Shielding After The Lockdown

[Didkdt]

As people go back to work and the children to school I suspect our shielding status will remain for quite some time.
I'm just not sure how it will work. I was feeling so twitchy with DH at work and the children at school whether they'd bring it home
Also at some point I want my life back. I want to go back to work.
I've always been careful to avoid people's germs before knowing a cold or chest infection could hospitalize me, it's just now hospital might not be able to fix me

I just wondered if people wanted to chat through how shielding will work when life starts it's new normal and we're stuck shielding.

[ClientQ]

I'm worrying about it, I need to work to pay the bills

[AuntieSocia1]

Hi I'm in the same boat, my dc are pre school age- one is starting school this year and I'm starting to wonder what life will be like.

Try telling my two young kids they need to isolate from me in our home, it's a non starter.

It must be even harder if you are trying to shield with school age children. I go through waves of feeling guilty I'm the reason they can't even go for a walk (we do have a garden) but I know it's not my 'fault'

I am finding that guilt easier while everyone is in pretty much the same boat but I know that will change when lockdown eases

[BakedCam]

You're not being unreasonable at all, OP.

I'm not in the shielded group, so I have often wondered what will happen to people such as yourself. I do know people who are shielded and of working age, so interested in this discussion.

[AuntieSocia1]

I should add I can work from home at the moment but it's not really practical in the long term so I have that hanging over me too if the shielding measures are pro longed. Still, the alternative is unthinkable

[Egghead68]

I am getting loads of pressure to start face-to-face work again in one of my jobs (self-employed through an agency) in July when I think there is a chance we will still be shielding. No idea what the situation will be in my PAYE job but I suspect they will stop paying me if shielding is extended (I am currently WAH but it is limited and not ideal).

[Egghead68]

I’m also in the situation that I have actually got Covid (must have contracted it just before shielding) so the whole shielding thing feels a bit pointless for me anyhow.

[Hearhoovesthinkzebras]

I'm worried about my job. They've given me twelve weeks off but they won't do that indefinitely will they? Plus what about seeing family and friends? My DD is due back from uni in June (she's stayed there for now) and my son doesn't live at home - when am I likely to see them again?

[Egghead68]

Are you in a union @Hearhoovesthinkzebras? I suspect they may stop paying us but would struggle to sack us. It’s probably legally all very unclear though.

[SabrinaTheTeenageBitch]

In a similar situation but its my DD who is the vulnerable one (she has cerebral palsy) My husband is WFH at the moment but eventually he will have to go back to work, my other daughter will have to go back to school etc etc I just don't know what to do - my instincts as a mother and what we have to do to keep our family afloat financially long term are completely at odds with each other

[Didkdt]

My work is 75% home based but the 25% is an essential part of it. I can't not do that bit. At the moment the 25% part of my role isn't happening but it will start up quite soon after the lockdown.
I also feel guilty that the family's limited freedom is curtailed to manage my shielding, but as previously mentioned it would be almost impossible for the children to socially distance from me at home and certainly my youngest wouldn't be able to manage.

[BamboozledandBefuddled]

An article I saw the other day (sorry, can't remember where) said they believe the long-term financial situation for people shielding would be to class them as sick. They were saying this would make them eligible to claim SSP and other benefits but that it wouldn't necessarily mean they would be paid under their employers sick pay scheme (i.e. full or half pay for however long). Definitely not ideal, and I would assume you would have to be able to produce official documentation to be eligible for benefits.

[Didkdt]

It's not just the pay. It's having a job, and it's managing family life especially when other members jobs might be risky.
It's also the fact that we are shielding which long term is not a happy thought for many of us

[Onmyown1]

I’m shielding and a single parent, working from home at present. 2 children aged 8 & 9 and daughter is a nursery nurse so when nursery’s/schools open I won’t be able to shield. I can’t imagine at the end of the 12 weeks the shielding can go back to normal but I have no idea what we will be told to do.

[oldbagface]

@Egghead68 May I ask how you are coping with the virus and how long you've had it approx please?

[Hearhoovesthinkzebras]

Egghead68

I am in a union. I'm really not sure about them being able to sack us. When I've been off sick before they've made it clear that you have to be able to do the job, they aren't obliged to keep you if you can't.

As regards to getting SSP - that's just terrible isn't it? How can we live on that? It's also the loss of building my pension etc. This is going to take a huge toll on some of us.

[Madhairday]

I'm worried about having to shield long term too. I'm lucky in that I work from home though but it's the thought of not being able to get out at all. I spend a lot of time housebound anyway with my illness but am able to get out sometimes and having that taken away will be really tough. I feel like the shielded are going to be advised to shield much, much longer than 12 weeks and I can't imagine what that will do to those of you with work out of home. But I don't know what the answer is :(

[AuntieSocia1]

So sad so many of us are going through it. I personally don't know anyone else who has to shield when they also have children/jobs so this thread will be really useful for me.

Does anyone fancy doing a get to know me questions? Is that too cringe?!!

Obviously don't disclose anything you don't want to or that could be outing

Age: late 30's
Location: Oop North. Beyond the wall North!
Reason for shielding: Combination of rare disease and immunosuppressants
Health: generally 'ok' have adapted to new normal, biggest challenge is fatigue and occasional pain
Username: changed because I was moaning about having zero energy for family/friends video calls
Main worries- job longer term and holding dh and dc back when restrictions ease for everyone else
Grateful for: dh and dc's and my garden (also worry about keeping our house long term should things change but trying to stay positive!)

[ClientQ]

Mid thirties
Rare blood disorder so immunocompromised
Worried because my remortgage has been stopped and about when I can go back to work and also pay
No DC so I am shielding alone
Grateful for my garden

[Onmyown1]

Just turned 50
Main illness Stage 4 cancer and on Protein kinase blocker.
Worried about getting ill and children being on their own. Also hate the fact they have to shield with me.
Grateful work are very supportive. Have agreed to pay everyone until end sept (big company). I have my own house with garden and children are understanding that they’re keeping me safe.

[Egghead68]

@oldbagface I’ve had the virus for 26ish days. It is miserable. I spent the whole second week rewriting my will and instructions for if I died as I am extremely vulnerable. Since then I’ve been less worried about dying but it’s been very debilitating. I have sort of worked all the way through but only through sheer will-power and taking millions of breaks to sleep! I feel very lucky not to have been hospitalised.

[AuntieSocia1]

Nice to 'meet' you both!

@ClientQ I am just about to come out of a fixed deal and was planning to move product with same lender. When you say remortgage was stopped I was wondering if you were moving lender? So many things to consider

Another one of my guilts is extended family won't see my dc for however long they can reasonably shield from me.

I floated the question to dh the other night 'what if I still need to shield when our oldest starts school' his response was an adamant well of course he has to start school.

The thing is obviously I want that too but then I look at my four year old and think how could I ever refuse you cuddles. I was irrationally upset with my dh over it and we've since agreed to take things as they come.

I'm too good at playing the what if game and tying myself up in knots

[ClientQ]

@AuntieSocia1 I was moving lender so you should be fine with same :)

[Ledkr]

My ds is shielding and has a house move in may and a new baby due in sept. We have no clue how things will pan out but if his employers set up again they will be living on ssp and smp.

[ValleyClouds]

Very worried about having to shield after June. Finding it tough enough as it is.

Late 30's, Disability, and several underlying issues, including weak lungs.

[Egghead68]

If they extend the shielding beyond mid-July I think I’m not going to comply with it. I will just socially distance, avoid public transport and going anywhere except work and work with gloves and a face-mask on.