Anyone else received the text to self-isolate for 12 weeks? ***title edited at OP's request***

[Crunchymum]

Wasn't actually expecting it and feel quite upset.

I have 3 children, I don't know how this is going to work?

I've just had the text
I'm on very low dose azathioprine, 50mg a day and have been for 20+ years for Crohn's. Never had a problematic blood test result, white cell count always fine.

I am really confused as the

whoops sorry!

confused as the Crohn's site says azathioprine only puts you at moderate risk

crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/news/advice-for-people-with-crohns-and-colitis-self-isolation-social-distancing

I've made an appt to talk to the GP about it tomorrow, not sure I should be in this very high risk group!

I too have psoriatic arthritis and am on 15mg weekly methotrexate injections. I live alone. I haven't received any text about this and hope I don't as I'm a key worker (social care). As I'm not on any other medication which puts me at risk I am hoping not to have to self isolate. I'm on annual leave this week but have had my manager on the phone this morning asking if I may have to self isolate. I told her, truthfully, that I don't know yet. :(

you are NOT expected to stay away from the people you live with!

"If you have someone else living with you, they are not required to adopt these protective shielding measures for themselves. They should do what they can to support you in shielding and they should stringently follow guidance on social distancing, reducing their contact outside the home. If you care for but don’t actually live with someone who is extremely vulnerable you should still stringently follow guidance on social distancing."

I think people are reading more into it than is there! all of the guidance is about what is possible - and it is just that - guidance. The people living with me have limited their own interactions with anyone outside the house, I have a friend who will get us shopping and drop it off outside the house if needs be. Someone on the street dropped notes through letter boxes saying they'd set up a facebook group for the street so we can support each other, people are already sharing shopping.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19

It does seem to be changing. Initially the at risk included people with high blood pressure and diabetes but this has since changed.

DH has had a organ transplant and is on immunosuppressant drugs and did not receive a letter or text.

Please read the site, as that list posted above isn't actually what the website is saying...

Please take the time to read it and not just rely on a screenshot posted on MN.

www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/coronavirus-covid-19/#Shielding

I take a biological injection (Cimzia) every other week, nothing else for the same condition as you OP. I should be moderate risk according to that table. DH has chronic asthma so don’t know where we’ll stand if we both have to completely shield for 12 weeks. Hey ho, will await a letter or text...

@sunshinewishes I already had. It doesn't change my question.

It's extremely irritating to be treated like an idiot, just so you know. You're not the only person here capable of using the internet.

I haven't been contacted yet but was on 25mg methotrexate and a biosimilar which would put me in the very highest risk group. I stopped all my drugs but have no idea how long it will take my immune system to recover. Currently it looks like I'll be getting a letter and need to avoid my husband in the house.

Thanks for posting the list YeahYou that puts ds on the list. Think DH will be as well with his Parknison's. Still waiting for the text/ letter though.

@nowmorethanever

Sorry you have decided to take that so personally. As you were 👍🏻

Can people please post where they are whne saying if they got a letter. Devolution is making this really difficult and I'm in scotland, panicking.

I'm really confused about this. I'm on Fostair 2x2 puffs a day, also have had 2 courses of prednisolone over the winter, but haven't received any text or letter from the NHS or GP. DH rang our GP surgery but youngish receptionist didn't really know much and couldn't offer any help.
I think my asthma is well controlled by the Fostair and feel healthy, so would feel a bit fraudulent saying I have to self isolate for 3 months, but does this list of meds mean I should?? Or does the lack of NHS communication mean I don't need to?!

This is the government's own website, regarding the 1.5m most at risk people:

www.gov.uk/government/news/major-new-measures-to-protect-people-at-highest-risk-from-coronavirus

This is the list they give:

Full list of those falling into the extremely vulnerable group:
Solid organ transplant recipients
People with specific cancers
People with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy or radical radiotherapy for lung cancer
People with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma who are at any stage of treatment
People having immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments for cancer
People having other targeted cancer treatments which can affect the immune system, such as protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors.
People who have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last 6 months, or who are still taking immunosuppression drugs.
People with severe respiratory conditions including all cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe COPD
People with rare diseases and inborn errors of metabolism that significantly increase the risk of infections (such as SCID, homozygous sickle cell disease)
People on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase risk of infection
Women who are pregnant and who also have significant heart disease, congenital or acquired

Going by posts on here I'm now expecting to be contacted whereas I didn't think is be in highest risk group. I haven't heard anything yet, I think the guidance if that you should hear by the end of the week.

Hi OP, we've taken down your post with the text in as there was a phone number in it. We weren't sure if yours or your surgery's. Do feel free to crop and post again if you want though.

I've just got the text. I know why.

Oddly I've never been offered the flu jab even when pregnant.

And am not on any serious medication.

Should say I fall into this group -
People with rare diseases and inborn errors of metabolism that significantly increase the risk of infections

As they don't know what is exactly wrong with me. They are just going on my medical history.

Hi OP did you see yesterday's briefing by the PM and deputy health advisor? They said that in identifying people to contact they would err on the side of caution and include people rather than be too strict about how high risk they may be because of conditions so to please bear with them and excuse that. I can't watch again at the moment to link to that bit but hopefully it will explain.

I have severe asthma managed by the hospital so should get a text but I bet they’ll miss a lot of people. Honestly it would be good to get one so I don’t get pressurised to come into work.

Cropped message here.

It was neither mine of my surgeries number but thanks for the deletion.

@YeahYou that puts me on the list then, asthma and on fostair

It does say you have to distance from people in the household, further down it says

^What should you do if you have someone else living with you?

Whilst the rest of your household are not required to adopt these protective shielding measures for themselves, we would expect them to do what they can to support you in shielding and to stringently follow guidance on social distancing.

Minimise as much as possible the time other family members spend in shared spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms and sitting areas, and keep shared spaces well ventilated.

Aim to keep 2 metres (3 steps) away from people you live with and encourage them to sleep in a different bed where possible. If you can, you should use a separate bathroom from the rest of the household

. Make sure you use separate towels from the other people in your house, both for drying themselves after bathing or showering and for hand-hygiene purposes.

If you do share a toilet and bathroom with others, it is important that they are cleaned after use every time (for example, wiping surfaces you have come into contact with). Another tip is to consider drawing up a rota for bathing, with you using the facilities first.

If you share a kitchen with others, avoid using it while they are present. If you can, you should take your meals back to your room to eat. If you have one, use a dishwasher to clean and dry the family’s used crockery and cutlery. If this is not possible, wash them using your usual washing up liquid and warm water and dry them thoroughly. If you are using your own utensils, remember to use a separate tea towel for drying these.

We understand that it will be difficult for some people to separate themselves from others at home. You should do your very best to follow this guidance and everyone in your household should regularly wash their hands, avoid touching their face, and clean frequently touched surfaces.^

but then says

If the rest of your household stringently follow advice on social distancing and minimise the risk of spreading the virus within the home by following the advice above, there is no need for them to also shield alongside you

I'm also on fostair and was really surprised to find this is "severe". I hope a PP is right that they may be overestimating.

My Dh got one last week after being told by his specialist that he wasn't at additional risk. So not sure if it is for cancer or high blood pressure.