Shielders How Do you feel about the idea of doing it all again.

[Didkdt]

As we edge ever closer to greater freedom of movement, do you feel you could do it again if asked to?
I just don't know what to make of the idea of this merely being a pause. I'm hoping that vaccine and treatments will allow us greater freedom if Covid comes back in such big numbers

We're not quite there yet though, @Didkdt.

My concern is that before we get to 1st August, and we're finally released into the wild, things will be clamped down and we'll just not quite get to that freedom we're pining for.😥

I'm seriously thinking of booking a spur of the moment holiday for next week, but I'm not quite brave enough.

I’ll do it all again if it means swerving serious illness.

The WFH situation is improving and I’m rebuilding the pantry stores. Plus we’ve all had practice now. 🤷🏽‍♀️

I know we'd probably mostly all do it again it's just it's been a lot to go through and as @Wingedharpy says we may not get all of the freedoms we are dreaming of and it will be hard for our families too.

I'm not a shielder, but my parents are. I really don't think they could face doing it again.

They aren't big on going out, and they do have mobility problems which impact them anyway, plus carers who call on them at home twice daily, so I don't think that on a day by day basis much would actually change, but they do want their freedom and choice back, plus us as their family being more free to visit.

I don't think they would readily actually agree to be fully shielded again, although they would be very sensible if they did go out and it wouldn't be too often - just for a change of scenery. It has all been too much for them and both have had serious health crises at times throughout lockdown, which has been very scary.

@Wingedharpy I've booked a weekend in a cottage on a farm. Quite isolated and I don't normally consider self catering to be a holiday . Not the exotic holiday I had hoped for this year but I am so looking forward to it.
I was shielding and I decided to stop last week rather than wait for 1st August. Since then I've been to a garden centre, village baker and one other shop. All masked and blinking like I've emerged from a hole.
DS warned me that I would find the social distancing tricky - he's been working and out and about throughout and says things are now second nature to him that I won't be used to.
I'm also having DS to stay overnight next week which will be bliss (though we will keep our distance).

Would I do it again. Yes if a medical professional insisted I should. I believe my risk isn't as high as first thought when the shielding letters were sent.

I'm really scared about coming out of it, tbh.

I would do it again because, to me, it's better than the alternative.

What worries me is the impact that it would have on my job plus the impact that it's having on my physical fitness. I'm also missing out on a lot of hospital treatment which is also affecting my health.

It's the uncertainty that I'm struggling with the most I think. Plus coming out of shielding at the same time as everyone else is largely abandoning social distancing.

I have been taking small steps, and the dcs have been meeting up with friends: country walk, football game in the park - really wild!

I think you just have to be risk averse, just as someone would if they were undergoing chemotherapy. So steer clear of public transport, crowded enclosed places etc.

I bust out a couple of weeks ago for a thrilling trip to the hospital. Guess what - I didn’t catch coronavirus! I think we’ve been terrified into thinking that poking a nose outside equals certain death.

I still very much feel that lockdown is lifting for the sake of the economy, not because its any safer.

I will do whatever is required to stay safe. If I get it, I'm probably screwed.

I'm lucky enough to have a garden and the forest on my doorstep but do understand that some people are in flats and I really feel for them.

I contracted a special shielding ailment: lockdown foot! It was so long since I had worn shoes (wear slippers or socks at home) that my first trip out resulted in a darn great blister...

If it was just me and DH then I could keep going for ages. We already wfh and had shopping delivered. The dc are my worry. They've been so good but they do need to see friends.

I look at it this way.. i was roaming around London for weeks before lock down, admittedly because of treatment I've always used a lot of anti/bac & hand washing/won't touch doors without a tissue etc and I didn't catch it.

I've been as safe as possible but have been going out. I won't go to any indoor shops, pubs or restaurants anytime soon but I would eat in a pub garden. I've been to the vets, my parents (i care for them) and over to friends houses .. at a safe distance. I've a funeral next week and there is no way I'm not going.

@IrmaFayLear just as someone would if they were undergoing chemotherapy.
I finished chemotherapy a few weeks before lockdown and you are right it is similar. Unfortunately for me it also means I feel as though life has been on hold for a year rather than 4 months. The cancer wasn't my main reason for shielding either. On the plus side I already had oceans of hand gel in the house....