Do people want to be ‘vulnerable’?

That's up to you dragonfly but I think there would be an outcry if people who are known to be at very high risk of being badly affected were forced into that situation and no support were offered.

The country is on lockdown and people's livelihoods have been affected to protect the most vulnerable.

If Covid-19 had been allowed to run its natural course, it really would have been a matter of weeks before nearly the whole country had been affected and hundreds of thousands, if not millions, had died.

growstuff, thanks for replying.

The first question the man I spoke to from the LA asked , was Did I have any support and why hadn't I applied for a food parcel.
I am very fortunate in that I have plenty support from family and friends and count my blessings when I wake up every morning and realise, I'm still here!

What is worrying is that people are slipping through the net, because they live alone and/or are not familiar with technology or won't /don't know how to access help.
The council official I spoke to, confirmed this.

I know a number of elderly people in our town, who have caught the virus, probably because they have gone to the shops every day, as is their custom. One has died so far and a few have been in hospital.
The police are now out and about, stopping and questioning people.

I received the NHS letter on 29th March. On the advice of one of the Specialists at Barts Hospital I began shielding before the letter arrived and have been doing so for more than 4 weeks. It’s not fun.
My partner is isolating very carefully, so as not to compromise me.

It’s actually quite frightening watching the news and seeing people on ventilators in ICUs, knowing I have a compromised immune system and compromised lungs. My partner is very worried about getting the virus and passing it on to me.

We know a number of people who believe they should have received an NHS letter and haven’t. They are not shielding, they’re popping out to Waitrose and M&S and going for long walks and cycles. Yet they are still insisting they should have had the letter.

Personally, I’d be grateful if I didn’t need the letter.

Marydoll I agree with you that are almost certainly people falling through the net. I've discussed this with the person I know who started the local voluntary group. They're doing a fantastic job of running errands for people and doing shopping, but it's not a long-term solution. I don't think some of the volunteers have realised what they've actually taken on, This is going to be long-term and some people have quite serious needs. As far as I can tell, these voluntary groups will also be relied on to look after people when they're discharged from hospital. Some people have continued to be very weak for weeks after recovery and I don't think it's reasonably to rely on untrained volunteers.

It all seems as though the various organisations involved haven't got their act together.

Nortsat I can understand why you would wish that you hadn't received a letter. I'm glad I won't receive one - not because of the letter itself, but because my health doesn't require it. Stay safe!

My Dad hasn’t had the letter. He’s almost 87, has COPD, congestive heart failure and can barely walk.

Some of the volunteers may need to go back to their jobs if they are volunteering whilst furloughed.

The needs of the clinically vulnerable will go on for longer than the lockdown for everyone else, so yes, they will have to start putting other arrangements in place.

Some people seem to have fallen through the net, like your father Buttonjugs, and his GP should be told about that omission. I'm in the 70+ group, not specially vulnerable, though not very mobile. Advised to self-isolate by reason of age. My GD, aged 28, has MS and is in the 'shielded' category and has just received a second letter, shielding for another 12 weeks.

My son-in-law has had the 'vulnerable' letter. This only allows my daughter to shop with the 'oldies' but the supermarkets are not accepting this letter to arrange priority deliveries, even if you haven't got anyone to shop for you.

I have PA - psoriatic arthritis, also inject immu-suppressant once weekly (etanercept) plus methotrexate, so have my "letter" for Sheilding I don't mind sharing that here, but I was irritated by one neighbour asking why I've got a food delivery slot. My health is my business, surely? The neighbour also has psoriasis (not arthritis) and went to his doctor to find where his letter was ...... Shouting out my health issues over the garden fence, fun times (!)

I am vulnerable. It’s very scary as I have very little immunity to anything due to steroids , copd, and asthma.
I think it’s going to be even worse in a way when lockdown ends and the virus is still around

Marydoll, if you have 'the letter' and a Tesco account you can phone their helpline for vulnerable people on 0800 917 7359 and get priority slots within 24 hours.
Asda also do a Volunteer Shopping Card scheme where if you have some
one who can shop for you, you sign up and get a special card which you put money on like a gift card. The card's then sent via email to your volunteer who'll get a barcode to use on their phone. Here's the link: cards.asda.com/volunteer

Hope this helps.

I've had The Letter, I didn't receive it until early April, and thought I was ok to go shopping once a week. Now it seems that I am much more ill than I thought, which is upsetting. Also I can't get a delivery slot either and I absolutely hate being labelled vulnerable. I live on my own anyway and have no family nearby so I will have to break house arrest soon. I wish I hadn't had the letter.

