Do people that live in a household with someone in the most vulnerable group also have to shield themselves?
What about household contacts of peop... - Asthma Community ...
What about household contacts of people with NHS letters?
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Calmcat
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38 Replies
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You would naturally think yes (but who knows). My partner is trying his best to work from home. It employer requested a copy the NHS letter that I received as evidence. He is also my main carer. I self isolate between sept -May every year, but saying that, I tend to spend 95% of my time at home anyway. I am extremely susceptible to irritants eg paints, bleach, cleaning products etc etc I react very badly and the effects can last for months, which makes going out and about on good days difficult. I know if I contracted covid that it would be from my partner, we both know I wouldn’t survive it. He would have to live with that. I’m not sure how that makes it possible for them to be out and about. We are in a very precarious position indeed.
It’s very difficult- My partner is in the same position as you because of me. He’s really scared. Did I hear somewhere that they might deliver food to people in vulnerable groups- or is that just if there’s no one else in the household who can go out?
If there is no one to go out and shop for you or you cannot order a delivery online due to the high demand, then yes, a prepared food parcel with some basic necessities are provided. They will also collect shopping (I’m guessing this is where click and collect would be useful and much easier to obtain) and pick up any medications that you require
Click and collect slots also unavailable 😕
I’ve just looked at them 😱 at some stage the government is meant to pass on the information of the people on the at risk register to allow them a priority online order. Sadly it’s not yet happened. Fortunately my details were passed to the local council, so hopefully it’s just a matter of time before this is disseminated to the supermarkets. Fingers crossed 🤞
Most supermarkets are giving priority to vulnerable people for delivery, I think but maybe wrong Iceland are currently only delivering to vulnerable customers and some supermarkets I think I read Sainsbury’s or Morrisons we’re delivering emergency food parcels by currier for around £30?
All the supermarkets are putting on loads of extra slots and most are prioritising the vulnerable.
Hope that helps.
Stay well. x
They want you to use family friends and neighbours to assist. They need to leave the shopping on the doorstep. And stay atca distance. I am in the samr boat my partner 69 with heart condition. Is trying to avoid the big supermarkets. If you cannot get that organised. If you have a letter you register on gov.uk as being vulnerable. Then through your details you register with your online shop you put in delivery comments vunerable isolating. Then they check with the govment you are.. then they will let you know. Now it can take a few weeks for this to feed thru. So they will hopefully send you a box. Now dont expect too much. But i was so gratefull for my box. Because we were becoming a bit desperate at not getting thru to the supermarkets, i cried when it arrived. As soon as i get slots from supermarkets I will inform them we are sorted and we do not need the government box
My experiences hope this helps.
Officially no, they are advised to social distance within the home along with maintaining the scrupulous hygiene routine.
I am in the shielding group but my husband isn't but he is at a lower rate risk due to his own health problems. Neither of us is venturing out but we are retired so don't have work to consider. Getting supplies of food however is a whole different issue.
Thanks. My husband had to work but his work luckily can be done from home and they seem ok about that. It’s shopping for food I worry about. He’s very nervous about going out. My 13 year old is also very anxious about me dying. My mum is retired (and lives in a bungalow - not with us) shes been inundated with offers of help by neighbors. It’s lovely to see. But because we’re quite young (50s) no one thinks of offering us help. I feel so guilty like I’m a drain on the nation. and my family
You may be able to get help from your council with obtaining essential supplies. My local council is offering that kind of support. Getting a supermarket delivery is nigh on impossible due to the level of demand, from, I suspect, people who don't really need it.
I hope that you all stay well. Best wishes xx
Both my sister and I have had a letter but my mum hasn’t. She generally stays at home so she doesn’t bring things back but doesn’t have to follow shielding, it’s suggested they should follow social distancing rules.
Ok thanks. I read somewhere I’m meant to stay 2m away from household contacts- my husband and son (who always wants cuddles from Mum) - and ideally in a different room. Very hard during lockdown in small house. Husband has to go out for shopping and prescriptions and is terrified of bringing it back as I wouldn’t survive (& probably wouldn’t even be given a ventilator). Would really hit my son so hard 😢. Fingers crossed 🤞
Stay safe xx
No they dont.. but if you read the blurb it makes the shielded person a bedroom bound hermit... take meals back to your bedroom, use separate bathrooms etc etc..... this is to prevent the none shielded people from passing anything to the person who is shielding
Grim. I don’t think I could make that work. Husband needs to work from home and can’t therefore look after our special needs child. I don’t know how to still be ‘Mummy’ and wife like that. Do you think I would be able to ask council for help?
