Looks like shielding might be returning

[2X4B523P]

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8727553/Up-4-5million-risk-Covid-told-stay-home-new-shielding-plan.html

Couldn’t see another thread but excuse me if I’ve missed it.

So shielding is currently paused and it looks like there’s a plan to restart it and with extended to more people.

And once again, what about the NHS - it would not function without people who fall into a risk category.

@CoronaIsWatching

We need to fire up the engines of the economy to avert complete meltdown when combined with no deal brexit. You can shield if you want to but everyone else needs to get back to work

Agreed. Very many of the people who will be identified will have no choice but to work.

It's fine to say the government should do this, that and the other, but the money just isn't there to do it.

No I don’t think they should lose their jobs

But if they were furloughed and general distancing stopped or reduced, more people could work, businesses would earn more and less jobs would be lost over all

Many places that are open will not keep all staff as they don’t need them all due to distancing

Shops half full so only need half staff etc

But I will say that I do expect when it comes to redundancies next month- of which millions are expected- then I can guarantee they’ll choose the people who can work to stay on

I’m not saying that’s right at all but companies are on their arses and can’t pay sick etc long term. Many have taken out loans to keep them going - with no end to distancing, many will only need staff for half capacity so redundancies in companies that are open are still inevitable

I know mine will defo cut the over 70/ vulnerable - in some way they’ll manage it in same way people are forced to medically retire or forced out through criteria for selection

I think shielding of the vulnerable should return and the rest of us should go more back to normal. We cannot be sure of a vaccine so that is the only way forward. Covid is never going to go away so as a population we are going to have to develop immunity - naturally.

@Hereinthesticks

I really don't think the government can afford to furlough the millions of obese people in this country, and what about the BAME population or those with diabetes? The most straight-forward criteria is age, and that only works because many of the over 70/80's are already voluntarily living shielded lives.

I agree with this. Things would have to get really out of control (like when lockdown first started) to go back to furloughing people again.

I think you will have to shield as individuals, mostly the over 70s and obviously the medical vulnerable.

Over weight people are not going to be paid to stay home, nor are BAME, the people ruling the country would rather jump off a Cliff than suggest that! (Although would that mean Boris would get furloughed?)

general distancing stopped or reduced the problem with that is the virus is then circulating in extremely high numbers in the rest of the population who are not shielding. So shielders can never come out, not even for a GP appointment or dental emergency. And they cannot come out until a very high proportion (86?) of the entire population have received a vaccine that is highly effective and reliable.

@Windyone You're right. Not a lot of people are weighed their GPs.

@Fyzz

The Telegraph article seemed to be saying that there would be a review of the shielding criteria this time round. In March far less was known and some of the conditions on the list then have not proved to be as vulnerable as first thought. I think huge numbers of people with asthma were told to shield and there has been some research that shows they do not seem to fare worse with covid. Also for children only a very small number of very sick children would fall into the shielding group.

But if that’s that’s the case it wouldn’t be 4.5 million. The original shielding list was c. 2 million. So if they’ve taken a lot of people off then they’d need to have added at least that number from another category and 2million more.

I wonder whether the contributing factor to this might be an age cut off which is lower than people might expect.

I can't see how the government can afford a return of the furlough and food delivery schemes. They'd have to be much more strict about who was included in the shielding group this time.

I'm also wondering about the weight thing. I can't remember ever being weighed at the doctors and I haven't been to the doctors for years. I know I'm very overweight now but my doctor doesn't know that! Also, I couldn't see any age mentioned in the article. I wonder if they mean over 50 or 55 or 60 or 65?

@Hotcuppatea

Shielding would be much more affordable than shutting down the whole economy and putting tens of millions out of work again.

@Lipz

I think I may have read that a poster on here got a shielding letter recently. I'll see if I can find the thread.

That thread was deleted as the poster was “mistaken”

I've seen 50 and even 45 being mentioned as a cut off age @RafaIsTheKingOfClay. My initial thought was they can fuck off if they lower it to 45!

Yes I think it will be. Hopefully with proper financial support so people don’t face a choice between shielding or risking their lives to go to work.

@Hotcuppatea

I can't see how the government can afford a return of the furlough and food delivery schemes. They'd have to be much more strict about who was included in the shielding group this time.

We refused the food delivery scheme as we didn't really need it.

The notification of shielding was pretty inefficient though!

When thinking about cost I don’t think people realise how many jobs will go

All shops need less staff

All health and gym less staff

All offices less staff if they’re based around profit

All travel

Pubs and bars - many still on furlough

Travel - many still furlough with reduced timetables etc

Next month they’ll all be gone!

[quote Ecosse]@Hotcuppatea

Shielding would be much more affordable than shutting down the whole economy and putting tens of millions out of work again.[/quote]
But what do you propose for when this is over and those shielding no longer have jobs? Who is going to pay the bills then?

(I know it would be discrimination but paying the wages of partners of shielded people has also been mentioned)

I am obese and in my late 40s and there’s fuck all chance I’ll be shielding.

Other than healthcare I can’t think of a single business that hasn’t lost money

Everyone of them will want to recoup money

Pink I expect same as what happens when people medically retire?

@MadameBlobby

I am obese and in my late 40s and there’s fuck all chance I’ll be shielding.

Are you wearing a mask and socially distancing?

@MadameBlobby

I am obese and in my late 40s and there’s fuck all chance I’ll be shielding.

Bedsides anything else it would be pointless if my kids are at school and my husband out working anyway. Risks increase due to obesity but I am doing what I can to eat healthily, exercise and follow all rule and even a 50% increase of serious harm is an increase in what’s already a small risk

@MadameBlobby

I am obese and in my late 40s and there’s fuck all chance I’ll be shielding.

In which case you need to accept that you May get very very ill and die... or stay home for six months and live.

I really think it will be between those two stark choices.

Yes I am @Dominicgoings. I am following all the rules