Being 'vulnerable' does not make you part of the 'Shielded' group - if you're confused, see below

[Clymene]

At the start of the outbreak, many people were told they were in the vulnerable category. This includes people with asthma, pregnant women, the morbidly obese and people with MS and diabetes.

The full list is here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

These people should be very careful with social distancing, ideally for 12 weeks.

The shielded group are people who are extremely vulnerable. They have been identified by the NHS and should not leave the house. These are people with cancer, organ transplants, cystic fibrosis and other serious conditions. This is why they have been issued with food parcels by the government. A full list of these people is here:

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

You cannot self-define as shielded. If you are vulnerable, take precautions. Use your local resources. But remember there are people who are much more vulnerable than you.

If you do not fall into either of these groups, please leave the resources to keep the vulnerable safe and well. Not only to protect them, but to protect all of us. Not to put too fine a point on it, but if the vulnerable clog up all the beds, there won't be any space for the outliers who randomly get very ill.

[ClientQueen]

I fall in the shielded group but haven't had a letter or text, and yeah food delivery slots are impossible
I'm actually doing a few interviews after a news article got picked up regarding shielding and food deliveries etc so this is interesting

[Helenshielding]

What exactly are big girl pants...?

[Mazarinegreen]

Thanks @Helenshielding - very useful! I can't see it either ( aldol ooks as if the shielded group are being cross referenced to the BNF coding in their medical records ?).

[Helenshielding]

It seems to be but if I'm honest it's all a bit complicated for me! My inhaler is on it which is why I think I got one - but I've got another list of health conditions that may have triggered it depending on if they're speaking to consultants (which I doubt). I would definetly speak to your consultant though to be sure as people are being over looked.

[SweetMarmalade]

@Mazarinegreen I’m on biologic therapy, Vedolizumab for moderate Crohn’s, not in remission. I’ve had a shielding letter from my local hospital. Might go on age too? Unsure?

[Clymene]

Shielded slots have now been released!

Waitrose, Tesco and Sainsbury's have realised priority slots do I hope everyone can get them and it reduces anxiety a bit

[Helenshielding]

How do you get one?

[Clymene]

Are you already registered with any of those supermarkets? If yo7 are, the slots seem to appear automatically. I don't know if you're not :(

[LangClegsInSpace]

It's all a bit of a mess isn't it?

I get what you're saying OP. The government has divided us into 3 groups:

1 - Extremely vulnerable people who should be shielding
2 - Vulnerable people who should be taking extra care
3 - The rest of us

A certain amount of very basic help from central government is being put in place for group 1 - food parcels where necessary, but also I think prescription deliveries and special arrangements for essential medical appointments.

Group 2 have been told to take extra care but there is no specific help in place. This group haven't been mentioned for a bit because the government wants them to still go to work.

Group 3 have the best chances of survival and the best chances of having only mild symptoms.

We need to be prioritising group 1 but after that group 2.

And also all the people who fall through the gaps. People in group 3 who live with someone in group 1 should not have to traipse round shops because of the risk they'll bring the virus home with them. Lone parents need to get groceries and if shops are saying no children then they will need help. People in group 3 with disabilities who are always reliant on home delivery still need it now. People with serious MH issues or LD or dementia etc. may not be able to comply with the social distancing measures and are likely to suffer a disproportionate level of mental distress ...

Supermarkets are not the Ministry of Food. They're not set up to handle this. All their systems are set up to maximise profit. The people who now need prioritising are not the biggest spenders generally. Supermarkets have had to turn their entire business model upside down and inside out and actually I'm impressed with their response, even though it is far from perfect in terms of meeting actual need.

I wish that everyone who is raging at sainsburys or ocado or whoever about the lack of delivery slots instead focused that energy on calling the government to account and insisting they take responsibility for making sure everyone has access to food and other necessities. We can't leave this to laissez-faire capitalism. We probably do need a ministry of food or at least a much more centrally coordinated response.

In the meantime anyone in group 3 who has no other particular reason for needing a home delivery shouldn't book one, even if the site says you can. Even if you've paid for a delivery pass. Even if you've had deliveries for years. Even if the government has said we must all stay at home. And if you've booked slots weeks in advance then the right thing to do now is to go back and cancel them. Nothing bad will happen to you if you don't do this but I will judge you in the time honoured MN tradition and my judgment is that you are a complete and utter fucking shit.

