Thread 3 shielding chat

[AuntieSocia1]

I hope this unimaginative thread title doesn't put off all the amazing posters from this group!

As we transition into this new phase things could get interesting....

Waves to lurkers

@Cloudburstagain going to hospital is daunting I was so anxious too hope you feel better today

No shops yet. Managed a couple of local walks and my DH took me for a drive to stand in an empty carpark and chat to my DD (it's next to her flat not some random carpark!)

Just received my new timetable for school next year and over the course of a week I'm with 90 different children! The other staff who cover stay with their own class except one who is with two classes. I'm the only staff member shielding and I'm with the most children. Need a strong cup of tea.

@Babysharkdoodoodood, I hope you continue to do well after your op. Hopefully getting the stone removed has eased your urinary problems.
@Cloudburstagain, the hospital visit does sound scary and weird. Everything feels a bit scary and weird but I really do feel for those of you who are expected back in schools shortly.

Earlier my SIL was saying she’s quite nervous as, after seeing us this morning, she was going to the supermarket for the first time in months. She’d be wearing gloves and a mask. It made me feel better about being worried, ‘over anxious’ even, as she’s not shielding but is still concerned about infection, being slightly over 60 her only ‘risk’ factor.

I hope your outing goes okay @AuntieSocia1. Just leave and go back home if it’s too much. It’s bound to be strange, especially the first time. I’ve had a real boost seeing my brother and SIL.The weather behaved for us too so we could sit in the garden for their visit. Apparently they’re back home now and it’s raining so we were lucky.

@Teaistheanswer, it’s good you saw your daughter. Going back to work in a school does sound scary. Do you have a union rep who could discuss measures with the school management to see they can offer you more protection?

Well I just told DH my plan and he had a mini meltdown. It's only a few weeks more etc etc. I've decided it's not worth the argument. I know he's just worried.

Feeling very meh.

I'll hand out some and for my pity party!

@Teaistheanswer love your username by the way- totally agree!

The anxiety alone from this surely means they have a duty of care. I would echo the suggestion of speaking to the union. It could be a case of not wanting to treat you differently? As in you may not want that? Probably clutching at straws

@UnholyStramash it was really lovely to see my daughter and I enjoyed the drive too, for a few minutes it felt almost normal!
Have already spoken to my union as we had to consult them when DH was asked to return to work. Basically I should get an individual risk assessment which they are happy to check over before I return. They did that for my DH and they'd also visited his school and were impressed with the measures put in place so fingers crossed mine is up to the grade too.
@AuntieSocia1 sending some extra your way. This whole thing is a bonkers experience for sure. Saw the news reports about a worse second wave and almost lost it this morning!

@AuntieSocia1 ahh thank you. My username is in memory of my DF who's answer to everything was to put the kettle on. If he was here now that's exactly what he'd be saying to do.

You’re all welcome to dip into my secret stash of dairy-free tiffin, a secret no more bc I’ve just told you, to go with your tea. I need to lose weight before a possible second wave/covid surge (though I feel less vulnerable being in rural Scotland) so I might have to donate my stash to any thinner friends who might appreciate it.

@AuntieSocia1, sorry about your aborted trip out. DH being concerned is understandable in the circumstances but it’s disappointing for you all the same. I had a tantrum last week about going to a supermarket ‘so I
can buy what I want’ (I know I know, that’s what online shopping is for). DH gave me a look and I decided to just stay in. Let’s hope this all becomes easier/less scary soon.

@Teaistheanswer, nice memorial to your dad!

So it has been announced today that shielding will be paused from the 16th of August for those of us in Wales.

Both the CMO and the First Minister talked about the toll shielding was taking on our mental health and thanked us for our resilience.

I'm happy it will be paused, but feeling a bit wobbly about going back into the "real world".

Is anyone else going back to work on 1st August?

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras

Is anyone else going back to work on 1st August?

Well I'm shielding until August 16th, so no. But even then my office isn't reopening until at least September and I don't think I'll go back then. HR are happy for me to work from home for as long as I want really. I've worked from home since mid March.

Any lone/single parent shielders who are worried about their dc going back to school?

Any lone/single parent shielders who are worried about their dc going back to school?

No idea what I'm going to do. I'm on the extremely vulnerable list and can work from home as I have been. My stent isn't out until August 4th.

