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

The new guidance. Pity they’ve somehow not figured out employers will try to say that working as an actual petri-dish growing COVID-linked samples is “COVID Safe” to get round the problems people needing to shield causes them

@MarieVanGoethem thank you for the link. We are in tier 3 so no change for me really. I spoke to my mum today as she's my bubble and I'm worried about her seeing other people over Christmas. She's with me for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at least and I doubt she'll bubble with anyone else in addition to us as she knows the risks to me.

When will they say who is to shield still? Im guessing all or most tier 3 areas will be. I'm in greater Manchester although one of the areas with lower cases.

No worries @Autumncolourlover - I’m very grateful to @Teaistheanswer for the prompt to look it up (& thus share it, because I fear not the clicky-link manufacturing).

The guidance says that only people in the worst-hit Tier 3 areas will be told to shield again - they’ll write to anyone that’s included there. So basically a kind of Tier 4? Any betting that concrete definitions of “worst” aren’t going to be forthcoming; nor will the general public be made aware of this status so people won’t know they should be shielding when their letter doesn’t show up... that single hair? I can see it vibrating under the unnecessary extra load being dumped on it. Only someone who read Greats would think (enthusiastically) testing the tensile strength of the hair that holds the sword is A Good Idea 🤦🏻‍♀️

GDBO, etc

Thanks for sorting the link @marievangoethem
Would be very interesting to know the criteria for sending that shielding letter I'm sure we'd never find that one!

I am very hesitant about my JL trip now. There'll not be the cafe open so no lunch. I could take a flask of hot chocolate and we can drink it on the bench outside 😂 it's not a city centre store or anywhere where someone would pop in, we are going first thing and during the week, no public transport. I just don't know though.

I wouldn’t go to John Lewis (but then I don’t leave the flat except Ned appointments).

Where’s our free vitamin D? I thought they were sending it to us.

Med not ned

Thanks for the link @MarieVanGoethem

@iVampire and anyone else with blood cancers. I've just been told that those with blood cancers and their families are all being shunted up the vaccination priority list to the aged 70 group.

Yes all shielders/CEV have been pushed up the list. Quite right too. Ridiculous to put us so low down before.

Has everyone who was on original shielding list got a second letter this lockdown?
I did not, but my Dr’s receptionist says no change - and obviously not allowed to speak to a Dr about it.
Work have said I can work from home if I have a new letter but have to go into work if not.

No idea why have to prove am still on the list but I cannot.

So back into teaching children aged 11-18 it is then!! Some staff have ended up in hospital so I am quite worried.

@Poppystars I got a letter and an email. GP's fitnote states work from home until January 4th and occupational health agreed.

@Poppystars, I got an email on the night before lockdown 2, and a letter a few days later, to say I'm still ECV.

I'm also a teacher. I've had a conversation with my boss and will now be working from home doing online tuition and admin tasks, until January.

Thanks. Looks like I am back in school on Wed then.

Managed to speak to two receptionists today.

I got an email and, I think, a letter.

@Poppystars maybe you could get an email response from a GP regarding whether you are still supposed to be shielding? I haven’t heard anything about them changing the shielding list so perhaps it’s just a mistake.

I’m getting cold feet about having the Pfizer vaccine with my autoimmune condition. I’ve emailed my consultant to see if he has any advice but I expect, if I get a reply at all, he will say there are no data and it’s up to me what to do.

Ooh I’ve just got another email:

“ Unlike the guidance that has been in place since 5 November, we are no longer advising you to stay away from work or school. However, you should continue to keep the number of social interactions that you have low and try to reduce the amount of time you spend in settings where you are unable to maintain social distancing. This might include gatherings with large numbers of people, especially indoors, because it significantly increases your risk.”

So sorry @Poppystars, it doesn’t look like a letter/email will be helpful now.

Was just stopping by to see if everyone else [in England, at least] enjoyed their NEW letter-by-email effort about post-lockdown rules. Don’t forget to register for your vitamin D if you need it...

@Poppystars - as above, not only got stuff going into lockdown, but tonight have had stuff coming out. Maybe worth checking your spam folder? Letters AND emails vanishing does seem a bit odd/unlikely though. I know that there are some things where the risk profile has been reassessed, but you should have been contacted about removal (& obviously if you’re no longer on the list receptionists shouldn’t be telling you you’re still on it). They’ve not been very open about exactly how they’ve shifted the goalposts though, which tbh is fair enough, because at this point they’ll be doing more work with people’s individual risk profiles & endless “why is my friend/random person I vaguely know/someone I’ve happened across on social media Still On The List When I’m Not...?” would be bad enough even without a pandemic to deal with. (Obviously not saying that’s what you’d be after doing, just if you’ve not seen anything about stuff changing for your condition etc, This Is [Part Of] Why.) So yes, on balance, if I were you, I’d be thinking I’d been taken off the list, receptionist’s claims to the contrary I think you can still register as ECV - I don’t know if maybe that’s the way to go to try to sort this out? Or could you contact your consultant/their team - or do you have a nursing team alongside who might be able to help? (I have rapid access to nurse specialists in a couple of departments I’m under & know with something like this they might be able to respond faster...)

