Special time to go out for shielding

[Orangeblossom78]

Thought you might like this film, petition too. For the other scary people to stay in so the others can go out without having to see any of them

I'd tell DH as he is on the same meds but he is out at work today sadly

www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/health-53083614/coronavirus-we-need-a-designated-shielding-hour

[Orangeblossom78]

DH's work asked him to sign a disclaimer and state he was Ok to work which was why he found out if not needed to be in the group- so he was able to sign

Not easy being self employed at times.

[Hearhoovesthinkzebras]

@Redcherries

I can see why they want it, and it was done in other countries I believe.

I am shielded and I just don't see how it would work, the country is now back working, bars and stuff will open soon, when would the hour be. Not to mention the huge lack of empathy that has been shown towards the group (Just stay home, its not that hard! Umm yes it fucking is and its not that simple either but thats not a discussion to have here), it would be impossible to implement.

I go out for a walk at 6 in the morning, I see the same people each morning which is lovely, and we keep a distance. I did try a different time of day and it was a scary experience, lots more people, many not distancing, so I won't do it again.

What we need is a plan in place with stages of easing shielding, in comparison to infection rates, information on how the stopping of shielding will work as the situation progresses and what shielding will look like if a second wave occurs. I don't see how a shielding hour could work at all.

Absolutely. I also want advice on how we can return to work, and what precautions we need to take, if any. Not all workplaces are the same, some will be less of risk than others. Hopefully government will be better informed than MN, who assume that all shielded are old and about to die anyway, and will realise that many of us are working.

[starfish4]

I appreciate why it would be considered, but how you would enforce it with many people going to and from work at different hours. I walk to both of my jobs, 15 mins, one cuts through a car park and much quicker that way. DD works different shifts every day, can start anytime between 6am and 3pm, finish any time between 2pm and 10pm. She's currently off work ill, and having to go to the doctors every day (she can now walk) so again she has to go when the appointments are. That's just us.

I've found it's usually quiet in the supermarket around 6am, but I appreciate everyone isn't like me and will get up and out.

[Redcherries]

I can see why they want it, and it was done in other countries I believe.

I am shielded and I just don't see how it would work, the country is now back working, bars and stuff will open soon, when would the hour be. Not to mention the huge lack of empathy that has been shown towards the group (Just stay home, its not that hard! Umm yes it fucking is and its not that simple either but thats not a discussion to have here), it would be impossible to implement.

I go out for a walk at 6 in the morning, I see the same people each morning which is lovely, and we keep a distance. I did try a different time of day and it was a scary experience, lots more people, many not distancing, so I won't do it again.

What we need is a plan in place with stages of easing shielding, in comparison to infection rates, information on how the stopping of shielding will work as the situation progresses and what shielding will look like if a second wave occurs. I don't see how a shielding hour could work at all.

[Orangeblossom78]

The other thing might be to discuss with the IBD nurse or consultant, I think more recently DH has come of the mtx so may score 2 after all, (I'm not sure but they did a yearly insult over the phone)

[Orangeblossom78]

Well according to Tooths score chart that is 3 for humira and mtx, different to the other guidance and is in the group after all. How confusing.

[Orangeblossom78]

Words fail me Butterer

Why? DH is in the former - it is stressful getting such a letter and then finding it is 'moderate'

Don't see why you are having a go at me for that, it is just the situation.

[NameChange84]

there should be. Please ignore the typos I’m in a bad way with medication withdrawal effects and my brain is all over the place.

[NameChange84]

I’m not wearing a surgical mask. I have fabric ones with changeable filters.

I think for some idiots the masks represent Covid19...so it makes you a target. I had a mother encourage a four or five year old to shout things and throw things at me from a car on my first walk out.

In terms of all the vulnerable being out at once...we’ve all been shielding. I’ve not been out for any reason, we are on the list for deliveries, my medication is delivered, Gp appointments done by phone, blood tests/ warfarin clinic via an arm stuck out at a drive thru etc. All the vital treatments I need have been stopped so all of us in the local NHS area that are shielding are in the same position. So their should be much more minimised risk than that when you have hoardes of families, care workers, supermarket workers, teachers, school attendees etc all in the park for example at the same time as shielders.

My Dad has found a solution by walking round a deserted industrial estate carpark at 10pm at night but I don’t have that option.

[nether]

Thanks - I'd already found that it was disease specific only for those with conditions where need to shield depends on severity.

That dermatology chart and the earlier linked ones for GI conditions don't apply to every shielded category.

People with many forms of actively treated cancer, for example, would come out as 'do not need to shield' from the linked assessment charts for other conditions.

