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

[Biglittlethings]

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?"

I don't think any of the shielders I know will be going anywhere frankly.

And people saying "we can't shield forever!" Well no one is saying forever. It may be high priority people get a vacinne in a year. Year of shielding or potential death?

were pretty sure we'll have an ICU bed for you if you do catch COVID19

Yes, because every single person who gets it dies or needs ICU . . . oh, wait

I've had to go out over the last 10 weeks for medical appointments. I've also had a distance chat with my parents. Several friends have been to mine for a very long distance chat in the front garden. The hospital trip were very scary but I'm glad I did them because I was getting to the point where I was terrified of going out.

I've been going out for a little drive in the last week, just to see real life going on around me.

I won't be going in shops, walking on the streets (unless deserted) or going to beaches or parks anytime soon.

We are also “allowed” to meet in groups of six on Monday - in England

The shielded?
@BlackBucketOfCheese what I meant by that comment is that I as a shielding person have always been “allowed” to do the same as those not shielding. That doesn’t mean it’s a safe choice to make.

No one is making them go out. They just have the option to.
I think it's right that they have the option to, it's amazing that people would think that other people should have to stay locked in their own homes (for their own safety) like they're under house arrest. People should be allowed to have their freedom. I don't think anyone has any right to tell older or vulnerable people they're not allowed to go out!
Imagine if you were elderly at this time and didn't know when you might pass (due to any other age related thing) and then for your last few months of life you were told no you have to stay inside now 'for your own good'.

Some of the most vulnerable want to go out and about!

The most fascinating part about this whole thing is how people genuinely think that it's ok to enforce house arrest and not even allow window visits etc to elderly people!!

I think that this announcement, alongside the other recent lockdown relaxations and the 'leaked' comments from 'someone at No 10' that 'the PM has told DC this is his last chance' - anyone believe that?- is a cynical ploy by the government to regain some popularity and to distract and 'move on' the public and media from the DC debacle, the still high UK infection rates, delayed Track and Trace and so on.

Sadly, I think that is more important to them than following the science and preventing further infections and deaths.

We live in a National Park and have seen visitor levels leap to sky high since the relaxation a couple of weeks ago which allowed people to drive anywhere they like in England for exercise or just a trip out. We live in a quiet country lane and have had cars parked in it blocking access for the farmer by the type of people who would rather upset, worry and inconvenience residents than pay a couple of pounds for the nearby car park away from homes and farms. Today that many people came around the corner it looked like they were on their way to a football match.

There is no way local residents, especially those shielding, can safely go out for a walk at the moment unless it is very early or late in the day. Nearby village shops are out of bounds too either because you would get stuck in the constant visitor traffic or visitors are packing them out buying picnic supplies or drinks for the long drive home. And we'll not go into detail about the litter and nappies left, and the outdoor dog and human toileting.

We are hearing sirens frequently throughout the daytime now, presumably from increased car and motorbike accidents, and injured or unwell visitors. The moors, grassland and woods are tinder dry. Fires are burning in some places, but visitors are still smoking and using barbecues.

Thanks Boris.

Or people could just use their common sense and weigh up the risks? Just because you’ve been told you can now do something doesn’t mean you have to do it 🤷🏻‍♀️ Likewise, some people who are shielding might have decided to see people outside their household already, their choice. It’s not hard. I can’t wait to get back to a time where people actually think for themselves.

@highmarkingsnowbile
Yes, because every single person who gets it dies or needs ICU . . . oh, wait hmm
Those that are shielding do have a high risk of dying or needing ICU. You didn’t really think that comment through did you before attempting to be smart.

The governments is just “washing their hands of any responsibility”, they are leaving it up to us to make decisions on how to be safe, ergo... if people die is not their fault.

I can see Boris and Dominique Cummings looking forward with glee to the Savings in medical and care costs If more vulnerable people die. But then, I’m sure people will assume that it is all about individual freedom.

Dominic, damn the autocorrect.

It's unfortunate that so many people ARE dicks, though. I'm not shielding but I take great pains to avoid walking along my local high street because nobody bothers to distance. Most days I don't go out because it's so stressful.

I don’t understand the concern. People shielding don’t automatically have no capacity, they do and folks with capacity are able to socially distance and wear ppe. So they won’t catch it. It’s not like it’s air bourne,,🙄

People shielding aren't being advised that BBQs or having multiple people round is safe though. Just that they can go out with their household or see one other person outside whilst adhering to strict social distancing My mum is shielding, her and my dad haven't left the house since this started, them being able to go out for a 6am walk together when hardly anyone will be about is great. People can still make their own choices, they will be aware of their own health and it's not like they are being forced out.

Also whoever said about ICU beds can fuck off, there are plenty of idiots who should be less entitled to one, but we don't decide by judge or jury who 'deserves' one. Also I agree with @Bluntness100, people talk like those shielding also have no capacity to make decisions or act sensibly.

@Bluntness100

It is airborne, why on Earth do you think all other countries are wearing masks?

At least until Dominic Cummings, and even now a lot of people think that common sense or civic duty during a pandemic was to follow government guidance to the letter even if it is not the law. This applies even if it is physically painful, MH was/is worsening or when a close relative is dying.

The government need to explicitly give new guidance for these people.

Hardly takes a genius to connect this with trying to bury popular dissent about the Cummings affair. They are a bunch of liars and incompetents.

It’s not compulsory, if those shielding don’t want to go out no one is forcing them ....although no one was forcing them to stay home either.

It is airborne, why on Earth do you think all other countries are wearing masks

Doh...

I think it's the right thing to do. No one is forcing them to go out , the risk is still there but they need to make their own risk assessment. They should be allowed at least to take a walk or to meet a relative sitting outside at a distance. These are low risk activities but really help mental and physical health.

As long as no one is forcing them back to work and they can still receive deliveries I should add

It is odd, but if you’re shielding you surely make the decision to remain indoors

Government are damned if they do damned if they don't. There's another post on here about shielders being forgotten and left to rot then someone else complains that they are now allowed out. If you are not comfortable going out don't go but some need to get out for their MH

I don't trust them at all, especially as they are now ignoring scientists. I won't be going out and neither will my family members who are shielding. My asthma is unstable at the moment anyway due to hayfever and am also immuno suppressed.

People can make their own choices of course, they pretty much have to figure it out themselves now anyway. Unfortunately I can already foresee that this is the start of the working age vulnerable being pushed back into work, especially in schools as they have realised how it is causing problems. Our