Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

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

103 replies

Shosha1 · 20/05/2020 18:35

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 ?

OP posts:
Kazzyhoward · 21/05/2020 12:33

I think those at highest risk are already getting personal advice from their doctors etc

No, they're not. They're just getting the same generic advice. My DH is shielding due to having one of the cancers in the most vulnerable group. His GP and cancer consultant have been absolutely useless - treatment cancelled, GP surgery refers him to oncology, oncology never phone him back after leaving messages. Still no indication of if and when his treatment will continue. So, it's locked in the house until he dies basically!

Nonotthatdr · 21/05/2020 12:37

I really feel for people that are shielded. I would be going crazy.

I don’t think we can quantify risk yet because we just don’t have the data to say that condition x is worse than condition y or activity x is more dangerous than y.

If r is got very low then risk will go down but it won’t be eliminated until a vaccine or treatment, and then as some people will be unable to have that (some types of immune deficiency and chemo etc), it will require herd immunity to be able to say that the risk to them is low, and that may take a while.

Medically I don’t know what else can be done. I think for each individual it needs to be a weighing up of risk between the effects of shielding and covid. The original guidance excepted that some people would not choose to shield, such as the terminally ill, it is the individuals choice and I’m hopeful that people’s GPs Or specialist would chat it through with them if they wanted (but they won’t be able to advise one way or the other).

Devlesko · 21/05/2020 12:37

I'm not officially shielding as i haven't had a letter, but choosing to for as long as I think is necessary.

Nonotthatdr · 21/05/2020 12:39

@Kazzyhoward cross posted. That’s rubbish on the hospitals part. Has the GP tried to coNtact the hospital for you? Is there a specialist nurse service? Oddly enough have you written (paper letter) to the hospital team? That often can force a response.

TitsalinaBumSquash · 21/05/2020 12:39

We're shielding DS, honestly if this goes on all year in our current accommodation I think I will seriously be at risk of a mental breakdown. I'm NOT coping being piled on top of each other. I need some space.

MissJG · 21/05/2020 12:40

Yes, I know all of that thank you.

MissJG · 21/05/2020 12:47

Thankfully I have my step machine and bike machine and am able to exercise everyday. Even gentle exercise and healthy eating/cooking habits will keep your mind, body and soul healthy. I have an online scrabble game that I play with people. Block the scammers and the men who think it is a dating app. Instagram also and take part in photography challenges. I take part in mindfulness and draw and paint. It is amazing what you can actually achieve during this time if you are able. It does not cost much and the skills are there even if you believe you don't have them!!

Honeyroar · 21/05/2020 13:01

@Kazzyhoward I’m sorry, it’s awful, isn’t it? I think some gps need to be doing a bit more really.

BamboozledandBefuddled · 21/05/2020 13:09

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???

No, you're not the only person. DM is housebound, no family except me so it's really business as usual for her. DH is only shielding because there's nowhere open that he wants to go. He was furloughed before receiving a shielding letter and is still furloughed. The really worrying thing is that the construction industry guidelines seem to be saying that his employer's must not have him back at work. He wants to go back when work's available but if it's not allowed, it'll be redundancy when furlough ends.

I really wish we could get something more definite.

MadisonAvenue · 21/05/2020 13:13

To answer the question, use my common sense and make my own decisions.

@Whattodowhattodooo That is just how I feel about it. The Oxford trial may be successful and there may be a vaccine pretty soon, or w emigrated be waiting years for one and to advise a large group of people to cut themselves off from their family and friends and the rest of the world for much longer isn’t doable.
The mental health fall out will be horrific if shielding continues in the long term. What a lot of people don’t understand is that it’s not just a matter of staying indoors, the advice is to socially distance yourself from the people you live with too which includes not spending long in the same room as someone in your household who isn’t vulnerable.

I found out three weeks ago that, along with my 20 year old son, we should be shielding. He’d been working full time up until that point. We’re both very fit and healthy but both have an underlying condition which normally has absolutely no effect whatsoever on our lives, we don’t even have to have any monitoring or appointments. Neither of us see a consultant, there’s absolutely no need.
Since we were informed hardly a day has gone by when I haven’t cried, and I’m usually very strong. My main worry is for my son. He’s worked very hard to get an excellent apprenticeship in his chosen career and is just coming to the end of his first year. He can’t work from home and I worry so very much about how this will affect his future.

The government have put absolutely nothing in place to safeguard the jobs of people who they’ve advised to shield. Some have been furloughed which others are having to get by on SSP and I think that people will be having to make a choice between staying shielded or going back to work in order to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table.

