Shielded to be allowed out!

I am classed as extremely vulnerable but have been taking my little dogs for a walk at the crack of dawn to keep my sanity and theirs. I am very lucky in that I live near a beach so can keep away from everyone. I noticed today at 6.30 am. That people aren’t social distancing like they were. Worrying

I went into self-isolation at the beginning of March long before any letters. I won't be taking any risks as my asthma has been playing up all this time, and I have several other illnesses.

I'll be very cautious and only do what feels right for me personally.

How confident does anybody feel that measures against the spread of the virus can ease when-
a) there are many thousands of new cases each day
b) deaths are still in triple figures
c) track and trace is clearly NOT yet up and running let alone “world beating”
d) The effects on those who are vulnerable are every bit as deadly as they were 10 weeks ago
e) we are months if not at least a year away from a vaccine
f) judging by behaviour this weekend many many people are clearly not observing social distancing
The 5 tests? Don’t make me laugh!
Talking “recovery” up to try to boost confidence in the economy does not make it so
To quote (or paraphrase Churchill
“This is not the end, it is not even the beginning of the end but just possibly, if we say so often enough, (might be) the end of the beginning”

I would be very very careful if I was a shielded.

This will not be recommended by scientists, but a political decision by liars and frauds.

Not trust them, trust the information that you are getting from other sources.

My eldest daughter worked in her London based office right through the peak of the epidemic there. She did put in place quite strict distancing procedures. Some of her staff members caught the virus - were off work for a couple of weeks. Fortunately, all returned safely to work.

Therefore she was astonished and not at all happy suddenly to receive a letter a few weeks back telling her she needed to be shielded for 13 weeks. She has continued working from home throughout this, but is not a very happy bunny (to put it mildly)

The reason - thirty years ago, due to an autoimmune illness she had her spleen removed. A couple of weeks ago, she had a telephone discussion with her GP, asking if she could go to work for a couple of days a week with some strict [procedures put in place there The answer was a very firm NO.

As her employers are the NHS, there is no way they will permit her back without a GP saying it is okay.

Throughout these weeks she has continued going out early in the morning for a run, sits in her garden after work each day, did manage to get supermarket deliveries, etc.

She lives with her 17 year old daughter and does have some contact with her occasionally - but has largely spent her time by herself. She still works five days a week, long hours, but at her desk at home.

There does seem to be some sort of general assumption that all those shielding are (A) elderly and (B) not in employment.

I am certain that my daughter is not the only person who is younger (50 years old later this year) and in employment.

It seems to me that people with decreased immunity and those for whom CV would be fatal would be foolish to start to take risks now, just at the time when more people will be out and about, with schools back in part and more people working. How is it suddenly safer?

Just heard it this morning! We’re back in the fold! (It must have been that long email I sent to my MP last week wot did it!!)

It was a relief to hear that Shielders will still get home deliveries etc. It’s only being allowed out for exercise and meeting, mixing with the rest of the household and meeting just one other person outside the household. The rest stays the same.

We came out of hiding nearly two weeks ago, avoiding people. Last week we walked into town when we knew it would be very quiet. It was really strange, people queueing six foot apart and having to walk down the middle of the road to avoid them! It’s a different world out there now!

I will be glad to go for a walk after shielding for 8-9 weeks.

My partner is very concerned, he has been self isolating to protect me. We will continue to be very cautious. But I am really looking forward to a walk.

MayBee70 have you read the article in the link?

I'm not in the shielded category but I'm not in a hurry to start meeting people, even at 2m distance.
I'll wait and see how the easing of lockdown (Scottish version) goes for younger, healthier people first.

Are there shielded people who are still working?If so, does that mean they now have to go to work. And is any help regarding food deliveries etc no longer available? Are they suddenly not at risk any more? What a difference a day makes.

try Coronavirus tracker ,it gives you numbers of cases and eaths by region and where they occured..at least the Scottish one does I would expect the other nations to hav ethe same information available

(in) where they are??

There’s a lot more to be learned but we do know to be extra vigilant if you have serious health concerns, are frail in any way or in an age group that is more susceptible, so we need to think it through and decide what is best for us as individuals.

The number of deaths is plastered everywhere but finding out how many new cases and in where they are is not quite so obvious.

Nobody is a "prisoner"! That's typical alt right propaganda.

melotgran I'm in the fortunate situation of not having to go out to work, so I agree with you.

I shall stay totally isolated until the infection rate in my area starts to decrease and I feel relatively safe.

I only hope people start to see through the hype surrounding Cummings and the sham of a government we have - sooner rather than later.

Who's Boris? Do you mean Johnson?

I haven't seen the actual letter but Boris was quite adamant that "You must not go out even for exercise " when it was first broadcasted in March. I know that we don't live in a police state and therefore could not force you to stay in, but I understood it as clear and forceful instructions not to leave the house.

So true about the fact that no-one is holding anyone prisoner. The letter was sent out to people as guidance to shield, the letter I received made it clear there was a choice to do so or not.

We self isolated at the beginning of March due to DH's health issues. Our focus has been on keeping him safe and well so I'll take 'shielded to be allowed out' with a pinch of salt.

Might be better decide for ourselves when it's safe to start meeting up with somebody from another household.

paddyanne, I only put it that way round because the new guidance is for England . All four countries have gone their own way. One example of this is the fact that new guidance in Wales applying to everyone is to only meet with one other household that live within a five miles radius. The other three countries of the UK have gone a different way to this.

I agree with you paddyone (for a change). This whole narrative about being a prisoner and being captive (cf Johnson) is absolute bollox.

How about reframing this?

Shielded now to be given less protection.

There is no doubt that some of them will die - but, hey, it's only a statistic. Who cares?

Please, please look after yourself, even if nobody else will look after you.

CherryCezzy ENGLAND has gone its own way ,the other nations are basically following the same route to easing lockdown.England has gone rogue not us or Wales or NI

No one is being held prisoner..you were shielding for your own benefit ..to stop you catching CV19 if you have other health issues or are in the age group most at risk.IF you objected to staying home there was nothing to stop you going out.I dont understand what the issue is with this ,protecting yourself AND your family by saving your life shouldn't be a problem.We self isolated from the end of february because of my husbands heart issues,we and our children and grandchildren just want us all to come through this alive and well