Are we allowed to be optimistic yet? *Title edited by GNHQ*

I know who I will listen too!

Nicola S has just stated on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer, that shielders, even those who have had both vaccine doses, must continue to shield.

Cabbie21

I have just heard an interview on the news and in answer to a question about shielding, the end of March was the answer for it thought to be no longer necessary, provided other precautions are taken of course.

Johnson said that clinically vulnerable people should shield until at least the end of March.

Don't tell me there's been another U turn since yesterday.

Harmonypus, did you ask your neighbours about their reasons for refusing the vaccine. I'd be interested in their thinking.
To my mind it's the only safety net on offer, even if there are a few holes in it (which there don't seem to be), it's better than no net.

Peasblossom

This friend talks about nothing else growstuff?

I think I'd be having internet/phone problems with a "friend" like that and use social distancing as an excuse to keep away.

The shielding announcement applies to England. Hopefully Nicola S will have something to say today.

Exactly!
As I said, not really my 'personal' business but these are just 3 people who I know, it would be really scary if larger numbers of BAME medical staff have the same attitude!

Harmonypuss, that is awful. I don’t understand why anyone would refuse it, but BAME nurses? Seriously risky.

I have just heard an interview on the news and in answer to a question about shielding, the end of March was the answer for it thought to be no longer necessary, provided other precautions are taken of course.

I'm 52 with a serious health condition and had my 1st jab 2wks ago. In the houses immediately next-door (both sides) there are 3 nurses who are members of the BAME community.

Talking to both households over the past couple of days I'm struggling to get my head around their thinking.

I said in passing that I'd had my 1st dose of the vaccine and they looked at me like I was mad. All 3 of them told me in no uncertain terms that they WILL NOT be having the vaccine!

Surely (I'm not being racist here because I'm white, I'm just conscious of the risks), by virtue of both their profession and skin colour, they are at greater risk from this virus than anyone else from their age group (mid-late 40s).

I know it's not my business that they're not going to have it but it seriously makes me wonder what information they're basing their decision on.

Regardless of whether you get the P or AZ vaccine, one dose give you a minimum of 80% protection - all good in my book!

I'm 54 & waiting patiently for my jab. Older friends and ones who had been shielding all got theirs and they are all absolutely delighted. N.I executive are still being very cautious compared to England, but hopefully we will get good news soon about things easing up. Roll on the summer

Nannina where are you getting the information that shielding will end by the end of March?
As a shielder I won't be going anywhere, according my consultant. I think I'm pretty au fait with things, but I have seen nothing about this.

Well it is three weeks since I had my first vaccination (Pfizer) so I walked into our town centre and into two shops for the first time for months. Still cautious, but lovely to choose my own toiletries etc.
We had already optimistically booked a UK self catering cottage for early July. Now I am looking forward to some day trips before then.

Try to look forward to the better times yet to come

Don't know if I'm "allowed" to be optimistic, but with or without permission I am! Just getting a bit concerned with the number of Facebook posts outlining the exact dates they can do whatever, after the release of the "roadmap". It clearly said "such and such a date at the earliest "

My thoughts are, let’s see what happens when the kids go back to school. Last time it caused a second wave. Until then, I won’t hold my breath.

Well, three of us in our family are being vaccinated on Thursday and none of us could care less which one it is. We are grateful to be having it at all.

This friend talks about nothing else growstuff?

I've had the AZ just over 2 weeks ago and no serious side effects - just a sore arm and a dodgy tummy a few days later which may be completely unrelated. A friend who goes to a different surgery aparently had to hang about queueing for about 45 minutes then was given the Pfizer. He said he would have prefered the AZ but decided to go ahead anyway after waiting so long. Can't say I'd have even considered turning it down but was glad I got AZ. I did have a preference as I was an Oxford student many years ago and an old friend went to work for AZ for his first graduate job so I feel connected. The only person I know who worked for Pfizer nicked a friend's husband!....

Definitely feeling more optimistic. Now I'm just concerned for my daughter's mental health. She lives in Scotland and hates the fact she can't travel to climb mountains. Her big worry is long covid as long term physical effects would really wreck her life. Of course we don't know if the vaccine has an effect on long covid yet. Lets hope that is helped too.

Ours too GG13
One is actually 92y! She has been a Spanish resident, paying taxes there for over 30y and said none of her friends have heard a dicky bird yet.

We’ve only mentioned which vaccine when comparing side effects, if any.
Around here it seemed to depend on the GP surgery. An ex colleague who lives only a short distance away, but different GP surgery, had the Pfizer, whereas we both had the AZ.

My husband had the AZ vaccine on Sunday. By the evening he was sniffling and yesterday he was quite unwell. Now his symptoms are milder and he feels much better. This has happened with everyone I know who has had the AZ vaccine whilst those who had the Pfizer vaccine have barely had a reaction. I'd like to think that the body's response to the AZ vaccine is encouraging!
I am going to remain optimistically cautious as we unlock. However, I also feel that we may have to work hard to keep vaccinations targeting the variants. This is also just one pandemic. If we keep on over populating the planet, squeezing everyone into the same space, destroying natural habitats, etc., this is just the beginning. I think it has also helped show rogue nations how easy it is to control the world and destroy their economies.

I’ve been optimistic right from the first lockdown, knowing that eventually we would be able to resume our lives again.

The denigrating comments made about the AZ vaccine by Macron and Merkel have backfired on them as many people in the EU are refusing to have that vaccine thus slowing their progress. Sour grapes, never a good idea. Peasblossom I can’t believe a ‘friend’ would feel superior about the type of vaccination they had, it takes oneupmanship and snobbery to a whole new level.