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

@Egghead68 I've contacted my consultant to ask for a letter. I'm hoping they say something about shielding tomorrow but who knows! I'm in an area with restrictions too

Worse case scenario could you just refuse to go in and then sue them for constructive dismissal/under the equality act if they sack you?

I don't think it would get that far, they've been pretty understanding until now. They've asked for an up to date letter so I've screenshot the guidance about WFH if you can and my consultant usually is very good does whatever I ask for

That’s good. My consultant refused to write me a letter when I asked him if he would so I could start shielding early. Then I caught Covid which became long Covid. I can’t help blaming him a little.

That's awful
Mine is haematology and he's amazing
Back pain and want an MRI? Done
Want bloods for something random? Done
Need someone to chase up your GP and get very angry? Done. Twice

Hope you don’t mind me joining you all. Shielded the first time round as both my daughters received letters. (Aged 14 and 11)
Now waiting, holding my breath, and hoping we have to shield again. I know a lot of people disagree, but I feel safer shielding. More in control that I’m doing all I can for my chicks.
Otherwise they’re both at secondary school mixing in huge bubbles. And there’s fines if they don’t go!!
Horrid situation.

Anyone know the likelihood of an unpause?!

No imminent unpause I reckon. They usually leak these things a bit first.

I'm too hoping shielding will unpause. At least with shielding there was a sense of control, I preferred being safe at home then walking past lots of people to get into work. And then the idiots that won't social distance at work don't help my anxiety.

They should unpause it but I suspect (a) we are at the bottom of their list of priorities and (b) if they are going for “individually tailored” letters these probably won’t be ready till 2022 anyhow.

I'm not sure what is going on with shielding or whether they will unpause or not. I'm new to this thread. My Mum is ECV and has been shielded since March. We are both trying desperately to avoid any unnecessary contact with other people. We are both frightened about the consequences of this disease spreading amongst those who are so vulnerable.

Boris Johnson says no need to shield (!)

I think they should publish their criteria for restarting shielding

I want to see this as well @Egghead68

No need to shield yet we are higher up the Nando’s chart then we were when we unshielded!!

Feel like we are being forgotten!!

My new dentist is very nice, hurrah. Remain sad grown-ups don’t get stickers for being good at maintaining their oral health & hygiene: it’s hard work drat it, I deserve that recognition...

Surprise!rheumatology appointment turned out to be a surprise to the rheumatology consultant too. Which was fun. But did at least manage to make it useful...

@Cloudburstagain - have managed to fit the towel ring, need to wash my new towels (very unfancy ones, but lightweight &, um, younger than I am, which is quite exciting... ) & then I’ll be away: it’s all go here today I tell you...

@UnholyStramash
Hope that it’s not too rough getting used to your DC being away again; & of course that they stay safe & well. Hope you can have Christmas together.

@Egghead68
Don’t know about you, but I’m in serious applauding training
Am so sorry your consultant was such an arse about doing a letter earlier this year. I don’t blame you for (partly) blaming him for you getting Covid - it must seem incredibly unfair.

@Teaistheanswer
Maybe they’re saving themselves - that or they were startled by the discovery you can take off like a harrier jump-jet should the need arise
That’s worrying about France - can’t imagine how that can possibly be justified in scientific terms...

@QueenOllie
Hope your consultant comes through for you - & ASAP, too, so you’ve not the stress of waiting about.

@Flossie44
Hello

@Begonias
Would you be allowed to wear one of the Welsh-government-endorsed “feck off I’m a shielder” lanyards where you work? (You don’t have to be Welsh to buy one). Am sorry your colleagues are being so useless.

@TeaLibrary
Hello
Are you shielding with your mother, or do you help look after her, or are you “just” her main point of contact with The Real World (which is v important, obviously, but also v different)? (Also, no worries if you don’t want to say; & hope you don’t mind my asking.)

Good. Grief. ALL THE YESSES to wanting the criteria for restarting shielding published!

Am starting to wonder if perhaps they’re waiting to restart shielding until they’ve finished contacting everyone they’re taking off the shielding list. They were [meant to be] writing to everyone by the end of September - medics were reviewing the lists to ensure that only people who absolutely have to shield are doing so & anyone who can instead be moved to the vulnerable group...

@MarieVanGoethem you'll have to let me know where I can purchase those lanyards from? I find myself silently swearing at the idiots that don't understand the 2m rule. Obviously at work I can't swear but I reinforce the obvious.

@Begonias
The Bevan Commission’s Distance Aware Scheme has links for various charities that are doing badges & the company that are making lanyards. You can design your own lanyard, so “feck off I’m a shielder” in big letters on bright yellow is presumably an option.
I’ve yet to actually remember to wear mine (which is a bit more polite, but I may yet get a grumpier/More Assertive one) but have now stashed one in my rucksack & spare one in my hospital bag...

Hi @marievangoethem. I dont mind at all. I live with my disabled Mum and care for her and am shielding with her. To both of us the outside world seems frightening at the moment. I want to see what shielding 2.0 is going to look like. The "tailored approach" doesn't fill me with any confidence I am afraid. Hugs to all if us in the same boat

Thanks @MarieVanGoethem. Glad your dentist was nice!

Thank you @MarieVanGoethem👍

@TeaLibrary I have no confidence in the tailored approach however I might be proven wrong. This time round they have got details of all shielded so in theory it shouldn't take themong to send letters out if shielding 2.0 is ever introduced. Saying that shielding is only valid for local lockdown areas at present

Can anyone clarify the transcript from Boris speech this morning. Does he mean only Leicester or also the 50 or so areas with restrictions?

We will continue to act against local flare-ups, working alongside councils and strengthening measures where necessary. And I want to speak directly to those who were shielding early in the pandemic and may be anxious about being at greater risk. Following advice from our senior clinicians, our guidance continues to be that you do not need to shield – except in local lockdown areas – and we will keep this under constant review.

Work have done a bit of a U turn and murmured I should probably stay home etc etc
Fine by me

I think he meant the rules for shielding (nationally and locally) remain unchanged.

He’s talking about shielding the economy now not shielding us!

@Egghead68 I meant this part specifically our guidance continues to be that you do not need to shield – except in local lockdown areas

I don’t know what he means precisely by local lockdown areas but the advice is unchanged. Areas you have to shield in you still have to shield in. Other areas, not.