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Original poster

Shielding ending tonight

32 replies

Ridcully82 · 31/03/2021 19:26

I know it's technically being paused,but ,and it may just be the sun talking,I feel hopeful it will never be back thanks to the vaccines.

Been an 'odd' year,and not sure how quickly it will be able to let the scars settle from such a year of fear/the unknown.

I'm off to the office part of the week from next week,and more excited then anxious,though both there. Definitely looking forward to time to read on commute,as not had much time WFH and family life.

How are other soon to be former shielders feeling?

OP posts:
Boph · 31/03/2021 19:41

I'm delighted.
I went out last year when it was paused, it was difficult learning to adapt to what others had got used to. Can't imagine what it would be like for those who chose to shield all the way through.
It will mean I can go to a shop if I run out of anything instead of waiting until the next food delivery. I'm retired so won't be going to work which I imagine would be daunting.

Atomsaway · 31/03/2021 19:44

I had enough of shielding and went back to school when they opened. Won’t be doing it again.

TOWGA · 31/03/2021 19:47

I'm 29 weeks pregnant, and have been shielding, due to a heart condition, I am back in retail tomorrow even though government guidance states that over 28 weeks I shouldn't be working in retail!
I can't afford to lose my job, so going in, I'm very nervous though!

Roselilly36 · 31/03/2021 19:48

Totally agree with a PP, I shielded in the first lock down, I have been more relaxed and haven’t stuck to shielding since. Obviously, I have taken precautions etc but honestly life is short we all deserve a quality of life. It’s been a really tough time for us all.

Original poster
Ridcully82 · 31/03/2021 19:55

@Boph

I'm delighted. I went out last year when it was paused, it was difficult learning to adapt to what others had got used to. Can't imagine what it would be like for those who chose to shield all the way through. It will mean I can go to a shop if I run out of anything instead of waiting until the next food delivery. I'm retired so won't be going to work which I imagine would be daunting.
I remember last summer making mistakes in the supermarket,and forgetting to use a shop's sanitizer as I'd use mine before hand. Definitely agree it's an advantage if you've managed to get out last summer and deal with the almost inevitable anxiety (of some amount) so, for me at least,feels fairly manageable.

Sorry to hear that TOWGA,hope it goes ok:when are you going on mat leave?

OP posts:
Throwntothewolves · 31/03/2021 20:03

Not in Scotland it isn't, 26th April for us. It will be good though. Everything changed for me because of shielding, I have been working from home doing an entirely different job as a result of work not wanting me to come in while shielding guidance is in place. This doesn't exactly square with the kids being back at school. while none of this was my choice, I feel guilty doing the school run everyday while simultaneously working from home for my own safety. Just another example of how covid protection measures don't make sense

Original poster
Ridcully82 · 31/03/2021 20:09

@Throwntothewolves

Not in Scotland it isn't, 26th April for us. It will be good though. Everything changed for me because of shielding, I have been working from home doing an entirely different job as a result of work not wanting me to come in while shielding guidance is in place. This doesn't exactly square with the kids being back at school. while none of this was my choice, I feel guilty doing the school run everyday while simultaneously working from home for my own safety. Just another example of how covid protection measures don't make sense
Sorry,I'd bit realised about the Scottish date being different:mea culpa! I've been really grateful many times that our toddler isn't school age,though starting nursery after Easter,but feeling happy as had first jab,and ages very much ready for it
OP posts:
QueenPaw · 31/03/2021 20:10

I shielded all the way through so am sort of carrying on for a bit longer but not fully
I'll be WFH still (had first vaccine) but tentatively doing stuff like going into a shop etc
My consultant isn't sure if I will mount an immune response to the vaccine (I did have side effects) and I'm waiting to hear more data on people with blood disorders

user1471453601 · 31/03/2021 20:25

I'm cautious. It's the old saying about "just because you can, it doesn't mean you should".

DD is talking about seeing my sister this week, to deliver Easter eggs for my great nieces. Will I go? I don't know. I want to see my sister ( albeit in her garden) but my niece in law is a hospital nurse and great nieces are going to school. My Sister has been seeing them all , I don't judge her for that. Sisters choice, and one I've got no criticism of.

But, I've given up a year of my life to covid, and at 70, in bad health, that's probably about a quarter of my remaining life.

