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Original poster

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!

OP posts:
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NervousInYorkshire · 30/04/2020 19:45

Nope, they're free.

ClientQ · 30/04/2020 19:52

I believe there are second letters coming out extending shielding for another 12 weeks
I've found 3 people so far who have had it extended and it's a fairly hard hitting letter

Redcherries · 30/04/2020 19:57

Someone on a support group I’m on has had a second letter, I was hoping it was part of the confusion.

Sirzy · 30/04/2020 19:58

I got a phone call from the local council today seeing if we where ok or needed any extra support. Very unexpected but nice at least.

Redcherries · 30/04/2020 20:02

Is it possible they’ve been caught in the wave that was added last Friday. I’m part of that group, many were told to shield but no letters received for some, other got them. If the system flags up that you’re part of the missed group but doesn’t recognise you’ve already received the letter you get another. My first letter arrived today.

Current advice on the gov website is end of June.

ClientQ · 30/04/2020 20:11

No, it's a different letter

Vaguely copied as I wanted to keep the person anonymous

It’s dated from this Friday coming I would post it it’s basically saying another 12 weeks from now and that to expect another one as because of the medical problems it would be unlikely to be lifted unless they learn more about it and develope a cure it’s quite hard hitting

Redcherries · 30/04/2020 20:18

Thanks @ClientQ will see what turns up, we all seem to be at differing stages of advice.

JimmyTheWeed · 30/04/2020 20:27

Re. the second letters coming out extending shielding,my Dd knows someone who has been advised to shield for a further 4 weeks.

MadisonAvenue · 30/04/2020 20:31

I haven’t received a letter yet but it’s in the post. I had a call from a practice nurse this morning informing me that I should be shielding. My son also had a call, he was at work and was sent home immediately. We’ve been going about as normal as we possibly can so far through lockdown.

JimmyTheWeed our condition isn’t listed for registering either and I spoke to our GP and he feels that full shielding for us isn’t necessary, we just need to be sensible and careful, which we have been anyway. It’s just an hereditary condition that we easily live with, we don’t have any ongoing care, monitoring or appointments regarding it.

plus3 · 30/04/2020 20:36

Hi all - think the tent idea is fabulous Smile

JustStayHome · 30/04/2020 21:06

@ClientQ

12 more weeks...
Added onto the current 12 weeks....
So 24 weeks...
That would be mid September
I dont think i could cope...
That feels me with dread...

I normally see my nan every two weeks, she's 85 and 70 miles away....

JustStayHome · 30/04/2020 21:07

Obviously haven't seen her recently,
We went into lockdown abit early, so its been for 8 weeks....

Sorryoo · 30/04/2020 22:01

@ClientQ obviously I don't want you to post anything identifying or outing but can I double check, people you know have just received completely different letters on top of the original 12 week letters?

So letters saying they must shield for another 12 weeks from the date of the new letter (not beyond their original shielding end date - if that makes sense).

Is this a new widespread policy?

(Not doubting your word just wondering what the fuck is going on now, and the rationale (if any!) behind it....

ClientQ · 30/04/2020 22:08

@Sorryoo yes, different letters. It was in the FB group for my condition
So I went on twitter and found this (posting as it's open profile anyway)

Chat for those who are shielding
ClientQ · 30/04/2020 22:09

Oh and it says government help and hubs will remain in place for support with shopping etc

BatSegundo · 30/04/2020 22:12

Ugh, I'm definitely feeling lackluster today. Not been at all motivated and didn't manage to get dressed Blush

Been unmotivated at work and am now behind. Moonlighting as a teacher to my kids tomorrow, so hope I pick myself up before then.

Shielding to mid-September is a horrible thought but I can't see anything changing before then. I'm hoping to be able to go and visit my mum in the next weeks/months who is in the vulnerable-cos-old but not shielding category. I know it's not possible at the moment but I think in the future, shielded/vulnerable families should be able to see each other so long as they're all taking precautions? What do you think?

ClientQ · 30/04/2020 22:17

I mean to my mind the lowest risk possible would be two shielding people meeting up who live alone, in one of their homes
I guess if you are shielding with people still going out that increases the risk 🤔

OneNightTimeMenaceStrikesBack · 30/04/2020 22:23

I never got my letter but i did get a text right from the off from my gp tellign me i was in the shielding group (uncontrolled asthma) i said weeks ago they'd extend the shielding past 12 weeks......i wonder if ill get my letter this time haha

ALemonyPea · 30/04/2020 22:23

Another 4 weeks I could do, another 12 I might just lose the plot.

Sorryoo · 30/04/2020 22:24

That's scary. I got a shielding letter from my central NHS trust then about 10 days later got another one from a hospital department I am under. They had different dates on, and of course it says shield from the date of the letter. so perhaps this is where a confusion has come from if this has happened to other people?

I assumed it was an admin cock up rather than an extension as such.

(Re shielded people meeting, a friend of mine is also shielding, we are both married to key workers and have DC but if we didn't we totally would have moved in together)

OneNightTimeMenaceStrikesBack · 30/04/2020 22:27

im already mad with cabin fever, i don't know if i can do until mid september, i really don't. I mean, i dont want to be ill or potentially die but i also dont want to be housebound for who knows how long. Im housebound enough as it is with my various disabilities, this is just making things worse for me mentally, i struggle with telling myself im lazy and good for nothing and even though this is ordered, it doesnt feel any different Sad

UnholyStramash · 30/04/2020 23:51

I like the tent idea too. Sometimes in good weather we put a tent out too - autistic son seems to like going in their and just being. I’m not sure what he does, I leave him to it, but it seems calming. Smile

It doesn’t surprise me shielding is being extended as nothing’s really changed for the better so far. I don’t know how I feel about it (I’ve had no second letter so far) except I want to see my two absent boys.

I discovered this week the eldest son is in fact shielding too. He’s not had a letter but the specialist nurse has spoken on the phone. He’s been on steroids for IBD for a few months, he was reducing, but is back up to 40mg per day, and has now begun immunosuppressants. His disease isn’t under control so I’m not surprised. Poor lad. He’s in a tiny flat with his brother who happened to be there for work when lockdown began. I’m glad he’s there as he can shop. They still go for a walk most days but I’ve advised the sick one to let his brother only do the supermarket. The walk is better for their MH than being in all the time. There isn’t even space in the flat for them to properly distance indoors. I’m a bit worried - can you tell?! I’d hoped with him reducing the steroids & not having started immunosuppressants he’d be in the step down group and not need to shield. Obviously things have changed now.

UnholyStramash · 01/05/2020 00:02

I’m seriously thinking we should encourage them to travel here - it involves public transport for around 2 - 3 hours. Train, train, bus. On arrival they’d have to quarantine because of me. 2 weeks. If they do so before restrictions get lifted transport would be quieter. They could wear face coverings and I could send them disposable gloves. They might just use ordinary gloves though. And the non-shielding one should do all the handling of money, tickets, etc. And they could choose a quiet time like early evening, straight after rush hour. We have quite a lot of space here - they have a small room each & there’s a bathroom they can use. That will upset the autist but he’ll get over it. Eventually. Eldest would have to get bloods done here - hopefully we can get it sorted so he and I both get done on the same visit from the nurse. Am I completely bonkers??? Obviously it’s up to them too if they want to do this.

ALemonyPea · 01/05/2020 00:22

We have a half tent/sun shelter type thing. I might put it up and escape to the garden when the weather improves. Great idea!

MarieVanGoethem · 01/05/2020 04:24

To be honest, I’ve always assumed shielding would need to last until there’s a vaccination. Which is a bit of a grim thought.

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