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Can the over-70s join a support bubble?

7 replies

Twothousandzerozero · 11/06/2020 13:38

Apologies if this has already been answered in another thread, but I can’t see it anywhere. If there’s a single person living alone, and they’re over 70, can they join a bubble? I know those shielding can’t, but is over-70 classed as shielding? I’ve lost track.

OP posts:
Smudgeis13 · 11/06/2020 13:40

Shielding is a very specific term for the most vulnerable due to health. Could be someone under 70.

Discobar · 11/06/2020 13:46

If over 70 but not not had a shielding letter there is no problem. If shielding people would come under the "Clinically extremely vulnerable category". If just over 70 it's the "clinically vulnerable category"

Clinically vulnerable’describes the wider group of people who have been identified as being more at risk from the new coronavirus but not so severely that they need to shield themselves.

The government doesn’t actually recommend that clinically vulnerable people follow any rules that differ from the universal social distancing guidance.

But these people are being told to follow thatguidancecarefully, and to take particular care to minimise contact with others outside of their household.

As discussed above, this group includes anyone aged 70 or older regardless of their medical conditions.

It also includes anyone who is under 70 but has health conditions including chronic mild to moderate respiratory disease, chronic heart, kidney or liver disease, chronic neurological conditions, diabetes or a weakened immune system because of conditions such as HIV and AIDS or medicines like steroid tablets.

This group alsoincludes pregnant womenand anyone classed as seriously overweight, with a body mass index of 40 or above.

fullfact.org/health/coronavirus-shielding-social-distancing/

florriepeck · 11/06/2020 14:16

I don't think this information is clear, either.
It seems from the BBC news website that over 70s can't be in bubbles.

florriepeck · 11/06/2020 14:19

"Who has to still stay at home?" on BBC news website.

NotEverythingIsBlackandWhite · 11/06/2020 14:36

"I don't think this information is clear, either.
It seems from the BBC news website that over 70s can't be in bubbles."

www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/amp/53004674
I can't see any mention of the age of 70 in this article although I think this sentence is misleading:
"Or, if you live with just one parent in your household you will now be allowed to stay with another family member or have them stay at your home."
It fails to specify that you need to be a child who lives with one parent in order to be able to form a social bubble. It could mislead.

Best thing is to go by the statement in the briefing and not by what the BBC or newspapers say. Get it from the horse's mouth.

AriettyHomily · 11/06/2020 14:40

Can anyone clarify please as I haven't seen the letters but MIL and step dad both received one, does that automatically mean that they are shielding and extremely vulnerable or just vulnerable? I can't get any information out of them and they have been isolating because of their age anyway.

StrawberryJam200 · 11/06/2020 14:41

From this,

www.gov.uk/guidance/meeting-people-from-outside-your-household?utm_source=e51a81c3-504a-48be-9355-469253c88f96

One of the relevant bits is:

"If you are clinically vulnerable or have a higher risk of catching coronavirus (such as a frontline healthcare worker)

If you are clinically vulnerable, you should continue to take particular care to minimise contact with others. You should bear this in mind when deciding to form a support bubble. If you are at a higher risk of exposure to those with coronavirus (for example, if someone in your house is a healthcare or care worker that interacts with patients that have coronavirus), you should take particular care when deciding whether to form a support bubble and who with."

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