For those who are on the shielding for 12 weeks. What are you going to do at the end if that?

[Shosha1]

I'm on week 10 now, I havnt stepped foot over my front door, only seen DH, and I am so so fed up.
I have Lupus and take Presidone so was put into the group straight away.
Do we just stay in till there is either a vaccine, or track and trace ?

Hopefully get back to work. I can't wait. The first activity will be walking down to the seafront and sitting on the beach. Even if it is raining. I can see the sea, but I can't hear it. Bag of chips in hand...hopefully.

I think vulnerable people (myself included) need to look at the facts and make their own decisions about 'shielding'. It's a useful term if you need it to 'be allowed' to stay home from work etc & for getting help with shopping/medication or anything else

But as far as relying on the Govts 'Guidelines' 🤷🏻‍♀️

At 'best' they're 'balancing deaths & the economy' they don't have our individual lives In the forefront of their minds.

Shielding is optional for many reasons, but the main one is that they'd have to Do much more for people if they made it compulsory.

I'm not (yet) on the shielded list, but as a 51 yo, obese, diabetic with high blood pressure I'm doing everything I can to avoid getting it right now. In time I'm hoping at the very least they take people into hospital sooner and put them on oxygen/have better treatment plans - I had my appendix out a couple of years ago and whilst the op went well my HbA1c & blood pressure were both badly affected (not at all helped by the hospital food) by the treatment afterwards. I'm hopeful, but not holding my breath!, that they learn how to treat diabetics better for Covid so fewer die. I'm very sure it's a difficult balance with meds etc but hopefully they'll find a way

I'm currently furloughed, but I'm trying to think of a WFH businesss that will enable me not to go back to my job (contact with lots of people)

I can't see them adding diabetes to the shielding group even though it is very risky, simply because there are just too many diabetics in the UK. Mine is pretty well managed with diet & exercise (no meds) and if I hadn't had the awful experience with my appendix I wouldn't have been so worried about this, but I went downhill very badly and 'recovery' has been long & slow. And that was just the anti infection treatment for a small op.

DP is locked down separately, he has a different mindset to me though (though to be fair probably how I would have been had I not had the other experience) and I can see things getting a bit 'difficult' when I still won't let him come to mine (he has contact with a lot of other people due to his children & job) but as much as I miss him & love him, I'm not putting myself at risk to see him.

Sorry, lots of waffle to say I'll be making my own mind up when it's safe to do anything, not trusting the govt. (no risk of me 'breaking lockdown guidance' as I'm
more risk adverse than them!!)

& also I know there a psychological difference once put in the 'shielding' list & im not minimising that 🌷

Continuing to shield....though it is emotionally much harder once more and more people can ressume, at least partly, their previous lives. Sadly I have already discovered that the shielded group are beginning to be forgotten, and that many people are less understanding, for example encouraging us to go outside again, forgetting it would risking death to do so.

@MabelX

Please can you provide a direct link to the document you are reading as none of us can find what it is you are quoting.

We’ve been going by this;

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

@Kazzyhoward I take it you are not in the shielding group.
Yes I do know we just stay in. Try it.
Only those who are in the group, who have seen nobody ( I have a least got DH here, God help if you are totally alone) know what it is like to have this unending overwhelming feeling of loneliness.
I have never been the sort of person to nor cope. I escaped a abusive marriage, with a broken body, but a stronger mind. I lost two children just after birth, I carried on fir the child that survived.

But this, this is getting to me now. I just want to talk to my DDIL face to face, I want to cuddle my DGD, and hold my sons hand.

@MissJG

If you want to do that, do it when YOU think the risk is low. Watch the infection rates in your area and obviously keep a good distance from anyone and I'd take a fork from home to eat the chips! And hand gel after (holding the bag/cone).

The Govt saying whether to shield or not doesn't actually make it more/less safe for an individual to do something 🍟

Watch out for chip nicking seagulls!

I'm shielding up in Scotland. I'm a cleaner and furloughed atm.

My GP phoned for a chat to see how I was coping and when talking about work she said she couldn't see me working again this year!

That was pretty scary.

