The shielded are being told to stay home for another twelve weeks after the initial twelve weeks....AIBU to think this is going to increase the gap between disabled and non disabled?

[AlternativePerspective]

I know several on the shielded list who have now received additional letters from the government telling them that they are required to shield for an additional twelve weeks after the first twelve week shielding period expires.So that leaves the vulnerable shielding until September at the earliest,and I can only imagine this will increase as time goes on.

Now,in principle I can see why this is the advice,after all with no vaccine or proven treatment yet the vulnerable are still going to be at the greatest risk, but while when everyone was in lockdown everyone had to be taken into account re work etc,once lockdown starts to ease, employers are rightly going to be expecting people to go back to work,and realistically how is that going to affect someone who is shielded for the foreseeable future? Are employers, who are already looking at lost revenue, going to take that into account?

And people like me who are currently looking for work, does that mean I have to stay unemployed for the foreseeable as well?

I’ve seen a lot of posts on here from people saying that the shielded are selfish if they go out because they know they’re at greater risk so if they choose to go out then they’d be taking up a valuable bed if they get sick.

I can only foresee that this is going to make the divide between the disabled and the non disabled in this country bigger than it already is.

So that leaves the vulnerable shielding until September at the earliest, and I can only imagine this will increase as time goes on.

OP, I wouldn't go there quite yet. 12 weeks is quite bad enough.

HauntedGoatFart makes some good points...

@NagevMama that sounds really tough.

I know a fair few people who are shielding, they are still working at home where their jobs can be done at home and only one is disabled (and can't work anyway).

I assume that at the moment the vast majority of the group are either continuing to work from home, furloughed or already on sickness/disability benefits.

The ones in my family are continuing to exercise outdoors as well, not sure why they would have to stay indoors if they can safely exercise at a distance? I haven't read the letter myself but I assume it leaves these people free to make their own decisions re safety!!

I haven't read the letter myself but I assume it leaves these people free to make their own decisions re safety!!

Shielding means:

Do not leave your house.
Do not attend any gatherings. This includes gatherings of friends and families in private spaces, for example, family homes, weddings and religious services.
Strictly avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). These symptoms include high temperature and/or new and continuous cough.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19#staying-at-home-and-shielding

the shielding advice is really quite severe about not sharing spaces even in your own home see
directly copied from gov.uk
"At home you should:

Minimise the time other people living with you spend in shared spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms and sitting areas, and keep shared spaces well ventilated.

Keep 2 metres (3 steps) away from people you live with and encourage them to sleep in a different bed where possible. If you can, use a separate bathroom from the rest of the household. Use separate towels from the other people in your house, both for drying themselves after bathing or showering and for hand-hygiene purposes.

If you share a toilet and bathroom with others, it’s important that they are cleaned every time after use (for example, wiping surfaces you have come into contact with). Consider drawing up a rota for bathing, with you using the facilities first.

If you share a kitchen with others, avoid using it while they’re present. If you can, take your meals back to your room to eat. If you have one, use a dishwasher to clean and dry the family’s used crockery and cutlery. If this is not possible, wash them using your usual washing-up liquid and warm water and dry them thoroughly. If you are using your own utensils, remember to use a separate tea towel for drying these.

Everyone in your household should regularly wash their hands, avoid touching their face and clean frequently touched surfaces."

lots of people make the decision not to shield to this extent they want to communicate with their family at home and eat with them watch TV together

I am wondering now the NHS sadly has information about which patients are dying from this virus whether the "at risk" categories could and should be modified.

It does leave people free to make their own decisions Tfoot75.
At the bottom of the link BlueBrianposted.
Although the letter doesn’t say that.

@KillerofMen
There is no point in forcing the shielded who are able to work at home to be furloughed. Working from home involves absolutely zero extra risk of catching the virus and It is likely that being able to remain productive in such a way and having a purpose will be highly beneficial for their mental health.

Op are you in the shielded group? Your post isn’t clear.

If you are and it’s extended then you need to make a choice. If you’re not, then I’m unsure of the premise of your question “what about me”?

But a lot of people who are on the shielding list can't work from home. And there will be a lot of them - will their employers be able to dismiss them on medical grounds?

Which also links into the AlternativePerspective’s last but one paragraph that says people saying those that don’t shield are being selfish and taking up a hospital bed. It says shielding is for your own personal protection.