My apologies again for starting this hare running

[ToothFairyNemesis]

@nether this is the table as it says “any other medical condition requiring specialist treatment that could push people into the shielding category.This is why my close friend is shielding despite thinking she would not have to as she was told from her hospital (Guys).

www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/our-services/dermatology/dermatology-and-coronavirus-frequently-asked-questions.aspx#na




Table 2: self-assessment risk calculator
Questions If answer 'yes', note the score
Have you had cyclophosphamide tablets and/or infusions in the last six months? 3
Have you been taking prednisolone 20mg (or more) daily for more than four weeks? 3
Have you received rituximab (in the last 12 months)? 3
Do you receive infliximab infusions? 3
Do you take prednisolone 5mg (or more) daily as well as one or more immunosuppressive or biologic medication? 3
Do you have any of the following problems: lung disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or liver disease, chronic neurological conditions, diabetes, are very overweight or any other medical condition requiring specialist treatment
or even if you do not have any of these problems, are you over 70 years old?
oryou are pregnant 1
Are you on just one immunosuppressive or biologic medicine? 2
Are you on two or more immunosuppressive or biologic medicines (other than sulfasalazine or hydroxychloroquine OR a combination of a biologic with methotrexate)? 3
Add up the numbers above, to make your total

• If you score of 3 or more: you are 'extremely vulnerable' and probably need to shield yourself. If you will need help at home to enable shielding you can register for help.
  
• If you score 2: you are unlikely to need to shield yourself. You should practice very carefulsocial distancing.

[puffinkoala]

But would it really be sensible for a load of vulnerable people to all be out at the same time?

My mum hasn't used the "granny hour" at the supermarket as she thought it was a stupid idea to have lots of elderly vulnerable people in there at the same time.

I think you're better using your own judgment to go out at a time that suits you and your area. Even now it's not that hard to find relatively quiet places where I am, but then you also have to weigh up the risks of being out on your own in a lonely spot if you are female.

Why on earth are people being abused for wearing masks? Is it because they think you're wearing medical grade and the NHS need them? Or just because they are idiots?

[NameChange84]

This is allowed now though isn't it

It is, but as I posted earlier, I’ve been verbally abused on several occasions when walking for wearing a mask, spat at twice by teenagers and people don’t generally think 2 metre distance is what works for them so it’s hard to distance when others don’t respect that. I’m not the only person who’s been shouted at for wearing a mask according to our local Facebook page and people are resentful here of the 2m distance and just move as they wish.

2am was suggested as a time for a walk but there have been 2 recent rapes in my local vicinity and don’t have dogs or children as posters have suggested I should take with me. I appreciate this is specific and wouldn’t affect 99.9% of people but I do think a shielding hour in a local park or green space would be helpful for a lot of shielders.

[nether]

This is allowed now though isn't it

Yes, but only just - Scotland made its announcement only today

(PS: have seen the points based stuff now. It's a tool for some conditions only (where severity is relevant) which is why I'd not come across it. Apologies for being so insular!

[ToothFairyNemesis]

@nether it’s only for certain conditions will find the link for you now.

[Orangeblossom78]

some fresh air or a chat with another human at a distance

This is allowed now though isn't it

[nether]

ToothFairyNemesis

This is the first I've heard of a points based system. Can you link it?

Thanks

[Orangeblossom78]

www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/news/advice-for-people-with-crohns-and-colitis-self-isolation-social-distancing

DH is on mtx and humira so seems moderate but did have a letter also

[AwkwardMoment2020]

I’m a lecturer and have continued teaching and working from home throughout and being paid normally. I know for others who can’t work due to Shielding benefits may help but I suspect a lot of us would just like som fresh air or a chat with another human at a distance.

[Orangeblossom78]

www.bsg.org.uk/covid-19-advice/clarification-for-patients-taking-azathioprine/

[Orangeblossom78]

On azathioprine I think this is being used as possible treatment for covid

[Orangeblossom78]

I can understand that Namechange

On the financial side I wondered if it could help for all people in the group to automatically be granted the high rate of PIP while this continues. It is non means tested and not work related so could still do some work at home

I mean most of people in that group would probably qualify anyway but if not it could be a help- perhaps

Or something similar

[Zem74]

@ToothFairyNemesis I haven’t implied I know more than her consultant, thanks. I just know what the advice is for those with IBD and I know what info she gives in the video where she states she has crohns and she is taking azathioprine. Anyone taking this medication was blanket sent the shielding letter, the BSG then published a risk chart stating that azathioprine didn’t need to shield just social distance. No medical professional of mine told me about this, I had to find out for myself, then consult an IBD nurse and GP for clarification.

[NameChange84]

Sorry, I didn’t mean everywhere to only be open for an hour for Shielders, I just meant that a designated public space would be appreciated for an hour.

I have got the letter and although I’m only 36 and a woman, I am BAME and have been told by my cardiologist that due to my vascular condition and an autoimmune disease my chances of survival are extremely low. I have survived pneumonia twice but my lungs are quite scarred from that. I don’t think the world should stop for me, I’d just appreciate a safe space for an hour.