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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder what people think of those shielding now

201 replies

Flamingofolie · 17/05/2020 10:52

I've seen the shielding mentioned negatively 3 times this morning. What do you think, they get preferential treatment? They're just doing as they're told? It's just an excuse to avoid work?

To clarify I'm talking about those who have been explicitly told to shield, not people who have decided to do so of their own accord.

OP posts:
ClientQ · 17/05/2020 12:37

I can't wait for my prescription. As it is, I've come to the chemist and it's not here
So my choices are go out again later or wait until tomorrow to have it delivered, or as the chemist suggested pay a taxi driver for the trip to collect it which I can't afford
My local pharmacy won't deliver as I pay for my prescriptions and they can't take payment. Don't have a pre payment card as it's more cost effective for me to pay as I need

I am still shielding as I've driven here, walked in the chemist alone without touching anything and walked back out. I've had to leave the house for medical care (pneumonia jab and also blood tests)

blacksax · 17/05/2020 12:38

Well aren't you just charming Sorryoo and I know of the thread and the person you are talking about. There is absolutely no need to speak about her or anyone else in such a disgusting fashion. Your whole tone is appalling and shows absolutely no compassion for others.

TooMuchBloodyChoice · 17/05/2020 12:38

We had a letter for our teen to shield.

It’s been interesting as all the discussion revolves around the elderly.

But my teen has taken their letter incredibly seriously and won’t leave the house. Despite several invites to illegal lockdown parties!

I’ve read negative views about the shielded - like they’re a homogeneous mass. Almost unworthy of treatment. Taking up resources for the healthy.

But luckily that’s not how our NHS works - he would and should be prioritised for a bed if he needs one. Fuck anyone who thinks differently.

And FWIW - he’s a normal teenager. Not seriously disabled, no wheelchair. In fact you’d never know he needed to be shielded if you saw him. He’s missed so much due to shielding as he’s also at the end of his schools education. He’s missed the opportunity to say goodbye and is worried that this won’t end any time soon.

Whatever people think of the shielded, please remember they are people too. Just as worthy for treatment and just want to live. Please, please be kind.

Sorryoo · 17/05/2020 12:39

@blacksax perhaps read my post again Hmm

DissociatedDinosaur · 17/05/2020 12:39

@ToothFairyNemesis That's what I thought too, but upon clarification it's another 12 weeks. I have received my GP letters before the PHE/DoH letters, these were both GP letters and the second one was written with appreciation that I had already spent some time shielding. They were "checking in" to see if I needed anything and have set up a specific email and phone number for those shielding to talk to staff through. It's different to the first letters.

babymidgetgem · 17/05/2020 12:40

I'm shielded, and hating it. I suffer (on top of the shielded reasons) with severe OCD and anxiety, which is made so much worse by not being able to control the situation I am in, so this is hell as all control has been taken from me. I am still working, and I am still looking after my children. But it is not easy.

throwaway201809 · 17/05/2020 12:41

I'm under the care of 3 consultants who have told me to continue to shield. I have a weekly phone call with one of my consultants. I'm fully engaged with my health care and the guidance that has been given to be. I'm not sure why you think I'm not engaging with my HCPs? BeforeIPutOn?

My medication is delivered to my house. My weekly shop is delivered thanks to a priority slot and my partner is being allowed to work remotely until I no longer have to shield. Neither of us have left the house since 10th of March.

I desperately miss my family and the outdoors but I'll shield for as long as I'm told I have to

zafferana · 17/05/2020 12:44

If you have been told to shield then you are being told to save your own life, because if you catch Covid you are one of the ones most likely to die from it. I feel for those in this position as a) it's very isolating to be shut away from the world, b) you have the worry that you'll be infected and what that could well mean for you and c) this situation has no visible end. My parents are shielding and that last point has gradually dawned on them over the past couple of months -- that the original 12 week shielding instruction is the tip of the iceberg and that they are likely to be shut away in their home for 12-18 months with very limited contact with others. That is a profoundly depressing thought for them (and for us).

Sandybval · 17/05/2020 12:44

We (the fit and healthy) have to stay home to protect the vulnerable

If you're in England this isn't true. You can spend as long as you like outside, you can drive as far as you want, you can go to work if it cannot be done from home (aside from a few sectors). Yes you still aren't meant to be seeing people from other households, and you can't pop to to the pub, but if you aren't leaving the house thats up to you. Have some empathy for those who have been advised to actually not leave the house.

mrsbyers · 17/05/2020 12:44

There are a lot of people shielding who are still working full time , they’re receiving nothing extra from the government , no time off , no paid holiday

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 17/05/2020 12:47

Like ChesneyHawkes I had my 'shielding' letter two days ago. I was gutted to get it. I've been out - within guidelines - and now presumably, I can't.

Apparently, the medical officer is liaising with GPs/consultants, etc. and the 'list' gets updated periodically.

