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Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Chat for those who are shielding

956 replies

AuntieSocia1 · 22/04/2020 16:06

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!

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FuzzyPuffling · 27/04/2020 20:18

sorryyoo I'm sorry you're having a bad day.

I wrote a lovely response (Well, I thought it was lovely) but my computer ate it. Sometimes, life just sucks. Supportive thoughts winging your way anyway.

Glittercandle · 27/04/2020 20:31

I here because my 11 year old is shielding. At the moment it feels quite easy to keep him protected because we are all at home - will be different when my older DDs (16&18) are able to socialise again (thankfully neither will be back to school until September.

Is everyone still getting the NHS texts, we were getting quite a few but none for 10 days or so.

Egghead68 · 27/04/2020 21:03

No NHS texts for ages )can’t say I mind though - was getting bombarded).

UnholyStramash · 27/04/2020 21:04

Sorryoo and others who are struggling, I am sorry. I can’t offer any ideas for help, I’m just putting one foot in front of the other. Today wasn’t a day for being in the garden - maybe that’s us had our summer (Scotland so don’t fret SE Englanders!). I’m tired, not doing enough, spending too much time online. But I don’t want to catch this virus so on we go.

UnholyStramash · 27/04/2020 21:06

Note to self: I must replace my lost mobile. Then I’ll know if I’m getting too many NHS texts.

AuntieSocia1 · 28/04/2020 09:45

Hi all, sorry so many of us are struggling, this has definitely been my hardest week so far.

The sun definitely helped so sad to see that go. My weight is creeping up so thinking about getting control of that and stopping the emotional eating. Also thinking of doing some light exercise in the hope that helps mind and body. I've been so stiff.

Any suggestions for indoor exercise? I've heard good things about yoga with adrianne?

For those still working at home how has your concentration been? I can't have another week like last week (work p/t) as it will all catch up with me

Kids are happy for the most part so that's one area I feel really grateful for

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Sorryoo · 28/04/2020 11:01

I've not had any government texts at all apart from the generic CV one back in March. Still not heard anything from any supermarkets about slots either. Have re-registered again on the government site.

Looking at this thread and the rest of MN it seems this week (even if it's only Tuesday!) is a hard one for lots of us. I think the change in the weather is definitely not going to help. Waking to a gloomy bedroom is different to waking in the sunshine

Gloomy is a good word. I feel very gloomy, also peevish (I don't get to use that word enough!) Also melancholy (like my username which is quite a niche reference Grin)

@AuntieSocia1 I am definitely eating more than normal out of boredom and an awful shallow sense of "who is going to see me anyway" Blush I would love to exercise more but am limited due to disability. DH is a fitness fanatic and says he will help me do some leg stretches and new exercises I can do everyday. So I'm not much good for recommendations but I have also heard Adrianne yoga recommended and online Pilates. Also ?Joe Wicks?

I wonder if building in a set time/routine to exercise could help? Does anyone else think that? I think if I "timetable" my days it helps a bit. They just seem so long and difficult to fill (and I homeschool as much as I can, bake, cook, read lots, embroider, speak to friends/family, have a bath or sit outside if I can, but still there are more hours than activities!)

I also realise I am possibly lucky as people with smaller DC and/or working would probably think I should stop moaning about boredom Grin terribly, I myself have to try not to think you don't know how lucky you are when I read people moaning about another three weeks Blush as I know it makes me a not very nice person to think this way!

I just read (on another thread and can't remember which/who to thank) someone said "we aren't all in the same boat, we are in the same storm but different boats" which I really liked.

Redcherries · 28/04/2020 12:15

@Sorryoo. I called Tesco yesterday and they took my account details, confirmed I am shielded and I got priority shopping slots available this morning. I can try to find the number for you?

Redcherries · 28/04/2020 12:16

0800 9177359

NervousInYorkshire · 28/04/2020 12:21

Hello thread! I'm unexpectedly joining because I've just found out I'm in the shielding group (my letter went astray somehow).
Time to get signing up with Sainsbury's...

plus3 · 28/04/2020 12:25

Hi everyone - another who isn’t having the best of days. Supposed to be doing some work (writing study packages/presentations etc) but just can’t settle to it. Probably should write it off for today but need to find something else to do!!
I am sitting in my favourite chair watching everyone walking in the rain.
Auntie I like yoga with Adriene

ClientQ · 28/04/2020 12:34

This guy does a 15 min mobility workout daily, and it's under live videos in his story
I'm in a bit of a weird situation, was referred to dermatology before this all happened so obviously haven't had my appointment. Exercise brings me out in hives, and not just a few, I mean head to toe. They were talking about starting me on Xolair as I'm unable even to go for a walk. So home exercise is out the window Sad but I can manage this mobility thing, it's v gentle but some nice stretching

Chat for those who are shielding
Sorryoo · 28/04/2020 16:34

Thank you @Redcherries that is very kind of you, if I get no joy online I will certainly ring them.

I would really like an Iceland delivery simply as I have teenage DC and Iceland sell Greggs products Grin Ocado have given me a weekly slot which is great but expensive so Iceland/Tesco would be better...

I'm feeling slightly less peevish as one of my DC just brought me a big bunch of flowers.

Thanks and Brew to all of us here. May we all feel less peevish and melancholy.

AldiAisleOfCrap · 28/04/2020 16:42

@Sorryoo that’s awful your employer won’t furlough you. My dh also provides personal care to me. He is currently on unpaid parental leave. We are unsure if he can be furloughed when that runs out. It’s all very stressful.

