In for the duration: support thread if you’re vulnerable, shielding or otherwise stuck inside for weeks and weeks

[timtamtam]

Would anyone like a support thread for those of us who are basically stuck inside for the forseeable?

The lockdown rules sounded quite relaxed to me as I hadn’t been going out at all... I feel really cut off from the world right now and very isolated (DH is home with me but it’s weeks since I saw anyone else in my life face to face).

I’ve had something of a mental health relapse and am signed off work with depression and anxiety, otherwise I would be WFH.

I’ve seen some really nasty threads on here - people mistakenly thinking vulnerable and shielding are people who ‘would die anyway’, and sniping about people wanting more than absolute basics from the shops.

We are not in the shielding group but DH and I both have health issues that make us vulnerable (just not ‘very vulnerable’) so we took the social distancing advice when it came out 3-odd weeks ago. Luckily Sainsbury’s has seemed us worthy of accessing delivery slots after we finally got through on the phone.

I like my house but I am very sick of the inside of it at this point and I miss all the little things that made life worth living. I’m struggling with getting up and getting dressed as it feels pointless a lot of the time.

Some solidarity would be nice

Im not in the same position exactly but I understand how you feel. I’ve been social distancing for a few weeks because my parents have health conditions and I’m finding it really hard. I’ve only been to the supermarket and to drop supplies off to my parents from a distance and I’m finding it really hard. My pyjamas and dressing gowns are on rotation and I haven’t even bothered with make up. I'm fed up of hearing about “they had underlying conditions” as justification for their death, my parents have these conditions but I’m really praying and hoping that they are a long way from death. My anxiety is through the roof and I cry for hours a day.
Are you on social media? That and the news increase my anxiety. Sending hugs OP.

The stuff about underlying conditions feels really relentless doesn’t it? I’m so sorry you’ve been having such a hard time with anxiety

Social media definitely doesn’t help. Hugs to you too

I might try and give Sainsbury's a call as we can't get a delivery slot with anyone and have a disabled child with unsafe swallow and can only eat certain foods and is mostly tube fed and non mobile.
Like you we are not in the extremely vulnerable category so don't get any support even though my son has high care needs due to disability.
I don't drive and technically I'm classed as high risk and have advised to practice social Distancing from the GP.
I'm also expected to work from home as well as care for my son, no paid carers leave from the government for us.
It's very stressful

That sounds really stressful - I’m sorry

Sainsbury’s have put a different number on their website now to the one from before - not sure why but the one we got through on was ‭0800 052 5500‬

I will try them on that number, thanks. The strange thing is I think we may have already had CV a few weeks ago but without a test we have to assume otherwise at great cost. My son was really ill a couple of weeks before me.
My son is missing out on so much therapy, medical appointments and socialisation at nursery I just hope the effects of isolating and distancing aren't damaging for him long term as he's still quite young. Young enough not to remember hopefully.

Zavy, I have used Beelivery. They charge a delivery fee but it isn't much (from about £2). They substitute and the drivers go to several local shops. Worth a try if there are no online shops. I just booked a Morrisons Food Box for next weekend (that was the earliest delivery in my area. They are £35 and carry the basics. They do a meat eaters or a veggie one.
www.morrisons.com/food-boxes/boxes

Thank you for setting this thread up it’s nice to be reminded I’m not alone

@timtamtam have you and your family registered on the .gov website as vulnerable? I can’t remember what the specific criteria is but it might be worth a shot since there giving out emergency food parcels delivered to your door. Could help ease the pressure between your deliveries?

I've been socially distancing for 12 days now and depression has just started to hit.

I'm sick of people saying it is a few weeks sitting at home watching Netflix when it is really psychologically difficult.

The threads basically saying people like me are disposable upset me a lot. I feel like a massive drain on society right now when I am normally someone who is active in my community.

I'm trying to develop some strategies for dealing with this, a phone call with someone at least once a day, setting goals for things to do in the house, regular short bursts of exercise and listening to audiobooks have helped so far.

@sorry I will check them out. I have managed to get a Morrison's food box for Sunday so that's something. Nappies are back on Amazon just twice the price we normally pay at a supermarket.
I called Sainsbury's as we're not registered for groceries they can't help us unfortunately but they were sympathetic. I have a TU clothing account but that won't allow access to Sainsbury's groceries even though I shop with them In store regularly.
I will remember the organisations who help us out after this is all over.

We're having to isolate as a household as I'm on the shielding list, but DP is my carer and provides personal care - so the distancing rules suggested for the rest of the household are nigh on impossible.

Luckily - being disabled person plus carer - we're fairly used to being stuck inside and in each other's company. :)

I think when it's the end of the lockdown that's when I think I'll feel the shielding the most I had a week of self imposed shielding before the letter but the lockdown has made shielding easier.

We're shielding and im so envious of those going out walking that happen to live near beautiful places.

But mainly my worry is about after. When lockdown stops will we still have to shield. On other threads people are saying lockdown is just to slow the stream into hospital. Well if covid can kill me does my family have to stay inside forever 😰.

Im really worried. I have asthma and am terrified of chest infections. I hate that not breathing feeling. Im also obese and cant sort that in 3 months.

I do think people who are vulnerable will have to shield/ social distance for longer than the 12 weeks. It's going to be a year to 18 months to get a vaccine.