The shitshow that is the UK Government actually makes me care less, not more. I won't go to hospital.

MilesJuppIsMyBitch · 17/05/2020 12:49

blacksax what are you talking about? Sorryoo was quoting other people in her post.

DominaShantotto · 17/05/2020 12:57

I have every sympathy and hope that those who are shielding are fully supported.

However when I hear the dulcet tones from next door's garden party of someone who does NOT live next door, that "I'm 72 years old, I'm shielding and I think that we need to lock down much harder and prosecute people who go outside"... I'm alternately really bemused by the double standard, and incredibly pissed off that you want other people to lock down harder when you're ignoring it all yourself and using it as some kind of badge of honour to win your argument.

Sandybval · 17/05/2020 12:58

No one will stop you going out @LyingWitchInTheWardrobe, you won't be denied hospital treatment because you went out. They write to advise people not to, and so that they can access support such as priority delivery slots and prescription deliveries etc if needed. You have the information that medical professionals deem to more risky for yourself than others if you were to catch it, but ultimately what you do with that info is up to you, if you want to go out of course you can.

LonginesPrime · 17/05/2020 12:59

I've seen an increase in negative attitudes and I'm curious as to why

If you genuinely want to know why those people have negative attitudes, you're best off asking them as no-one else can tell you why they think like they do.

Asking other random people why some people are negative towards the shielded is just going to upset shielding people who haven't heard the negative comments you have heard, and your thread title invites people to judge shielding people and suggests we should all have an opinion on them.

It's just a fact that some people have been advised to shield because of medical science. No-one else should be telling them what do or what they think of them - just because the government have grouped them together as a class for logistical purposes, it doesn't mean they're public property or not individuals with their own free will and personalities.

zafferana · 17/05/2020 12:59

I've been out - within guidelines - and now presumably, I can't.

It really depends @LyingWitchInTheWardrobe. I have a shielding family member with blood cancer. She lives in a quiet, rural location and has been given the green light to drive to a local place that is wide open and you hardly see a soul. She goes to walk there and never gets near anyone else. We're all allowed to drive for exercise now too, so that might help if you know of somewhere not too far away where you could exercise safely.

opticaldelusion · 17/05/2020 13:00

Suggesting that people who have been advised to shield have a greater societal responsibility is bizarre. Shielding isn't mandatory and it's up to every individual to do what's right for them. That's acknowledged by the government on its own website.

Isleepinahedgefund · 17/05/2020 13:03

I think it might be that the shielding is being misused by some. Some have been told to shield, But some have decided they are going to shield off their own back and are making a bigger deal out of it and trying to make out they should be excused from x y z indefinitely while people on exactly not the position cover for them. I think it’s those people that are starting to make others lose patience. I don’t believe for a minute that everyone in mumsnet who says they are shielding actually falls into the official category, and frankly those who aren’t but say they’re shielding are ruining it for the people that really do need to.

Original poster
Flamingofolie · 17/05/2020 13:04

LonginesPrime and yet the discussion is quite interesting.

OP posts:
Aridane · 17/05/2020 13:04

I have been shielding for ten weeks already.

I have now received another letter saying I need to shield for twelve weeks from the date of that letter - this came this week. As you can imagine I am quite close to losing my shit completely.

Oh, @DissociatedDinosaur - I don’t know what to say

Original poster
Flamingofolie · 17/05/2020 13:06

I have now received another letter saying I need to shield for twelve weeks from the date of that letter - this came this week. As you can imagine I am quite close to losing my shit completely.

Why are these letters being sent and yet it isnt being highlighted at government briefings? I've written to my MSP and MP and been told no decision has been made yet.

OP posts:
2bazookas · 17/05/2020 13:06

"I could understand someone having a grumble about a shielding colleague who isn't working from home despite being paid, particularly if she shielding is self-imposes and a bit spurious I suppose."

No shielding is "self imposed ", so get that mistake out of your heads. Shielded people have ALL been selected by the doctors treating them, because of their medical history, and have been informed by a letter imposing extreme restrictions on them for 12 weeks; now being extended for a further 12 weeks.

   They include, parents of young children;   people working in highly specialised fields  with skills  earned by  years of work and study and  can't be replaced next week if they died.
ShredMeJillianIWantToBeNatalie · 17/05/2020 13:07

I didn’t realise there might be another letter ....we are 8 weeks in Sad

Original poster
Flamingofolie · 17/05/2020 13:07

No shielding is "self imposed ", so get that mistake out of your heads.

No, that isn't what PP means. They are referring to people who are self shielding - no one has told them to. Theres plenty of them about.

OP posts:
geojojo · 17/05/2020 13:11

One of my close friends is shielding. She and her husband have not left the house since the week before lockdown. They are both still working and she is also studying. Until it's under control through track and trace or there is a vaccine she does not intend to leave the house as she is extremely vulnerable to the virus.