They’ve now changed the general guidance again to “if you can’t work from home, off you trot” (see attached screenshot; text at end post as MN doesn’t let you alt-text images). I know it’s no help, but it makes me so frustrated-cross that they’re so set on the triumph of “Ending Shielding” that they’ve no care for the collateral damage. And really what they’re saying is “ending the support for shielding... well, you can have supermarket priority for another couple of months, but let’s not mention that... & could you please keep avoiding everyone so you don’t die, that’d be grand...”. It’s not exactly a shock to me - I’m well versed in how the Tories treat people with disabilities, which is how they’ve mentally categorised people who’re shielding. Gah. Yet again we’re in the situation of Stormont doing a better job. And while there’s obviously no reason a devolved legislature shouldn’t do a better job, one that’s notorious for being completely dysfunctional & was shut down for so long it would have set a world record were it not an assembly rather than a parliament getting it together COVID-wise so SO much better than Westminster should be getting all kinds of questions asked...
@VictoriaBun
The letter does say “you should still ensure you take up your second dose of the vaccine when it is offered to you...you should continue to take the extra precautions set out in this guidance to help protect yourself”. I’m going to start going for walks in the park at the top of my road, but only with people I know are careful; & wearing one of my masks with a filter good enough to filter covid, just in case of Other Humans.
@Anewuser
Thank you 
I’ve been sleeping a LOT since Friday thanks to the jab - I’m really not feeling that great, but of course it’s about a billionty times better than actually getting the thing!
@PoppyStars
V glad GP surgery accepted the in-person letters. Frustrating for you they’re relying on hard copies - most of what my GP surgery gets from Trust that manages my care is emailed these days; though I think probably they got Actual Real Letters when I was seen elsewhere as an emergency at the start of last year. Have you any chance of moving to a different GP surgery? My daddy ended up moving to where I registered when I moved home after university when he discovered that the surgery he’d been registered at since since he moved to the area when he & mummy married had elected to deregister him for not having made an appointment for “too long”. They didn’t contact him to tell him, just... 🤦🏻♀️
I hope going back to work goes as ok as possible.
@Begonias
Good luck with going back to work 🍀
I’ve noticed that they’ve not created any resources or support for people who’ve been stuck inside for a year when it comes to coping with Returning To Normal. Just... they observed shielding was bad for mental health in the first lockdown, then... did nothing.
@TOWGA
I hope the risk assessment goes well; & that your new store & manager are supportive & generally make for a happy work environment.
@Babysharkdoodoodood
Yay! Second doses ftw! And fab you & your DH are getting them at the same time, too.
@zobalina77
Hope your return to work goes ok & that your store set-up & role keep you safe. Even first doses offer some protection; but you can get masks that filter out [99% of] the virus if that’d help?
@Outnumberedwoman
Just wanted to check how you’re doing, really...
Text of attached screenshot:
If you are clinically extremely vulnerable or live with someone who is clinically extremely vulnerable
If you have been identified as being clinically extremely vulnerable you should continue to work from home where possible. If you cannot work from home, you should go to work. Your employer is required to take steps to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace and should be able to explain to you the measures they have put in place to keep you safe at work. Some employers may introduce regular testing of employees as part of these measures. You may also want to consider how you get to and from work, for example, if it is possible to avoid using public transport during rush hour.
If you live with someone who is clinically extremely vulnerable then you can continue to attend work if you are unable to work from home.
You should follow the guidance on how to stop the spread of coronavirus, including what to do to reduce your risk of catching or passing on the virus at home.