Return to Shielding?

[GSBS1954]

Having come out of shielding at the beginning of August, are we now about to be told we have to isolate again with the increases in infections around the country?

[nanasu]

I read something on the news about Boris is thinking of advising us to shield again. Must admit I haven`t really stopped. Can`t find the article now but it did say that people would get letters advising. Time will tell I suppose.

Take care

[Newdawn Administrator]

This is one of the latest statements from what I can find;

‘This will help provide additional protection to others in the community. This is particularly important to protect those who have been shielding and in advance of the autumn and winter when we may see increased community transmission."

The shielding programme, which was designed to protect the most medically vulnerable from the effects of coronavirus, ended. The Prime Minister said that the Government would "be sure to restart shielding at any point" if it was required at a regional or national level.

telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/0...

I think we are more likely to see localised lockdowns and a possible curfew from 10pm - 5am if numbers continue to increase but I’m pretty sure the most clinically vulnerable will be advised to be much more careful. I can’t see the formal support packages to shielders being reintroduced however.

Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that but I suspect many of us will be making our own decisions anyway and limit exposure massively. It’s a worrying time for so many but there’s also lots of positives too.

Newdawn

[nanasu in reply to Newdawn]

Thank you Newdawn for finding that.

[retired46 in reply to Newdawn]

Yes I agree, Ive learnt to be sensible and look after me regardless and reckon there will be curfews and rightly so. Think they’ll hesitate on a lockdown like we had before- pressure economically seems to rule from business and sport , but who knows.

[Peggy4]

Hmm. Would I go back in to full shielding? Probably not. However, I will be extremely cautious and make every effort to keep myself safe.

Peggy 😀

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to Peggy4]

Me too Peggy. It’s exacted quite a price on us all in so many ways!

I read something this morning that made me smile in agreement;

‘I don’t care for spoilers but I’d love to know how 2020 ends!’

Newdawn

[Peggy4 in reply to Newdawn]

Ha! That made me chuckle 🤣🤣

[virdieblue in reply to Newdawn]

Around here we have the saying - Well, what do you expect? It's 2020.

[Jooby59 in reply to Peggy4]

No way! I would take extreme care, which I do now, but locking away again? No.

[FeistyGirl in reply to Peggy4]

That’s how I feel too Peggy. I don’t think we need to be told what to do. We are sensible enough to know that infection rates are rapidly increasing and how to keep ourselves safe and minimise contact but still have choices.

[retired46 in reply to FeistyGirl]

Absolutely, I dont have enough confidence in the UK government to decide how I choose to look after me with CLL so I choose to be self responsible 🙂 2 teachers in the family so obviously will choose not to have close contact with them just drive by and wave 😂 we know ourselves the best with the support of good consultants 👏👏 stay safe all 🙂

[Poodle2]

I cannot imagine going into full shielding again. Having said that my kids have been back to school and nursery for a week only and all three of them have a runny nose already. I'm just checking their temperature constantly but so far no fever, no cough but still. One would think it will last a bit longer with all the extra handwashing and hand gel and sanitizing...on top of that - there are no home test kits available where I live anymore, the drive through testing centre is fully booked and the walk in testing centre in our local area is apparently not walk in anymore, you have to book a slot - which is impossible and then when you turn up, it's empty but they won't test you as you didn't book a slot - that's from my local parents Facebook page. It's shambolic - we are one week in...this government really needs to get a grip. People cannot just sit at home waiting for days to get a test only to find out they are negative. I really wonder how many employers will have the patience to support their employees...

[blowinginthewind]

Pretty much yes

[Harvist]

Yes, but this time with no support package or priorities protected.

[GSBS1954]

Thanks for all your comments. I could never do another 12-15 weeks isolating at home, and now people are more informed, I'm going to trust instinct and common sense when going out. Stay safe people ❤️

[bennevisplace]

It could come to that if a significant number of people carry on behaving as if it's all over, and ICUs get busy again. Returning to work/ school/ university, and reverting to former shopping/ travelling/ wining and dining habits restores many of the networking opportunities exploited by the virus early in the pandemic. Already we are seeing in care homes, where vulnerable people are supposed to be given extra protection, how difficult it is to maintain it effectively.

thetimes.co.uk/article/coro...

Shielding to me has never been about conforming with the latest twist in government guidelines, but about monitoring what's really going on out there, adopting sensible measures to manage risk, and religiously sticking to them. Last weekend was a mixed bag. I was in town in a busy pedestrian precinct (a horror show), decided against the O2 shop even in a N95 respirator; lunched in an open air restaurant where there was good discipline; attended a well organised open air concert; joined some relatives for a S-D BBQ in the garden. By taking responsibility for my own health I don't need to suffer from confusion or paranoia. If one day Covid does strike, I intend to make sure it will have done so against the odds.