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

I’ve been pondering on that too @Idroppedthescrewinthetuna I’ve a few bits planned for a gentle way back into society.

Dh has just reminded me I should be doing the last minute packing panic (tipping everything I own into the suitcase) and taking the hound to the kennels ready to go to the airport for our Singapore and Bali holiday today 😢. Gutted. Need to find a way to make today a bit special.

@IrisJoy
Regarding your question about schools.
It may be a good idea to have a look on the staffroom board on here. Or maybe start your own post. I looked earlier this morning and there wasn't anything.
Staffroom threads are now longer visible on active threads, and it seems to be a lot quieter over there.
Are you primary or secondary?

There’s a bit on GMTV in a moment about easing lockdown anxiety.

Has Marie been on here recently? I am worried about her.

Laughing to myself that the latest easings have no effect on me whatsoever. I have no one who would form a support bubble with me and I don’t know 5 people who would want to meet up in the park with me. Social distancing is my natural way of life! (Still managed to catch covid though ).

Thank you @ElizabethMainwaring that's a good idea. I am primary which I think is probably slightly better than secondary in that I will mainly be with one class.

@IrisJoy there are quite a few good groups of Facebook.

Scary still

@Redcherries I'm so sorry, you must be so gutted about the holiday. Hope you can find a way of making the day a bit special, maybe a nice meal and some cocktails to pretend

@Egghead68

Feel for all those who are teachers and facing going back in September when things really don't feel safe. I used to be a teacher (too sick now) and just can't imagine how they can ever make things safe in schools so it must be a worry and I do understand why you'd want to take unpaid leave etc

Still don't know quite how I feel about yesterday's announcements really but like many of you I share irritation at Jenny Harries' very cold and unhelpful statement, basically telling shielding people to stop being wusses and get on with it

I don’t understand how they can make a unilateral decision that everyone shielding can simply leave home from 1st August. A one size fits all approach just doesn’t work as there will inevitably be a whole range of medical conditions, varying degrees of risk and even people with the same medical condition will not necessarily have the same experience. My two DCs have a very rare medical condition, we were initially advised by the support group that there was no risk posed by CV, then we eventually received shielding letters from the GP which obviously contrasted with the support group’s stance. Just last week I read a recent report that states that anyone with their medical condition is at high risk of catching the virus in the first instance because of the way their immune system functions and then they would have the immune response of an 80 year old if they had to fight the virus!
As you can imagine, I was horrified to read this report and the reality for my teenage DCs. How am I supposed to feel confident that they will be safe? I’m truly disgusted with the way the shielded group have been let down. My DS said he feels as though he’s been forgotten by the government. There was very little info and then suddenly we’re given a blanket statement yesterday and basically told by MH and JH at the daily briefing to go out, it’s good for you and not to get stressed. Very patronising, very unhelpful, very worrying.

Morning all. We're hoping to attempt a "picnic" today (no food for me though as I'm on OMAD fasting), first time over the threshold since 7th March 😬
How far we go will depend on how comfortable I feel with people around us, as them not social distancing at all is the problem here.

Morning all.

Did I imagine it or did Matt Hancock day that we would all be receiving a letter?

My employer has been on the phone asking for a copy
X

Did I imagine it or did Matt Hancock day that we would all be receiving a letter?
Yes , he is writing personally to everyone , poor guy must have been up all night and for many more to get through 2.5 million letters.

For those working in schools (like me)... I was just reading a thread where someone was asking, 'If you have had Covid, where do you think you caught it?'
Anecdotal, not scientific obviously but there were LOTS of replies saying, 'from my children' and 'from school' - so much so that people were commenting on how many were saying it. Really doesn't fill me with confidence for September.

@Goldistheanswer

I don’t understand how they can make a unilateral decision that everyone shielding can simply leave home from 1st August. A one size fits all approach just doesn’t work as there will inevitably be a whole range of medical conditions, varying degrees of risk and even people with the same medical condition will not necessarily have the same experience. My two DCs have a very rare medical condition, we were initially advised by the support group that there was no risk posed by CV, then we eventually received shielding letters from the GP which obviously contrasted with the support group’s stance. Just last week I read a recent report that states that anyone with their medical condition is at high risk of catching the virus in the first instance because of the way their immune system functions and then they would have the immune response of an 80 year old if they had to fight the virus! As you can imagine, I was horrified to read this report and the reality for my teenage DCs. How am I supposed to feel confident that they will be safe? I’m truly disgusted with the way the shielded group have been let down. My DS said he feels as though he’s been forgotten by the government. There was very little info and then suddenly we’re given a blanket statement yesterday and basically told by MH and JH at the daily briefing to go out, it’s good for you and not to get stressed. Very patronising, very unhelpful, very worrying.

