shielding- how?

[RaspberryMctriple]

I am in a high risk category and so should be shielded. However, we have two young children, I'm still breastfeeding one (20 months) so I can't stay 2 meters away. DH due back at work next week, we've been self isolating after DD developed a cough which we now think was a teething cough but we didn't want to risk it.

DH doesn't really have anywhere else he can go, he has to work or he'll lose his job. They are all distancing at work, not many in at all now, he has hand sanitizer with him and is careful to wash his hands frequently.

We've got a system planned of him coming home, shoes off in garage, clothes in wash at 60 degrees, shower straight away etc and apart from showering in main bathroom, he'll use the loo downstairs for everything else. He's also swapping rooms with DS who will come in with me so he's contained in there if he starts coughing in the night for examle. We can leave the windows open in there all day too and we have a disinfecting spray to spray the bed with.

Is there anything else we can do? I am so nervous about him going back.

Is there any chance his work would furlough him if he can't WFH?

We've considered everything work wise. He may be able to take some annual leave but he can't be furloughed unfortunately.

Can't WFH either

Bump?

I think you can only do the most you can.

Dad is working in the NHS. Mum is to be shielded. Their house isnt big enough to live completely seperate. Mum also suffers with poor mental health and being stuck in one room, will end in a relapse.

Dad is getting changed at work, out of his work clothes. Coming home, stripping hisvtravelling clothes in the garage. The washing machine is in there. Puts the clothes in and dashes the 4ft from the garage door to the house in just his pants. Straight into the shower. Mum has all the doors open ready for him.

His pants go in a carrier bag. He then disinfected the bathroom. Today's pants will be washed with tomorrows travelling clothes.

In the house they are maintain distance where possible. Sleeping seperate. Dont use the kitchen together etc.

They are both aware she could catch it for him but are doing what they can in the circumstances. That's all people can do.

Thank you for your reply, it's so hard living in a smaller house and you can't complete isolate. When you say disinfecting, how is he doing it? Just normal bleach spray? And the whole bathroom or just shower area? I'm just trying to make sense of how far the virus could possibly get if he just gets in the shower then out clean.

Not sure what they are using. I assume some sort of cleaning spray.

He basically give the whole room a clean. It's all tiled. So shower, sink, toilet, door (he has to close it) and the surfaces. I know they use one of those flat mops for the floor.

Tbh, theh are clean freaks anyway and would always give their bathroom a good clean everyday, like all of it. So, with the addition of the door, it's fairly normal for them.

Their house is permanently show home ready. Mum stays in the kitchen mainly. She loves to bake so is spending alot of time doing that.

Dad used to do all the cooking, but mum has taken over as she would rather have the kitchen to herself.

Dad is currently avoiding the kitchen as much as possible and cleaning anything he touches if he does.

Its shit jot being able to see them. Not a chance would I risk taking the kids.

Dad works in a mental health unit. So relatively safe, but they have so many staff isolating he is doing long hours. The nearest I have been was dropping off mums medication as he couldnt get to the chemist. Left it on the door step. I am worried if she gets it, I wont see her again. dad is worried about giving her it, but neither can live with him leaving his job and dropping them in the shit.

It's really really shit. But I really think you can only do what you can. Try not to stress about the things you cant and just minimise risk.

Thank You, will have to get our heads around doing a decent cleaning after each shower then. Might take cleaning shy DH a while to get his head around it

It's all so worrying. We haven't seen our parents in a few weeks now and the children are really missing them. It makes me feel sick that the last time I gave my mum a hug a few weeks ago was the last time for months, possibly ever. I try not to think about it or I end up sobbing. They've been able to isolate reasonably well but have had to go out for grocery stuff a couple of times so I'm hoping for the best if they stay sensible and at home. I also cry on and off thinking about my children having to grow up without a mum. I just can't quite get my head around it all.

I hope your parents stay well, and hopefully in 6 months time this will all be much better x

I know what you mean.

It's easy to get lost in 'worst case' thinking. Try not to. Easier said than done.

It's a very worrying time. But you can only do, what you can do. Concentrate on that and your lovely kids.

We are in a similar position with a 12 month old. I'm no longer breast feeding as I'm having chemo, hence the reason I'm being shielded and fortunately we have more than one bathroom, but other than that it's the same. No real advice other than it sounds like you're doing the best you can so that will have to be good enough. Also, please don't feel bad about all of these patronising government texts regarding "stay away from children" as obviously no one thinks that there might be people who are shielding and also main carers of babies.... !

I was thinking this when they started talking about shielding. So many people will have family around them that they can't get away from. It's almost impossible to do unless you live alone.

I'm trying to stay away from the news and social media and keep a level mind.

Has your chemo been impacted at all Cardboard33?

It's pretty much impossible to do in the way they're describing unless you live alone with no dependents or you've got no dependents and a massive house for you to have your own quarters, as it were, so we are just doing what we can and staying sensible.

I'm really lucky and it's still going ahead. They're just not giving me the drip and couriering the tablets to me. Some people I know at other hospitals have had theirs postponed or delayed if they hadn't started yet, so I'm really thankful this round at least is continuing.

That's a relief Cardboard33, it must be difficult enough with all this going on and then If people are finding out treatments are being postponed it must be awful for them.

I'm speaking to my GP later about inhlares and am going to ask if they have any guidance on how we can do this. I'm sure there will be something I've missed that we can do, just not sure what yet.