Are people still shielding?

[ApolloandDaphne]

Or still being extra cautious about going out?

I ask because I have a friend who still is (for a number of health related reasons) and I wondered if others were still doing this?

I'm seeing her next week ( I have to test before I'm allowed near her) and I wanted to get a feel for whether it's time to start persuading her to get out a little bit more. I am concerned the solitude has affected her mental health and sense of proportion regarding Covid.

DM has chemo every 8 weeks (down from weekly, then 3 weekly last year). She was shielding last year when her chemo was more frequent, but started to relax this with the longer gaps. She's had a chest infection and Covid since Christmas. She currently has Covid and will not be able to start her next treatment if she hasn't tested negative on two days running by Tuesday.

She has realised the vulnerability of her immune system, and is planning to limit social contact again once she is recovered.

My PiL have barely left the house for 3 years. They only go to the supermarket or a walk. The only thing they are more afraid of the Covid is online shopping. It's very sad to see, the are in their 70s but have no health conditions.

Well if you are still highly likely to die if you catch covid then yes, there is reasoning.

Its not over for a lot of us OP. Life pre covid is a distant memory.

Are you vulnerable or just over cautious?

Obviously there will be some people who, for medical reasons, need or choose to isolate themselves.

There have always been people who isolate themselves for mental health reasons, I suspect these numbers will have rocketed, COVID has pushed many people to the edge.

Mass hysteria on the internet won't have helped many.

Yes, I think this is the key- it's not over for alot of us.

@ApolloandDaphne

Clinically very vulnerable. Consultant's advice. My DH is my carer so why would I make it even more difficult for him?

It's incredibly hurtful to be accused of being a coward and having no life as some on this thread have done.

Wheel a mile on my wheels and tell me again to risk it.

I wasn't accusing you of anything I was just wondering because it wasn't clear in your post. Apologies if I have offended you.

@ApolloandDaphne

I realise that you weren't saying that.

But it happens a lot when the subject comes up.

There are a lot more of us living this half life than most people realise.

I would imagine whether or not it's reasonable really depends on her diagnosis, why is she ECV? i presume she doesn't have children or a partner who goes out to work? For most people with chronic illness ,winter is always a difficult time and I can understand hibernation and caution as there are plenty of bugs that can land people in hospital but if she's someone who still doesn't go outside the house in summer I would be worried about her mental health.

Unfortunately this isn't the case for everyone though.
You may have had it mildly but some people don't. Presumably you have seen news of people who have, unfortunately, suffered serious symptoms as a result of covid, or have you lived without seeing any news since March 2020?

My first dose of covid, pre vaccine, put me in hospital. A cat 1 ambulance was called as covid had led to a massive blood pressure rise putting me at very serious risk of imminent heart attack to stroke and there was concern over potential blood clots. Having to call me dh and teen dd to let them know what was going on was horrid. We didn't discover the covid link until the next day as testing wasn't routine outside of hospital. I was off work for two months. It's left me with ongoing issues some 2 years later, needing to take two additional tablets every day for life to ensure I remain healthy and well.
My second dose, post vaccine, made me very poorly initially. I avoided hospital other than to have an anti-viral infusion within the first few days. I missed a month of work as a result.
Fortunately I haven't had any further covid infections though my immune system seems to be rock bottom now, picking up chest infections and other viruses, which knock me for six. I was already clinically vulnerable due to a health condition and medication, but it's definitely got worse since my two bouts of covid. Due to being eligible for treatment I still test whenever I get ill so I know I haven't had it since. I've also know had all vaccines offered, not just for covid - also for flu and pneumonia too.

Whilst I'm classed as vulnerable I don't shield. I teach so mix with large numbers of people daily. It's almost certainly where both doses of covid came, based on what we know at those times. I can't avoid viruses and won't limit what I want to do any more (I did in lockdowns and followed rules then) but to dismiss covid as being a no -issue is insensitive at the very least, esp on a thread about EVC people.

I am.

