Chat for those who are shielding

[AuntieSocia1]

Apologies for the very unsnazzy title but as it suggests a place to chat for those who have to shield at the moment. A few of us have been talking on the the Shielding after lockdown thread in the coronavirus topic.

Thought I'd put this in chat as some days I'm guessing we'll want to chat about anything other than coronavirus!

I know all of our circumstances are quite different as well as the reason we need to shield but it's a pretty big thing to have in common. Despite my username I look forward to interacting with you and as my username suggests I might also slink off from time to time!

So nothing said about shielders at all in Boris Johnson’s speech. Quelled surprise.

The versions of the 5-point scale in the news papers suggest we will not be allowed out till the country is at “level 1” though (no coronavirus), which is obviously a long time away.

I’m lucky in that I can now do my PAYE job from home indefinitely. I’m going to lose my self-employed work but I am fortunate to have an income.

Swift reference to "the elderly" (outdated term), but nothing about shielders. I suppose we're all dumped into the same boat as the dodgy care-home-dwelling over 95s. And I say that with a huge dollop of irony, as I know that there are plenty of them who don't fit the common view.

Dear world...I AM NOT ELDERLY!

I’m disgusted and disappointed we didn’t even get mentioned. I’m a tough bird but I’ve just cried my eyes out. The elderly aren’t shielded but warranted an acknowledgement.

We are not shielded to protect us, we are shielded to protect nhs beds and the general population, us being safe is a byproduct that helps reduce pressure on the system.

I stand with you redcherries. Don't cry - I hate to think of you crying - shall we all write to Boris?

i feel even worse after watching that. Not so much as a mention. like we dont exist :(

I actually think we should, I’m so bloody cross. How dare he not acknowledge 1.8 million people doing a huge thing to support the country. Yes we stay safer at home, so maybe if that’s the agenda thank people for protecting us and acknowledge our situation, there was bloody nothing. I don’t think it’s to protect us, the report a pp posted previously that shows keeping us home keeps the second peak far lower. Anything would be good at this stage.

No surprise there then, and the newspapers suggesting that the shielded won’t be allowed out until there’s a vaccine is concerning, I’m not sure that my 20 year old son will be allowed back to work if shielding is to continue and that’ll be his future career gone.

i didnt work anyway as too ill but i had a life, i had things i did and places i went when i was well enough, am i meant to put my entire life on hold for who know show long? i dont know if i can do this, i really dont

Another voice just adding my annoyance that us shielders haven't even had a mention 😡 We would like some clarity, we want some recognition.

I'm in a really grey area... I work in Year 1!! It's ridiculous that the children to be go back to school first will be those least able to practice social distancing! I'm assuming that with my shielding letter I'll not be expected to go back on June 1st... but no mention of those shielding just leaves it up in the air.

I shall make my own decisions anyway - I won't be going! Thank God mine is the second income in the household and not so vital! It would still be missed though!

MonkeyJunk I hope they are reasonable tomorrow.

I've just emailed both my MSP and MP.

I just want to know if it's likely to be extended... I need a desk if I have to WFH but don't want to spend ££ if I don't need one. Clear as mud

What a mess, thanks Boris.

Similar to @pebble, I work in year 6 as a 1 to 1. No way would social distancing happen. I’ve had the government shielding call but no letter, my son has received his shielding letter. Am I expected into school 1st June?

We are the invisible 1.8 million.

I would say not, if you've had the call Anewuser - did they say you will recieve a letter when they called? You could maybe chase that up with your GP so you have it in writing!

Just looking at a few of the threads on here about the year groups going back. Some saying the whole point of primary going back is to see what happens to the R WITHOUT social distancing. I'd rather not be part of social experiment, thanks!

YR & Y1 are almost certainly to do with childcare - parents can't go back to work with young children at home - but then you can hardly leave a Y2, 3,4 or 5 on their own either.

There's a 50 page gov doc published tomorrow - I expect that will make mention of us forgotten people... then again, maybe not!

Please please write to your elected representatives. We cannot sit here silently while being ignored.

i feel so invisible right now, like i just dont count. feel like crying tbh. i just want to know what im meant to do, when i can get some normality back, the newspapers seem to be suggesting we have to shield until a vaccine is found but who knows when or if that will happen, a vaccine might not be possible or might not be possible in the way people are hoping at least. i cant stay indoors forever, none of us can

Little steps. Let's make it to June 30 and see what's next then.

I wish I’d found this thread before now.
I’m certain that even if the shielded list was scaled down, I’d still be on it.
I feel for those who are worrying about work and money, such a stressful situation.

@pebble, They said they’d send another out but that hasn’t arrived. I left a message for my GP last Monday as we could see this coming but I’ve heard nothing from them either. Guess I’ll have to try my oncologist.

@Pebble21uk , my suspicon is that as it appears the younger they are the less susceptible they are to it, it's a case of get the youngest ones in first, so mum and dad fo back to work. It will make no or little difference to the r rate which will prove it's okay for the rest of primary, and it will be Scales up.immediately with unhappy consequences.

Being too stupid of course to factor in staff, teaching, support and otherwise, how the parents get there, how far apart they can stand waiting for their child, who looks after them before and after school etc etc. That's what I think will happen, but perhaps I'm just too cynical.

As I suspected, they don't have a clue what to do with us so just said nothing at all. I will be taking my own decisions in consultation with my doctors. This isn't working, it's too broad a spectrum of individuals and conditions.