Hi guys, I'm new to the group.
I've been shielding since receiving my letter from NHS.
My question is, do we feel it will be longer than 12 weeks as things I'm reading state 'at least 12 weeks'. Surely it won't go on longer will it?
Thanks in advance.
Ben
I’ve only just had a letter - obviously added by my gp, due to multiple conditions - and that says I should stay in for at least 12 weeks from now, when some people have already been shielding for weeks. So I don’t have an answer, but I’d say it’s not looking good ☹️
Hi, thanks for your reply.
Ah right, I just presumed anybody who needed to shield would be shielding all at the same time. So you've partly answered my question, I suppose when I get to 12 weeks isolated, my GP presumably would have to assess if its safe for me to return into the community.
Hi Ben, I think until there is a vaccine available or the virus dies out completely it’s best for any of us with lung issues to stay as isolated as humanly possible. That’s going to take a lot longer than 12 weeks 😢
Nobody can be sure what’s going to happen in the future, it’s the same sort of scenario as the 2 world wars, they were saying then it would be over in no time. So brace yourself for a long stay in. I am in isolation but I am a pensioner and so do not suffer financially too badly.
I think that those shielding (I got a letter but no longer fit the criteria) will be considered very vulnerable for some time. Whether that means strictly shielding for the whole time isn’t known, and I’ve noticed a change of attitude for example on the BLF page which recognises that it’s very difficult to shield and it’s for each individual to make the decision whether it’s right for them.
I found my walk on Saturday very beneficial and know quite a few who are advised to sheiks are still going for a walk or job at very quite times / in quiet places. Even though I’m now technically in the vulnerable group, rather than the very vulnerable group, I won’t be going outside other than for walks as that works for me, and I’m lucky to have a supportive employer and partner.
I've not even considered going out and about for exercise but finding a quiet place at a quiet time is a good idea.
Hi Benni. Shielding advice is not obligatory, but it does give you advantages in terms of employment support, prescription delivery and supermarket delivery priority. But the main reason is to protect you and prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed.
The 12-week period was an estimate based on certain factors like hospital resources and degree of spread of the virus; that was always likely to be altered according to how things progressed, which couldn't have been known with certainty at the time the shielding period was first proposed. If it is extended, then you are not under any obligation to stick to it, but it would seem to be in your interests to do so because of the apparent benefits (though the social isolation is a significant problem for some).
I'm a borderline case, and my wife has just started chemotherapy - we would have been in a better position if we had had an official shielding letter, instead of which we would have had difficulty obtaining our medications and supplies if it weren't for very kind neighbours. So there are definite advantages in being officially shielded, however long it takes.
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