CEV people, how are you feeling about today's announcement?

[SmashingBIouse]

No masks/self isolation to end in the near future etc

I fully understand that restrictions can't go on forever but I admit I'm a bit nervous. I'm considering pausing my immunosuppressant drugs for a while, until case numbers decrease (they're still over 2k per 100k here). There's a teacher in my household whose school currently has six teachers and countless students off with covid but no masks from tomorrow! Plus DH will have to go back to the office on crowded public transport.

I'll phone my consultant tomorrow, see what she says. I was advised to pause when Omicron cases were going through the roof here. I'm worried about what the lack of meds is doing to my body though (I have an autoimmune condition).

How's everyone else feeling?

Why can't we keep masks and the minimum restrictions we currently have until infection rates are lower and winter is over. Hospitals are struggling and most CEV and elderly people (who make up around 25% of the population) are in effect more restricted than ever.

If we have masks mandated then it needs to be complusory. I was standing in front of two young people in the supermarket neither of whom had masks. They were then joined by what looked like one set of parents - also without masks.

And please dont say all probably had some reason for not wearing it. We are one of the only countries who say wear the mask if you want.... Both my siblings live in other countries and I have relatives in the Middle East. No mask - you cannot come in.

@Innocenta

I apologize. I was trying to counteract the stereotype that CEV people are incapable of participating in society anyway so the protections are pointless. My language was imprecise and insensitive.

@Iggly

I’m angry and I’m not CEV.

The main reason is because I don’t see the science behind it. I’m all for a return to “normal” but I hate the fact that this government does get things wrong when people keep saying it’s too soon.

They could have waited until the end of the month before deciding but no, Boris Johnson is trying to appease his party.

It’s a bit like Brexit - trying to solve a party political issue but risking bigger things.

Me too. I'm not CEV (but was marginally vulnerable before we had vaccines). But I know a number of people who are now pretty much house-bound because of blood cancers and severe lung disease (not through smoking - just rotten luck).

There are different types of CEV people - but there are some who are still in danger notwithstanding being vaccinated & boostered.

Just because that bumbling blonde Mr Blobby supposedly "leading" the country says we no longer need to take precautions, doesn't mean that the danger of COVID is past.

My husband has cancer and is undergoing chemo. This makes him CEV as he is immune suppressed but more worryingly if he were to catch covid, it would delay his cancer treatment and this could then turn his cureable cancer into incureable.

What was the announcement about? I'm not CEV, just CV and mum to dc, some of whom are CV and some not. Also got 1 dc who has a rare genetic condition that nobody really understands so I'm still trying to find out whether he is CEV, CV or neither.

Whatever the announcement is, if it involves reducing restrictions I think it's too soon. One of my dc currently has covid and he is one of at least 20 children in his class who currently has it. One of the mums was keeping count but now her dd has tested positive so I don't have accurate figures anymore.

@Blossom64265 No worries, and I'm sorry for being touchy on the subject.  I truly hope things go as well as possible for you (and for all on this thread). I know it must be absolutely terrifying to have a loved one who is CEV.

I think it's just realistic.

The thing is, effectively masks and isolation are already over. The reason every country is having massive, uncontrollable omicron spikles is because isolation and masking do not work well enough to prevent each and every person from being exposed at some point.

Everyone who goes out in public, right now, is being exposed to omicron. Schools are having massive spikes even with masks and isolating. Anyone who works or studies in one will be exposed and catch it at some point. Just like colds, in fact worse.

What that means is even with the measures, anyone who has an extra reason for avoiding illness is going to have to take special action. We are already there, people need to make that decision about how they want to manage that problem. The measures are an illusion of safety and in that sense not really a good thing because people might not be making the decision they would really prefer.

@Mickarooni

I think it’s the right thing for wider society. Although I’m immunocompromised, I feel reassured by having access to antivirals and anecdotal reports from people with my condition coping well at home with this variant.

Yes, this is how I'm feeling too.

I'm immunocompromised, but feeling hugely reassured that there is at least now some treatment available. I've received a priority PCR test kit and have it ready for if needed.

It’s people like this that are being left behind. Active, working people who want to be a part of society, but are being told they don’t matter.

Yup.

I sort of wish masks on public transport weren’t being abandoned altogether but I feel a bit fatalistic about the rest of it. Like others have said I’ve had 4 vaccines and access to treatment - I’ve got school age kids so can’t dodge it forever.

I do feel uncomfortable with how the CEV have been portrayed through all this though and how it’s been discussed. It’s really made me feel ‘different’ and devalued by some.

What that means is even with the measures, anyone who has an extra reason for avoiding illness is going to have to take special action

This is the issue though - what special action can we take? People have to earn a living/have DC in school/need to use public transport etc.

I'm not suggesting for a moment that we need restrictions forevermore (seriously. No fucking way) but I'm a bit at sixes and sevens trying to figure out the best way to deal with it at the moment, with no restrictions soon and cases still at over 2k per 100k where I am.

@Franklin12 god no way do I want this to drag on! It's had such an effect on my mental health and that of others close to me. I just worry that for CEV people who live in areas where cases are astronomical, as I do, it's going to be really scary/difficult over the coming weeks. Hopefully cases will continue to plummet everywhere and we'll be over this jump soon but for now, not gonna lie, I'm shitting myself a bit worried.

