Shielded, what does it really mean?

Sleeping apart????

The half stone I managed to loose and struggled to keep off is back on. I’ve left NanKate’s Pear Club for the duration. All very depressing. Mind you, I may loose some when I get my hair cut!

You only need to sleep separately if OH is going out. I am immunosuppressed and OH is over 70 so we have supermarket deliveries and kind community helpers pick up and deliver our meds. Our fresh air is in the garden. Terribly hard to not see GCs in person

I have three friends who have received "the letter". They are very careful but they all have allotments (away from home) and go every day, taking care not to come close to others.

Suzie woozy, thanks for you comment but I prefer to understand The Letter in my way at present no matter how someone else sees it, I guess you can read it your way too.

I haven't received the letter but being 70 I'm in the at risk category. I must admit that the first warning was quite frightening, I guess most people assumed that we weren't to leave the house at all, and that did stress me being used to daily walks. Eventually I calmed down and after a few enquiries realised that I could still have my walk especially as we live in a quiet area. A friend of mine never received the official letter but only towards the end of April a letter from the GP telling her to shield, she's under 70 but on dialysis.

MawB you are so right, we are more than mothers and grandmothers. I am trying to teach myself to draw during lock down and I'm sewing again. Missing the ease of contact with people but its a time to reconnect with ourselves. Even in retirement, I suspect I've continued my busy life, so slowing down has benefits.

I have just realised how grumpy that makes me sound!
We none of us live less than 1 1/2 hours from each other and with the older children’s weekend activities it never really bothered me not to see them every few days the way some people can.
I would pop down to London and see one or both of the DDs who live there 2 or 3 times a month (unless childcare required) and see the Birmingham family perhaps once a month -again plus the occasional sleepover. I felt the balance was about right for us - I still have (had ) a life here and will have again. I think it is dangerous to let one’s life revolve exclusively around children and grandchildren (however nice when they are tiny) - we are more than mothers and grandmothers!

I'm cynical too Maw! Is it a bad trait?

I thought it was just me being cynical NfkDumpling
Oh I don’t doubt they care and weekly phone calls were fine (just) , but to my surprise and pleasure two of the DDs (the ones with the youngest of my GC) have taken to daily FaceTiming and I do a bedtime story with the 3 year old. It also helps for the 1 year old to “recognise” me and I love seeing his progress each week.

I'm prescribed meds that lower my immune system but control RA and other auto immune conditions that travel with it. I received my Shielding letter dated 21.04.20. but had been following most of its advice since mid March. As we're retired and haven't had contact with family or friends we ignored the recommendation not to share a bed, food etc.
The positive thing that followed the letter was I was given priority by Tesco, who emailed me within a day or so of the letter arriving. It's not our usual supermarket but I'm genuinely impressed by the quality and the delivery service.
It's made a big difference and my husband no longer needs to go out to shop.

I am breaching the guidelines never to leave the house. Pre the letter arriving, we'd continued to walk every morning for an hour or so. WE avoid busy areas and maintain a large distance if we do meet anyone. My GP phoned this week to complete my annual RA review. He was very thorough of course and he asked if I'm following the Shielding advice. I admitted the walking and he stressed the high level of risk category. He went on to be very supportive and acknowledged that the level of risk to me by walking is low and balanced by the positive health benefits.
Keep safe everyone. I'm counting my blessings, we have a garden and easy access to open countryside by walking from our front door. I live with my husband, we get on well. I have loved one's who are recently widowed, so very hard to be isolated in those circumstances. Of course I miss my children and grandchildren but its brought home again how fortunate we've been so live near enough to see them regularly and to get on well. Life isn't problem free of course, it wasn't pre-lockdown but its to be lived.

I think it's your second reason Maw. A lot of virtual signalling. And how many of these families bemoaning not being able to visit only used GPs for childcare. Obviously there are quite a few families who do live very closely intertwined lives have found it impossible to give this up.

