Told daughter needed to be shielded now told she doesn’t?!

[PumpkinP]

What the hell!! So I got a letter a few weeks ago saying my daughter was extremely vulnerable and needed to be shielded for 12 weeks, I’ve now had a text to say they’ve “reviewed” her medical notes and have decided that actually she doesnt need to be shielding, what the hell is that about?! I’ve been worried sick about my daughter, now to be told they were wrong?! Has anyone else had this? I’m a lone parent so couldn’t leave the house at all.

My child is supposed to be on the list but has been missed off twice now so we still haven't officially been notified though the GP has confirmed it . The system is a mess to be honest .

Surely if you are worried sick then you just shield her, you don't need to be advised to do it, surely its common sense?

I got the shielding letter after a month of having suspected Covid 19 - I’m still not taking any chances until I can be tested for antibodies

Why do people need their children to be on the list? It has little relevance surely? If you want to shield them, just shield them.

It is much better than the other way around.

I think it's happened to quite a few people and the other way round too. I knew I needed to shield and it's taken me about 27 phone calls, numerous emails and a lot of stress and I finally have a letter today. If I hadn't asked, I don't think I would have received one

the list is important for when they begin to lift the lock down.

All the guidance says that my type 1 diabetic children are low risk, but one of them picks up every illness and gets it bad. I personally don't want her exposed until there are working antivirals

@TabbyMumz simple explanation - www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sickle-cell-anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355876

There are people who have sickle cell with another inherited anaemia condition.

I think the NHS were putting most austic children in the shielding list automatically leaving GPs to decide whether they were actually at higher risk.

"the list is important for when they begin to lift the lock down"
But why? We dont even know what lifting the lock down will look like. I'm wondering if parents want it to show schools perhaps, that their kids cant go back yet?

I don't understand the importance of being on the list, do you get benefits or something? Just shield your child if you are worried, we don't need the government to babysit us do we?

LittleLittleLittle

@TabbyMumzsimple explanation -www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sickle-cell-anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355876

I know about sickle cell, just didnt understand what sickle cell trait was.

Reading that, does that mean if you have sickle cell trait, you havent actually got it, you are just a carrier?

Found this..
A person withsickle cell disease(SCD) has two copies of the gene, one from each parent. Because a person with SCT hasonly onecopy of the gene, they will never developsickle cell disease. Instead, they're considered acarrierfor thedisease.
So if you are a carrier, you probably shouldn't be on the list. Unless carriers also have some symptoms.

I think the list said "homyzygous sickle cell", so heterozygous carriers wont be on the list"

I wonder if the people on the thread getting narky with the OP and telling her to “just shield if you want to” have seen the letter and understand what shielding involves? If you follow the letter you are supposed to isolate yourself from others within your own home. You’re supposed to stay in your bedroom and where possible use a separate bathroom. Use the kitchen at a different time and deep clean afterwards.

It must have been an utterly terrifying letter to receive about your otherwise healthy child.

And yes, you get benefits - food parcels and medication delivery - because the people you live with aren’t supposed to go out anywhere, not for exercise, not to the supermarket, not to the pharmacy.

@TabbyMumz

I said that. Apart from priority shopping. Nothing has changed for me.

I also have sickle cell trait and received letters/texts fromm the government. Thankfully, I do not have any symptoms of sickle cell disease as some peopple with the trait do. I have a 1 year (almost 2) old, and have been taking him to the park early in the morning twice a week as I have no outside space or a balcony.

I haven't had any contact with any other humans in about 3/4 weeks but feel that taking him for fresh air is needed, even though I have the trait.

I feel the trait is an inconclusive factor at the moment, only time will tell if it does in fact play a significant part in COVID deaths/recovery.

DS is shielding after getting a text and then a letter and then another letter. When the GP phoned me Tuesday I was asked exactly what is wrong with him and explained and he's till on the bloody list.

I wish to god I was in your position. The next 8 weeks is going to drag!

Enjoy your walk. X

"And yes, you get benefits - food parcels and medication delivery - because the people you live with aren’t supposed to go out anywhere, not for exercise, not to the supermarket, not to the pharmacy."

That's not true. The person lives with them does not need to shield aswell.

In any event, how the hell does anybody know if you have kept the shielded person in one room etc? Nobody can check?

And nobody but your GP would know anyway, Im really confused by this.............................. Surely the answer is that if you think your child is in danger then everybody in the household is on lockdown for 12 weeks, its not the end of the world...........

Whether you get a letter or not doesn't really matter surely, if you are concerned then you would all lockdown,

@callmeadoctor without the letter I've been unable to get food deliveries, no food box, no meds delivery and work needed a copy of it
So without receiving it, it's been.. hard work!

Sickle cell trait is a medical condition inherited in a recessive fashion, which means you need two copies of the ‘faulty’ gene, one from each parent, in order to have the condition, like with cystic fibrosis. Those with one copy of the faulty gene are usually completely unaffected but I believe that may change in some extreme conditions.

It's also not mandatory @callmeadoctor , it's advice not a requirement. For some people, it totally makes sense. For others, it's probably not practical and/or over cautious. I find it strange that people are basing decisions on whether they are on a list or not rather than an assessment of their own medical needs.