"Shielding"

[TryingToBeBold]

Can someone explain to me the requirements to this in layman's terms?
I'm not being naive.. but all I keep seeing on here and on facebook is
"Oh no I couldn't possibly go anywhere as I'm shielding for 3 months"
"So frustrated after shielding since March"
"Stuck in these 4 walls #day120303ofisolation"

No disrespect and I'm sure people are fearful for their health.. but is there any reason why they can't go for a walk?
Round a field? Without a gate?
Sidestep 3 metres away should they see anyone?
Exercise gently outside?
Social distance meet friends and family (3 metres to be even more careful)?

Just because you're shielding do you really have to be confined to 4 walls and (maybe) a garden?

Just to add.. my mum should be shielding but is going about her normal business with social distancing just like most of us (yes I've spoken to her, yes she knows the risks, no she isnt stopping)

[masonmason]

But surely they're all (okay not all but you get my point) adults and can think for themselves. A lone walk is okay?
The rest of us are?

Again, I didn't set the advice. No point questioning me on it. The reason people are staying in is that they are following the advice on their shielding letters and from follow up calls with their GP (if they have had them, not all have)

[Sparklingbrook]

x post. I even went back to check I hadn't.

[TryingToBeBold]

@Sparklingbrook

Thank you. My mum is doing her own version of it and I can only assume others are following the letter down to the last.. letter.

A bit like guidelines now. Some people are.. doing their own version of it. Others following advice closely

[Splitsunrise]

Yes of course people can think for themselves, which is why it’s not law that they have to shield, but it’s very strong guidance and it should be taken seriously.

Of course there are cases when people decide they don’t want to, that their mental health can’t take it, that their illness is terminal anyway, and so on.

[BetsyJameson]

What’s so difficult to understand? You follow the advice on the letter and the advice of your consultant. If you choose not to then that’s up to you.

[nether]

A number of shielded people have come across like this is absolutely forbidden for them

That's because for many, it is. Their consultants are telling them it is simply too risky. Not everyone is rural and/or living in a place where they can be reasonably sure of not seeing anyone.

Remember that this group is not defined by age

And if you live in a normal house, it's impossible
Which is why both shielded DC and children from a household where someone is shielding can't really return to school

[tootiredtospeak]

Its advice not law so of course you do not have to do it and it specifically points out that you can make your own choice dependent on personal circumstances. My dad and partner have been sent exactly the same blurb my dad is 64 and has lung cancer and has recentlt had chemo/radiortherapy. My partner takes methotrexate for reactive athritis but is a very healthy 35yr old who ran a half marathon not long ago. So its blanket advice to cover a spectrum of circumstances and each person really does have to think about how vigilantly they need to follow this advice. Some may choose to do it to eliminate any risk others will determine its just not worth it currently the last text we had said until the end of June but nothing miraculous is going to have happened by then its really not sustainable.

[Chesneyhawkes1]

I got the letter and another text today.

My immune system is low as currently having chemo and radio therapy, so it's for my own good.

However I go to hospital every day Monday to Friday, which isn't without risk.

I do still go for a walk with my dogs very early in the morning. I wake up at 5am for some annoying reason. But other than that and hospital, I go nowhere else.

I think people can asses their own risk based on their health, where they live etc and this is just guidance to help you do that.

Some people will be very very scared and if they want to follow the guidance to the letter, then they should. Whatever makes you feel safer.

[Mustbetimeforachange]

DH is one of the most vulnerable of the shielded but he goes goes for a walk in the woods fields every day. This week he has played tennis with his friend, all the time maintaining social distance & hand washing etc etc. The family haven't been to supermarkets etc so we don't distance ourselves from him. That may change as we move forward. He is an intelligent adult able to make his own risk assessments. There are no viruses waiting behind trees to jump.out & get him. If we lived in a town it might be different but we never see anyone on our walk except occasionally the other side of the field.

[TryingToBeBold]

I just see a lot of posts with people saying how lonely they are or bored of staying at home.

When in fact.. they probably could leave the house. Even for a 5 min walk or drive and then walk to reduce cabin fever

[masonmason]

I just see a lot of posts with people saying how lonely they are or bored of staying at home.

When in fact.. they probably could leave the house. Even for a 5 min walk or drive and then walk to reduce cabin fever

Except a lot of people will follow the advice to the letter. That is ok. It's ok to be thoroughly fed up with the situation at the same time.

