Shielding text but no health problems?

[Afolnerd]

I have just received a text saying I should be shielding (genuine, I checked) said I would receive a letter soon etc.
But I have no health problems. I take an allergy tablet every day for a pollen/grass allergy but no other health problems.
Do I just assume it was a mistake and ignore? Or is there a way to check?

There is a slight possibility it was meant for dh as he is diabetic and has mild asthma. But as far as we could tell he wasn’t serious enough to need shielding.

Anyone else had one by mistake?

[Dialdownthedrama]

I read something suggesting there have been many mistakes made.

[MereDintofPandiculation]

I'd talk to your GP. It's advisory not compulsory, but if you're going to ignore it, it's sensible to check with GP first.

[MotheringShites]

How do we tell if it’s genuine?
I have had a text today and it’s really shaken me up. I am on a drug for arthritis which makes me elevated risk but I’ve never considered the need to shield.
Why now? Lockdown has been going on for weeks. If I needed to shield why wasn’t I informed at the beginning?
My text is from an actual number - 447307 810357, not from gov.uk or anything.

[Istwowyes17262]

@MotheringShites

If you google the number you got
Yours from this is the first link that comes up. It appear genuine
www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/20200401-FAQs-Patients.pdf

[Didkdt]

I had a text telling me I'd be getting a shielding letter but I got my letter in March! Lots going wrong

[Emcont]

I had one this morning too. No health problems! Phoned GP who said they would call back once they've looked into it as lots of people have asked today.

[Goatymcgoaty]

It seems very late in the day to tell people they should be shielding. I think the shielding group must be about 7 weeks in to their 12
week shield?

[Emcont]

Exactly!

[MotheringShites]

@Goatymcgoaty exactly! I fail to see how I have suddenly become so vulnerable I will need to avoid the members of my own household. We’ve been in each other’s pockets for weeks!

I’m wondering if they are sending these messages out to the lower level vulnerable in anticipation of easing lockdown.

[Star8181]

I had the same text this morning as well, from the same number as PP. The only health problem I have is anorexia, not sure it’s because of that, surely it can’t be. So late into the 12 weeks though!

[Afolnerd]

Interesting that lots of people got them today.
I have just seen something on Facebook which suggests it could be for one of my kids.
One Dd has mild asthma and other dd has a weird genetic abnormality which is so rare it doesn’t even have a name. So guess it could be for one of them.

Hopefully we will get a letter soon to confirm who it is for.

[NotAnotherUserNumber]

I got a text this morning extending my shielding period, so it is now until 30th June rather than just the original 12 weeks.

[RhymingRabbit3]

I know someone who got a shielding letter who shouldnt have - she had best cancer but 10 years ago. Her GP confirmed it was an error.

My grandma didnt get a shielding letter but her consultant said she definitely should be shielding.

There seem to be mistakes everywhere so probably best to just check.

[Didkdt]

@NotAnotherUserNumber my shielding with my adding up should finish on the 16th June today's text did say 30th but I assumed it was dating from the second set of letters
I don't know but I'm living for the day when I can step out freely again

[HebeMumsnet]

Hey OP.

My DH had the text a few weeks back, and then follow-up phone calls and paperwork etc from the government. Won't go into details here but we're convinced it's a mistake (it's to do with a health issue he's been recovered from for donkey's years). We called our GP and spoke to the government info line people when they called and no one has been able to explain what the risk is, if any.

I would say just do the best you can (that's more or less what our GP said). It's worth calling your GP or any relevant hospital departments etc to check but it seems like no one (quite understandably) is game to say 'Nah, it's fine mate.' So they're all erring on the side of caution. We've basically all shielded as a result in our house. A bit annoying but six weeks in, it could have been worse, to be honest. You get used to it if you have to. Hopefully it won't be too long for you.

Hope you manage to find out something of use anyway. It sounds, anecdotally, like lots of people might have been sent texts who shouldn't have been and vice versa.

[organisedmother]

I think if someone in your household received a shielding letter you will also get one, my husband got one who actually needs to shield and then I got one I’m 29 no health issues so I’m assuming it’s because we live under the same roof if I don’t sheild also I could bring it back to him.

[Didkdt]

I'm not sure about that @organisedmother I've had 1 shielding letter and texts to say I'm being sent another but my husband has received nothing and neither have the children.
My mum hasn't heard anything even though my dad is shielded

[disorganisedsecretsquirrel]

I agree. I received the same text as you OP from the same number which is the official NHS Coronavirus service.

However I received all my stuff (texts, letters, welfare phone call etc) 7 weeks ago and neither my DH or dc have not received anything.