Shielding group after lockdown eases - what will happen?

[Forgetcourgettes]

I just wondered what will happen to the shielding and vunerable group after lockdown is eased?

So if some places are opening again but just partially, do people who are shielding still have to shield?

[Madhairday]

Just no idea but feeling very flat and low about it all. Dh is a keyworker so still out and about so I'm shielding within the house, separate rooms etc, no hugs for 6 weeks now. It's really hard and I just don't know if I can do it longer than 12 weeks - but have to balance that with the fact I'm in the highest risk group and could die of Covid. At what point do we weigh the risks in this? Just don't know.

I suspect we'll be asked to shield a lot longer. I'm lucky in that I work from home and work is non existent at the moment anyway, so can get on with my other job (writing) so at least I have some focus. But this thing is going to have a massive effect on the mental health of those shielded.

Also surprised mild ashtma on the shielded list, it isn't listed under the conditions (only serious/brittle asthma) so that's strange. I'm on it for severe bronchiectasis, aspergillosis and a couple of others.

Quite low with it today.

[BuyorRent]

@mintyneb My DS has cystic fibrosis so we are shielding as a family but my husband will have to go back to work eventually and when he does I don’t know what to do for the best as he works in a very busy city and uses trains. Also can’t imagine shielding until there’s a vaccine.
I spoke to his consultant last week and he seems to think that maybe children with any of the high risk conditions may eventually be removed from the shielding list as their risk (because of their age) is lower. However, they would still need to be more careful than others. Only time will tell though I guess.
I’m really confused about the shielding list. My best friends husband had asthma and her son has a learning difficulty. They have not been told to shield but sounds like they should have? Seems to be no consistency but when I looked on the list they weren’t on there so who knows!

[mintyneb]

buyorrent that's interesting to hear your consultant's thoughts. We have a virtual clinic on Monday, first one since lockdown, and I'm going to ask if they have started thinking about how they will advise families for the longer term.

Luckily I can work from home so whilst social distancing is in place for the whole country I can be here with her. Even when folks start going back to work my line manager has already said that there is no way she will want/allow me to come in on the train and tube. So again, if DD has to stay home a bit longer I know I will be here to keep her company. Not quite the same as seeing her friends though.....

[MeadowHay]

Mild asthma is not on the shielding list you can find this list easily on the gov website. Many many people are being told to shield in error. My own DH got a letter telling him to shield and it was completely in error as he doesn't meet any of the criteria. Asthma UK have detailed advice about which asthmatics need to shield and it only includes people who have frequent courses of oral steroids.

[Redlocks28]

1.4m in shield. Someone said 17m vulnerable

The country will come unstuck if 17m can’t go to work but need full pay.

[Purpleorange1]

My worry is currently I'm sheilding and my employer has agreed that I stay home. However after 12 weeks I don't know how they will feel and whether I'll get paid or not. The financial impact Vs my health dilemma is one that keeps me up most nights.

[Mustbetimeforachange]

The mild asthma one must be a mistake - there have been errors. DS1 has mild asthma & he's not shielding. DH is, for other reasons. He doesn't know what he will do when things ease - probably distance himself from us, but will probably have to retire (53) which wasn't in the plan.

[JackJackIncredible]

Some people are incorrectly receiving letters. If you have mild asthma and are otherwise fit and healthy, you don’t need to shield. Asthma U.K. has more detail on this.

[TheHobbitMum]

I'm shielding and I think I'm going to have to weigh up risks to benefits of actually living. I can't fully shield from my family (nor will I) and the thought of being at home shielding for months and likely year/s is very depressing.
Thankfully I'm on full pay for now but if that were to change I think at that point I'll be back at work and living life with as many precautions as possible.

It's not going to be fun at all for those of us shielding

[Jaxhog]

I expect to be shielding until a vaccine, or a much better treatment prognosis.

My concern is that less vulnerable have to go back to work sometime soon, or we're all toast. But if the majority go back to 'normal', will those of us shielding just become the forgotten few?

[Watsername]

I agree with the PPs re asthma - mild asthma doesn't require shielding, but severe asthma does.

