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.

[quote boon]@leftbutcameback yes please for details on antibody test. My mum is CEV and I want to find out for her.[/quote]
Thank you. Are you on immunosuppresant medication? My mum has a lung condition and is on steroids and mycophenalate so double whammy for her. It breaks my heart that she cannot live her life as she used to. And it breaks her heart that she can no longer have the grandchildren over to her house, or take them out swimming or bowling or anything indoors basically 😔 The whole thing is just so depressing and so sad.

I’m CEV and found some comfort in a study of masks in healthcare workers that were vaccinated and the n99 masks provided 100 percent protection.
I have felt left behind with others eating out, meeting up, weddings, restaurants but I’ve kept my circle to my immediate family members and parents still.
When cases were lower, I started doing days out but definitely felt the gulf of difference between my little baby steps of outdoor things to most people mixing indoors etc.

@boon my DH was on steroids and mycophenalte but was able to have to Pfizer jab.

[quote Amboseli]@boon my DH was on steroids and mycophenalte but was able to have to Pfizer jab.[/quote]
My mum has had 2 oxford vaccine doses. However, I know they did studies in America on antibodies produced after vaccinations for people on mycophenalate and they had really low immunity about 8%, and that was with MrNA vaccines.

www.pharmatimes.com/web_exclusives/Impact_of_immunosuppressants_on_COVID-19_vaccine_response_1372703

@NLM20

I’m CEV and found some comfort in a study of masks in healthcare workers that were vaccinated and the n99 masks provided 100 percent protection. I have felt left behind with others eating out, meeting up, weddings, restaurants but I’ve kept my circle to my immediate family members and parents still. When cases were lower, I started doing days out but definitely felt the gulf of difference between my little baby steps of outdoor things to most people mixing indoors etc.

@NLM20 the N95 masks healthcare workers wear are fit-tested to ensure there are no leaks. Ones you just buy online that aren’t specially fitted won’t be so effective.

@boon we had no idea about that. We were just happy he was able to have the jab. He's not on the medication anymore but it's likely he doesn't actually have any or many antibodies?

Not sure what to do now. Is there any way we can find out what his immunity level is? We've just been going out as normal thinking he's protected

I do think some provision should be made. I will say though that many posters were very vocal over the last 18months that lockdown was not in place to protect those with CEV but to protect the NHS. As suchthe NHS no longer needs protecting and so the expectation of those posters should be that life will get back to normal for people who have been jabbed or low risk. I do feel that you have been left stranded though because I can't see how you can go back to work yet. That said the risk is going to be here forever so it must be worrying

I just can’t see how it would work. Let’s say I say I don’t feel safe/it’s too risky going to work. Fair enough. But what if I’m spotted visiting friends or at the supermarket? Any scheme could only work for someone who truly was never leaving the house, and then each person’s medical risk would need to be assessed to filter out those who could re-enter society but have excessive anxiety.

I do feel that you have been left stranded though because I can't see how you can go back to work yet. That said the risk is going to be here forever so it must be worrying

whatthejiggeries. Since the so called Freedom Day I have read so many unkind words posted about people who are CEV, and I have been aware of at least half a dozen deleted threads because they became so nasty. But I wanted to thank you for your kind and understanding words....it IS worrying yes, especially for those of us for whom the vaccine may not have worked well and whose employers expect normality now. Thank you!

@Egghead68
That’s a good point that I had perhaps conveniently put to the back of my mind. There are a lot of websites to check fit but surely both n95 and n99 are protective to the wearer to some extent for the average person wearing them. Maybe it just gives me comfort when in shops and people close by without masks etc.

@boon sorry, I thought I'd replied but obviously hadn't! I don't have what your mum has and I'm sorry it's been so tough. I'm lucky that I'm on the lower edge of the CEV category, but any infection is likely to cause more permanent damage to my lungs because that's the nature of my condition. So I'm always trying to avoid any lung infection!

@Gillgardens

No I'm CEV and could never be bothered to shield

Glad you had far more courage than me, and that it worked out well for you. I bothered because I wanted to give myself the very best chance of staying alive for my children and grandchildren.

I had covid the week before the lockdown on 23rd march 2020 so after that as it was less than a cold for me I couldn't see any point. This said I'm a chancer in all aspects of life owing to being so unwell with the disabilities I have - I don't see any point restricting myself even further. I have more risks from day to day life and am in hospital at least twice a year anyway so.... Covid can do one.