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Original poster

Are you expecting 'The letter'.

51 replies

DrMadelineMaxwell · 22/03/2020 22:58

And to be shielded for 12 weeks, until the end of June.

I didn't think I was and have felt like I was making a fuss at work trying to get them to take my asthma seriously enough to allow me to work from home.

And now, reading the asthma uk page it looks like I tick 4 of the boxes that mean I'll get the letter telling me to stay in for 12 week.

Seretide inhaler at higher dose, montelukast tabs, steroids course x 2 for a recent chest infection and still need my blue inhaler regularly.

OP posts:
mrsm43s · 23/03/2020 11:44

I don't think we will. I have Asthma, Autoimmune disease and high BP, but I think I'm in the "vulnerable" group (i.e. the same risk as all over 70s) as opposed to the "very vulnerable group" who I think will be the ones getting the letter.

I'm staying put for the next 12 weeks regardless. I don't need a letter to make me do that!

MrsMcGarry · 23/03/2020 11:44

There are no standard food parcels. People will be asked if they have their own support, and if not councils will help in whatever way they need. This is being facilitated through charities and organisations like scouts. So the support will be tailored.

Drspouse this is an excuse to tell your employer to fuck off. I’m in the list, and also live with someone who is a key worker and 2 teenagers who are helping in community with deliveries/ahopping. So I am staying 2m from all of them and not sharing space. In your case I would be keeping the kids on your Side of the self isolation and your DJ is possible and get others to help with shopping etc so none of you need to have contact with carriers.

drspouse · 23/03/2020 11:45

@dontaskformedicaladviceonmn what are you doing then?

MindyStClaire · 23/03/2020 12:07

I'm not, but on the borderline. I'm asthmatic, and under normal circumstances wouldn't get the letter, but I've been doubling my inhalers a lot this pregnancy and had a bad run before Christmas. The double dose of my usual inhaler is on the asthma UK list, but my GP wouldn't know I've been doubling iykwim. Think I'll need to call someone later this week to discuss. I've been a bit thrown by it tbh, hadn't expected to find myself in a higher risk category than my parents and in laws etc.

drspouse · 23/03/2020 12:16

Aaargh, I'm panicking. Either we ALL shield (and nobody goes out for 12 weeks, including my 5 year old and my 8 year old with SEN), or we split into two households, which is going to have to be two houses because I could never stop either child from touching me.

iVampire · 23/03/2020 12:46

No letter in the post, but I’ve just had an official notification by text

We are allowed to have our windows open, but I’m meant to stay 3 paces away from cohabitants

OrganTransplant123 · 23/03/2020 12:51

How do you stay 3 paces away from young children?!

AlfieandAnnieRose · 23/03/2020 12:57

In the speech yesterday, it was mentioned that if one person has to self isolate because they are on the list, other members of the household who aren’t can still leave the house to go to work etc. Also, carers are still allowed to come and go

ClientQueen · 23/03/2020 12:58

I think I will be. Rare condition that has increased high risk of infection

FourTeaFallOut · 23/03/2020 13:03

Looking at the asthma UK site I have two of the drugs which mean that I will have to self isolate. There's no way that I can keep three paces away from my kids. I don't think I can keep three paces from DH. I don't known, I feel thrown by it all. Sad

Dunlurking · 23/03/2020 13:04

Don’t know whether I’ll get the letter but according to official Rheumatology guidelines I should be isolating www.rheumatology.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/Rheumatology_advice_coronavirus_immunosuppressed_patients_220320.pdf?utm_campaign=1353487_220320%20NHS%20Coronavirus%20member%20update&utm_medium=email&utm_source=British%20Society%20For%20Rheumatology&dm_i=4FXI,T0CV,23IIPZ,3HRJQ,1

Dunlurking · 23/03/2020 13:05

Blush sorry about messy link!

NemophilistRebel · 23/03/2020 13:06

I don’t think so, Pregnant with Graves / thyroid disease but managed so don’t see myself in the extremely vulnerable just standard vulnerable

myColoursareblushandbashful · 23/03/2020 13:21

Does anyone know if this also applies to Scotland? I called my GP surgery this morning and they're said that they will not be sending any letters and have had no guidance to do so.
I am a brittle asthmatic and currently on fostair 200/6. Also had two chest infections 3 weeks apart and spent 3 weeks in January on oral steroids (40mg daily).

ClientQueen · 23/03/2020 14:01

Texts have started to go out now, a few people I know have received them

MasakaBuzz · 23/03/2020 14:28

Yippee. I think I am going to get away with it. I have Rheumatoid, but am only on Sulphasalazine. I had to come off Methotrexate last year because the side effects were worse than the benefits. I am also riddled with Osteo Arthritis, so being able to go out for a solitary walk is important for my joint health.

WinstonWolf · 23/03/2020 14:36

We should be getting a letter for dd, judging by the Asthma UK information.

However, our GP surgery is so very awful when it comes to admin, I'll believe it when I see it.

Luckily we are (at least for the moment) in the position that we can both stay at home together, and limit any content with outside. Therefore I feel like we can relax the spacing rules inside somewhat, though again, it helps that dc is a teen.

I hate to think how you would practically manage this with small children to consider, and am so sorry to those of you who have to navigate this Flowers

alloutoffucks · 23/03/2020 14:53

I am already self isolating. Surgery do not have my mobile number so it would be a letter. I don't know if I will receive one and don't want to. I have a rare respiratory disorder and permanently take antibiotics.
But no idea. Just have to wait and see.

OrganTransplant123 · 23/03/2020 17:05

I got the text this afternoon. It wasn’t from my surgery or consultant clinics- just a generic NHS number.

It suggests that you cannot leave your house at all, even go into the garden. You can ‘open a window’.

myrtleWilson · 23/03/2020 17:20

a family member of mine got the text but wasn't expecting it - as far as we can see, they don't fall into any of the categories (Is six months post cancer treatment but note one of the identified cancers...)

Number3or4 · 24/03/2020 09:40

So I called my Gp surgery and I was told it was for me but I’m not on the shield group but on the vulnerable high risk group.

myColoursareblushandbashful · 24/03/2020 09:47

I've had a call from my GP. My surgery are writing individual letters outlining my brittle asthma diagnosis and the guidelines I've to follow. I'm in Scotland so wasn't sure if this would apply to me or not.

Original poster
DrMadelineMaxwell · 24/03/2020 10:27

Anyone in Wales heard yet? I'm not sure I trust my overwhelmed GP practice to sort this quickly.

OP posts:
Wingedharpy · 24/03/2020 10:44

The guidance on shielding and protecting the "extremely vulnerable" is available on line and has been since Sunday.
If you fall into the category, personally, I wouldn't wait for a letter.
Start doing what you have to now.
If it transpires that you aren't in the category, well and good.
This, surely, is the time to err on the side of caution.