Shielding advice by UK GOVERNMENT

[Nickos66]

Hi,has anyone seen the Shielding article in the Guardian newspaper regarding texts that have been sent out by UK GOVERNMENT,telling people with Cancer, Asthma or Liver Disease, that they are no longer classed as vulnerable or need to shield! It's disturbed me that such a widespread and differing condition such as Cancer can be used in such a way,does anyone have up to date information for the CLL community? Thanks in advance.

[Newdawn Administrator]

Do you have a link to this article because it sounds inaccurate.

Found it;

theguardian.com/world/2020/...

Newdawn

[Nickos66 in reply to Newdawn]

theguardian.com/world/2020/...

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to Nickos66]

I don’t think it applies to us. It says if you haven’t received a text ‘de-shielding’ you then continue to shield.

I suspect this is because the list grew from an anticipated 1.5 to 2.8 million and they’ve had to cull certain conditions.

Newdawn

[nanasu]

I`ve just been reading that on yahoo news. I`m appalled at the decision to take people off the shielding list. Not received a text myself. I will be shielding until the infection rate comes right down.

I admit to wanting to get my hair done but it can wait.....dental appt will have to wait again. Only place I will be going will be the chiropodist and that is a needs must visit at some point.

[blowinginthewind in reply to nanasu]

I had my husband cut my hair down to a number 6 with electric hair clippers. It was driving me mad. I too will be shielding until things are much better than they are now, and I anticipate it will be a while after 30th June before I go out again. I haven't had the text though.

[PumpkinTyger]

I saw the article, I haven't received a text but even if I did I will continue shielding until the end of June regardless. It seems sensible. Personally I meet people outside, distanced at 2 metres, as there is more and more evidence of outside transmission being very unlikely at that distance, but that is my choice of risk. I won’t be inside with others outside my family even though there is evidence that it takes 15 minutes to build up to a ‘catchable’ level of virus. I’m not prepared to risk that at the moment.

This will be hard on those who rely on the food parcel, and that needs to be addressed, but if you need the letter for your employer and then receive this new text, just don't tell them.

I’m self employed, and at some point will need to go back to work, but I can manage on the 80% for now. I don't think this changes much for us, we are capable of assessing our own level of risk. It feels unpleasant and unnecessary though.

[NooNoo14]

That’s strange because I received a letter yesterday telling me to remain in complete lockdown until end of June and I would be contacted again with a further update after that time.

[bennevisplace in reply to NooNoo14]

That was from NHS?

[NooNoo14 in reply to bennevisplace]

It was from my GP practice confirming that I was on the Government Shielding List.

[devonrr]

The way I read the article. They can’t afford the free food boxes. Cynical or what!

[sue2412]

Hi, After reading the guardian article I was concerned so I checked on gov.uk for the criteria for Vulnerable groups shielding. As of last night it remains the same for all stages of blood cancers which CLL falls into we should continue to shield in our homes. Hope this helps Sue

[G1llHa1n]

Yes, I saw this information last night. I'm assuming (& hoping) that the CLL experts and organisations will be on this a s a p and at least let us know what is right for us - and deal direct with 'the government' if necessary.

I've also the additional layer of 'the Scottish government' which is due to send out further guidance to the shielded group in June before the the shielding period will be up here.

Doubtless economics will come into it - what has been done to help up to this point has been vastly expensive, but one has to hope that they will still see people's lives as the paramount concern.

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to G1llHa1n]

I have a concern that the size and scope of the list has almost doubled and in reality they probably are mindful of the cost of things like food parcels. So many groups and differing medical conditions seem to be insisting they should be in the clinical shielding category and frankly I can see the difficulty this must be posing. However, it’s absolutely vital that the people who need to be shielded receive that protection and oversight. It’s particularly important for those with employment issues.

Like you, I don’t think this involves us. As concerning as it may sound, I have a sense we are in the mega high category for qualification.

Newdawn

[Peggy4]

I hope we get some clarification soon.

Peggy 😀

[bennevisplace]

Articles in the ☀️ much easier to understand!

[JustAGuy in reply to bennevisplace]

Do you mean they are best read outdoors?

[Nickos66 in reply to JustAGuy]

Yeah,with a beer in hand 😎