Do I really want to take the risk now? Or wait for my second vaccine in a couple of weeks?
.

Throwntothewolves · 31/03/2021 20:37

Ridcully82 Scotland always seems to have to do things a bit differently when it comes to Covid!

It will be good to be out in the World again. I miss going to work, seeing my work mates for real and not just through a screen, seeing friends, and most of all seeing my family, who live a fair distance away; I haven't seen my parents for over a year due to the rules and both myself and them shielding.
It will be odd to go to shops again, but tbh I don't miss that too much, but I'd like to have the option. Going somewhere different will be like a real adventure!

tobee · 31/03/2021 20:53

Anyone taking an antibody test to see if the vaccine had an affect? Wondering whether my Dh should take one.

Original poster
Ridcully82 · 31/03/2021 21:21

@tobee

Anyone taking an antibody test to see if the vaccine had an affect? Wondering whether my Dh should take one.
No,I hadn't thought of that:think I'm getting my comfort from bit of blind faith in the jab( had side effects so hoping so) and following the SD/masks
OP posts:
tobee · 31/03/2021 21:49

It's slightly worrying that one might find you have no antibodies Confused

OhYouBadBadKitten · 31/03/2021 21:53

I'm a bit nervous, going to take it in baby steps. I did get out last summer, but we went Tier 4 towards the end of the year, so it's been a long time.

It almost feel as though I'm not allowed in places. Does that sound stupid?

OhYouBadBadKitten · 31/03/2021 21:53

I'm not taking an antibody test. I'd rather not know at this stage.

Boph · 31/03/2021 21:57

@tobee

Anyone taking an antibody test to see if the vaccine had an affect? Wondering whether my Dh should take one.
Yes I have. I'm taking part in a study and took an antibody test 5 weeks after my first dose, as did DH. He was negative for covid antibodies but positive for vaccine antibodies.

I was negative for both sadly.

My consultant seemed unconcerned when I mentioned it (the study is a national one I volunteered for).
I'm waiting for the results of a second test and will be doing them monthly.

Boph · 31/03/2021 21:58

@OhYouBadBadKitten

I'm not taking an antibody test. I'd rather not know at this stage.
I wish I didn't know. All the joy of being vaccinated was sucked away.
OhYouBadBadKitten · 31/03/2021 22:01
Sad
nether · 31/03/2021 22:09

The deshielding letter was pretty pessimistic about not seeing lots of other people, only doing things at very quiet times etc.

The formal programme is going, but the need to SD remains.

It's like going from shielding to lockdown rules!

zobalina77 · 31/03/2021 22:17

I've had a couple of very socially distanced drinks in a friend's garden this evening and had such a lovely time. Not seen my friends for months. Am back at work in a supermarket on Friday and am just looking forward to talking to people again. Really hoping won't have to shield ever again.

MarshmallowManiac · 31/03/2021 22:32

I am going back tomorrow, looking forward to it as have missed everyone, but am still a little nervous.

HazeyJaneII · 31/03/2021 22:47

Ds is 10 so back in school after Easter, just keeping everything crossed and wishing the vaccine trials for under 12s will mean he can be vaccinated soon.

manicinsomniac · 31/03/2021 23:04

Just spoken to one of my colleagues 9n the phobe about this. She's gutted. She was expecting to be allowed back into school tomorrow (our last before the holidays) but school are insisting she stays at home until she's had both jabs. Which won't be until May.

So, idk, shielding might be ending in theory but I don't think all employers are seeing it that way. I've invited colleague round for an end of term drink with a couple of others tomorrow if it's dry but she feels too embarrassed to come if she isn't allowed into work. Which I do get but feel so sad that she is stuck like that when she should now be freer.

iVampire · 31/03/2021 23:13

Thirty six and a half weeks - done!

Mere lockdown rules is an exciting new set of freedoms

Redcherries · 01/04/2021 09:12

I shielded really strictly but used my local numbers rather than the gov dates, so its been low here for a few weeks now so I've had a couple of trips to the supermarket, I started shielding at the end of last year before it was unpaused as our numbers flew up and I didn't feel safe.

I think I will continue with this method if I need to but I'm hopeful we never face anything like the last year again, shielding was horrific but some peoples comments and beliefs that I've heard have shown me some true colours and I think thats what has been hardest.