CEV Captivity

[Gillgardens]

I wondered if others in the CEV category are finding that Freedom Day is actually captivity for them? The government's advice to avoid those who aren't double jabbed is ridiculous...how can anyone possibly know. So as the world opens up for others, for us it remains firmly closed. After 18 months I was just getting to the point I was going to risk going out, but now the freedoms for others gives me little choice but to remain shielding. It used to be "protect the vulnerable" but now it is "forget the vulnerable".

I really do not object to any decisions others make and it is of course now legal for others to return to a semi normality, and I hope others can enjoy that. For me though this is the worst, and most dangerous, time since the pandemic began. There is literally nothing I can do to protect myself other than follow doctor's orders and stay home. And now there is no official shielding, there is no legal protection for those of us who are CEV too - there is no back to normal for us!

It is so so scary....please tell me I am not alone.

I feel like I been to take extra care as WOH. Was going to join a gym but friends say all so etc gone.

It is covered by the health and safety at work act. Your employer will have to make reasonable adjustments for your condition and a risk assessment. It may be that you are in a wheelchair and require a ramp, have colitis and need to have access to a toilet quickly at work. It may also be applicable to people working at home, equipment to prevent eye strain, back issues. Whatever it is that makes you CEV will be risk assessed in the same way

it seems no one is going to come out of this better off

Um, quite a few cronies of Johnson, Hancock et al have done very nicely, thank you.

I’ve been looking into how to get an antibody test to see if the vaccine worked. Anyone know how? I haven’t found one yet other than ones where someone comes to your home.

I did an antibody test for a study recently but it only confirmed I hadn’t had the actual virus. I’m CEV but on the low end of the list / probably should be just CV. Feel very grateful my employers and my role means I can WFH.

@Gillgardens same, I don't consider myself as having a disability either, I just have a blood disorder

@Leftbutcameback

I’ve been looking into how to get an antibody test to see if the vaccine worked. Anyone know how? I haven’t found one yet other than ones where someone comes to your home.

I did an antibody test for a study recently but it only confirmed I hadn’t had the actual virus. I’m CEV but on the low end of the list / probably should be just CV. Feel very grateful my employers and my role means I can WFH.

Several places offer this in London but not sure how many outside. Mine cost £95 - results next day.

I’d like to get it done again to see how much my antibodies have declined but I’m worried about catching Covid if I go there at the moment as I’m in a very high rate area.

Zoomdoc was suggested on previous page by Fizzi. £59.99. I've just ordered one.

Thanks @Egghead68 - I’d seen the ones in London. I’m not too far outside but don’t fancy a trip in! I hope that the services will expand with demand

Thanks @PastMyBestBeforeDate - missed that one whilst scanning through! Price seems about what I would expect so off to have a look!

You're not alone. I'm feeling really fed up and a bit teary today. My mum went out for lunch to a pub and not one mask in use. I'm going to have to limit my contact with her to outside if she's going out and about more now with the great unmasked. My neighbours are double vaxxed and have tested positive at the weekend. I've put a training course on hold until September as I thought things would be better by then (from Easter) but it looks far worse now. It feels shit. Just when the summer starts and the dc break up.

@Egghead68

it seems no one is going to come out of this better off

Um, quite a few cronies of Johnson, Hancock et al have done very nicely, thank you.

And lots of "normal" people too, such as those who've been furloughed and taken on a new job, whilst still officially "on the books" of the original employer and claiming their furlough. Two wages for one lot of working - not bad if you can get it!

I don't believe it's true that every person in the CEV category automatically has a disability.

The definition is set out in section 6 of the Equality Act 2010. It says you’re disabled if:
• you have a physical or mental impairment
• that impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities

I know of a few people who are CEV due to conditions which have not had substantial adverse effects prior to rendering them more vulnerable to CV.

On the wider point I think we have to be careful not to protect our physical health at the expense of our mental health. The balance swung (IMO) too far at the very beginning of shielding with the STAY 2 METRES AWAY FROM YOUR HOUSEHOLD letters and now has swung over to "ah, you'll be fine, could you shut up and go away please as I have some mates that need to make money and I'm busy"

We need to be lobbying our MPs/government for income protection for CEV people and if people believe masks/social distancing should remain they need to lobby for that too.

For myself, I'm at the fuck it stage. I'm not sacrificing my mental well being any more and restricting my DCs opportunities. (I realise I am "lucky" I don't work out of the home but this is actually a source of frustration for me normally, ironically) I will be contacting my MP for income protection for those that do and obviously we will continue masks and distancing etc.

I will continue to protect others as best I can. But I'm not protecting my physical health at the total expense of my mental health and I think this aspect is overlooked sometimes (especially in women).

I wanted to thank those of you who have made suggestions regarding what employers should do for their CEV employees. I do not want to say exactly what my profession is but I am not employed by anyone, more like self employed (yet not quite!). Maybe think of it more as a fee to carry out work on behalf of organisations. I am probably not explaining very well, but did not want to be rude by not taking up your advice. I have not had any financial support during this time and am unable to claim sickness benefits (I am not sick anyway) or disability benefits (I am not disabled) or was not able to be furloughed. But I have been able to remain safe until now, but not so from now on.

