No shielding for the vulnerable?

[Racoonworld]

There were many threads a few weeks ago about whether we should shield the vulnerable and let everyone else get back to normal. The general consensus from shielders was no. Well now cases are rising and estimated by ONS to be similar in numbers to the first wave, and there is no shielding. Many people breaking the rules and doing what they want anyway. Have any shielders changed their minds? Would you like to be shielded again or are you happy to get on with it like everyone is now doing?

Stayed shielded, am WFH

I dont think that its shielders who dont want to shield. Yes, there are issues logistically and socially and it can be really tough staying inside for so long.

But weve seen many shielders just on this thread say they've stayed shielded. Its more that while the shielded staying at home obviously really benefits us from coming into contact with the virus, it doesnt remove the death rate. The 45k that died during the last lockdown died when the vulnerable were shielding - these were above and beyond that group.

So it wasnt the shielding dying, it wasnt the shielding taking up NHS beds and it wasnt the shielding travelling. All that happened when the shielders were shielding so what benefit would it bring to society? This whole "protect the vulnerable everybody else get back to normal" doesnt match with what the data is telling us.

If I thought my friends and family could get back to normal if I stayed shielded, Id do it in a heartbeat. But thats not an option if we want to prevent deaths.

I was / am (is there a list now ?!) On the shielding list but didn't and so wouldn't do at any point anyway. But I would always support people who have been sent the letter if they wanted to.
The reasons for being on the list usually involve some pretty serious medical conditions and medications, I know since I'm one of them. Whilst I've chosen not to and am more than comfortable with my choice, it's hard enough living with these things without then having something like this added in on top!

sure that most can make their own personal risk assessments, and I'm sure many people are able to decide they will continue to shield as best they can, with their own rules of what feels safe, and do so until there is a vaccine.
Unfortunately, unless there is something put in place to enable and support those who are ecv to continue to shield....if they are working, if they are children at school, if they have children at school, if they need carers etc...then there is very little choice for these people but to 'carry on as normal', and that is appalling.

This. We are lucky as dh can wfh and we live in a area with few cases. We do however have to send our 3 dds to school.
Others are not so lucky

Shielding gad two purposes really. One wascto ptotect the shielded but more importantly to keep Icu beds free for others. Some ecv eould have bern advised to sign DNRs so it would be palliative care only for some.

It is not correct to say shielding had no effect on the death rates. Shielding started in late March and deaths peaked early April. Those dying in April probably caught the virus before those most vulnerable were told to shield.

Most shielders who can still shield are still shielding or drastically limiting contact with people and places. If DS' school would offer us flexibility, we'd go back to shield over the winter, in a flash.

I never really stopped, certainly wasn’t taking part in all the “eat out to help out” etc. I occasionally buy food in a shop or a takeout coffee but I do not socialise at all, do not eat out etc, I’m working from home etc. It’s not long since I stopped teaching in schools, I’d have been out in a very dangerous situation in that case. I think that Shielders in high risk jobs should not have been forced to choose between their jobs and their lives...they should have been at least offered alternative duties which wouldn’t involve being exposed.