35Callistemon and Marydoll. Yep I'm in 'the club' and I loath being reminded at 55 how vulnerable I am too. I'd happily swap my poor health with those who want to be on the 'Vunerable' list thank you very much.
I had only just been told I have a serious lung condition and was being referred by the Vasculitis Consultant to get an opinion before commencing treatment ?? then bang, along come Covid-19 ?. In addition I have chronic back pain, rheumatoid Arthritis and COPD. So I'm in limbo now with no treatment and feeling very vunerable to this disease ?. Therefore I would say, you stupid people wanting this letter us unlucky ones have, do come experience my/our world if having 'the letter' means that bleedin much to you ???.
Apologies rant over (heck
I feel better for than though ????).
Be safe and take care of yourself everybody. God bless you all ??❤️❤️??

I have a very rare auto immune illness and take immunosuppression medication to control it. A few years ago my stepchildren who live with their mother developed chickenpox and I was warned about contact as this could pose a serious risk to my health so when the coronavirus outbreak hit I started shielding anyway although 'The Letter' didn't come for 2 weeks. I was made redundant in February and after a short period of unemployment (first ever time at 55!) I found a new job I was really looking forward to starting .. sadly I couldnt because of shielding. Thankfully they understand and I sincerely hope they are still able to employ me when I am 'released'. My fiance works for the NHS (not in patient contact) and is needed at work so he is my only risk but we are being very careful. I completed the online form but said I didn't need food parcels etc as my fiance does the shopping too. Yes, it is very lonely at home all day when I want to be at work (and cant afford not to work either) but we must do all that is necessary to keep ourselves and everyone as safe as possible. I successfully got a 3 month mortgage payment holiday and really hope I can get back to work within the 3 months. I miss my 3 grandchildren terribly but we stay in contact through video calls so we can see each other while we chat which helps. We have also had to postpone our wedding until next year ? It is certainly not a 'club' I'm glad to be part of but I want to stay healthy so am doing what I have been advised to do like it or not. Stay home and stay safe ??❤

For heaven's sake stop being so 'precious'!! The sadly lacking government is trying to protect you a nd regarding you as precious in the true meaning of the word.

Get a grip and get on with it, it's not going to last forever.

There is another side to this idea about vulnerable people needing support - assumption and overkill (sorry but can't think of another word). I am 70 and picked up my mobile last week to see two missed calls from my GP surgery. I was surprised and a little bit perturbed, because I have had no dealings with the surgery for near on a year. Couldn't think what they would want with me.

No message was left so I called the surgery and held on for ages listening to a message about how we shouldn't be making unnecessary calls to the surgery at this time (!).

Eventually got through to a receptionist who then after more time came back to say that a nurse from the practice had called to "reassure me at this difficult time". You could have knocked me over with a feather. I wanted to say Don't you have patients to look after!? Instead I blurted out to please put on my notes that I was fit and healthy and following guidance and to please make sure that no one from the practice need worry about reassuring me! I did remember to say thank you too ...

digital.nhs.uk/coronavirus/shielded-patient-list

worth a read

annifrance.

What a rude comment to people who are vulnerable and worried.

stop being so precious
Perhaps you should think before you come across as spiteful and smug.

Barnet, thanks for the advice. I've had a Tesco account for years and am registered as Sheilding.
However, there are still no slots.
I have plenty of support, so I can't complain.

Oh my god 56GrannyLaine really? Well that's me totally done for then if I get Covid-19.
I swear GN friends, I bleedin detest this Virus. ??? Xxxx

I had letter I’m high risk cannot leave house/Garden I’d love not to be vulnerable I consider myself lucky though and truly grateful that I have family that can get what I need shopping wise, I’d love to go for a walk but sadly can’t, but feel safe at home, I’m on two different immuno suppresents ive had several texts too from nhs. Of course I miss going out, but I’m not that daft to set foot outside my garden

growstuff
I know you know I know!!

Thats a bit harsh annifrance I have heard we could still be kept inside until autumn 2021 and at our age that is no joke. My life has already been on hold for 18 months due to treatment for cancer and I do not fancy another 18!

I thought that too Callistemon, aren't you glad you don't have to speak to people like that in real life.
It may not last for ever, but some of us have shortened life spans anyway and may not last till our 12 week lockdown is over.

annifrance, you haven't a clue what life is like for we precious people. If you do, then show some support.

dragonfly perhaps there will be special days when those who are shielded will be let out of gaol and everyone else made to stay at home under lockdown.