No shielding: what to think?

[Jourdain11]

This is being presented as a positive thing: "We won't be asking people to shield again". But there seems to be a downside, that if someone is (for example) advised by medical professionals to basically shield, there won't necessarily be any support available.

It seems like the government washing their hands of the responsibility, to be honest.

[YorkshirePuddingsGreatestFan]

I lived on ESA last time for five months because my employer refused to pay furlough. It financially ruined me. I had to put some living costs on a credit card which I'm paying back now.

I cannot pay my mortgage, utility bills and buy food on ESA and CTC alone.

If there is no mandatory furlough, I'll have no option but to ignore the advice not to work as I can't afford to go back on ESA.

[JellyTeapot]

If shielding employees were furloughed but have since returned to work, can they be re-furloughed? A bit concerned Boris didn't say anything about furlough and ECV employees, just ssp and esa.

[Jourdain11]

It is just all so unclear!

I've been so happy to be back at work part-time, but I am not confident about the need to be in doing f2f work. When there is effectively no direct government guidance, it makes it hard both for me and for my employer to come up with a solution.

I am also increasingly worried about the kids in school, but I don't want to pull them out because they would have no social life and it would be a struggle to provide the support they need with all three (they are all primary school). Fortunately they have not yet had any positive cases at school, nor has my DH at his school. Long may it continue!

[Orangeblossom7777]

It's a mess. Surely this is the one most important thing...