TeacupDrama that is the case for people who have someone in the house that has to go out. If everyone in the house is able to support them by choosing to shield, then life can carry on as normal.

@StatisticalSense For clarity, I meant people who cannot work from home. I am aware of agency nurses, care workers and factory workers who are currently working when they have been told to shield. If the government is telling people to stay at home then that should be backed up by financial support.

They're being advised, not told. No one's going to be arrested for going out in public just because they're in the shielded group. If we could magic this virus away we would, but we can't, so it's just going to have to be up to the individual to make their own decision, once lockdown is over.

No screenshots, links or any other proof of these “additional 12 weeks” letters? Chinny reckon.

The OP has thrown this topic out there but not exactly come back to elaborate.

@AlternativePerspective You have lots and lots of threads going in AIBU many about the virus, but I'm not clear what your point is on this thread, not really.

You say you are looking for work, but it's not clear if you have been made redundant owing to Covid, or have been unemployed (and not necessarily looking for work) for a while, or what.

I think instead of making a general point and possibly posting inaccurate info about a 2nd letter going out (I don't believe that- it's another copy of the first letter, in error) it would be morehelfpul for you if you want advice to say

What work you did pre Covid
What work you are looking for
What your health condition is that means you are shielded
What sort of measures you need in place in the work place to ensure some added level of protection.

Otherwise, I can't see the point of your post.

I'm shielding, I've not had a letter yet to say it will be another 12 weeks. As PP said could you screenshot a copy of the letter. Have your friends just had their letter? thanks.

Luckily I'm working from home.

I work from home, and so far I’ve had plenty of work. But I freelance in an industry that’s been completely shut down, and my disability means I’m very limited in what jobs I can do.

One of my best friend is shielding and currently furloughed, but her company is at risk of going under completely and she’s in the same position.

It’s not as easy as just “getting another job.”

I've got several autoimmune conditions, including ME/CFS, I haven't even stuck my nose outside since March 12, I'm also living with my 81 year old mum. Neither of us have received a letter telling us we are vulnerable, despite my mum having copd & me having asthma. We don't qualify to get priority slots for supermarket deliveries so are having to manage with odd slots when we can. We don't plan on going out until we are told it is safe to do so.

I agree with @HauntedGoatFart - it’s advisory, it’s up to you to weigh up the balance of risk to your health vs the risk to your mental health and finances and make your own decision. Anyone who says you will take up beds etc. is forgetting that you have just as much a right to those beds as anyone else.

It sucks though, it really does.

I'm glad I can work from home- it's giving me routine and structure and I'm glad to help my colleagues where I can. It is making the weeks go faster. I'm not disabled I have severe asthma. GP surgeries were advised on Thursday that the shielded will self isolate till 30th June 2020 when a decision will be made and letters will be sent out to this effect- I've read this guidance at work (via introdoc).

but if you’re e.g. looking for work in the current pandemic and a medical is required, how many employers are going to look at that and think “mmm,if things get worse then they’re probably going to have to shield and be out of the picture for long periods of time,” would that make someone want to employ them?

You are conflating two situations - employment law regarding disability discrimation and the current Corona virus situation.

What you've described in your above scenario is no different to a recruiter looking at a candidate of child bearing age and saying to themselves "Hmmmm they could easily be pg in the next year and be out of the picture for long periods of time"

Yes we know the reality is that a company can do this and it is illegal to discrimination, but that doesn't stop them from doing so. Equally if you have a disability or condition where you have been sent a letter by the government to confirm your status, it would be in your best interests to level with the prospective employer but only once you have been offered the job. They cannot withdraw their offer if you declare the situation to them. There's a long running thread about a woman whose job offer was withdrawn due to her stating she was pg, and there is a very strong chance she will be compensated at Tribunal.

There is no current precedent set because this Corona virus situation is so novel, but I have no doubt an Employment Tribunal will look at each situation on its relative merits and determine whether existing legislation, being the Equality Act (2010) can be applied where relevant.

And to clarify an employer does not have to give someone the job if they do not believe they are suitable and there's a stronger candidate. A fair employer who wants to ensure a diverse and inclusive workforce will only judge the candidate on their abilities and qualifications.

I am both shielded and disabled. The government is going to have to put something in place, even if it is at those shielding expense, to stop all the equalties claims over this.

I dont think it has been extended yet, but I'm quite sure it will be.

@orvilletheduck I'm disabled and I have worked full time too. Lots of disabled people work, including full time.