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Original poster

What about shielding !?

17 replies

gallbladderpain · 22/09/2020 13:50

So what about all the shielder's across the country...did they even get a mention today !?
These people were shielding at the beginning of Summer when the situation was much better than it is now.
Lots of these shielder's are working with the public in shops, in schools and the NHS etc and are very high risk
Are we just going to use them as collateral now ?
So they know if they implement shielding again then that means lots of teachers not in work that means some schools might not be able to open etc....so we just won't protect these people anymore ?
Will this be the failure like the care homes !
Of course not all people want to shield and that should be their choice as well it's a huge undertaking for anyone but surely those who do want to should be protected the same way they were earlier in the pandemic !
It honestly disgusts me that there doesn't seem to have been any attempt to protect the most vunerable !

OP posts:
Cookerhood · 22/09/2020 13:52

He said no need unless in a local lockdown area.

Original poster
gallbladderpain · 22/09/2020 13:53

Except the fact that the alert level has been raised to 4 across the country and they have said themselves that no area isn't affected by this
Do we wait until lots of them end up with covid and in hospital or worse dead before we do start it up again ?

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ChaChaCha2012 · 22/09/2020 13:54

Very briefly mentioned at the end. Shielding remains 'paused'.

They only introduced shielding to stop the NHS becoming overwhelmed. The motivation was never about protecting people I'm afraid.

stoptheworldiwant2getoff · 22/09/2020 13:55

Can you not make your own decisions?

SheepandCow · 22/09/2020 13:57

They're probably trying to ignore the issue.
By now it's impossible to deny that diabetics are extremely clinically vulnerable. Unfortunately that means shielding would significantly reduce the essential workforce. Many doctors, nurses, teachers, etc are diabetic.

GalaxyCookieCrumble · 22/09/2020 13:59

Yes he mentioned it, no shielding except those in local lockdown areas.

ChaChaCha2012 · 22/09/2020 13:59

@stoptheworldiwant2getoff How do you suggest she explains that to her employer, "I've decided not to come to work for the foreseeable future, can you still pay me please?".

GalaxyCookieCrumble · 22/09/2020 14:00

[quote ChaChaCha2012]@stoptheworldiwant2getoff How do you suggest she explains that to her employer, "I've decided not to come to work for the foreseeable future, can you still pay me please?".[/quote]

She can speak to her GP who will advise accordingly.

stoptheworldiwant2getoff · 22/09/2020 14:01

I actually don't think she's shielding reading it back. Just shouting for others

SistemaAddict · 22/09/2020 14:03

My GP has already said that they can only go off the government guidance so no point asking him to tell me to shield. I'm just to "be very careful" Confused
I'm in GM where rates have been increasing for weeks now but no local lockdown in my area. I'm still expected to send dc to school and get in with everything. It's a huge worry.

JayDot500 · 22/09/2020 14:11

We're still shielding, but we have a kid at school. We'll pull him out if cases rise the way they have in some areas in the north. We are both very fortunate to be able to wfh and I know this is not an option for all.

Original poster
gallbladderpain · 22/09/2020 14:21

@stoptheworldiwant2getoff

Can you not make your own decisions?
People can make their own decisions we have made our own decisions. I have given up a job because I wasn't able to work from home, my partner is working from home and we also haven't returned our children to school. However it's not that simple for a lot of people. A lot of people can't just give up their job ! And I'm sure employers are not so very understanding now when the government is still maintaining the line that shielding is paused So from my own point of view I've been able to make our own decisions but I know families who are literally so worried for their lives but literally have no other choice but to carry on going to work and sending their children to school so they can go to work etc
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Original poster
gallbladderpain · 22/09/2020 14:24

Equally you don't have to be a shielder or a vunerable person yourself to worry about those who are in those categories and want better guidance for them.
I personally am a healthy young person one of the lowest risks but we do have a vunerable family member hence our decisions but that aside I would still be worried for these people

OP posts:
Funkypolar · 22/09/2020 14:32

Well BoJo said that you’re safe. Why wouldn’t you believe our PM?

Redolent · 22/09/2020 14:39

They recognise that people who ‘shield‘ are interconnected with the rest of society, and that removing them from mainstream schooling/work will cause many more difficulties. Particularly since we now know that things like obesity, high blood pressure etc are Covid risk factors. unfortunately, these are also comorbidities that are highly prevalent in the UK.

It doesn’t make things any easier for (former) shielders.

Bagelsandbrie · 22/09/2020 14:44

Lots of people in the shielding category can’t actually shield. Like me. I’ve got all kinds of health issues, I was given a shielding letter and just ignored it as I have two dcs who go to school and a husband who works full time in a busy office. One of my dc has additional needs and even in the height of the pandemic we had to go out and about to keep him from hurting himself and to minimise disruptive behaviour.

I think everyone knows that people who are vulnerable should minimise contact with others as much as possible but I think it’s just not viable for lots of us to shield anymore. If we ever could.

Original poster
gallbladderpain · 22/09/2020 14:49

@Bagelsandbrie

Lots of people in the shielding category can’t actually shield. Like me. I’ve got all kinds of health issues, I was given a shielding letter and just ignored it as I have two dcs who go to school and a husband who works full time in a busy office. One of my dc has additional needs and even in the height of the pandemic we had to go out and about to keep him from hurting himself and to minimise disruptive behaviour.

I think everyone knows that people who are vulnerable should minimise contact with others as much as possible but I think it’s just not viable for lots of us to shield anymore. If we ever could.

Absolutely it's not viable for everyone and no one should be forced to shield it should be advised but people who do want to shield should be offered protection. I use teachers for example but I'm not a teacher or even know any teachers Some may be in the shielding category but happy to carry on and not shield even if it was reimplemented that's fine they should be able to make that decision themselves however there is some who are very worried now and they should be offered protections to be able to work from home where possible (supporting home learning for example of those children from shielding families who also don't feel safe in schools) I use this as an example mainly because those who previously were shielding are being told now to be stringent about social distancing etc and we all know that does not and cannot happen in school settings, therefore they cannot follow the guidelines to keep themselves safe at work even if they wanted to
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