Things haven't really been any different with our lot. Except we haven't been able to visit them! What'Apping has continued as per usual with perhaps a few more video calls. We tend to be a high days and holidays family with a bit of DGC sitting and random sleep overs thrown in.

Rufus is an alien he is a non UK resident, different rules apply to different countries.
Looking on the BBC webpage and red button on TV , it looks like Scotland , Northern Ireland and Wales will have there own rules .
As to myself, lockdown applied wef 23rd March, the Anchor _Hanover Residential home which is a rented tenancy , are abiding to the UK Government rules as to its policies laydown by them, anybody breaking rules such as going into the communal lounge would get written warnings if found out , this is covered under there Anti Social behaviour policy .
Mick

I too have a pile for the BHS charity shop, larger than normal! There is a realisation that I do no not need all this stuff and consequently I have found it much easier to let it all go!
Also the realisation of my own mortality has made me aware that I need to make things easier for my children, when the time comes to clear out my home! .

I so agree Sparkling - those of us who have coped with being on our own might feel we have been taken for granted -or else there is a lot of virtue signalling going on by those who claim they are devastated because they cannot visit their mum or gran.

We have a similar pile Sparkling. In all, it's been a good exercise in bringing us back to earth. A retreat. But retreats usually have an end date and it's getting a bit frustrating now!

Those widowed in many instances, mine included, are used to periods of isolation normally, your family busy with their lives and just a phone call. I see all these people faces pressed up against the windows missing their parents and wonder where I went wrong. Lonliness amongst the elderly has always been a problem, there's helplines dealing with just that. I guess that is why I can deal with this. The only difference I'm not free to go shopping like I did, but I have spent a lot of time stocking up a pile of things for charity shops,m getting rid of what I used to accumulate. I think shopping was therapy.

I agree Notanan, the criteria of who needs to be shielding needs to be updated. This might prove to be difficult given the number of people in the caring and support services who, it is now realised, are at greater risk.

I read yesterday that women with oestrogen in their systems seem to have more protection. I'm glad now I didn't give up HRT!

Our hospital has got itself organised and the Covid wards are completely separate from the rest of the hospital. Own entrance area etc. It's now taking all those who were put 'on the back burner' so its much safer to go now.

Megs please read Marydolls post of 16.45 . The only bed a shielded person can’t share is one being used by someone who goes out of the house to work etc. If you are both staying in you can share everything in the house - honestly

Having seen your post Daddima. I do wonder why anyone would class this as an essential reason to be outside. Wasting police time checking on them when I am sure they have more important matters to deal with.

As we decided to self isolate before official lockdown for those of 70+, this is more than six weeks for us. Missing our family and DGs so much. Being able to pop out whenever we feel like it but we are doing everything to keep ourselves and others safe. It really saddens me when I see what those who appear to have no conscience, as to the effect their behaviour, such as it could possibly have a dangerously negative outcome for others.

Actually, I would argue that with camera trickery, it is impossible to tell if anyone other than family groups (those living in the same household) are closer together than 2 meters.

My fear is probably the same as you, but concerning both of us.my husband problems are on going, mine relatively new.

I know Megs, it's a horrible thought.
I hope you don't mind me saying, but you appear to be struggling.

I'm coping ok, but my greatest fear is that, as my conditions have flared up badly, I will have to go to hospital.
I suspect I won't come back out!

Bit concerned we are going to be shielded for the rest of our lives........

I know someone like that, Hetty. She is in her eighties, but has refused any food parcels or help from volunteers.
Not only is she putting herself at risk, she is going to put others at risk if she becomes unwell. Unfortunately you can't force people to sheild.
The sheilding letter is only advisory.

I know someone who is sheilding, who had a friend in her garden for a chat.
This is in breach of the Covid regulations.

You should only be visiting someone sheilding if you are bringing food or medication.
Why are people so irresponsible? ?