Advice for the festive period
You can choose to be part of a Christmas bubble if you are clinically extremely vulnerable, but it does involve greater risks for you as you will be increasing the number of people you have contact with. You will continue to minimise your risk of infection if you limit social contact with people that you do not live with, even at Christmas. It is important that you and the other people in your Christmas bubble consider these risks carefully before agreeing to form a bubble. Forming a Christmas bubble is a personal choice and should be balanced against the increased risk of infection.

If you do decide to form a Christmas bubble, it is advised that you maintain social distance from those you don’t normally live with at all times, avoiding physical contact. Everyone should wash their hands more often and touch points, such as door handles and surfaces, should be kept clean. It is also important to allow fresh air into the space where you spend time with those you don’t normally live with. You may want to think about who you sit next to, including during meals, and also consider wearing a face covering indoors where social distancing may be difficult.

If you don’t feel comfortable spending time with other people indoors, think of other ways that you can safely spend time together, for example on walks outdoors or supported by technology, and how you can make that time feel different and special. Going outdoors carefully for exercise is also encouraged. It is important that you do not feel pressured to celebrate Christmas in an environment that makes you anxious.

There may be a lot of expectation and pressure around celebrating Christmas together, but you should feel comfortable to do what is right for you over this period. To do that, it is important that the other people in your Christmas bubble understand your needs and increased risk. They can help by being extra vigilant in the days before you get together, reducing any unnecessary contact with people, especially as some people with the virus have no symptoms.

And free vitamin D from:

www.nhs.uk/get-vitamin-d

Cross-post Marie!

Thanks @Egghead68 and @MarieVanGoethem I was put on ECV list in March/April time by Gov letter. Not been taken off it as far as I am aware but heard nothing.

My consultant said she has not taken me off the list.
I got first letter early April. But had a few texts and nothing since. I did nit tick I needed help with food boxes etc as able to get online shopping and multiple food allergies meant much would have been wasted. Friends got my prescriptions until I got them sent by post which has helped.

I teach in multiple rooms, so have to wipe down whilst teach at the same time, some have no opening windows etc.positive kids and adults. Teenagers are not always compliant as we know.

Worst thing is getting hold of a Gp! They will only give you a phone call if you pass the receptionist triage list. Then it will be whichever Gp is on triage list - so not one that knows me. Most have not heard of my condition so always a nightmare sadly, as it is rare. One helpfully said “oh we got a 2hr lecture on that area in training but I missed it!”

I will just go into work on Wed, wear my fabric mask, and pray I get to end of term without being ill. Cannot resign as DH’s job is not secure with multiple lockdowns and a pandemic sadly.

Thanks will check all spam letters and the pile of post that I wait 72 hours to open. But none has my name on it.

Thank you for the heads up I've just checked my emails and I've got mine too. So back to school it is then in my lovely Covid hotspot

Received the email.
Form a bubble, but decide for yourself if safe to do so ! 😂😂😥😥

Who sent the email?
I have had no emails and wondering why.

Do they just take you off the list and not inform us of that?

I got the email too just now. I can't justify the JL trip and feel pretty fed up about that but I don't want to risk either of us getting covid along with our Christmas treats. I'm in tier 3 so it's just a no-go.

@Egghead68
I prefer to think we’re great minds rather than fools

@TreacleHart
I think they don’t want to be accused of being some kind of Grinch-Scrooge combo where shielders are concerned - especially with our having spent so much of the year desperately isolated - so they won’t actually say “Do Not Make A Christmas Bubble If You’re ECV”... they’re just dropping clanging great hints about how lovely it’d be to see people outside/over Zoom & we shouldn’t feel bad for saying no

@Poppystars - the email address is something about ecv government information. Sorry, my email has fallen over so I can’t check exactly. They’re central government ones though - but with health being devolved, it’s done separately by England/NI/Scotland/Wales, so not sure what the email address is outside England (if anyone else is having similar issues).
They were meant to be writing to anyone they removed from the list in the “tidy-up” done over the summer, but it was apparent when Lockdown 2 started that they’d not done so. Letters are always addressed to you - & everything I’ve had has been bulky...

On the mask front, do you have a Cambridge mask? I think they’re still on sale for the next couple of hours if not - they’re adjustable N99 fabric ones.