Shielding list to add extra people

MayBee70

It was obvious right from the start of the pandemic that poorer areas and the BAME population were being hit the hardest. No one needed to need to do any research. The evidence was there on the news every night.

Errmm! But the Equalities Minister (Kemi Badenoch) denied it, when questioned in the HoC.

You can work out your own personal risk:

www.qcovid.org/Home/AcademicLicence?licencedUrl=%2FPatientInformation%2FPatientInformation

The research showed that most people included in the study who died from coronavirus would have had risk assessment results that placed them in approximately the top 2% of the population in England that are at the highest risk. For the combined risk of catching and dying of coronavirus, most results were higher than or equal to:

An absolute risk of 0.5% (or 5 in 1,000)
A relative risk of 10 (or 10 times the baseline risk)

digital.nhs.uk/coronavirus/risk-assessment/population#agreed-threshold-for-adding-people-to-the-shielded-patient-list

It was obvious right from the start of the pandemic that poorer areas and the BAME population were being hit the hardest. No one needed to need to do any research. The evidence was there on the news every night.

growstuff

PS. I can't remember the last time I baked a cake (20-30 years?). I honestly don't think anybody would want whatever I would produce!

There are loads snd loads of really easy biscuit recipes - you don’t get out of it that easily ? And even no bake fridge cakes- just say the word.

GreyKnitter

I’m glad that people have been identified under the new system for identifying those who are most vulnerable. I have a friend in her late 60’s who received the letter yesterday but has no idea why she has now been out in the list! Doesn’t appear to fulfil any of the criteria for the letter but it was def addressed to her. She’s a bit confused!

Her age, ethnicity, postcode and medical history will have been the main criteria.

Caragran

NellG totally agree with you but some people don't have minds of their own and have to be told exactly what they can and can't do. They then have to blame others for not telling them.

I think you're underestimating people. One of the big problems has been that people haven't been able to afford to do what's best for them - and everybody else.

Gingergirl

At the end of the day, we’re all responsible for our own actions. You may well question why the government thinks it’s ok to add further restrictions to the country’s population....can you imagine if you’re struggling to work to feed your kids and someone comes along and says you need to not work and stay indoors, how that must feel....and no I don’t think the end is in sight, I’m afraid.

I don't think the end is in sight either.

The point is that there are some people of working age who have had to continue working in potentially unsafe conditions because they can't afford not to work. Shielding them now ensures that they have a statutory right to financial and other support, if they feel that working is unsafe. Up to now, their only option was to resign.

It's protecting these people rather than restricting them. If they don't see it like that and choose to take unnecessary risks, that's up to them

I’m glad that people have been identified under the new system for identifying those who are most vulnerable. I have a friend in her late 60’s who received the letter yesterday but has no idea why she has now been out in the list! Doesn’t appear to fulfil any of the criteria for the letter but it was def addressed to her. She’s a bit confused!

NellG totally agree with you but some people don't have minds of their own and have to be told exactly what they can and can't do. They then have to blame others for not telling them.

At the end of the day, we’re all responsible for our own actions. You may well question why the government thinks it’s ok to add further restrictions to the country’s population....can you imagine if you’re struggling to work to feed your kids and someone comes along and says you need to not work and stay indoors, how that must feel....and no I don’t think the end is in sight, I’m afraid.

New scientific Knowledge never stops, we learn from new data and research and cooperating with other countries. Regulations have to change as we learn more.
It's very sad if someone has lost a loved one to Covid who we now know should have been shielding, but they would have been told to shield if the facts we have today had been known at the beginning of the epidemic. The rules and regulations will change as more knowledge is gleaned.

Growstuff like you I wonder what the bigger picture is behind all this but maybe I'm just cynical!
It appears they have known about the higher risk factors for quite a while. Why the action now? Is it the usual dragging of feet? Of course it could be they just want to protect vulnerable people. To me it just seems a bit strange that they are extending the number of those shielded and the time they are shielded at this particular moment. Surely if they had even an inkling that these groups are at risk they should have shielded them before Christmas?
It could be that they want to open up but dont want another wave of deaths.
They have found a new Kent variant,maybe that's more serious?
Maybe they are realising that as vaccinations move into less vulnerable groups uptake will be more problematical? That could result in those more high risk once again being isolated.
So far shielding support has been variable. Access to the WRVS volunteers/shopping/meds delivery. Financial support was SSP which probably insufficient for most to live on. The biggest protection it gave was for those in employment as better chance of Furlough . That said my Union rep told me last summer he was dealing with a lot of shielders whose employers were dragging their feet.
I wasnt shielded last year although according to a medical risk assessment I was only a few points off. This time last year I was working in a care home. I access work by public transport. In April the care home lost half its residents to Covid and the majority of staff got it. My employers were so uncooperative in even the most basic support I involved the unions. Last summer/early autumn was incredibly stressful. They could have furloughed me without being shielded but refused,my GP said hands were tied as she couldnt even write a letter as not officially shielding. This was despite an earlier conversation with her where she said my work environment was unsafe and recommended I didnt go in!
I was lucky. I received no pay or SSP but was able to live on savings. If this had happened 5 years ago i would have had no choice but to go into an unsafe workplace. I was also lucky in that managed to get online deliveries as dont drive and my pharmacy delivers. The closest I have got to anyone was when i had my jab last week.
I dont know whether I will be shielded under new scheme. Fortunately I am now in a job where working from home. I do know of fellow diabetics who high risk and in front line jobs such as teaching. The start of the Autumn term was horrible for them. Several had resigned by Christmas leaving jobs they loved and much needed income. Shielding would have at least offered some protection.
So far this government is quite dismissive of those that are vulnerable unless forced into action. Time will tell what is behind current decision.

