MDT recently announced its intention to purchase Companion Medical, the manufacturer of the InPen smart insulin pen. Read more here.
• TelaDoc, a telehealth provider that has seen a huge surge in demand since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, announced its acquisition this week of Livongo, another digital health company.

Research into T1D Links With COVID-19

• A new study from The Lancet examined data from the first half of 2020 to determine the relative risk for people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes who contracted the COVID-19 coronavirus.

DiabetesMine

• Do People of Color Use Diabetes Technology? – DiabetesMine looked into the perception and reality of diabetes technology and people of color, busting some myths and investigating some of the bias in diabetes media, imagery, and medical practice.

The Diabetes Technology Society

• On August 26 and 26, The Diabetes Technology Society is hosting a Virtual International COVID-19 and Diabetes summit – look for details on how to join the sessions on the DTS website here.

• diaTribe. Not Everyone Can Work From Home: Addressing Worker Safety During COVID-19. Staying home during COVID-19 is a privilege, and is not an option for many people, including those with T1D. As restrictions shift and people return to work, experts recommend ‘making work as safe as possible’. But what does that really mean? Find out here.
• We know it can be hard but it’s important to make sure you’re getting enough regular exercise, especially if you’re working from home. Maintain a healthy lifestyle while taking precautions during COVID-19. Visit http://coronavirusdiabetes.org for the list of precautions.
• What will back to school look like for you and your family this year amidst COVID-19? Explore this article on the re-opening of schools and whether COVID-19 is harmful to children.

Here are a few of the most exciting and important resources that we’ve seen about this topic in the last few weeks — we’ll be updating the list regularly as time goes on!

• The Case for Flexible Work Schedules: For those who can work from home, some wonder if they want to ever return to office life. Read this piece from Christine Fallabel on how the change can be especially beneficial for people living with type 1 diabetes and other chronic conditions.
• Let’s celebrate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ???? ???????????! The ADA works to ensure all people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. Learn more here.
• Join Friday at 3:00 p.m. ET, when @JDRF and @CollegeDiabetes Network will host a discussion on preparing and navigating the transition to college life, whether it be virtual, on campus, or a combination. Learn about accommodations, campus life, telling others about T1D, and get all your questions answered.
• diaTribe: As #HealthyVisionMonth comes to an end, check out these simple guidelines that will explain when you should be screened for retinopathy and what questions to ask your healthcare professional.
• What is chronic kidney disease? How is diabetes related to CKD? What can you do to support kidney health? Check out this article + download the CKD infographic to get answers to these questions and more.
• DiabetesMine: Another month in the books. Diabetes Mine shares favorite social media posts from around the Diabetes Online Community for July 2020.

Hesitant to participate in research? We get it, T1D Exchange takes data privacy and security seriously. We will do everything to ensure that the information you entrust us is secure.

• Study Links COVID-19 to Increased Rates of DKA at Diagnosis in Children. This week, a new study out of Germany (Click here for coverage in Spanish) showed increased rates of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at diagnosis for people under the age of 18 amidst COVID-19. From March to May 2020, rates of DKA at diagnosis almost doubled compared to years prior, presenting in almost half of those diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. This is most likely due to a delay in seeking medical care due to the complexities of life during COVID.

To address these trends and to prepare for the coming months when regular flu cases and Type 1 diabetes diagnoses tend to uptick, we are sharing this information about the Warning Signs of Type 1 Diabetes.

In the best of times, the warning signs can be hard to spot unless someone is aware. Download here posters and social media graphics. We invite you to spread the word about #T1DWarningSigns. 

• CoronavirusDiabetes.org is available in 7 languages.
•  Why Is Type 1 Diabetes Misdiagnosed? Many people with Type 1 share a similar diagnosis story. They display all the classic symptoms (extreme thirst, weight loss, frequent urination, nausea) and were fortunate enough to be accurately diagnosed by their primary care doctor. However, some people with Type 1 are not as fortunate to quickly receive a correct diagnosis. This resource explains some of the conditions Type 1 diabetes is often misdiagnosed.
• Check out this award-winning coverage of DKA – Previously Healthy. Shares the backstory of Reegan’s Rule, a Type 1 diabetes screening bill named for a child who passed away after a delayed diagnosis.
• Diabetes highlights two Americas: One where COVID is easily beaten, the other where it’s often devastating: Take a look at this article on how disparities across race and socioeconomic status, often due to systemic racism and implicit bias, continue to impact COVID-19 outcomes. Thank you to Tracey Brown from the American Diabetes Association and Dr. Anne Peters for calling attention to this in this article in USA Today.