Every time i get Covid i have a post Covid autoimmune/neurological reaction. The actual Covid itself is ok now after that first infection.

I'm still only able to stand up for 3-4 hours a day since last infection in July. It's driving me crazy.

I've eaten out 7 times in the last three years, will never fly again and have only been in less than 20 shops since February 2020.

It's absolutely shit.
I've grieved the life i had but recently have accepted the limitations I need to stay well and started trying to make the best of what i can do.
We've just bought an off grid camper van which will hopefully make such a difference.

*Well if you are still highly likely to die if you catch covid then yes, there is reasoning.

Its not over for a lot of us OP. Life pre covid is a distant memory*

Exactly. I'm still extremely wary because too many people I know have been very, very ill despite being fully vaccinated - and then there is long Covid. I'd rather stay relatively sheltered and healthy.

What are shielders trying to achieve? To stay alive? But do they actually want a life like that for the rest of their days? Woh no friends, family, broken relationships with everyone you know, no hobbies, activities - literally you and the four walls of your house. I’d choose death over that any day.

I'm also suspicious about all these "I'm unvaccinated and I only sneezed once" types.

What are shielders trying to achieve? To stay alive? But do they actually want a life like that for the rest of their days? Woh no friends, family, broken relationships with everyone you know, no hobbies, activities - literally you and the four walls of your house. I’d choose death over that any day.

I enjoy my new life with my cats, different projects and when the weather is good, my garden. My garden has thrived and there is plenty to do at home. If not there are plenty of outdoor activities to do such as walking. To be honest, the only thing that has changed for me is that I eat out less and avoid some crowded spaces - an indoor market was the last I looked at and thought 'nuh'.

Everybody has a different view and different starting point. I was on the shielded list and throughout covid I was really careful but have always loved being outside going for walks in the fresh air in big open spaces and continue to do so.

Gradually I have felt more comfortable doing more but this was a slow and very gradual process. I have had Covid twice now and it was nowhere anywhere as bad as I expected but I have known others who have been very poorly with it.

We still get most of our food shopping delivered still but I do go in shops when its likely to be quiet. I also meet people for meals now and have been to quiet bars occasionally in the last year. However, I wouldn’t dream of going to a nightclub, busy small pub, indoor concert or busy shopping centre around Christmas. I do still wear a mask when going to the doctors, chemist or pharmacy (but I am usually the only one in there that does).

yes, not totally isolating, but being very careful

I have been told I must not, under any circumstances, go onto a school premises

bit awkward for a teacher.....

I have a close friend who is still shielding with cancer, on specialist drugs. She has had 6 vaccines and took part in a clinical trial to see if she had any antibodies and doesn’t have any.

Yes, a relative who is having chemo - not just from covid but from all the bugs out there that could just make things worse. They live a simple rural life so don't actually need to make too many changes, and it is temporary if for a few months.

They're not just in four walls though, they can go out in the countryside and have a garden which is their pride and joy.

And long covid is still wrecking lives, so I don't blame people for being careful.

Everyone is different, on both sides parents decided that they would rather take of the risk of seeing us and their grandchildren than to not see us. Apart from the first wave they have carried on as normal. They all have varying health conditions.

Most living beings prioritise life.

And those who shield has as much right to life as the rest of the population.

I am but risking popping into a local shop if absolutely necessary. Managed to catch covid when I went last time though.
I have had a stem cell transplant and need to.have all my childhood vaccinations again as the transplant wiped them.out. So I have to be careful not to catch anything, even a cold has landed me in hospital for 10 days on IV antibiotics.

I agree. My dad was extremely vulnerable and shielded for a few months at the beginning of the pandemic but ultimately decided he’d rather take the risk and live his life than be “safe” trapped at home in 4 walls.

I can understand people shielding who have a short term condition which affects their immunity/eg who are currently having chemo and have been advised to shield by their chemo. I have to say though that I think people shielding for 2/3 years probably need some counselling to discuss and overcome their fears. That’s no way to live.

*by their consultant