JimmyTheWeed · 28/04/2020 18:29

I received a letter 5 weeks into the lockdown telling me that I should be shielding. 5 weeks! A bit late to tell me when for the past 5 weeks I have ventured outside my front door to take rubbish out or to take a short walk for exercise. I've not been in any shops or on public transport,but I have been out of my house,which I have now been told not to!
To be honest,I'm a bit mystified as to why I am deemed to be very high risk. I have arthritis (rheumatoid and osteo) and fibromyalgia. I am not on any immunity suppressing drugs.

outnumberedwoman · 28/04/2020 19:53

I never got a letter but i am asthmatic. Ended up in hospital over the weekend and the consultant was surprised I hadnt had a letter. He said I needed to ccontact my GP to get them to issue me with one. Called GP yesterday. Receptionist said they are half way through issuing letters. Its taken 6 weeks to get this far so by the time I get one the 12 weeks could well be passed. There is also no guarantee I will get one - only that the GP will examine my case and make a decision. I am shielding regardless as i was on the covid ward when in hospital and have no desire to end up there again. Just happy my test was negative this time and my problems were asthma related and not covid.

Sorryoo · 29/04/2020 10:47

The whole organisation of the shielding seems a bit of a SNAFU doesn't it Hmm

Well I can stop worrying about DH bringing germs home from work as he has been laid off anyway - not furloughed as they are agency staff, so just told they are no longer required from next week. Yet the workers doing the exact same job but directly employed through the company have been furloughed which makes the whole thing even more depressing and frustrating than it is already.

I really really don't understand the logic of me not being able to walk around the block as it's too risky yet my family are surely more of a risk to me via their workplaces. Maybe it's the assumption that everyone has enough space and second bathrooms to isolate properly, and if we don't we are helpfully told to try and "arrange space to sit and see a nice view if possible". Hmm

DH' family member (keyworker) is awaiting test results for CV and I have had a falling out with one of my family members which is on my mind, homeschooling my DC (and how do you do that from a different fucking room?) is a whole other thread in itself, I'm about ready to perform my delayed operation myself as it hurts so much and I really really am feeling self pitying fed up now. I know we are all fed up here and I also know^^ I am lucky really compared to what some people are going through. Still though it feels hard.

I'm off to find a nice view from my bed and hold a pity party. You are all invited virtually to come and bring chocolate and cake. Preferably carrot cake. Any cake is good though!

AuntieSocia1 · 29/04/2020 12:45

 I'm here @Sorryoo

BrewCake

I'll stuff my face with cake and agree with you how shit this is, then I'll try and cheer you up if you feel like cheering up which is perfectly understandable if you don't!

Can you name one thing you are looking forward to during lockdown? On Saturday night I am going to have a meats and cheese and some Prosecco (don't drink anymore so will probably have half a glass but will help me create the mood I'm going for!) and catch up with killing Eve

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AuntieSocia1 · 29/04/2020 12:47

Sorry to hear you were in hospital @outnumberedwoman I was in for treatment in March and stress levels were through the roof at just being in the building. Hope you are feeling better

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MarieVanGoethem · 29/04/2020 13:29

Ten to seven this morning was a thump on the door. Went leaping up to answer it because apparently in my tiny mind I don’t need to shield in Desperate Emergencies. Not any kind of emergency, but unrequested (& For This Household Pretty Unhelpful) foodbox. That made for a lively start to the day...

I got missed off the first government list because of how my prednisolone was prescribed. But haven’t been well enough to go out since a hospital appointment at the start of March & my GP rang me to tell me when it started that I needed to shield.

It’s me, my brother (working from home), & my cats here - here being inner London. If he’d not moved jobs in December I might’ve been on my own....

It all seems a bit surreal really...

Gottobefree · 29/04/2020 13:44

I'm in the 4th week of formally shielding after receiving the letter. Mine included a point system dependant on conditions and the medication you're on. I've had a chronic illness since I was 18months old (now 25) and currently on immunosuppressants which put me in very high risk group.
I'm still working from home and live with family. But for weeks I still had to commute into London everyday for work! (very luckily didn't pick it up and pass it on to my relatives before the lockdown).

Yesterday I got a call to my house phone asking if I had registered on the Gov.UK site. I did have a look at this and only registered my 80year old grandparents as they live 4hours away with no family close by so need groceries etc ..

They informed me to register even if I don't need help. Felt strange as I didn't want to incase they send me food parcels and take up resources. I feel like a healthy active 25 year old and I'm more concerned about my parents (60s) and grandparents! I also still have to go into hospital twice a month to have my treatment.

Egghead68 · 29/04/2020 14:00

6th week of formal shielding and 8th week of informal. You get used to it I find. @Gottobefree they shouldn’t send you the (grotty - think tinned corned beef and unbranded tinned veg) food boxes if you tick that you don’t need help on the website (although they delivered them to me twice weekly at 7am for a couple of weeks after I cancelled them). It’s worth registering to get access to priority supermarket slots (though these go quickly).

Gottobefree · 29/04/2020 14:07

Thanks @egghead68 ! Mmmmm corned beef, sounds delightful. My parents told me to sign up so I did and ticked that I didn’t require any help. My family (brothers included) are at hand for any help. Grin

ClientQ · 29/04/2020 14:29

I'm a fan of corned beef hash with pickled red cabbage yes I'm northern Grin

Egghead68 · 29/04/2020 14:33

Pickled red cabbage is far more gourmet than you would get in a government box unfortunately. Think WWII rations.

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