I never took the 12 week figure seriously, it was just an arbitrary number plucked from the air. No-one knew that in 12 weeks it would be safe.
I assumed the worst, that it would end up being until there is a vaccine which I desperately hope is sooner rather than later. I hope the shielded will get 2nd dibs after health care staff at the vaccine.

What I think will happen is that they will review the criteria for shielding in view of data based on covid cases. I might be able to move from "extremely vulnerable " to just "vulnerable "
I am trying hard to reduce my risks, though I cant wave a wand and cure RA and lung diseases I can keep as fit and healthy as possible. I am not obese or that would be something I could actually change.

Am I the only person to think that shielding indefinitely is one of the most ridiculously stupid things ever? I am saying this as someone who's mum and dad are currently shielding... I mean in all honesty... Indefinitely..... really???

There is absolutely no guarantee whatsoever that an effective vaccine or treatment will ever be found. Its practically condemning a large proportion of our society to live in solitary confinement for the rest of their days!!!

Something has got to give. Surely??

You say that, but it's pretty hard to change when already you can't walk, and can't go swimming like you usually would and you are eating crap because you're bored

@Shosha1

It was a thoughtless (at best) post. Some people really just don't get it!

But this, this is getting to me now. I just want to talk to my DDIL face to face, I want to cuddle my DGD, and hold my sons hand

😢. I stand by what I said above though. We each (as highly vulnerable people) individually need to decide when certain things are 'safe' and it's going to be different for everyone. If you DS &DIL are WFH and DGD has been at home with them for 8 weeks and had shopping deliveries etc and you're in a low R rate area then your risk is low compared to someone with a DS/DIL working outside the home with a DGD going to nursery plus all your own medical issues.

There's not going to be a point where it's 100% safe & I don't trust the Govt to decide for me when it's 'safe enough'.

Are you at least able to see them through the window? It's very hard,especially with the little ones they just seem too cute & innocent to possibly be carrying such a dreadful virus don't they x

www.gov.uk/government/publications/our-plan-to-rebuild-the-uk-governments-covid-19-recovery-strategy/our-plan-to-rebuild-the-uk-governments-covid-19-recovery-strategy

@NameChange84

(to justsew)

I think a lot of it depends on where you live. If I had to shield, I think I could safely still go for walks and not get close to anyone, but that will be different for everyone depending on their circumstances.

@NameChange84 I believe it was in that 50 page document thing.. hang on
Point 5.3
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/our-plan-to-rebuild-the-uk-governments-covid-19-recovery-strategy

Also you can Google it and the Gov website is the first hit.

@Shosha1 I'm shielding alone. It's... strange

It would be good if someone developed an algorithm where we shielders could log in, input our specific, personal details including height and weight, medications taken, underlying condition etc, and at the end you are given advice, specific to you

I think those at highest risk are already getting personal advice from their doctors etc. My dad is very high risk (chronic lung condition) and was given advice from his GP and hospital doctors right from the start. I know he is really scared about what will happen if there is not a reliable vaccine before long. I think he's mentally prepared for having to stay in and not see anyone (other than mum who is shielding with him) in to next year. If there never is a vaccine I think he will be very worried every time he sees anyone.

Given I meet every almost criteria for "at risk" as well as being shielding, I wouldn't like to see my results for such an algorithm. I'd probably be recommended to move into the attic and seal myself off from everyone!

@JustSew

I am not obese or that would be something I could actually change

I am and I can't and tbh I'm getting fairly fucked off with these comments. It's easy to judge/blame and think you'd do so much better - but for some of us it's no more possible than flying to the moon. It's really not.

Can’t, or find it really really hard to?

It’s ok to find it really, really hard.

@MabelX, I did google the exact phrase but it wasn’t one of the top hits for me. I got newspaper articles, cancer charities. But thank you for now linking. I see from the document nothing is confirmed or set in stone for us in the Shielding category as to an exact date.

I'm shielding and will make my own decisions about risk. I'm fortunate as I won't be in the category for ever, so I will eventually be unshielded.

I think the shielding will be extended till at least September.

People will have to start making their own decisions pertaining to their own unique set of circumstances. I for one haven't stepped out side the house in many weeks but am going to start going for a late evening walk. I will then start driving to visit people from my car and eventually sitting in the garden. This is a lace that I feel comfortable doing and I fully understand anyone who is going to stay at home indefinitely.

*pace