[MuthaClucker]

The shielding category are at very high risk of death from Covid and so the blanket advice of the absolute safest way to protect yourself has been issued. Neither the government or the NHS can tailor the advice to the individual- of course people can weigh up the risks but these will differ from person to person. You may be able to go for a walk and encounter no one else, but Ms Bloggs in the city centre can’t.

[TryingToBeBold]

Its been interesting to see those who are shielding getting out and about at a level that they seem safe for them.

I thought this was a blanket stay at home and it was only my mum bending the rules

[PhilCornwall1]

Which is why both shielded DC and children from a household where someone is shielding can't really return to school

Ours will be going back to school and college as soon as they can. They want to and I'm happy for them to.

[purpleboy]

Can you really not understand that not everyone has access to quiet rural spaces?
What about those that live in huge city's with barely any green space? What about those who live in tower blocks or flats that can't even leave the building without coming into contact withy someone? What about those that can't or don't drive so can't access these quiet walks.

Can you not see past your own circumstances to understand not everyone has the opportunity to walk without coming into contact with other people?
Or how about the fact they they could very possibly die from this virus and maybe they value their life over a walk?

[TryingToBeBold]

And please I didnt ask this question to be dismissive.
It was a genuine question. And what I've learned is that those shielding are just like those not shielding.
The advice is specific to them. But how they take that is their choice.
Other than my mum.. I just thought every single person was locked in their house unable to leave
But that's not the case.

[TryingToBeBold]

@purpleboy

Thank you for enlightening me.

My mum had to skip chemo this week because her levels were too low and this weeks chemo would make her very very unwell.
After suffering PND and depression.. she values her mental health over physical.
Just to enlighten you

[TryingToBeBold]

Sorry.
*just to enlighten you that there are others clearly feeling the same.
Can you not see outside your own circumstances that people may value their mental health more. And will take the risk.

[100tramp75]

My four year old boy is shielding due to being high risk I won’t risk his health to taking him out so myself husband and both children are staying home yes it’s hard but his health means the most xx

[TryingToBeBold]

100tramp75

Do you live in a rural area where he could go for a wonder or a small bike ride (with you of course)?

[fluffi]

Shielding is for the extremely clinically vulnerable, including but not limited to people with severe lung and respiratory diseases, certain immune conditions, for example I know someone who is shielding who would end up admitted hospital if/when they catch a common cold.

NHS / GPs / Government have identified people from their health records is most cases and they've been sent letters telling them not to go outside at all, as well as a lot of guidelines in the home if they live with others.

From Government website:

Staying at home and shielding
If you’re clinically extremely vulnerable, you’re strongly advised to stay at home at all times and avoid any face-to-face contact to protect yourself.
This is called ‘shielding’ and the advice is:

• Do not leave your house.
  
• Do not attend any gatherings, including gatherings of friends and families in private spaces, for example, family homes, weddings and religious services.
  
• Strictly avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19).
  
  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#staying-at-home-and-shielding.
  
  They also have to say to socially distancing from people in their household, not share a bed, kitchen and ideally have their own bathroom!

[iVampire]

I have cancer of the immune system, and am shielding

If your DMum is too weak to receive chemo safely, then it sound really very hazardous for her to be outside

Her call, but don’t underestimate either the increased vulnerability to infection, or the effects an infection is likely to have in someone whose immune system is down

[Chachang]

Of course as it's not enforced some people will be out and about, as is their right and their choice. My dad is shielding, his view is that if he is unfortunate enough to catch it having stayed indoors, then he knows he did all he could to help keep himself safe; if he goes out and catches it he will regret not following the advice. As there are mechanisms in place to make sure he doesn't need to leave the house he doesn't see the point, if others choose to its their health and up to them. They are only issued to those who are a substantially heightened risk of dying, plenty of people are vulnerable but not on the shielding list, it is those who genuinely should be very cautious.

[Sparklingbrook]

I would have hoped by the end of the 12 weeks more would be known about how much risk each condition on the list brings, they had to produce it very quickly.

[TryingToBeBold]

@iVampire
Unfortunately yes her levels were too low.
No telling her though (not for lack of trying!.. )we have family in NHS and key workers so the book is being thrown at her... almost literally some times!