Isolate

[Craftygirl58]

Hi, I am confused what to do as I come under the second category in regard to my Asthma. In March the NHS told me to stay home and this time go to work, I work as a domestic cleaner and self employed. I am not able to contact my doctor about this and am anxious about going into people's homes as some of them have been in contact with others who have had covid and working from home.

[twinkly29]

If you are clinically vulnerable, but not clinically extremely vulnerable, then the advice is to do as everyone should be doing at the moment - practise good hand hygiene and minimise contact with others other than for essential things including work.

You say you were shielded the first time though?

Asthma that's not deemed to be severe (and so not in the CEV group) doesn't seem to make people at higher risk of complications than if they didn't have it, They have realised this since the initial shielding advice went out in March so it could be that that's why you're not needing to this time.

But, if you're concerned, you need to speak to your GP or nurse - I know you said you can't but, not being automatically eligible for shielding, you would need a doctor's input if they thought you should be doing this.

[Craftygirl58 in reply to twinkly29]

Thank you for the reply and I think I will drop a note to my Dr about this as quite anxious about returning to work. I follow all the rules and have done since March.

[twinkly29 in reply to Craftygirl58]

Good idea. I don't doubt that you do follow the rules by the way - just meant for now that's the same as for most people (as distinct from having separate rules). But absolutely go with your plan - hope you hear back quickly.

[Afrohair]

Everyone is having the same issues if you were asked last time rules have changed we are now expected to go back to work

[Poppins23 in reply to Afrohair]

Not necessarily. I was told by the practice manager that I was no longer on the list and just needed to take the same precautions as everyone else. My asthma nurse phoned me later the same day as a routine follow up to a previous flare, she told me that I definitely needed to shield due to being at very high risk. On Saturday I had my letter from ‘Matt’ The guidelines are extremely vague. If in doubt check with your GP.

[twinkly29 in reply to Poppins23]

Yep, from what I've seen they're just using the lists from last time - friends who don't need to shield now according to nice guidelines have got letters, as have children I know of who should not be on the list now so 🤷

[Afrohair in reply to Poppins23]

all info I get is very contradictory have you managed to get a sick note then ?i was shielding and now suddenly I'm not allowed despite being 28 weeks pregnant nearly and heart issues under investigation

[Afrohair in reply to Poppins23]

I think everyone gets different info tbh depending where they work

[Poppins23 in reply to Afrohair]

I think a lot does depend on your employer and their ability or willingness to allow you to work from home. Mine was happy to let me, it was the contradictory information I got from my practice manager that riled me. If it hadn’t been for a routine follow up I would have probably returned to work. Speak to your GP, hopefully they will be able to give you accurate information.

[Afrohair in reply to Poppins23]

Yes your right!