I’m immunosuppressed. I would welcome an end to restrictions if were the right time for the right reasons. But it isn’t. COVID hasn’t disappeared, a large number of excess deaths are happening, more people I know than ever have been hit by the virus and hidden away is still the fact that many care homes are no longer taking visitors and staff shortages all over due to COVID are having a big impact on services, that’s due to being too ill to work rather than self isolation rules. I’ve lost friends to this, my father nearly died, my DH has long COVID. But coincidentally when Boris is looking at his most precarious he pulls this out of the bag to appease the backbenchers and the COVID deniers. I’m annoyed because it’s so transparent, also because we will just end up with another wave, only this time with no testing, so no official death figures, therefore it will brushed under the carpet. Other countries must be laughing at us.

I've not had my third primary dose yet - my GP was sent a letter last autumn saying I needed one and to organise it, they said they didn't know how, 119 didn't even know what I was talking about. I was offered a booster so I took it in November because I was worried about going into winter with waning protection, thinking it was better than nothing. This week I had a letter inviting me for my post third dose booster! It's all sorted, I'm having a full dose in a few weeks so I will have had a booster and a third dose, just the wrong way round.

The third dose rollout was ridiculous. BJ wanging on about how brilliant the vaccine rollout has been conveniently forgets that. And yy, he's totally doing this to save his own skin and it stinks.

@SinisterBumFacedCat

I’m immunosuppressed. I would welcome an end to restrictions if were the right time for the right reasons. But it isn’t. COVID hasn’t disappeared, a large number of excess deaths are happening, more people I know than ever have been hit by the virus and hidden away is still the fact that many care homes are no longer taking visitors and staff shortages all over due to COVID are having a big impact on services, that’s due to being too ill to work rather than self isolation rules. I’ve lost friends to this, my father nearly died, my DH has long COVID. But coincidentally when Boris is looking at his most precarious he pulls this out of the bag to appease the backbenchers and the COVID deniers. I’m annoyed because it’s so transparent, also because we will just end up with another wave, only this time with no testing, so no official death figures, therefore it will brushed under the carpet. Other countries must be laughing at us.

I agree with all of this.

Not cv but my mother is. Our family hasn’t had covid despite having 2 young school aged dc, dh who is a critical worker and worked since days one. She is happy her dc can now have a normal life again. This news was most welcome today.

My son is CEV and no access to a vaccine even though the vulnerable 5-11 group was announced before Christmas. Boris even started his speech by saying rates were rising in primary schools. To look at him you wouldn’t know he was CEV but Covid would likely be life changing or worse for him.

So yes until all those vulnerable have at least had a chance to access the vaccine when cases are over 100,000 again today, then I would like measures to remain, it is too soon.

I too agree that we will need to come out of restrictions as pp have said but for a lot of us it's quite a big deal and we are struggling to adapt again. I can't go from pretty much shielding to masks off and sleepovers for the dc in one week.

@RachC2021

I was flagged as CEV and further flagged as qualifying for a third primary dose.

Whilst I’ve had my third primary dose, thanks to how they fucked up the rollout of the third primary dose, I don’t actually qualify for a booster yet. I’m not 91 days yet. I know I’m not the only one. To completely ignore CEV and furthermore those who need a third primary jab is appalling. Where is our advice in this? The USA is supplying N95 masks to the population at large for their protection — why can’t our government supply the same for third primary people at the very least? (Ideally all CEV.)

Same - mine isn't until the end of the month

@RebeccaManderley

Why can't we keep masks and the minimum restrictions we currently have until infection rates are lower and winter is over. Hospitals are struggling and most CEV and elderly people (who make up around 25% of the population) are in effect more restricted than ever.

Because Johnson needs to appease the right wing of his party and to distract from all his “work event” shenanigans.

By now we should all know that any decision that mop haired twat makes is a bad decision. He's doing it purely as a desperate measure to try and regain some popularity

@ThievesTemple

He’s a disgrace, not even through winter, hospitals still struggling but to save his own ass, he’ll throw the health of the country under the bus.

Totally agree with this !! He's an absolute disgrace

Fantastic. If I need to shut myself away from other people's gems that's for me to worry about, as it always was. I am fully in favour of society getting back to normal.

My mum is CEV, terminally ill with stage 4 lung cancer, immunotherapy stopped as now not working and suffering multiple other health issues. She'd rather be among people rather than isolated on her own for whatever time she has left.
She did a wear a mask but her breathing is dreadful so I'm pleased she doesn't have to now.

Personally I am glad. I am not CEV but I do have PTSD.
The whole threat of will we won't we lockdown over christmas triggered me. If I wear a mask I often find it triggering. There is no option to manage or mitigate my health challenges but there are ways to manage being CEV during a pandemic especially now we have lateral flows (yes I know that involves having a supportive manager for things like work) . When i get isolated away with my PTSD and meeting it her is illegal there is no way for me to manage.

Yes I think Boris did it this week to save his arse but equally I am gald he has.