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!

I suspected an increase to shielding announced closer to the time. However if they were going to increase it I would have expected something being announced surely, especially after the confusion that we are seeing now with some groups only just receiving the first letter/being told to shield.

I'd like to believe information on extending shielding would come from the daily briefings and the NHS websites rather than social media randoms. That's where I first realised DH would be in the shielding group.

Why would some shielding letters say another 4 weeks and some another 12 weeks? It does not make sense.

And we really need to be told what will happen financially. Are we to be furloughed? Put on SSP? Lose our jobs altogether?

Currently we can be furloughed for the duration and partners can be at the employers discretion I believe, I've not looked into that as we own our own business and furloughing us both would remove our ability to continue.

Its madness that people are having to get information via social media.

I did ponder if they are extending different conditions for staggered ease of shielding, to stop us all running to the beach/park as a collective at the end of June. My condition has moved in and out of clinically vulnerable Dr says we are, various reports say we are, letter through the post, check. Gov and NHS website say we aren't.

Redcherries the gov website says that your shielded if you have X,y,z conditions OR you have a letter from your GP/hospital telling you that you should shield. I think there's too many conditions to list and a lot of conditions that are variable e.g. pp's son who has IBD but now has to be shielded because of the medication he's on.

Good idea about staggering but I think that sounds like too much of an organised plan! I suspect that just like some people are only just now getting their initial shielding letter, the rest of us will get an extension letter in dribs and drabs.

The problem with the website not being updated when they included or confirmed more conditions should shield is causing so much confusion. I've seen a post today on a support group from someone who is taking the website list as correct which puts us as high risk not shielding. So many of our group have had no letter or communication so are having to carry on working and can't get support. Its such a shambles. I can see your point with the complexity of conditions and medications, I hadn't looked at it in that light as my condition is pretty black and white, you either have the spleen or you have none or one that isn't working correctly.

I hope they get everyones letters out soon so people are more informed as to their individual position. Although I think further confusion has been added when they announced some people had received them in error, I know several people that have been told to shield, told not to shield by a second letter then told to shield again!

I wonder how many will receive an extension letter after the initial period has ended? I think you're completely right, it is strange though that we're hearing some are being told 4 weeks and some 12 weeks.

I have realised I have no mental capacity for speculation right now, not just about when shielding might end but for anything. I was on a call to people from work and they were speculating about when the office might reopen and I just couldn't join in. I'm finding it really exhausting for some reason.

I realise it only natural to do in the circumstances and I wouldn't stop anyone at all, I've done it myself enough but I just feel like I don't have the head space for it all right now. Anyone else?

How is everyone doing today otherwise? I had a really good laugh, proper tears rolling down my eyes laugh with a friend last night and I realised it's been a while since I've done that. I really needed it. Still struggling to concentrate on work so going to need to come up with new techniques to focus as I'm falling behind.

I didn't actually realise we could ask to be furloughed?

Reading all the posts on here, the whole implementation of the shielding seems a SNAFU doesn't it? Don't get me started on the wisdom of having "vulnerable" and "extremely vulnerable" categories and expecting people to grasp the distinction when the titles and guidelines for each group are similar and woolly.

Sigh.

Today my worry of the day is the returning to school. I just cannot see any way this could be done safely in our household. I know I'm borrowing trouble worrying before any strategies are announced but I feel torn between my worry for my DC's education (especially as they are the next group of exam DC) and my worry about my own health and although it seems stupidly melodramatic to say it, my actual life.

I seriously wonder if plans might appear for facilities for shielded people to live together away from their families (possibly on an island with wood nailed to their doors ). Joking aside, what do we do when we cannot isolate in the house away from the risk?

I would love to switch my mind off the day. I can see why people are drinking.

Sorry @AuntieSocia1 we cross posted, but although I was speculating I was also agreeing with you I need to stop it!

But then I think it helps to discuss it with people in the same boat.

My head feels like the frayed sad looking pompom my cat has just been happily destroying.

Oh please don't misunderstand @Sorryoo I totally understand speculation and trying to make sense of things I've been doing it constantly and no doubt when I'm over this phase I will be doing it again with gusto it's just I seem to have this mental block where I feel like I literally can't take onboard anything else that isn't definitely happening. It's so strange it's almost like part of my brain is putting up a wall and saying nope!

@Sorryoo the school dilemma was me last week, I even had a bit of a meltdown as my dh said of course the dc should start school when it opens. Of course? so a 4 year old has to isolate from me? Thing is I also agree that I would want my dc to start school, what a mess. But it's not here yet so to protect my sanity I'm starting to cross bridges when I get to them... who knows how long that will last!

