Shielding program stopped

[Egghead68]

For anyone this affects, the shielding program was stopped for good yesterday.

They snuck this news out under the cover of the cabinet reshuffle.

Apologies if this is out of place, but I just wanted to say that perhaps some of the issue is a misunderstanding about the purpose of the thread (rather than any deliberate intention to derail/ undermine/ denigrate those who are struggling etc.)

Mumsnet is a support forum, yes, but it’s also a place where people, with a plurality of views/ perspectives , come to discuss/ debate various topics (this is especially true on the coronavirus board!). I think there were a fair few pps who contributed here thinking this was a thread (for those affected) to discuss (/debate) the decision to end to the shielding programme.

I think the purpose/ intention of the thread has now been made clearer (at least to me), and fair enough. Apologies for any previous misplaced comments.

Agree I was puzzled by this as neither the title nor the Original post indicate it’s a support thread and it’s in the coronavirus topic rather than a ‘support’ section. If that’s the intention I would start again with a new post

@BungleandGeorge

Agree I was puzzled by this as neither the title nor the Original post indicate it’s a support thread and it’s in the coronavirus topic rather than a ‘support’ section. If that’s the intention I would start again with a new post

Whether in the title or not, it's been said repeatedly by the people on here. Initially mistaking the intentions is one thing. My earlier posts might be inappropriate for this thread, since I criticised the failure of the UK government to implement mitigation (not restriction) like a mask mandate. I then read what people wanted for this thread. So I stopped. Why not respect people's request? I suppose the title could be amended, if that's necessary but is it really? People have been quite clear about what they would like.

Well, I certainly haven't spent the last 18 months not going out.

And this afternoon I plan to go shopping, take kids to the dentist, go to a meeting at school etc., so I'm not hiding away.

It's not quite business as usual though. Last week Sajid Javid encouraged people to meet outside, open windows and wear face masks in enclosed spaces to prevent Covid and flu transmission as the winter months draw in. So we are going to continue with that.

To be honest, I would do that anyway even if I wasn't CEV, it's common sense, exactly to avoid harsher measures being needed over winter.

Morning!

I don't think this was started as a support thread - Egghead was just flagging up the new information.

I also understand that lots of you wouldn't know that Egghead Is CEV.

However, it is a bit of a MN faux pas not to read the thread, and try to gauge the tone. (I'm not accusing everyone of this, and suspect a couple of posters of shenanigans, but there we are).

The problem is, almost every time a CEV person starts a thread about shielding, non-CEV posters come on to tell us off, or tell us we're 'entitled', or accuse us of ruining things for everyone else.

This has been happening since March 2020, and is pretty vile to have to deal with.

Hence the anger and heightened emotions.

CEV threads tend to veer towards the supportive - rather than combative - end of the spectrum, because we are all in need of support - whether we like it or not. (We don't).

Fine to criticise government policy. Not fine to criticise sick people for their attitude, for not being positive, or for living their lives in the wrong way.

@Izzypuss don't go

I think there's a difference between severely immunocompromised (about 500 000) and cev in general, several million. For many cev the vaccine is effective, and their situation is improved by vaccine; for the severely immunocompromised this is unlikely and covid mortality in my group is about 1 in 4-5. There is a new drug but you have to be ill in hospital to get it and it only reduces that figure by 20%, so might save 4 per hundred. It can be given preventatively with much better results, but gov not approved it which seems short sighted.

I think ending shielding for this group is negligent and likely to give false reassurance to many who will end up in hospital. Some in this group still have to work with the public which I think is unreasonable. For these small numbers I think some employment protection is reasonable and in line with other countries.

I resigned because I can just about afford it. More admissions in this group is bad for everyone who needs the NHS. Luckily I know I'm at high risk so I can continue to be careful as far as possible with children at school and partner working. Before covid I worked and had an active social life, fitness classes and didn't have many worries at all.

It is not easy to be in this group, I don't want lockdowns at all, my family and friends are getting on with life which is great.i hated seeing my children off schooI and uni. I would like masks so I can do the basics more safely, especially haircuts and pharmacy. And to keep the virus levels down. I do feel my life is increasingly limited since freedom day and worried I will be left behind by friends as the cold weather comes and also the impact over time on my relationship on not being able to go to social events with my partner. Walks are good and lucky that I can walk plenty. Not looking for sympathy but do be considerate of your cev friends and family as their anxiety is not misplaced.

Just found out that a child in DD's class has COVID. (Teacher very sweetly callled and told me, but I'd already found out from the class WhatsApp).

Decided to leave her in for now, but may lose my nerve if more come down with it.

DD (helpfully ) offered to stay at home (and play on the PlayStation), but she's missed so much already. Fingers crossed! (Again).

Oh shit @MilesJupp. Keeping everything crossed for you.

@MilesJuppIsMyBitch

Morning!

I don't think this was started as a support thread - Egghead was just flagging up the new information.

I also understand that lots of you wouldn't know that Egghead Is CEV.

However, it is a bit of a MN faux pas not to read the thread, and try to gauge the tone. (I'm not accusing everyone of this, and suspect a couple of posters of shenanigans, but there we are).

The problem is, almost every time a CEV person starts a thread about shielding, non-CEV posters come on to tell us off, or tell us we're 'entitled', or accuse us of ruining things for everyone else.

This has been happening since March 2020, and is pretty vile to have to deal with.

Hence the anger and heightened emotions.

CEV threads tend to veer towards the supportive - rather than combative - end of the spectrum, because we are all in need of support - whether we like it or not. (We don't).

Fine to criticise government policy. Not fine to criticise sick people for their attitude, for not being positive, or for living their lives in the wrong way.

Well put. No wonder teenagers often have problems with online bullying, if adults can't even be considerate and kind to one another on a forum such as this.

Well, life will go on anyway won't it?

Kids need to be in school especially.

I just think that following Chris Whitty and the government's (non legally mandated) suggestions re mask wearing , SD etc will help life to go on more normally, over te winter ahead.

@MilesJuppIsMyBitch

Just found out that a child in DD's class has COVID. (Teacher very sweetly callled and told me, but I'd already found out from the class WhatsApp).

Decided to leave her in for now, but may lose my nerve if more come down with it.

DD (helpfully ) offered to stay at home (and play on the PlayStation), but she's missed so much already. Fingers crossed! (Again).

Oh no. It was good that the school let you know. Fingers crossed for you x