shielding

[debs1963]

I'm totally confused. I have not received a letter telling g me to shield. but my dr has said that im high risk and to do so. so I asked him as my daughter lives with me does this mean she has to also. he said no shes allowed out for shopping g and nesscery tablets . but then she comes back home to me. can anybody please explain ?

[TonyWT Partner]

Dear Debs,

I can totally understand your dilemma. The terminology and thus categorisation are important and can appear contradictory as they are being used alongside each other (Extremely Vulnerable, Vulnerable, High and Very High Risk). The first 'bold' paragraph on our Pinned Post summarises the situation.

Extremely Vulnerable People are those that must shield. That means NO contact; so having to leave food deliveries at the door and so forth (and attracts specific external support). Not so easy if one has to have a carer to assist etc, but there are precautions being taken in this situation. This category relies on both ones precise medical condition (co-morbidities, active/non-active) and particular drugs being taken. So in the case of you and your daughter you would need to isolate yourselves from each other; eat separately, be in separate rooms, keep windows open a bit to refresh the air in rooms jointly used (I think I've seen somewhere), cleaning surfaces, taps etc. One needs to check NHS detailed guidance.

Vulnerable People: In your words, your doctor has classed you as High Risk thus maybe not, strictly speaking, Shield. This will depend on the scoring tables that are associated with that category i.e. drugs regime (links we have posted), but nevertheless to be very careful (and maybe that was his interpretation/intention); certainly stay in and isolate for 12-weeks. Anyone staying with you and now assisting (i.e. daughter) needs to take great care, only go to the shops when absolutely necessary - so plan ahead your meals and thus minimise shopping trips, wash hands on return, and maybe, if you wish some packaging depending on what has been handled in the shop and how strict their hygiene regime appears to be, if people are keeping separated at the required distance all the time and so forth. You may therefore wish to also implement what I suggested above (EV) depending on the area you live and prevalence of the virus, as currently known.

If you are still concerned, get back to the doctor, apologise for bothering, but ask him to clarify precisely what he means. It could be that he thinks you should have received a letter and haven't, for whatever reason, so maybe worth checking anyway. He may know something about your condition that hasn't been picked up thus far.

Does that help?

Tony