Weekly Coronavirus Resources for People with T1D – 8/21/2020 

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.

• U.S. Patient Perspectives on Telehealth Use for Type 1 Diabetes Amid COVID-19. The purpose of this study is to better understand the benefits and barriers to telehealth use for people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• First Immune-Evading Cells Created to Treat Type 1 Diabetes. Salk Institute scientists have made a major advance in the pursuit of a safe and effective treatment for type 1 diabetes, read more here.

• Free CU Anschutz COVID-19 Antibody Tests to Fuel Diabetes Study. Using a high-quality antibody test produced within their own walls, researchers at the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes aim to answer questions about COVID-19’s effect on their patients – including whether SARS-CoV-2 can trigger diabetes type 1.

• New Test May Predict Which Newborns Are Most at Risk of Type 1 Diabetes. A new test does the best job yet of predicting which babies are most at risk of developing Type 1 diabetes, researchers say. Find out more here.

• People of Color: Help us share #BIPOC #Diabetes Voices on access to Technology & Care with decision-makers. What kind of experiences have you had? Fill out this quick 15 min survey from Diabetes Mine here.

diaTribe.

• Corona School Daze: Going Back to School (Or Not) with Diabetes. As the school year approaches, families with diabetes are trying to figure out how to navigate returning to school. The best piece of advice, “Make the choice that is right for YOU!”

• Preparing for Natural Disasters During COVID-19. Feel ready for an unexpected wildfire, hurricane, or severe storm? Being prepared for any natural disaster always requires more planning, especially during a global pandemic. Check out this article on how to prepare for the unexpected.

• Stress — Why and How You Should Reduce It. People with T1D must maintain precise blood glucose levels. Stress makes it difficult to manage T1D as it can throw off your daily routine. Check out this piece on what stress means for those living with type 1 diabetes.

• Get questions from students headed back to college? Here’s a valuable read by College Diabetes Network. Learn more: https://coronavirusdiabetes.org

• Need something to binge-watch today or have on in the background while you work? Explore the 9 episodes of Imagine Spotlights hosted by Rob Howe featuring incredible people living with diabetes!

Upcoming events 

• On August 23, TCOYD is hosting a CME Conference for HCPs on opening two-way communication with patients to improve care.

• On August 26 and 27, The Diabetes Technology Society is hosting a comprehensive virtual summit on Diabetes and COVID-19; registration is free. 

• On August 28, Arogya World is hosting a panel “Will the pandemic force women to choose a career or a family?” register here. 

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!

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.