Ok, so in March I went into shielding with all the other shielders in the UK. Since the rest of my household were not shielding, I spent around 16 weeks in my bedroom like a grounded teenager!
I am in Scotland and, just like the rest of the UK, the case numbers here are a lot higher now than they ever were last year.
Why, then, are Scottish shielders to follow the advice for the general population (other than don't go to work if you can't work from home)? With the increased case numbers, and increased transmissibility of this new strain, surely we should be back to the "shielders should stay home and isolate from others in their household". Please don't think that I enjoyed that experience or anything, I just don't understand the logic. Were the shielding rules last time an overreaction? Why is England different?
I have asked my parents about this, my mum especially is very good to talk to about things, but they both seem to think I'm overreacting...
I don't personally know any other shielders and am feeling very lost...
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Chukkin
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I have never isolated from my household even whilst shielding. It might be different if they were in the deepend surrounded by covid but honestly people have to live. The advice is just advice so I think, by now especially, people are doing what works for them.
I have no idea why rules are different in Scotland and Wales (not just for shielding but generally), except that despite things apparently being agreed by all 4 nations, the leaders of the other nations always seem to want to put their own stamp on it.
Many people who are shielded are "being extra careful" (now and many also were even through the first shielding) but are not living isolated - many will still be going to shops etc because they have to. That's not to say you should be or anything but I honestly think what you do needs to work for you and your situation. If that helps at all.
Ahh Chukkin, first I'm so sorry you're left feeling like this. It's a daunting, uncertain and lonely phase in time at the moment. I must admit i can't really answer your question as I've not looked into the Scottish rules to be honest.
What I do know, lockdown 1, speaking to other shielders (I'm also shielding group) some (not all) found it extremely isolating, too scared to have carers into their home which left vulnerable even more so, peoples mental health deteriorated for different reasons, also felt as though were being punished.
Then all shielders had that questionnaire to complete about how the experience impacted on them as an individual.
Then lockdown 2, adviced shielders "just to be extra careful" assuming questionnaire data had input into decision.
Lockdown 3 England, I thought although now doubting myself CEV to shield again, so surprised Scotland not the same as they seem more on the ball than us.. but maybe numbers/rates not as high or different measures in place instead? But some CEV people on here have shielded the whole time since March so I guess it's up to you really and your personal circumstances.
Others will be along I'm sure and correct me if wrong and maybe actually answer your question, sorry.
P.s I've never isolated from my household though.. when my daughter has to work as key worker just sensible - change clothes at door wash hands, clothes straight in machine, shower. Its finding a balance I'm not isolating from my children although the peace would be good! 😆😂🤣🙂
Shielsing is a thing again as yesterday I was advised by my nurse that I should shield, against my wishes (I know its for my own good though), and I am currently off work. I was told letters are being typed up and posted out ASAP.
I also never isolated from my partner last time as we live in a 2 bed flat with a 3rd person and its difficult to stay separated in a home this small. I likely won't be doing it this time round either
Yes, I received the letter this morning, which gave no further info than what was already issued in the text message. I just don't understand the inconsistency.
I'm not sure where you are in the UK, but England advises shielders to isolate from other household members, while Scotland is happy for you to be treated the same as the general population other than not physically going to work.
My problem (likely just sheer stupidity) is that, when the numbers were so much lower last time and we were told to isolate from other household members, DO NOT go shopping etc, but this time when the numbers are higher, they're OK with us just being the same as everyone else. It's not that I want to be locked down, not in the slightest, I'm just struggling to decide what is best when the govt decisions are inconsistent and family are saying I'm just overreacting.
I am in Aberdeen, also in Scotland. I have been told by my asthma nurse that shielding is a thing again for those who shielded the last time. Shielding is definitely a thing again in Scotland. I doubt I'm the only person who has been advised this.
Perhaps I have been told to shield as I physically cannot work from home so im not sure if your situation differs. The text message I got says if you cannot work from home you should not, and there's a number for if you need assistance with food etc. Nowhere else you can really go anyway so really you could be shielding? I'm not sure what else they can really do?
I am just outside Aberdeen, but haven't been in contact with my GP/asthma nurse. During the first lockdown, I went into shielding from my job working in an operating theatre in hospital. During that period at home, I had a bad spinal problem which has left me with significant pain and problems mobilising. This in turn meant that I had to give up my work.
I have been using eConsult to contact the GP, so I might send another just to get some advice.
Like I said with the shielding you can be put on priority for home shopping (if you phone the preferred company) and advised not to work unless you can work from home but there isn't really much else they can say to be honest. Unless you need a letter to be off work, I'm not sure theres much else they can do
I would judge that one yourself i suppose. What are the risks? How many of them go out and who do they come into contact with? My parter works in a supermarket but as I mentioned earlier isolating would be too difficult with the size of our flat and its unfair for me to have complete control of the bedroom as the couch on the living room isn't very comfortable. Last lockdown we had a system where when she came home she went straight in the shower and clothes in the machine before we even said hello to each other. That might work?
Like carrijen said you need to make that decision yourself. Surely if you look on .gov website for scotland it should clearly state rules for shielding? You've recieved letter to shield from my understanding so you just need to check what that consists off on website.. and if you haven't recieved anything then you don't need to shield but if want to you can but the difference being you won't get extra support like priority shopping etc.
The govt website just states the same as the letter - other than not going to work if you can't work from home - follow the guidance for the general population
The Chief Medical Officer wrote to everyone on the shielding list during the week beginning 4 January to set out advice. We are not advising you stop going outside, which we know is good for mental and physical health. You should stay home as much as possible but you can still go out for exercise and essential shopping or medicines.
You should minimise contact with people outside your own household if you can.
You should not take public transport.