PS. I can't remember the last time I baked a cake (20-30 years?). I honestly don't think anybody would want whatever I would produce!

BlueSky

Growstuff I was thinking how little practical help there would be in my area if I had to shield. This must be really hard for people with no partner/family/friends nearby.
Yes like you say thank goodness for the internet!

Yes, it is hard. I realised it when I had a heart attack. My children live hundreds of miles away and, for the first time in my life, I wasn't able to look after myself. There is virtually no support available for people living on their own without family. I was told not to drive, so spent a fortune on taxis just taking me to the doctor and pharmacy because I wasn't supposed to walk far either.

I remember thinking, when all this started, that the holes in social care would very quickly become apparent.

That's why I've been so determined not to be infected, so take no chances, and have planned just about everything I can think of, including lists of emergency contacts and have enough food in the house for two weeks if I had to live on tins and packets. I've asked somebody to pick me up from the hospital if necessary and have a hospital bag packed, etc etc. I did it all last year, so I don't even think about it now, but I know that I'm ready for an emergency and don't get anxious.

Ellianne

*However, most of them work and/or have children and I don't want to impose, especially as there's nothing I can do in return.*
No one counts the cost of what they do growstuff nor expects things in return. The world would be a sad place if people thought like that. Some of those you mention might be just glad to help, you could make them some cakes I guess if you wanted to. I get pleasure from picking up bits, and taking my furry dog to see my 93 year old neighbour who never goes out. Her face is a picture!

Absolutely. grow acts of kindness aren’t transactional necessarily. And as Elliane says you can ‘give back’ in other ways anyway if you need to. My lovely neighbours have been there now for us for almost a year. In the past in a different world, we contributed as we could to the local community and now we take more. But I bake especially tied to an event eg Parkin, mince pies etc. My husband gives Zoom maths lessons to two of their children. They would be really upset if they thought we wouldn’t ask them if we needed help. Our WhatsApp group also gives opportunities for us to help safely including just giving information or recommendations.

However, most of them work and/or have children and I don't want to impose, especially as there's nothing I can do in return.
No one counts the cost of what they do growstuff nor expects things in return. The world would be a sad place if people thought like that. Some of those you mention might be just glad to help, you could make them some cakes I guess if you wanted to. I get pleasure from picking up bits, and taking my furry dog to see my 93 year old neighbour who never goes out. Her face is a picture!

Growstuff I was thinking how little practical help there would be in my area if I had to shield. This must be really hard for people with no partner/family/friends nearby.
Yes like you say thank goodness for the internet!

I'm trying to put myself on the shoes of those people who received the notification. What emotions to think they have been particularly vulnerable all along without necessarily realising it! And it must be like living on a volcano for them as they go forward with a whole new way of thinking.

I am pleased those who need looking after most have been recognised, some will probably ignore the new advice and I can understand that. It is hard to take away the little freedoms people have got used to without coming to harm.

grandmajet

Growstuff, don’t you have friends who would pick up the odd prescription for you? They must also do their own shopping etc.
In our area there are also charities who do this.

I'm know there are people who would if I asked. However, most of them work and/or have children and I don't want to impose, especially as there's nothing I can do in return. I have a repeat prescription every month (or two weeks) and don't really want it to become a chore. If I were to be ill, I know that I have people who would do "one off" favours.

I've worked out that if I drive into town at just after 6, the parking is free and there's nobody around. I can park just next to the pharmacy and nip in and out within minutes. It's my monthly "outing" and probably good for the car, which had to have a new battery last week - probably because it was so cold and I hardly use the car.

BlueSky

Suziewoozie
“The only people I’ve touched/ have touched me now for 11 months have been DH, the phlebotomist, hairdresser ( one August visit) the dentist (ditto) and the vaccinator last week .<sigh>“
Suzie this is normal for me, pandemic or not, am I unsociable?

Probably! I'm the same. The only people who have touched me since last March are my GP, phlebotomist and dentist. I occasionally talk to my neighbours over the fence. Thank goodness I have a good internet connection.

Growstuff, don’t you have friends who would pick up the odd prescription for you? They must also do their own shopping etc.
In our area there are also charities who do this.

Suziewoozie
“The only people I’ve touched/ have touched me now for 11 months have been DH, the phlebotomist, hairdresser ( one August visit) the dentist (ditto) and the vaccinator last week .<sigh>“
Suzie this is normal for me, pandemic or not, am I unsociable?

Thanks for the suggestion anyway. It's really annoying.

Blinko I tried all of them last year. Pharmacy4U don't deliver to my area.

It's something to do with my GP practice not being signed up for some digital service or other. I spoke to the practice manager about it. Apparently, they're trying to save their own onsite pharmacy and are worried that if people signed up for home deliveries, they'd have to shut, which means that the people living in the sticks (it's a semi-rural practice) wouldn't be able to get prescriptions made up at the same time as they have appointments.

Sorry, I should have included a link: Pharmacy4U