[Helenshielding]

Oh that's really cool. I'm registered with Tesco so will check.

[Helenshielding]

Nothing bad will happen to you if you don't do this but I will judge you in the time honoured MN tradition and my judgment is that you are a complete and utter fucking shit.

This made me laugh. Although, I'm not judging people for using what's available.

[WeArnottamused]

Has anyone got any more clarity on the immunosuppressed shielded criteria? Does it cover for example being immunosuppressed as a result of biological therapy such as anti tumour necrosing factor? I think there's been an advice paper published by some official medical/ rheumatology body identifying patients as high risk but the gov.uk shielding wording is a bit vague?


@Mazarinegreen. DS is on Infliximab. He has IBD & currently still in a flare up.

The Crohns & Colitis website has been quite helpful so far when it comes to IBD & Gastroenterology body. Not sure if it’s any help.......I’m sure I saw something else somewhere.........

www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/news/coronavirus-ibd-tool-and-risk-level-info

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

[BeyondMymymymyCorona]

I'm on imraldi. My nurse said I'd be shielding, but no letter yet. I do have other conditions that flag me as at more risk too though

[Elleseeki]

Hi, if you get one of the priority slots from tesco because the government has given them your details, does it mean that you're in the "shielded" group, or the "vulnerable" group?

[17million]

I am in the vulnerable group - over 70 with heart condition and live on my own. I rely on family to get me stuff and so far myself and the dog are doing OK - I have an old habit from times past to keep a full freezer and cupboard.
I can also drive - so if I choose my time carefully and use small local shops rather than the packed supermarkets
I have managed to self-isolate for the past 4 weeks and am adhering to lockdown as requested.
Not all of us elderly are popping out for chats and coffee.
It is really quite straight forward as Langclegs said
respect the requirements of the extremely vulnerable and give the vulnerable a bit of social distancing and offer help when they need it.

[BeyondMymymymyCorona]

The info I read said those on biologics/biosimilars are only medium risk if their condition is controlled, otherwise it's high risk.

[Elleseeki]

@Clymene do you know which of the groups you're in if you get the email from Tesco that the government have told them you should get a priority slot? I'm sorry to double post but I don't want to get lost in the thread so tagging you this time.

[OrganTransplant123]

You get the priority slots by being on the shielding list (you get a letter) and then registering with the government as ‘extremely vulnerable’.

I got an email from Tesco today and got a slot. I’m so relieved. I can’t say what a weight off my mind it is.

I sympathise wholeheartedly with those who still cannot shop in person due to a disability but cannot register as vulnerable. The system does need to allow those people to access these slots too.

[WeArnottamused]

@Mazarinegreen

I’ve just read my post back & realised it makes no sense at all, sorry!

DS is on infliximab, for IBD & has received his letter, text and further letter to register on the Government website. He only started infliximab 6 weeks ago, & because he’s still in a “flare” he’s classed as group 1. So he is isolating in his bedroom & trying to keep away from everyone else as possible.

The link

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

Is very helpful, gives information on what makes you high risk,

Hope this helps

[MashedPotatoBrainz]

I have a couple of questions, if anyone knows the answer I'd really appreciate it.

Are people who've had their spleen removed in the vulnerable group or the sheilded group?

How is 'severe asthma' defined?

[OrganTransplant123]

Spleen removal is vulnerable but not shielded.

I believe asthma uk clarify on their website the definition.

[Egghead68]

1. I know someone who had had her spleen removed and she is in the shielded group.
   

1. Severe asthma - Asthma UK website lists the criteria that are likely to put someone in the shielding category - mainly depends on medication.

[Egghead68]

Cross posted!

[OrganTransplant123]

Spleen removal isn’t mentioned here:

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#what-you-need-to-know

Although if no spleen is included then that might explain why I received two copies of the shielding letter as I’ve had an organ transplant and my spleen removed.

[Mazarinegreen]

Thanks all! It's my DH (who has ankolysing spondylitis with recurrent iritis complications plus related bone osteopenia ).. he's been contacted by his consultant who's said if he gets any covid19 symptoms to contact hospital asap so they can decide whether to take him off the meds but he hasn't had a shielding letter yet though. I'll pass on the links to him to read through!