IncrediblySadToo · 21/05/2020 13:25

@MabelX

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

CANNOT

It’s ok to find it really, really hard

I'm losing my patience for being patronised

I don't find it 'really really hard'.

For me it's fucking impossible. I'm not going into it again, because nobody fucking listens, but CANNOT - not 'hard'

MereDintofPandiculation · 21/05/2020 13:29

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??? Yes, but if you've been told that you are one of the ones that will be very ill (with a high chance of death) if you catch it, and you know that it can be spread by contact with people and contact with surfaces touched by infectious people, what, precisely, is the alternative?

Twigletgirl27 · 21/05/2020 13:40

My 81 year old DM with COPD was told by her GP this morning that she could go for a walk 'if it was quiet'. I told her she mustn't as that goes against advice. She has decided she won't go out but I don't agree with the GPs advice.

janet1267 · 21/05/2020 13:43

My elderly neighbour is shielding due to a health condition. She and her DH drive to a local country park at about 6am every morning for a walk. It's a calculated risk as there is almost no-one about and they are not near anyone. It's hugely helped her mentally to do this.

TabbyMumz · 21/05/2020 14:19

@MadisonAvenue are you able to say what the condition is at all? Just wondering if its blood related, and genetic? It's just I'm wondering if someone I know should also be shielding, but had no letters. I'm wondering if as time goes on the medics are starting to expand the list of conditions?

cornish009 · 21/05/2020 18:30

I think those at highest risk are already getting personal advice from their doctors etc

My husband, who is the highest risk, has had nothing but the standard government letters, no input from anyone medical at all. No contact from GP surgery. And as all his appointments with the chest clinic have been cancelled there has been no contact, or advice, from consultants or respiratory nurses either. We've been on our own and had no idea some people were getting individual advice.

cornish009 · 21/05/2020 18:36

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???

I think if my husband wasn't shielding and at the highest possible risk I would agree with you. However, knowing it would be certain death if he caught it, changes my opinion. Although as the weeks go by it is getting harder, and like so many miss hugs from our loved ones desperately, but that's better than the alternative.

Nonotthatdr · 21/05/2020 19:18

@cornish.

GP surgeries were told to contact all shielded patients to check they had the letter, understood it’s significance and we’re signposted to local support.

Where I work not all of these calls were made by a Dr but a member of staff has contacted everyone

I’m sorry that you haven’t been and if you feel you need more support do contact your GP (and assuming you are in England if you get nowhere complain to the CCG)

BikerChick91 · 21/05/2020 19:35

No, other than the letter and texts absolutely nothing from the GP or any other medical professional. The council called regularly in the beginning but haven’t done for weeks now.

IHaveBrilloHair · 21/05/2020 20:25

One letter, two texts that same day and that's it.
What does, "at the highest possible risk", mean anyway?
Is there a scale?

MereDintofPandiculation · 21/05/2020 21:17

DH had the letter, and a text from NHS a few days later. But otherwise has had no contact from anyone.Not GP, not Council.

Frazzled2207 · 21/05/2020 21:27

@Whattodowhattodooo
I agree but it’s down to the individual isn’t it. My dad is in the category but staying inside would be hugely detrimental to his mental health. Luckily he lives very rurally so is doing lots of walks. And came to have a chat with us in the front garden. He knows there is a potential risk but he’s comfortable with it. Obviously anything “busy” will be off the cards for some time. We’re just so lucky that so far the weather has been kind.

cornish009 · 21/05/2020 23:34

GP surgeries were told to contact all shielded patients to check they had the letter, understood it’s significance and we’re signposted to local support

Thank you for that Nonotthatdr - very interesting. We've not heard a single word, or had any contact at all, from the GP surgery. Now I know why we have not had any details of local help and support that others seem to have had, the surgery were supposed to tell us about it! I will now investigate further!! Bless you!

Original poster
Shosha1 · 22/05/2020 11:41

I've had nothing from GP at all. My letter cam e from the consultants

OP posts:
Kazzyhoward · 22/05/2020 12:58

GP surgeries were told to contact all shielded patients to check they had the letter, understood it’s significance and we’re signposted to local support.

We've had nothing at all. Just the official Govt "shielding" letter. My OH has one of the specifically mentioned cancers. Neither the GP surgery nor the oncology dept have contacted him at all. He was midway through treatment and got a curt phone call from a receptionist in the oncology dept that his treatment was cancelled. That's been it. I have T2 diabetes - not a thing from GP surgery other than, again, curt phone call from receptionist saying my annual blood test was cancelled. The lack of support/information from the GP surgery and local hospital has been shocking. And then the NHS has the nerve to say "business as usual" in the media and suggested people are at fault for not contacting their GP/hospital etc - we've left numerous messages but no one ever rings back.