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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think it is utterly crazy that shielders can now meet up with people?

282 replies

Biglittlethings · 31/05/2020 14:52

At midnight last night the Government slipped out a frankly bizarre new alteration to the rules in that shielders, who have been told on the one hand to expect that they will need to shield beyond 30 June, will from tomorrow be able to not only leave the house, but meet up with others from different households.

"From Monday, the 2.2 million people who’ve been shielding can go outside for first time. This will be with either members of their household, or, if they live alone, to meet one other person."

Further information will follow in today's press conference.

Am I the only one to think this is absolutely ridiculous, and not at all in the interests of "the science?"

OP posts:
wherethetamethingsare · 31/05/2020 14:54

Yup

Yogamad38 · 31/05/2020 14:55

No your not in your own with your concerns. I'm shielding too and am wary about the restrictions being lifted. I will probably just go out for a walk locally if I fancy it. It came as a surprise reading the news TBH.

TinyPigeon · 31/05/2020 14:55

I think maybe by this point they're just trying to kill us all 🤷‍♀️

BananaPop2020 · 31/05/2020 14:56

I have reached the conclusion that the whole thing is now ridiculous. The contradictions, the selectively applied science, the U turns, the total lack of comprehensive (or even visible) leadership...I think a lot of people are now making their own risk assessments based on their own specific circumstances.

Yogamad38 · 31/05/2020 14:56

I'd like to sit in the garden with my mum but don't live alone.

MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 31/05/2020 14:56

It might not be in the interests of "the science" but it's certainly in the interests of the people who are going stir-crazy.

GrimmsFairytales · 31/05/2020 14:57

It makes no sense to announce this now, with a lot of people going back to work, children at school / nursery and visiting more shops and other people.

If anything it feels like those shielding would have been safer meeting up with another person weeks ago, when lock down was much stricter and many people were remaining at home.

Aposterhasnoname · 31/05/2020 14:57

You do know this is optional right? You don’t want to go out. Then don’t.

1066vegan · 31/05/2020 14:58

According to their own chart, shielding people shouldn't be going out until we've reached level 1. We're still at level 4. They've given up all pretence of following the science. It's a very dangerous strategy. Fuck knows what the rest of the world is making of this shit show.

MRex · 31/05/2020 14:59

It should be distanced. Most importantly, they don't have to and food deliveries will still be supported! People should be able to make their own decisions based on the varying risks to their mental and physical health, in the same way anyone normally would because they have vulnerability when they are undergoing cancer treatment, organ replacement etc. This situation is not uncommon in normal life, the government deciding how people should protect themselves is actually the unusual bit.

MRex · 31/05/2020 15:02

It makes a lot of sense that shielding family members might want to see kids for a distanced visit before they go back to school, and then not see them again for a while.

Original poster
Biglittlethings · 31/05/2020 15:03

@1066vegan

According to their own chart, shielding people shouldn't be going out until we've reached level 1. We're still at level 4. They've given up all pretence of following the science. It's a very dangerous strategy. Fuck knows what the rest of the world is making of this shit show.
Exactly, I was actually going to post a link to this chart in the OP. Just a few weeks ago they said that the shielders couldn't leave home unless and until we were at Level 1.

They also said schools and shops wouldn't open until we are at Level 3.

We are still at Level 4.

Did you notice the wording last Friday - the five tests "are being" met - they haven't been met.

They seem to be making it up as they go along now and this concerns me - then this announcement at midnight last night just seemed to be the icing on the cake! It is preposterous!

OP posts:
MyDucksArentInARow · 31/05/2020 15:03

I think it's more a mental health thing. Low risk for no shielders to walk about for exercise from lockdown day 1. Now that's been tested to have low transmission rate, it's deemed ok for shielders to go as statistically there'll be a bed in ICU for them. Up to the individuals if they want to go out, but those living on their own may be craving seeing someone in the flesh. Think of the elderly that go to the shops daily because the shop keeper is the only one they talk to all day. That kind of desperation for human interaction. That's the advice really, if you feel safe enough and need the fresh air/exercise/to see another human, we won't stop you and were pretty sure we'll have an ICU bed for you if you do catch COVID19. That's what guidance is saying.

ImDoinFineNow · 31/05/2020 15:03

My siblings have really been unhappy about this. Nuff said.

BogRollBOGOF · 31/05/2020 15:04

There's shielding, shielding and shielding.

People should be free to live according to their own risk assesments.

There's not much point in shielding totally alone to die of hopeless lonliness, or an underlying health condition or aggravating it by constant sedentary lurking in the house.

CrowleysBentley · 31/05/2020 15:06

I'm going to continue shielding. I think everything is being rushed, and we're heading for a big second peak soon.

DD has been told by the (large) company that she works for to expect to be back to work in a month, she works in a pub/restaurant. I don't see how this can possibly be done safely.

GrimmsFairytales · 31/05/2020 15:07

People should be free to live according to their own risk assesments

But that's always been the case, even if they were told to shield they were free to decide not to do so.

MashedPotatoBrainz · 31/05/2020 15:07

I bet they won't be releasing the scientific evidence behind this decision any time soon.

dottiedodah · 31/05/2020 15:21

This seems an odd decision to me TBH. Why are all these people suddenly no longer at risk then? Surely you still have the option to shield at home though.

trappedsincesundaymorn · 31/05/2020 15:23

Do shielded people not have the ability to think for themselves then? Nobody is saying they have to go out, or stay in for that matter.

TakemedowntoPotatoCity · 31/05/2020 15:24

If I was shielding alone I would go insane being isolated for the best part of a year, which is what it will be before we get to.level 1. Perhaps longer even. I agree that shielders need to make their own risk assessments but don't blame them for meeting one other person at a distance in their garden tbh.

Michaelbaubles · 31/05/2020 15:25

I think it’s to mitigate some of the objections about forced return to the workplace (instead of WFH) from those who live with shielded people. After all, if they can go outside and meet up with people, what’s the harm in people from their home going to work? A massively cynical move, IMO, designed to deliberately weaken quite reasonably-held objections to returning to the workplace before it is shown to be safe.

SudokuBook · 31/05/2020 15:26

It does seem odd but shielded people are still able to make up their own mind about risks, and stay home if they wish.

bigchris · 31/05/2020 15:26

The best thing to do is ring your doctor tomorrow and see what they advise because every shielded person's circumstances will be individual

I know a mum with 2 kids who got a letter because she has asthma , she's been exercising once a day with them from the start because they need to get out

MarshaBradyo · 31/05/2020 15:26

I think it’s ok to give people the option.

It must be incredibly hard

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