Thankfully my work are being great, I mentioned the shielding might be extended and they emailed back basically saying "we've got your back, don't worry"
Currently having a "discussion" with my GP about thyroid results if anyone has any insight into those

Can I join you? I didn't have the original letter but this week have had an NHS text. This resulting I my council calling to ask permission to access my medical records. My GP then called. O e of his questions was about dietary needs as I have 2 devastating conditions related to coeliac disease (progressive ataxia and registered blind) and 2 other serious conditions. It's taken time to adjust to this new normal. My GP told me yesterday to begin shielding but how does that work with a personal assistant?? She is due in a few minutes and I'm in tears.

@OneEndStreet

I'm sorry you're feeling tearful this morning. My letter says the following regarding carers and support workers coming into your home:

'Any essential carers or visitors who support you with your everyday needs can continue to visit, unless they have any symptoms of Coronavirus. All visitors should wash their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds on arrival and often.

It is also a good idea to speak to your carers about what will happen if one becomes unwell. If you need help with care but you're not sure who to contact please visit www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable

I hope this helps but I think I would call my primary care to ask for advice in you're specific situation, I'm sure your Doctor won't mind you having extra questions today after taking time to digest the situation.

Well my letter arrived today! Dated end of April which means my shielding is until July at least.

@OneEndStreet I’m sorry you’re feeling anxious. I think there’s discussion somewhere online, probably in the NHS sites (I’m in Scotland so use NHS Inform most but I have read the English one too). I was up so late worrying about things I haven’t got dressed yet. I need to do that now and organise my housemates!

*About how to deal with personal care, intended to say. Sorry.

Hi all, hope you had a good day yesterday and if you didn't today is a new one and all that....

I was really busy in the garden yesterday, overdid it and really feeling it today but it's almost like a satisfying pain as opposed to being for nothing if that makes sense!

Cooking a roast later so looking forward to that.

I know gardening isn't everyone's thing and more to the point some of us won't have gardens, for those who don't I'd maybe suggest some windowsill herbs/flowers. I know I get a lot of satisfaction from seeing things grow and tick over oblivious to everything.

Whatever you are doing hope it's the best Sunday possible in the circumstances.

Thanks Auntie Did some therapeutic (and much needed) cleaning yesterday. Currently idling about in bed browsing recipes and trying to motivate myself to go on my exercise bike. It's a challenge!

Hope you have a good Sunday too.

Morning. We have a bit of a garden and a small greenhouse and have been planting with the kids. Nice to get out in the fresh air and it doubles as a bit of a science lesson for home school!

Jenny Harries said in yesterday’s press briefing that shielding may well continue for months.

I'm trying to get into a bit more of a routine, living alone it's easy to let stuff slide!
I've set a tiny goal (which probably sounds ridiculous) of 30 mins cleaning a day. Find if I do that then I often do more, but there's no point doing it all in one go as well, then there's not much left to do

I’m still ill with covid (now post viral) and have no energy to do anything. Seem to manage to eat all the time though. Really have to stop!

I’ve got to go up to hospital to get my portacath flushed. Yes this absolutely should be doable at home. But apparently it’s not & somehow my local District Nurses have managed to get away with “being notorious for not doing line care” which, um, shouldn’t really be a thing. At any time.

My choices are go into hospital or have my port replaced once all this is over. Hoping, obviously, that I don’t need it in the meantime & that it ceasing to work doesn’t cause any issues.

It might already have stopped working because it should’ve been flushed & heplocked at the end of March. So there’s a chance that I’ll be putting myself at risk for no reward.

The idea of doing this every month is...

I live in the middle of a hotspot with a high death rate. Hospital I’m going to had even more confirmed cases in their Borough last time I looked; but that might be about a higher testing rate & lower death rate might be them generally being a better hospital but also slightly different demographic. But yes. Even with my haematologist planning for me to come in at time department will be as quiet as possible (& just after second cleaning of day) I Am Scared. Ech.

On plus side, means I get to see my Daddy for first time in ages. And should be good for playing Wizards Unite. And I actually have handgel & also have gloves. Am cross with self for ignoring weird nagging thoughts I had at very start year about getting a Cambridge mask. I ignored them because at time it seemed weird and mad. Should really learn not to ignore myself even when think being weird and mad. Might manage to catch a glimpse of my beloved river. Will get to see humans who are not my brother. People coming past my house while out for their daily exercise will get the marvellous gift that is seeing my very cute cats sitting on the living room windowsills while they await my return; something my neighbours have - genuinely - been missing since lockdown. (Had better tell someone, actually, lest cats’ reappearance in window cause consternation &/or alarm...)