UK government to issue new guidance to immunocompromised ahead of Covid rule changes

[bennevisplace]

It made this morning's 8 o'clock news on BBC Radio 4! Only a two minute slot, but there it was.

A group of sixteen charities, including Blood Cancer UK, have called on the government to bring in measures to protect "immunocompromised or suppressed" people after the end of Covid restrictions. Government has said that new guidance to this group of vulnerable people will be issued before the rule changes (still expected to be 19th July).

Look out for details online, none when I searched 10 minutes ago.

Progress of a sort!

[Psmithuk]

I can’t imagine what they can actually do, now they have committed to that date. Just send us all back into lockdown I suppose. Not that we have moved very far from it, anyway. Well, fingers crossed. Just publicising it would help, so 🤞.

Thanks for reporting it.

Chrisx

[bennevisplace in reply to Psmithuk]

According to the report, the requested measures include workplace safety and giving vulnerable employees the opportunity to work from home.

I have no confidence that the government is considering any special protections other than telling immunocompromised individuals to look out for themselves.

[Psmithuk in reply to bennevisplace]

I totally agree. And judging by the way the rules are being manipulated (how many at Wembley on Sunday!) it won’t have any effect if they do bring in the suggested improvements.I’m not depressed about it, despite what it sounds like, just tired of having our needs ignored.

Cx

[mrsjsmith in reply to bennevisplace]

Thank you for flagging this up. I should listen to Radio 4 in the morning rather than BBC1 television news. I won’t get too excited, but at least some employer advice to help the members concerned about work and travel will be a positive.

Colette x

[Poodle2]

I cannot wait to see the guidance...I can imagine what it will be like - work from home if you can (which a lot of people can't) and assess your own risks - shield if you can, wear a mask...I honestly believe it will be something along those lines but I keep in touch with my MP and she keeps reassuring me they are pushing for more...let's wait and see...

[ChristyAnne_UK]

Thank you.

[fapumpkin]

From the BBC News website;"Posted at 9:239:23

Better support needed for immuno-compromised, charities warn

Katharine Da Costa

BBC News

Sixteen charities - including Blood Cancer UK, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Kidney Care UK - are warning the lifting most legal Covid restrictions including masks in England on 19 July will put thousands of people with a weakened immune system at risk. They are calling on the government to provide more support and guidance.

These people could include, for example, those who've had an organ transplant or suffer from certain genetic conditions or diseases such as cancer and HIV.

The charities point to research that suggests these groups won't get the same high levels of protection from vaccines compared with healthy people. The charities want employment protection and the option to continue to work from home wherever possible.

The government advised more than 3.5 million clinically extremely vulnerable people could stop shielding in April. Its latest advice is to remain cautious. Plans for vaccine booster shots are being drawn up for the autumn.

But with predictions that covid infections could hit 100,000 cases a day later this summer, the charities say more support and guidance is needed to help some of the most vulnerable people to make informed decisions about personal risk."

[bennevisplace in reply to fapumpkin]

Thanks, that's what was said by the news reader - it was indeed K de C - more or less verbatim.

[Pinkdark2018]

I’ve written a long email to my MP along those exact lines and also suggested a continued access for online deliveries right through to spring. I haven’t stepped foot into a supermarket since March last year and am hoping to avoid doing so until this becomes like flu and we are nowhere near that yet. This is a mad situation.

[ChristyAnne_UK in reply to Pinkdark2018]

I have been getting online grocery deliveries for years, and switched to the priority slots last spring. A few weeks ago, I had a look at the normal delivery schedules, and found there was just as much availability as on the priority dates, except fir one thing… I was looking three weeks ahead. It works every week.

[Pinkdark2018 in reply to ChristyAnne_UK]

I agree there are plenty of slots currently but we need to consider things may change through the winter Plus I had an issue with my recent order and the supermarket policy for a return is to go to the store. We only picked up the issue after the driver had left. I rang the contact number and it is only because I am listed as vulnerable that I resolved the situation remotely. If the government decides to discard the list that may not be the case after restrictions are eased. I just wish to be assured that the current recognition continues through to next spring.