I have moderate asthma and am in the vulnerable group (i.e. I get a yearly flu jab), but not shielding. I am very concerned by what will happen once lockdown is lifted. I work in a school with very young children who cough and sneeze on you all day long. I was allowed to stay home for a few days before lockdown was announced, but I would like to know whether I will have to go back immediately once it is lifted and schools return...

[Schuyler]

I’m shielding and I’m aware the severity of my lung disease makes me particularly vulnerable but at the same time, I need a life. I’m temporarily just about managing my front line job from home but it’s not ideal and cannot continue indefinitely. I am unprepared to lose my job and my career, it means too much to me.
Assuming they find a vaccine and it’s safe, it’ll take time to be rolled out to everyone. I am willing to be cautious for a long time but I’m not willing to remain in my house. It’s not fair on my family and if they’re going out and about, I’ll be at risk anyway.

[BuyorRent]

@Schuyler Yes I agree. It’s just got to come down to personal choice doesn’t it? I simply can not shield until there’s a vaccine.

[Flossie44]

The asthma and shielding thing is very frustrating. It’s only if you have certain med dosages and have long term oral steroids or 4 courses in the last 6 months, as far as I know.

I think a lot of people are shielding wrongly which will cause huge confusion when lockdown is eased.

We are shielding for dd who stops breathing numerous times a week, along with other conditions. It’s rubbish. She’s 11 and wants to be back with her friends. When lockdown lifts, what happens to us?? Will we be the forgotten ones??

[Passanotherjaffacake]

Following, my DH was told to shield for immunosuppressants for arthritis but as we have an 11 month old in a small house it’s kind of impossible to be separate as suggested in the shielding letter. No idea what we will all do.

[Spamellahamella]

My husband is on the shielding list. At the moment it is easy. I am furloughed and the kids are off school, we are getting Tesco deliveries and we only leave the house to walk the dog (usually early morning when it is quiet). We are having a lovely time but I know it has got to come to an end.and I don't know what we will do. I expect he will have to shield longer and will get some sort of pay. But I will have to go back to work, and the kids will have to go to school, and we will all have to live in our little house with 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. I don't see how he can isolate himself from us here. It worries me a lot. Particularly as I feel that momentum is building for getting everyone back to work but it hasn't gone away.

[Changeyname40]

These are valid concerns. Before the government takes steps to advise people to stays shielded legal safeguards need to be in place. I can imagine employment law does not as it stands cover it. I am sure someone was talking on the news about it.

[Wehttam]

Aunt has COPD and is expecting to shield until there is a vaccine. She is happy to stay at home, lives alone and is retired etc

Those families with a shielding member, it’s going to be a very tough call. I suppose if it’s an adult then they can decide for themselves rationally, but if shielding to protect a child, then it’s going to be a long term complex issue.

[JustStayHome]

Some people who are shielding have received another letter to shield for another 12 weeks after the last 12 weeks end....


So that means i may have to shield till mid September 😱

[Egghead68]

It would be really good to know what’s going to happen to us financially if shielding is extended. I suspect most of us aren’t going to be able to afford to continue.

[JustSew]

On the daily briefing yesterday there were strong hints that they are looking to revise the original shielding categories. This is because the original ones were done in haste and now they have more information they find some illnesses aren't proving as high risk as expected.

[Wehttam]

@Egghead68 I would hope and expect the government to provide the relevant financial support to anyone shielding and introduce legislation that protects you from employers trying to force you back to work.

Would they evaluate the vulnerability of overweight males over the age of 50 and add them to the shielding group?

[Appuskidu]

On the daily briefing yesterday there were strong hints that they are looking to revise the original shielding categories. This is because the original ones were done in haste and now they have more information they find some illnesses aren't proving as high risk as expected

I missed that-what did they say?

[Keepdistance]

I think a lot was planned when they were going for herd immunity.
With herd they only needed to shield until herd was achieved (may have been 12w).
Same with exams cancelled because the deaths would have been even higher and nhs completely overwhelmed.
So now we are in the middle with vulnerable having to work and shielded facing 12m till a vax.
Unfortunately vulnerable are in the worst situation as they have to be at work/send kids to school. But could have a very high chance of dying.

Some shielding and vulnerable may find theyve already had covid which would be good news. Hopefully they can roll out the testing.