shielding letter.

[Devlesko]

Was hoping to get on the road again (Romany)
but I got a letter today.
I am 54, have type 2 diabetes, I take 2 metformin a day, am in the middle of my weight range, and fit and healthy.

I think there are going to be quite a few surprised by their letter, I never expected one.
I wasn't going out much anyway, but was looking forward to when kids went back, being able to travel, I'm gutted.
Anyone else surprised they got one?

Shielding is a choice, not law

Thank you.
I'm worried now though, because if I catch it through being out and about I'd only have myself to blame.
I don't go out to work, and haven't seen family since xmas.
Was looking forward to seeing my gc, but seems a bit risky now.
Am I over thinking this? It was just a shock.

Have you had the vaccine?

If you continue to be careful as we progress over the next few months you should be able to start getting out more.

I've had one too that I wasn't expecting and, like you, I don't do anything risky really so I'm going to ignore it. Or at least consign it to the back of my mind and just continue being careful. It's definitely a shock though.

The shielding letter is until 31st March, not much changes prior to that date.

My DS (21) who is type 1 has received a letter this time. He is also otherwise healthy (not overweight etc).

He has had his vaccine, so I'm hopeful as life starts to open up he will have some protection.

No, not had the vaccine, only got the letter late morning.
It says will hear soon, about the vaccine.
It's a good idea to ignore it if you have been following rules anyway.
I haven't followed them to the letter, but only met people outside and socially distanced.
I have been going to the odd shop, which I suppose I should stop. But then I'd either go first thing when they opened or before they closed, as it's really quiet then.

I'm on the shielding list and I had the latest notification by email last week and the letter this morning.

I've risked assessed my own health and well-being all along. Although for the first lockdown, I did stay at home completely. This time round, I have been shopping now and again, at the crack of dawn so not many people about, but nothing else.

I haven't been in anyone's house, other than my support bubble, as I live alone and I've been for a walk with the same person, who I know also hasn't been anywhere for the duration.

I agree, unless you work in a school, nothing is changing much before the end of March anyway, so I'm just going to sit it out for a few more weeks.

Sadly, I do work in a school, so I can't go out to work, but actually I'm quite grateful for that, because who knows what shit show that'll turn out to be!

Hang in there. It's almost March already!

Got mine today too. I was offered my vaccine last week and have a rare health condition that I knew would cause issues so I shielded by choice anyway and expected the letter. Does feel a bit scary to see it in bold how at risk you are though. Not long to go and it's just advice at the end of the day. At least I have a good excuse to get DH to go to the shops for me .

Dim question I know, but if you're on the move, how will the NHS know how to contact you?

I'm not travelling atm, we had to stop during covid.
We have bricks n mortar, but family are really struggling trying to get on sites.
Many of us have a c/o address for doctors dentist etc.
I let lots use our address, only for official stuff though, no loans etc

Yes, a lot of diabetics got these. It’s been confirmed there’s no new data as such, it’s just that you probably should have been allowed to shield all along.

Anyway, you can book your vaccine online here. If it doesn’t work today, try it over the next couple of days - it can take a day or so for your details to update -
www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/

Thank you. I was doubtful of having the vaccine now, wanted to wait until close to the last bunch, but think I'll have it now.

@Devlesko

I'm not travelling atm, we had to stop during covid. We have bricks n mortar, but family are really struggling trying to get on sites. Many of us have a c/o address for doctors dentist etc. I let lots use our address, only for official stuff though, no loans etc

I always wondered! I think it's best to stay put atm. It's bloody hard, I know. I can't wait to go somewhere, anywhere!

I'm having my vaccine on Saturday, hopefully the more of us that have it done the sooner we can get back to reality

We've just had an email to say that one of us needs to shield because they're now classed as CEV. To be honest, they have been pretty much shielding throughout anyway and we were surprised they weren't classed as CEV before. It would have been nice to have had the support a bit earlier. Asked to shield until 31 March even if they've had both vaccine doses.

No-one can travel at the moment because of lockdown. The shielding is due to end on 31st March and even then we are not going to be allowed to travel.
By the time restrictions are lifted on travel you will be fine to go.

I've had one too - 57, type 2 diabetic on metformin plus an injectable medicine, high BMI.

It is a statistical risk model - we are more significantly more likely than the average person to have a bad Covid experience. For me - I've had Covid, and came through fine. So I'm not going to do anything different. I'm wfh, I'm not socialising, the only difference would be not going into shops. And it's only until March 31st - and there's no changes before then which are relevant to me anyway.