Is anybody else self isolating feeling useless?

[Gingerkittykat]

I am self isolating because I am diabetic, there is a horrific death rate for diabetics of between 7 and 9%.

I have two relatives who are healthcare professionals, one a nurse who has now received coronavirus training and will likely be sent to the frontline and another a physio who has previously worked with respiratory patients so will likely be working there soon too.

I also have a relative who is a prison officer, if the virus hits his prison it will be a disaster.

Other friends and family include an amazon picker and shopworkers, all of whom are providing an essential service right now.

I feel like a massive drain on resources right now and wish I could do something to help. I obviously can't even go shopping for people, has anyone any idea what I can practically do to help right now?

You are doing your bit by following the advice. You are self isolating and won’t be needing to use the nhs hopefully.

I think most nhs workers just want that.

I'm a shop worker with severe asthma and I've chosen to social distance as advised for 12 weeks. I do feel like a complete fraud and feel awful knowing colleagues (who are friends) will be struggling. I would much rather be working.

BUT it is better than getting ill in a high contact job and being further pressure on stretched NHS resources.

Practically you can help by isolating. That is the single most useful thing anyone can do right now.

As an NHS worker on isolation due to symptoms I am now recovering and have had to sit on my hands and watch whilst my colleagues have dealt with the initial madness of all this. It's horrendously frustrating however it is the only thing to do.

Totally understand you're feeling impotent but you are helping. Maybe look to contacting friends on isolation who may appreciate some moral support?

You are not a drain on resources. I'm not having that!

Protecting yourself is important. A side effect is that your friends and family have the comfort of know someone they love is as safe as possible.

You can provide moral support to people, taking the time to check in with them - whilst they probably feel useful I imagine they also feel frightened, so having regular and predictable contact from someone who knows them and cares for them might help them cope.

If you have coping strategies that help you, sharing them can help others.

Locally to me they're setting up a network to ensure anyone self isolating has someone to bring groceries and medicine to their doorstep, or simply someone to talk to on the phone. You could see if anything like that is happening near you - even though you can't go out and about you could support behind the scenes or coordinating efforts or just answering the phone.

But don't underestimate how much of an impact simply connecting with others can have - feeling alone is tough.

I'm in much the same boat.

I'm keeping an eye on facebook and sharing posts from local organisations that are popping up for foodbanks and nhs staff collections. Apparently at our local hospital they're getting too busy for breaks and donations for things that are wrapped, safe and can be inhaled in a minute or two like breakfast bars are desperately wanted. I can help make sure as many people see those as possible.

I'm participating on a number of social and hobby forums I belong to, there's plenty of anxious and bored people dropping by there who need someone to talk to about anything other than current events, I can help there where I can.

The main thing I'm doing to help is staying home out of the way and intentionally not making this situation any more difficult or dangerous to others than I can help.

The one thing I can do is make limited financial donations, I don't have a high income but right now I'm obviously not spending any money on things like petrol. I have made a donation to a local cat rescue place who are struggling and I also ordered extra from the local farm shop and gave some to my friend who is a single mum on UC. I could afford the extra to buy £2 eggs and veg from a local supplier and know the limited food in the shops is the expensive brands which is leaving people struggling more than usual.

I'm talking to people on the phone a lot, and will look into the local groups and ask if there is anything I can do from home.

Yes. I have symptoms of CV (cough , tight chest, had a fever yesterday as well) so I'm not much use to anyone physically.

I live in an area with a lot of old people who I could be helping. But I'm trying to be responsible and follow the advice. It's so frustrating, but I figure if I can get over this now then I can help when I am ready to.

I feel so sad as there is an elderly couple opposite who don't have children and I never see any visitors, they keep themselves to themselves, but I've seen the gentleman going to the shops when he really probably shouldn't be.

But I did just hear on radio and read in news that government are going to be setting up a helpline and delivery serivce of groceries and medicine to those who need to stay at home. Hoping announcment made in today's PM speech.

The one thing I can do is make limited financial donations

I did this yesterday, I made a donation to the local foodbank who are struggling.

One thing I suggested to a friend was organising fund raising for local food banks. It can be done online and many shops will do vouchers or accounts for food banks.

Raising money for foodbanks is a good idea, people won't be able to donate as normal in stores when they are struggling to get the basics themselves and those newly unemployed will need help.