"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)

[purpleboy]

Of course there are because people are capable of making their own decisions. But you've come on here asking a question you clearly know the answer to for what? So you can sneer at the silly people not leaving their homes for fear of catching a virus that could prove fatal to them?
I'm not sure what your referring to, nothing I've posted is close to my circumstances, I can just see many reasons why people who are shielding wouldn't want to leave the house. It's really not that hard to figure out?

[iVampire]

Sounds fun!!

📖

[ClientQ]

I'm shielding and staying home. The only thing I have done is go to the doctors
I can't trust other people. When I went to the doctors the guy in the queue came and stood inches from the side of me, I asked him to move and got an earful about how a young healthy person like me shouldn't be worried about a virus. The reception told him I was vulnerable/shielding and to move the fuck away from me

Plus say I go out for a longer drive to somewhere rural. I crash on the way there. Then I'm in contact with ambulance, maybe recovery driver and end up in hospital. More risk. Might be a safe driver but again it's other people

Am severely neutropenic and consultant said stay home so that's what I'm doing

[purpleboy]

Also I'm sorry about your mum, I hope she feel better for her Chemo soon.🤞🏼

[TryingToBeBold]

@purpleboy

I'm not sneering far from it.
Its awful that people haven't felt safe enough to leave their homes. Have been told it's not safe.

I'm not sneering at anyone in that position.
I just wanted to know the views of those who were in that position

[TryingToBeBold]

@ClientQ

My mum is suffering the same as you. I do worry about her going out as much as she is.

[MuthaClucker]

I'm shielding and I'm staying in.

I don't live in a built up area, I could probably walk out without seeing folks, but I've read the advice and I'm staying in. Not because I'm a hard of thinking sheep who thinks I've been forbidden, but for the simple reason that I have a family who still very much need me and I do not want to leave them right now.

I'm lucky that I'm a lazy bastard I have a garden that I can enjoy and access to shopping deliveries etc. My company have no problem with me working from home for however long it takes. Yes I miss going out but I can cope for now.

[purpleboy]

Fair enough my mistake, I misjudged your tone. Apologies, and I really do hope your mums recovers soon.

[cherryblossommorningstoday]

My dad has had a kidney transplant.

My mum and him haven't left the house since 17th March.

Next week they have planned to go for a drive. I think it's fine and wish they had done it earlier.

[TryingToBeBold]

@purpleboy

Its interesting how theyve took the advice into their own hands.
The letter has obviously gone to those most vulnerable
Some take the piss. Like my mum and ignore it.
Some proceed with caution but are still going for exercise and walks.
Others have took it very seriously and haven't left the house. I was curious about the latter as to.. why the may not proceed with caution and go out (if they could and be as safe as possible). Especially wearing a mask. Walk to a field etc.

[TryingToBeBold]

@cherryblossommorningstoday

I'm glad for them

[TryingToBeBold]

• I say take the piss.
  Shes obviously made that decision and I can't judge her too much for it.

[purpleboy]

People are assessing their own personal risk, my dad is in the shielding group, he lives with us. We have plenty of outdoor space and he gets the priority shopping every week. He literally has no need or desire to leave the house so he hasn't since lockdown.
My best friend who has outdoor space but not as much get up at 5am every day and goes for a run with her kids, she sees no one, we live in a national park so pretty empty but won't run the risk during the day in case she sees people.
I guess when your life could be on the line you make the decision that works for you, I guess that's what your mum is doing, quality of life over quantity?

[TryingToBeBold]

@purpleboy

So you see two different perspectives in that sense. For the same advice.
I guess just like us that arent shielding.

Exactly that for her. Quality over quantity. Who am I to judge either party.

[BritWifeinUSA]

We don’t have this concept here. My husband has cancer and is still doing his volunteer shifts at the dog shelter (he’s all alone except for the dogs when he goes) and we go shopping for groceries every two weeks. We go out for walks along the deserted beach most days. But no one is being told to stay locked up inside for 12 weeks here (well, they aren’t even being “told” to do that in the UK, it’s advisory but people have been interpreting it like it’s a legal requirement). Our death rate in this state is less than a quarter of the UK rate (when you look at the numbers per million) and in our county there have been no deaths at all, but we are very sparsely populated at 30 people per square mile. So, does shielding work? Maybe not. But if people feel more confident staying indoors, that’s up to them. Some people here have chosen to stay inside. A Facebook friend of mine has been in self-isolation since February by choice.

[iolaus]

In the letter it does actually state not to go out for a walk and to only leave the house for medical appointments

[helloPig]

but you ARE judging. it didn’t go the way you wanted but i’m sure you can’t hear me anyway over the sound of your frantic back-pedalling.

i’m shielding because if i catch covid i am highly likely to need intensive intervention, at which point i will die. i’m 47. not a risk i’m willing to take.

i go out in the garden but that’s it for me. and yes, cabin fever is properly setting in. i’ve been indoors since March 17 and my mental health was piss poor before all this started. so it’s just me and the cat.

so. i am advised to shield. i have applied critical thinking and have decided to follow that advice. of course i could do any number of things if i chose to, but i don’t.

it’s not for shits and giggles, or for attention. i am unwell, if i catch coved and require ventilation i will die.

is that good enough?

[MinkowskisButterfly]

You do seem quite dismissive and wearing a mask will only protect others, not the person wearing it. Hth.

[MaureenMLove]

I'm shielding and with my condition, I honestly don't think I'm any more at risk than anyone else.

However, every time you get a text message from the Government saying, 'get someone else to put your bins out' or 'make sure you're 2m from your neighbours if you intend to go in your garden' it puts the fear of god in you.

I do go out. I risk assess before I go and I have been careful. I walk very early in the morning, when I rarely see a soul.

My doctor cared enough to deem me vulnerable, so the least I can do is follow the advice I'm given. I am desperate to go to work, but I don't think even if I told work I was coming in, that they'd let me in!

[TryingToBeBold]

@helloPig

Think what you must.

You dont know my circumstance or thoughts or opinion.
You dont know me. Continue judging me for all you like if it makes you feel better.

Back pedaling? Alright then. What part of I wish my mum would listen to the advice dont you understand.

[TryingToBeBold]

@helloPig

The way I wanted? I didnt want it to go anyway.
I wanted to ask those who were shielding what it meant for THEM.
Some. Like you. Havent left the house.
Others. Like my mum. Leave it every bloody day.
And others. Like some on this thread.. leave the house based on their own self risk assessment.

So actually I've learnt that what I've seen online so far isnt the whole picture.
Back pedaling because my view was widened? If that's what you want to call it to help you vent your anger further then go right ahead

[TryingToBeBold]

@MinkowskisButterfly dismissive wasnt my intention.
Online forums can be hard to get the emotion across.

[helloPig]

because you started the thread continually asking why people don’t just go out late, or early, or drive somewhere, with the tone that was very much suggesting that people were just shielding with no critical thought applied.

if you wanted to know what shielding meant, you could ask your mum and read her letter.

because the thread didn’t turn into a pile-on of all the sheeple blindly doing as they were told, you’ve done the old switcheroo at the end and dressed it up as concern for your mum, whose letter you could have read without asking over and over again why those being recommended to shield don’t just go outside anyway.

to suggest anything else at this point is disingenuous. but you already know that, so i’ll leave you to your concerns and altruism.

[MuthaClucker]

Well OP perhaps now when you read all those things like

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"

You will have a little more understanding and insight, so all good.