So disappointing.......
We are writing to you as you have previously been identified as someone thought to be clinically extremely vulnerable and at high risk of becoming very unwell if you catch COVID-19. We wrote to you last month advising you to follow shielding guidance until 21 February.
We are now extending that guidance and advising you to shield until 31 March 2021. We will write to you again in mid-March with further advice.
Yes. Effectively we are all deprived of anything to do whether shielding or not.
How do you mean "deprived of anything to do"?
Well we can't travel or go anywhere, there are no shops open, gyms closed, entertainment venues closed, pubs are shut, the weather is terrible, in my book we are most certainly being deprived!
Our freedoms have been curtailed, please don't get "used" to this it's not normal. This is my worry we are becoming used to this feeling of being "locked down" it's not good, mental health in many is really suffering.
I completely agree, a lot of young people in particular are REALLY suffering, including my daughter who is a self employed hairdresser married to another self employed guy, both, despite the government hype, getting very little financial assistance despite being told to down tools. Not to mention the damage this is doing to the country in general financially and in general. But to say there is nothing to do and we are being deprived is not really on is it? There is plenty to "do", as I am sure you are aware, being a cyclist. The sooner this "lockdown" ends, the better as far as I am concerned.
Yes I agree as well, I also work for myself so really sympathise with your family, of course there is always stuff to do and we can all find ways of passing time, and we are not under house arrest or in prison, but this is existing, I don't want to exist I want to live. I am struggling with it now, I have had enough of the "groundhog day". I agree the sooner this ends the better. Let's hope so!
I'm not deprived of anything to do. My family holds regular zoom gatherings. I am doing courses, practising music, taking part in local activities and contacting friends I have lost touch with. I have had more to do with my neighbours than in the previous 20 years.
Exactly. Nobody in this country should have "nothing" to do. I think some folk think they are hard done to if they can't go on 3 holidays a year or out to lunch every week!
Well we are all different in our perception of lockdown. Some people are positively enjoying it. And yes some people do like to travel and can’t. My point was that - if you are following the lockdown rules to the letter - then the current lockdown and shielding don’t look too different. And it is likely to remain that way up to 31 March. There is a difference in that the lockdown regulations are law; shielding is advice. Law you should obey; advice you can take or leave.
With the exception of the "local activities" that RufusScamp was illustrating they all very much possible and legal in lockdown. I think as far as travel goes (I presume you mean overseas travel) then this is something that is probably going to be curtailed for some time to come, and quite rightly. In any case, if we are to combat climate change it is something that needs to be drastically reduced. The days of just hopping on a plane to go here there and everywhere need to end!
Overseas travel won’t change in the long term. Short term people will need Covid tests before and after. They will become accepted as part of travelling just like the additional security checks have in recent years. As for people being more aware of the green agenda post-Covid, it would be nice if they were but personally I doubt it.
Johnson has jumped on the ‘green’ bandwagon for the time being but he’ll drop it as soon as something politically more captivating comes along.
Anyway - think we are getting off topic.....
Hi Gaz, I note you have already had both vaccinations some time ago, so would this even apply in your case? Also I do believe shielding is still guidance/advice and not law so you are not obliged to.
Hiya, I haven’t shielded throughout all the lockdowns, following a discussion with my GP he agreed that as long as I was super careful he was happy.
As far as the vaccine is concerned, the government guidance/advice remains the same, even if you have had both vaccines.
Just heard today of two friends who have had similar letter, both not exactly happy as looking forward to being released but resigned to having to stay put.
As already said, it is guidance/advice, not law.
It's to protect the rest of us. Observe the spirit of the law, not the letter.
It's actually to protect the NHS, you should be shielding if you feel you need to.
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