Shopping
If you, your child or someone you care for is on the shielding list, you can sign up for priority access to supermarket online delivery slots.
Once you register you will get priority access to see online delivery slots. It may take a few weeks for you to get registered for the service. . Supermarkets have also increased the number of ways to shop and have shopping delivered which are available now.
If you do visit shops or supermarkets strictly follow the guidelines when shopping and limit the number of times you go to a shop. Shop at quieter times.
If you cannot work from home
You should continue to work from home if you can.
If you cannot work from home, if you live or work in an area in lockdown, you should not go to work. The letter you will receive from the Chief Medical Officer acts as a fit note for as long as lockdown restrictions are in place.
This letter is called a shielding notification and can be shown to your employer without the need for a GP fit note.
School/ formal childcare
Children on the shielding list should not attend in person."
Hi @chukkin , I’m feeling the same. I live in fife and confused by why the info says “we’re not asking you to shield again”.
I don’t think you’re overreacting at all. My husband works in a hospital and has been distancing himself from me (the shielder) and our toddler. This is what we did last year too. He’s in his own room and if he speaks to me in the evenings when he’s finished work and toddler isn’t around, we are socially distancing, wearing masks.
The advice is confusing and it also means his manager won’t allow him to work from home to protect me.
You do what you feel safest doing. Doesn’t matter if others think you’re overreacting.
Maybe speak to your nurse specialist or doctor, as it looks like others here have been given advice from them to shield. I might do the same myself.
Thank you for understanding!! Talking to people here and at home, they just keep saying to do what feels right for me. Trying to make that decision is hard! All I have to go on is what the govt are telling me. I dont want to have to isolate from other household members if its not necessary! If the govt have changed their minds on isolating from household members then there can only be a few reasons for it (as far as I can see):
1. Asking us to do this last time was an overreaction and was unnecessary
2. People's mental health was so affected that they stopped asking us to do that (even though it would keep us safer)
Since those in England have been told to isolate again, it makes it seem likely that the reason is number 2?
I just feel so lost, especially since my family members (usually keen on keeping me bubble-wrapped!!) are thinking I'm totally overreacting
There are published shielding guidelines for people with respiratory conditions and these were published by the Scottish government last year. A link on current lockdown info gives various links and one link on the 5th Jan 2021 announcement leads to gov.scot/publications/coron... the document "respiratory conditions shielding" and in that guidance are clear instructions as follows: "Do people who live with me need to do anything differently to keep me safe?
You and your household should continue to follow strict physical distancing and hygiene measures. All members of your household must self-isolate if someone develops COVID-19 symptoms."
I think the government are concerned that people who shielded tended to suffer with mental health problems so they have backed off a bit. Though, this time I have been told again to distance from other members of the household and stay at home etc. Government have said that they “advise” but it is up to the individual to what extent they follow the advice. I personally believe that we all should do our own due diligence and our own risk assessment and do what we feel is safe for us, while following the laws and rules, no matter what comments other people make. I started wearing masks in public long before it became mandatory and people pointed and laughed or circumnavigated me but tbh I did not care a jot! Now we all have to do these things so I would say do what you need to do in order to feel safe. If you don’t feel safe it can cause a lot more anxiety than doing what everyone else around you is pushing you to do. This thing will pass. The better weather is on the way as is the vaccine. When this all first kicked off I moved into a separate bedroom from my husband. He is a teacher in a senior school and I never believed for a nanosecond that schools were “safe” for everyone. My husband was quite upset when I moved into the other bedroom and he took it personally 🥱. I did feel under pressure and he obviously thought I was “overreacting “(Which is easy to say if you are not in the CEV group) but I stood by my own decision and he soon understood my point and then of course we had the letter telling us to do just that and the pressure was off me! Hurrah! Over Christmas we waited 14 days from the end of term before we stopped socially distancing at home and now schools are closed we don’t have to socially distance in the home at the moment. However, if he was in a job where he had to go into work, we would socially distance at home again. He is now completely on board with the plan! Yay! As a nurse, I have had the benefit of yearly Infection Control Training and so had an understanding of the situation so I made the decision to act as I have early on , so if you feel safer socially distancing in your home for the next few weeks or months, then do it. Just take care of yourself whilst you are doing it with exercise and doing things that make you feel happier. Best wishes. There’s light peeping through at the end of the tunnel.
I think you have to do what you believe is the best approach and which works within your household. If you have the ability to shield and you feel that it is in your best interests, then don’t wait to be told. Only you will know how vulnerable and that can cause anxiety. Stay safe
Hi don't know if any help or not but just recieved my shielding email and states sheilding until feb 21st, if its extended we will be notified and this letter is the one to go by now not the previous nov/dec tier change local lockdown. Out for exercise once a day with household, not to go to shops, pharmacies etc. Etc if possible, but again it's your choice, you can make informed decision based on what you feel the risks are.
Each family is different and cope differently so its what works for you while keeping you safe and your sanity. Good luck and stay safe.
I talked it all through with my respiratory nurse on lockdown 1, but for the opposite I didn't feel I should shield as I'm a RGN an my patients needed me but actually was just too risky and they told me absolutely not to continue working! Good luck. 🙂
Its very confusing that you are getting this advice (which I think makes more sense) and yet my letter states I have the same advice as the general population and I can go out unlimited times a day for exercise, go shopping (for essentials), pick up meds... Last lockdown, I had the same advice as you have now, and lived in my bedroom for 16ish weeks.
Scotlands rates are different though and each area has different rules so it'll be based on that. So maybe doesn't quite warrant the measures were in atm.. I don't know it's hard enough trying to keep up with England rules let alone rest of uk too! 🤦♀️🤣😂. Only you know what feels right for you. But remember mental health too.
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