[bennevisplace]

On the issue of staying safe after "Freedom Day", I urge everyone to register for the upcoming webinar, organised by Leukaemia Care, so that you can each send in your opinions/ suggestions/ questions before the event (3:30 pm next Monday 12th July) healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

Make your voice heard!

[Fran57]

Hi. I expect it will say to be sensible and make your own decisions.So we’ll just have to carry on shielding, especially now the cases are going to go mad!

Fran 😣

[bennevisplace in reply to Fran57]

You may be right. It would help a lot of people if they did reintroduce shielding, with home deliveries etc. But largely it will be left to us to manage our own risk exposure I expect.

If the charities secure some meaningful workplace safety measures for us, that would be a result.

[Fran57 in reply to bennevisplace]

Yes. I can’t imagine how hard it is for those who are working. I retired just before covid… with lots of plans- 😡We are fortunate that, at the moment, we are still able to get our shopping slots and, of course, we don:t have to go to work.

Take care,

Fran 😉

[AnneHill in reply to Fran57]

Before the Delta covid the numbers were low in my area. I have met up with my friends for coffee and even had a restaurant meal several times. All done with care. It will be out of the question if everything changes. With large amounts of people suffering from covid the risk changes. It will stop me eating and drinking inside venues that dont have social distancing, ventilation, masks and hand hygiene.We have stayed in a hotel and sat on the beach recently. I cant imagine doing that again for a long time. Better to carefully do a bit more now before things change.

Anne uk

[bennevisplace in reply to AnneHill]

Yes, all of those things are becoming more and more risky. What about going to the dentist/ hairdresser/ optician? Even doctor/ hospital appointments...

[AnneHill in reply to bennevisplace]

So far I have found places are getting the hang of things but when things change and masks and social distancing stop, attitudes will change. I have been to the hairdresser this week and another customer was obviously in favour of relaxing the rules. Young fit people are told they wont be in danger once vaccinated.My hairdresser says she wont be stopping wearing a mask and visor but how long for?

[bennevisplace in reply to AnneHill]

Re masks, Javid says one thing, then Zahawi adds to the uncertainty. Let's hope common sense prevails and masking indoors remains a legal obligation.

bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57795409.amp

[AnneHill in reply to bennevisplace]

Eating out is the hardest. Social distancing and ventilation are great if numbers low. As they are high its risky. Same if going for coffee with friends.I even went to see a film with my daughter. There were very few people there.

I feel things are going backwards and I wont be able to do things if rules are relaxed.

[Floxxy]

There is currently a petition running asking for the retention of compulsory mask wearing in certain situations. You can find it at petition.parliament.uk

[bennevisplace in reply to Floxxy]

Thanks.

[bennevisplace in reply to Floxxy]

The number of current signatories to different petitions tells its own story about the public mood. Some of this makes one despair.

Do not rollout Covid-19 vaccine passports (could be used to restrict the rights of people who have refused a Covid-19 vaccine) - 357,937

Do not require health and social care workers to take covid-19 vaccination (health and social care workers... right to exercise free will in relation to any medical procedure) - 71,303

Outlaw discrimination against those who do not get a Covid-19 vaccination (the individual must remain sovereign over their own body) - 41,847

Face coverings should be banned in schools as they can inhibit communication - 37,741

Ensure access to FFP3 masks for all staff working with confirmed or suspected Covid-19 patients - 3,318

Prioritise people eligible for free flu vaccines for any Covid booster vaccine - 1,068

Require negative Covid test results for entering workplaces - 14

[Floxxy in reply to bennevisplace]

It's very sad. X

[Jacksc06]

It seems to me that the consensus of opinion is "We have shielded them and given them food parcels if we ignore them they will probably go away. Its all very well for the PM to say we will all have to live with it some of us will no doubt die with it. As i have stated before i feel we have now been forgotten.

[bennevisplace in reply to Jacksc06]

It's up to each of us to add our voice: don't let decision-makers forget about those Still At Risk.

[Jacksc06 in reply to bennevisplace]

Agreed.