Possibly get help from the council or one of the many volunteering groups... but it's just not practical and we are all house bound anyway 4 year old is at home cos schools are shut and me and the Mrs are working from home so she only goes out for shopping and prescriptions and washes when she comes back from shopping
Thanks. I think social distancing within the home must be very difficult with young kids and one of you working. I guess we all gotta just do the best we can. Best wishes and stay safe x
No you are certainly not. I'm in the same boat as you and many more. If we get this we will die and we have to protect ourselves as best we can from our loved ones if need be. We just have to take each day as it comes. I live with my daughter who is also furrloughed for now and hasn't left the house for 2 weeks and if fully aware if I get this what the consequences will be. We can just be super hygienic and try to stop worrying about things that haven't happened. Follow the guidelines that's all we can do for now. You and your son can play games and he can probably teach you about computers and online games etc I've learned a lot in 2 weeks lol. It doesn't have to be all doom n gloom. Stay safe and we will get through this. 😊
It’s very difficult isn’t it? and very difficult to know how it will pan out. I personally won’t feel safe until there’s a vaccine (18 months?) as I can’t see herd immunity working without it. If they do that pulsing lockdown down thing, I (like you) know I would be unlikely to survive (they probably wouldn’t give me a ventilator- makes me feel very special!). If they reopen schools I think we’ll have to do home schooling. Hopefully it’ll be a long time before your husband has to meet clients again. I’m hoping that this will all result in making virtual working more acceptable permanently.
Hello
With regard to online food deliveries, somewhere on gov.uk you can register yourself as vulnerable/at risk. This info then gets passed on to the supermarkets. It took a couple of days but I can now get a priority slot. Please try it if you can X
This is detailed in the letter. It says they have to adhere to strict social distancing. It also says you are advised to prepare your own food and eat in a different room to them.
Yes not possible for me as I’m caring for a child with special needs while husband is working hard to try and keep his job
I’m from Canada and follow this site because I couldn’t find resources / forums like this here for asthma. My two year old has chronic asthma and I have two newborn infant twins. We’ve all been able to stay home so far but at some point my husband may have to venture out for groceries. It terrifies me, we already spent 6 weeks in hospital with my son over Christmas because he plummeted from a common cold. I’m trying to stay calm but it’s easy to feel anxious when your most prized possessions (my children) are at significant risk.
My heart goes out to you. Our children as do precious. Not sure what the situation is in Canada but I hope you find some help with your groceries. Xx
I’ve moved my 19 year old ‘severely asthmatic’ son into the shed. It’s insulated and has electricity so he’s fine. My husband is a key worker and has to work. They know his son has had a letter and know his history, but say he has to work as he is fit and well himself. My son uses the downstairs toilet and sink to himself and I clean the shower before he uses it. He has his own towel and toiletries and I’m constantly cleaning door handles and the stair rail. I do his cooking and deliver it to the door. I also clean the shed whilst he’s in the shower, wearing gloves and a mask. It’s not ideal but hopefully it’s working.
Sounds like you’re doing a terrific job under very difficult circumstances. So glad you’ve got the shed. Hope you’re teen is ok with the isolation. Stay safe xx
From Government guidance their website
What should you do if you have someone else living with you?
While the rest of your household are not required to adopt these protective shielding measures for themselves, we would expect them to do what they can to support you in shielding and to stringently follow guidance on social distancing.
Minimise as much as possible the time other family members spend in shared spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms and sitting areas, and keep shared spaces well ventilated.
Aim to keep 2 metres (3 steps) away from people you live with and encourage them to sleep in a different bed where possible. If you can, you should use a separate bathroom from the rest of the household. Make sure you use separate towels from the other people in your house, both for drying themselves after bathing or showering and for hand-hygiene purposes.
If you do share a toilet and bathroom with others, it is important that they are cleaned after use every time (for example, wiping surfaces you have come into contact with). Another tip is to consider drawing up a rota for bathing, with you using the facilities first.
If you share a kitchen with others, avoid using it while they are present. If you can, you should take your meals back to your room to eat. If you have one, use a dishwasher to clean and dry the family’s used crockery and cutlery. If this is not possible, wash them using your usual washing up liquid and warm water and dry them thoroughly. If you are using your own utensils, remember to use a separate tea towel for drying these.
We understand that it will be difficult for some people to separate themselves from others at home. You should do your very best to follow this guidance and everyone in your household should regularly wash their hands, avoid touching their face, and clean frequently touched surfaces.
If the rest of your household stringently follow advice on social distancing and minimise the risk of spreading the virus within the home by following the advice above, there is no need for them to also shield alongside you.
Hi calm cat. I'm glad you found it. I filled in the form online at the weekend and received confirmation from the supermarket yesterday (weds) so fingers crossed.....
Hi Jollygood,
Which supermarket did you get confirmation from? I filled the form in last week and got the letter a couple of days later (& am now isolating with mild symptoms) but haven’t heard from Sainsbury’s or Waitrose - the only 2 I found that were prioritising slots...(I’m registered with both). I’m ok for now as I have one more delivery already booked to come on Monday but then nothing!
Hi calmcat and callyb
Sainsbury's. I got an email telling me they'd added me to the vulnerable list. No joy with Morrisons, tesco or Waitrose. I would imagine they are inundated so maybe it's just taking them a while to get through all the enquiries? My only advice would be to try again?? (Sorry, that's not much help)
I forgot to add that my father, who is not asthmatic but is elderly and has recently had cancer, is also struggling to get on the priority delivery list. It's so frustrating. I'm sure slots are being taken up by people who don't really need it. Sorry, rant over, good luck everyone X
Thank you Jollygood...I did fill in the gov.uk form again - maybe it didn’t go through the first time 🤞!
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