Absolutely agree. I'm wondering if they want to finish us off early ☹️

The Guardian have an early copy of the letter
Dear Shielder,

“As of 6 July, we want you to reacquaint yourself with the outside world, so feel free to hang out in groups of up to six people. Have someone to stay overnight if you like. Because from August 1, the fun stops. That’s when the food boxes, the medicine drops and the statutory sick pay will end. Anyone found bunking off from then will be on their own. So prepare to get your compromised immune systems back to work. Lots of love, Matt.”

Link to article
www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jun/22/hancock-lifts-covid-19-restrictions-in-line-with-economy-sorry-science

I saw a tweet this morning about a tool from an oxford group of researchers which is meant to help refine the shielded list into further more nuanced categories

Perhaps that will be rolled out usefully - I can see the usefulness of having
a) always shield (for as long as condition exists and/or X months after for acute conditions)
b) reserve shielded - need most diligent approach to distancing and should expect to be recalled to full shielding even with slight increases to rates (remain eligible for full assistance)
c) possible shielders - full diligence required for distancing, but will only be recalled if more widespread increased (retain supermarket and pharmacy priority)
d) those who can de-shield fully as more evidence shows their condition is not at as great a risk with Covid as initially assessed

Morning to you all, I have had a letter this morning saying exactly what was said at last night's update for 6th July and 1st Aug. Also some more advice about being careful, handwashing and mental health etc.

I have been out walking the dog at around 9pm and have barely seen anyone although we are semi rural Cornwall and have met up with my daughter in my back garden. I still intend to be very cautious. I don't think I am prepared to return to school in September but do not have to make any decisions yet. I will watch and wait and try really hard not to shout at the politicians/experts on tv

I also received the letter this morning. I feel really emotional today about the school decision. I am not wooried about going outside, and I am not usually overly cautious about my health, but I am diabetic and have had a double lung transplant and I just don't see how it can be safe.

The Guardian article definitely sums it, thanks for the link @ToothFairyNemesis

I got the letter this morning. The only thing is, I thought I'd been removed from shielding several weeks ago, so I was a little startled.

This is becoming ridiculous........
I’ve received the new letter apparently based on the fact that I have been shielding. Only problem is that I’ve never been told I was in that group! It includes my NHS number so it clearly relates to me but it’s my DCs who are shielded. Their original letters were addressed to them personally so it certainly seems that I have now been classed as shielded (I do have serious health problems myself) three months after lockdown and just as the shielded group can apparently relax! But the plot thickens as no new letters have been received by my DCs who have been shielding from the start. I don’t know what to think, quite honestly.

@ToothFairyNemesis love it. Pretty much sums up life right now.

Similar to a few others, have also got my "personal" letter from Matt. He must have been up all hours of the night getting those out given he only said he'd be personally writing to us at about 5pm. They've knocked off the bit about contacting age concern with queries and thank us for our "resilience" over the last few months. Lol.

We have been going out on walks around our village. I may have been in the odd shop (just small local shops where they only allow one person in at a time) because otherwise we'd never get anything done. We've both avoided anywhere big though and will do for the foreseeable future. It's been quite exciting getting deliveries - we always used click & collect pre mat leave as we'd never be at home. I always want to support small businesses where I can though.

@IrisJoy I think it was you who said you had just done a pgce? Can I ask what has happened with that, given the schools have been closed since March? Are they just allowing you to do one placement and graduate anyway? I was in my first school until March time, then swapped to my second. I can see why you'd be worried, a lot of family members are still teachers and their school set ups are in such a mess.

Irisjoy could you ask for a Gp medical nite for September if needed?

iVampire a new list like you posted sounds wise, as there must be some people that can change categories with their knowledge of the disease now and some who must surely stay in shielded group.

Yes I probably could ask for a doctor's note. But then what would happen re salary? I am a single parent so need to earn if we aren't getting ssp (I have been living on student loan so far).

Yes it was me just doing PGCE. I ha e been lucky in that I was doing a school route anyway so have had lots of time in school, but they are just letting all pgces pass, and most won't have been in since March. It's scary that I am meant to just go and teach by myself from sept when I haven't been in school for 6 months, but that's a whole other issue!

@IrisJoy oh bless you - it is a terrifying thought isn’t it. Can you contact your GP or consultant for a chat and some advice? Today my brain is thinking more along the lines of it’s a long way from now til September, lots can change, more info will be around by then, hopefully the unions will be on it in terms of risk assessments etc...
Feeling a bit fragile though and just seen that basically everything is opening and we are down to 1m from the 4th too.
I will go out for another, longer, walk later tonight when it’s quieter. Didn’t go yesterday because it would have been too much after the announcement. No letter here, Matt obviously got a bit tired before he got to my name.
@iVampire I love your categories idea.