No ones mentioned any sort of risk assessment although it's all over our intranet. I'm not going unless they can reassure me that it's safe. Perspex screens were on order back in March but nothing so far apparently.

Is2020OverYet

Shielding is paused on 1st August in England so I'm back on the 3rd. I am worried though. I work in a customer facing role and it is scaring me.

My dh is shielding , and I was in a group of people who were advised to isolate as much as possible ( remember them - told months ago if you are under 60 but still medically advised to have the yearly flu vaccinations ! ) We have decided to continue as we are inspite of all our doors being flung open on 1at August .
We have not been in a shop since early March, not visited family ( we live a few hundred miles away ) only walked in quieter places .
We do have another couple who we are friends with who we have seen in each others gardens , but we only stay for an hour or so as not going into houses for the loo .
The male friend is also shielding , but once hairdressers opened she went and had her hair done and has socially met a group ( more than 6 ) of other ladies than I also know but distanced / and outside. My friend wanted me to do it as well but I refused as I feel wary of doing this .
A member of that group invited about 4 to meet in her garden and the invitation is also for me. My friend is getting a bit with me for my reluctance to start to go out more and mix with more people. Am I being daft ?
Sorry for the long post.

Hello all,

Haven't read the whole thread but wanted to ask if any of you are thinking of home school is Sept?

Both DH and I are at risk of complications if we get ill (so in second tier of risk, not top shielding group)

I'm going back to work but am assured it will be pretty Covid Secure and I believe my boss (his wife works in Health and Safety and he is clued up)

DS has thrived at home and does not want to go back - 'bubbles of 30' sounds mad to me and high risk strategy. I think there will be a spike come autumn.

I already manage a long term condition (7 years of CFS) and don't want to risk health for either of us. DS has SEN and needs his advocates well and fighting his case!

AIBU to keep DS home or do 20 hours (school suggestion for flexi time table when we discussed with them)?

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras

Is2020OverYet

Shielding is paused on 1st August in England so I'm back on the 3rd. I am worried though. I work in a customer facing role and it is scaring me.

I know the date is different in Wales. According to my HR department expecting a shielder to go back into the workplace once shielding is paused without risk assessment or consideration of how the shielder feels is bordering on disability discrimination. But I appreciate that my employer is very good at this sort of thing.

I had a long chat with my line manager yesterday about how I feel about shielding being paused, not just about work but also about being nervous about shops etc. About the effects of it all on people's mental health. It is really nice to be able to to be honest and open about it.

I would like to go back to the office, I really miss it. But I'm going to do it at a pace I can deal with.

This morning is going to be a big step for me, I am going to pick up my own order from the farmers market. They have a click and collect service that they set up at the beginning of lockdown, up until now a friend has been collecting my order and dropping it off for me. But today I've decided to brave picking it up myself.

It is outdoors, there are timed collection slots and everyone is good at social distancing. I have a mask. But I'm still really nervous, this is the first time I've been to do anything like this since March.

Good luck @Is2020OverYet I hope it all goes well.

Is2020OverYet

That's great your employer is being so flexible. Are you able to work from home?

I have been pleasantly surprised at how generous my employer has been - anyone who was even just vulnerable (rather than shielding) was allowed twelve weeks off on full pay. Those of us shielding have obviously had it extended until beginning of August. I can't work from home so do need to go back. I think they offering a career break but that's obviously unpaid and although they guarantee a job at the end of it it's not necessarily the job you currently have or the same days or hours. I can't afford to be off on no pay so I will have to go back and just be as careful as I possibly can be.

Thanks @Teaistheanswer. It was really wierd going to collect the order, it's almost as though I've forgotten how to make small talk! But it was nice and quiet there so it was OK. Feeling a bit braver for having done it.

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras yes I've worked from home throughout. The office is currently closed so everyone is working from home, but I started the week before lockdown. I guess a lot depends on the industry you work in, obviously a lot of jobs can't be done from home.

I know what you mean @Is2020OverYet! I had an online delivery today and it's the first time I've been the one bringing it in, usually DH does it and I hide in the kitchen with my gloves on and bleachy water at the ready! But today DH had to go to an appointment so there I was explaining to the poor Tesco man all about the fact my stressed look was because i was shielding. Luckily he had three members of his family shielding too so understood why I seemed completely incapable of stringing a sensible sentence together