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Related: Lockdown Learning, discuss home schooling during lockdown.
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From the Weekend do the high risk need to self isolate or social distance?
Greenbutterlfy566 · 18/03/2020 12:03
From the Weekend do the high risk need to self isolate or social distance?
Jocasta2018 · 18/03/2020 12:23
We're not being told which is the problem. I think it's more advice than 'you're not to'. Certainly all the at risk people I know are self-isolating but there are some of a certain age group that are refusing to stop going out, no matter how much their children beg otherwise....
EveryFlightBeginsWithAFall · 18/03/2020 12:25
Self isolate for 12 weeks. So Boris said at the beginning of the week. Not that many of them seem to be listening to him
Magpiefeather · 18/03/2020 12:28
He didn’t say to self isolate, he said stop “non essential contact”. That’s a bit different. I am pregnant but going to work is pretty essential for me to put food on the table for my existing dd because the government have not put any help in place for the self employed.
I’ve heard the same from pregnant teachers, nhs workers etc. It’s just “advice” at this stage. A lot of people are forced into making the decision to carry on working.
PieceOfMaria · 18/03/2020 12:29
Social distancing while maintaining as much normality as is possible under the circumstances is what has been asked of everybody, so yes of course you should do it.
You haven’t said whether you are in a high risk group or what conditions you have, so how can we know whether you should fully self isolate or not?
But if you don’t want to do it then it’s your own life and health you are gambling with so I guess it depends on how much you value your own life and health.
lubeybooby · 18/03/2020 12:32
self isolate
and anyone with a bmi over 40 seems to refuse to accept it is a health risk and they are in that category.
we're truly fucked if so many people keep ignoring the guidelines
Greenbutterlfy566 · 18/03/2020 12:35
Yes I am in a high risk group (moderate heart disease) so self isolate means not going out of the house at all doesnt it? Not even in the car for a drive?
EveryFlightBeginsWithAFall · 18/03/2020 12:40
He actually said shielded from social contact for up to 12 weeks
AlunWynsKnee · 18/03/2020 12:42
We're isolating because of me. DH will do any essential trips (food or medicine).
Noooblerooble · 18/03/2020 12:44
If you can isolate, do. I think trips out in the car if you'll be 2m from people at all times is fine as are walks away from others. So many people don't seem to understand yet that the more people who isolate now, the fewer people will die
steppemum · 18/03/2020 12:47
well, if you are high risk I would be social distancing already.
I would be aiming to slef isolate as far as possible as soon as possible.
most jobs are allowing high risk groups to do this already.
You can go for a walk and a drive, but keep a large distance between you are others
airforsharon · 18/03/2020 12:56
I think there's some confusion over a) the difference between self isolation and social distancing and b) what constitutes 'vulnerable'.
My understanding is only those with severe/uncontrolled illness - brittle asthma as an eg - should be self isolating. I've also seen elsewhere that those people will be contacted directly by the NHS to advise them.
Self isolating done properly means isolating yourself within your home from your family, using your own towel/cutlery/bathroom (if you have more than one!). I have asthma & am also lone parent to 3 dcs, all at school. My understanding is I should be socially distancing (asthma not severe) so the steps i'm taking are - my children will finish school on Friday (their school currently shows no sign of officially closing) and from today i'm no longer going to the shops/cafes or market, meeting friends, going to dentist/hairdressers (i'll look like Worzel bloody Gummidge by the end of it) or doing school drop off/pick up - luckily mine are old enough to get their under their own steam. One of my cats needs to go to the vet this afternoon & my ex has volunteered to take her. I am still walking my dogs as I live in a quiet semi rural area and it's easy to avoid people, but I won't be meeting up with others for a walk as I do sometimes.
If the Gov intends for ALL those in vulnerable to properly self isolate, they need to explain how that can work for those of us who are eg lone parents.
Greenbutterlfy566 · 18/03/2020 13:29
Thankyou for replying and trying I explain to me.
FthisS · 18/03/2020 17:58
Thank you @airforsharon. I think many people have misunderstood or don't realise it's only people with brittle asthma that fall into the severe category of asthma. I don't think many people realise the difference and that can be frustrating for people who suffer from brittle asthma or have a child that does. My son is 12 he has brittle asthma he takes 3 inhalers, montelukast, azythromycin long term and 8 steroid tablets a day right now. We have gone into 12 weeks isolation and are not leaving the house. My husband has even moved out for now for safety of our son. If you have asthma then the advice is to ensure you distance socially and avoid any unnecessary socialising.
Murree · 18/03/2020 18:01
Anyone high risk (over 70, pregnant or with a condition which would normally allow you to have the flu jab) should be social distancing.
Anyone in the super high risk (transplant patients, anyone currently having treatment for cancer or with lung conditions having active treatment) will probably be advised by the weekend to self isolate for 12 weeks. They will be contacted by NHS England or their GP with advice on what to do and when.
Murree · 18/03/2020 18:02
And by active treatment they mean on steroids or intensive medications etc... not just the the odd inhaler.
FthisS · 18/03/2020 18:13
@Muree yes I think this needs to made clear. I've seen so many threads today where people have asked if they should be isolating for 12 weeks because they carry a blue inhaler and take a brown one. This is not severe (brittle) asthma. This is a scary time but please people be reassured if you have controlled asthma which requires nothing more than the regular inhalers you just need to be very careful in social distancing. My sons asthma is probable copd he doesn't just get a little out of breath etc this rules his life.
Treaclepie19 · 18/03/2020 18:15
I'm pregnant and have mild asthma. I'm going to stay home apart from my scans and essential trips. Shopping will be delivered.
Not sure about exercise yet. Really wishing I had a treadmill.
minipie · 18/03/2020 18:38
My understanding is that everyone is advised to social distance at the moment.
The high risk are strongly advised to social distance.
I’m not sure what the difference is between advised and strongly advised tbh.
The super high risk eg current cancer patients will be contacted separately with specific advice (guessing they will say to self isolate)
Those with symptoms and their household have to self isolate.
Social distancing = cutting out all unnecessary contact (cut out everything except food shopping, work if can’t work from home, and necessary medical appointments).
Self isolate = cutting out all social contact. Get food delivered to your doorstep. See nobody.
airforsharon · 18/03/2020 19:08
@FthisS that sounds hard for your son.
It's really not helping that the media are using isolation/distancing interchangably, BBC breakfast guilty of this today. No wonder people are confused.
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