I know of a few people who are CEV due to conditions which have not had substantial adverse effects prior to rendering them more vulnerable

Yes, that is me. Only knew I had the issue when I had a routine x ray for something completely unconnected. Lived with it fine for many, many years. In a covid free world this would not be an issue at all...but in a covid world it's terrifying.

If you're CEV, then by default you have a disability
This is not correct. I am immunosuppressed because of a medical condition. It is not and has never been counted as a disability. Most people don’t even know I have it. I’m not eligible for any adjustments because there’s nothing wrong with me other than I’m more susceptible to disease.

Back to the topic though - by September rates will be so high that masks and distancing will return. This is just a blip to psychologically make people think they have freedom for a while, so they’ll be more likely to comply with restrictions in the winter.

The threads here make me realise that people aren’t going to care much now for me and my 7 yr old. Who is also CEV.

Friend of mine became positive after a test. Told us straight away. We isolated. No one else who’d also seen her did. Carried on mixing. More of them became positive. They didn’t let anyone know. So it spread more and more

Scary times ahead. My poor little one has been so patient. I feel for her. But I cannot take the risk. Masks gone now. People don’t care about her. They want their freedom.

I’m really saddened.

@SilverOak

If you're CEV, then by default you have a disability This is not correct. I am immunosuppressed because of a medical condition. It is not and has never been counted as a disability. Most people don’t even know I have it. I’m not eligible for any adjustments because there’s nothing wrong with me other than I’m more susceptible to disease.

Back to the topic though - by September rates will be so high that masks and distancing will return. This is just a blip to psychologically make people think they have freedom for a while, so they’ll be more likely to comply with restrictions in the winter.

As above, the definition is:-

"The definition is set out in section 6 of the Equality Act 2010. It says you’re disabled if:
•you have a physical or mental impairment
•that impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities"

If your ECV medical condition is preventing you from "normal" day to day activities, i.e. due to covid, then you fall within the definition.

Yes but day to day activities are usually things like cooking, getting dressed etc that disability prevents you from doing, which people often get PIP for
There isn't much I can't do due to covid because I can go back to work, I can go to a nightclub, it would just be bloody foolish for me to do it.

They want their freedom
From what? A bit of fabric? Maybe next we should campaign for freedom from wearing trousers. I mean they’re also just a bit of cloth that you wear? Down with clothing!

@SilverOak

They want their freedom From what? A bit of fabric? Maybe next we should campaign for freedom from wearing trousers. I mean they’re also just a bit of cloth that you wear? Down with clothing!

If you’re talking to me

I meant people feel hard done by. People have isolated. Kids been of school. Lose of jobs.

Listen. I’m with you. I reckon we should campaign for freedom from trousers! I’m there with ya! Central London. Here we come!

However I reckon freedom from brand and tops. I’d love to see women be able to roam around publicly from being able to be topless like men!

Bras! Not brand @SilverOak 😂

@Nocutenamesleft I understand why you feel forgotten . One of mine is under 12 so no vaccine for them on my account. There are trials for younger children underway so hopefully this will set a precedent for rolling it out once it's authorised.

If I was shielded alone. It wouldn’t bother me

So what if my kids have to survive without a mother. Lots have before

My risk is my 7 yr old. Not many mothers would go. Oh well. Let’s risk it today kids.

People forget that although it doesn’t effect some children

There’s are lots of children with blood cancers. Or cancers. Or brain tumours. Or with some horrible horrible illnesses that have lived pretty much inside now for 18 months. After reading threads on here and especially the ones about now going out without a mask

A few on there go. I’ve followed the rules for 18 months. Tough shit!

Does that suddenly mean it won’t kill some children now? Because you’ve decided that’s it?

[quote PastMyBestBeforeDate]@Nocutenamesleft I understand why you feel forgotten . One of mine is under 12 so no vaccine for them on my account. There are trials for younger children underway so hopefully this will set a precedent for rolling it out once it's authorised.[/quote]
Thank you. Sending hugs for you too

It’s horrible having a child in this predicament. Where people don’t care about the risk for them

My child’s consultant is putting her forward as soon as. Hopefully for you too xx

that impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities
It’s a weird situation to be in when you’re immunosuppressed. You’re fit and healthy and have lived your entire life just catching cold a bit more often than most people - and then suddenly you can’t go out in case you catch something more serious than a cold. People and especially employers don’t take kindly to someone suddenly saying they’re disabled, when they’ve known them for years with no issues, and crucially nothing about their personal health has changed.

The problem is that the world has changed and things that never used to be disabilities now are - but our understanding and our legislation hasn’t kept up with that. Immunosuppression is now a more serious problem than for example having no legs, in the sense that people with no legs can safely go out and live their lives but immunosuppressed people can’t.