Evaluating risk to people with epilepsy during the COVID-19 pandemic: Preliminary findings from the COV-E study

•The COVID-19 and Epilepsy (COV-E) global surveys were launched in May 2020.•UK respondents (n = 463) report changes in seizure frequency, mental health, and sleep.•Discussion of risk, including of SUDEP, was infrequent even before the pandemic.•COVID-19 is having far-reaching consequences on people with epilepsy.•Our study exemplifies the importance of delivering optimal care to mitigate risk.