A close friend of mine is shielding (early 40s, condition listed under official shielding list, just the singular condition) and her whole family are of course having to shield with her.
We have Facetimed a lot and I’ve dropped off shopping and had a chat with her from the end of the driveway, so over 2 metres away. (I dropped off shopping, stood back and then her husband picked up and sanitised.)
She’s done this for five weeks, however has said she is expecting to be doing it for for longer than 12 weeks. Right now she is focussing on the possibility of a vaccine fairly soon and keeping positive. (I am aware this may not happen, however, if it helps her stay positive, it is worthwhile.)
They are struggling as it is (three children under 7) and they have a large garden. I cannot imagine how hellish it must be without a garden.
My question is where did the 12 weeks initially come from? And is there any plans for after 12 weeks?
I feel for those who will have to shield indefinitely- hopefully when the rest of us who are low risk slowly return to some form of normal, provision can be made for those who have to shield long term until there’s a vaccine. Of course it will be a personal choice and no one can be made to shield, but hopefully there will be enough financial support for the families who genuinely need to shield past the 12 weeks if they want.
I don’t mean everyone who has some vulnerability- I myself am considered vulnerable and do not expect to be paid to stay inside until there’s a vaccine- but those who are at the highest risk/have a higher risk family member cannot even go shopping, even without the shielded person. They are all basically on house arrest, or a garden if they are lucky. Long term, I imagine that will be horrendous. So it seems important that whilst the rest of us slowly return to work and socialising- albeit with social distancing limitations- that those stuck indoors at least are free from money worries, etc...
Take a family with a shielded child- neither parents can work, potentially long term.
I understand no one really knows, but I am worried for my friend (and elderly family member) who may be shielding for the foreseeable future and what happens after 12 weeks. The risk won’t magically disappear surely? Yet keeping the whole population on lockdown for longer than the current proposed time won’t help them either
I know the average person will have to adapt to live with the virus and life must go on, etc... social distancing measures included, but a family with someone who is shielded can’t just take that risk as it’s so much higher to them.
Not really sure what the point of this post is, I guess I’m just thinking about the graveness of the situation to some. It makes me think I need to cope a bit better with the current lockdown, as at the end of the day I should be somewhat grateful that I can at least take a walk with my family and visit the shops
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shielding duration
24 replies
dotty202 · 24/04/2020 17:29
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