Good morning from a very sunny South Devon! I posted a while ago to say that my GP surgery were taking 3-4 weeks to send out the shielding letters, well mine arrived yesterday!
I'm not going to be doing anything different as already being sensible and taking all necessary precautions as someone with a rare underlying health condition.
For the record, I have ET Jak2 pos and take Hydroxycarbamide and aspirin and have the big six o in October!
Stay safe everyone
Ian
Hi Ian, same here got my letter last weekend, where it said that I needed to self isolate for twelve weeks from the date on the letter so not taking any notice of that as I have already done six weeks, but feel that the twelve weeks could be extended anyway. Have the same as you ET JAK 2 Positive.
We were due to come to Biddeford in August to see family and to have a break on a farm, but think this will not happen there is always next year.
Just keep breathing that wonderful Devon air and savour the peace and quite, as hopefully we should be back to some kind of normal, well let’s hope.
Keep safe
Jean
Thanks for your reply Jean. Yes I agree, I think the 12 weeks will be extended.
I've just been on a family walk (I know that strictly speaking I shouldn't be out but mental wellbeing is very important) and the air is lovely, however, it's noticeable now that there are more cars on the road than there were a couple of weeks ago. Also, there are still people who are not social distancing, perhaps they feel safe down here as we've had fewer cases than other areas of the country.
I think if the lockdown is lifted before the summer, the West Country will be inundated with visitors because going abroad won't really be an option, good for the local economy but worrying if we get a 2nd wave of the virus.
I guess only time will tell.
Best wishes and stay safe.
Ian
Yes quite agree with you about a second wave little bit worrying hence I think it will not be lifted any time soon, rather be safe than sorry, plus there is always next year all being well, although things are going to be very, very different, this is unless they find a vaccine and let’s hope that it would not be live cultures as for us that would be a no, no bit like the shingle jab although you don’t get that until you are in your seventies, that is a live culture.
I have noticed an increase in car traffic where I live in Bromley. But thank god I have my garden to get out into, feel sorry for anyone in an apartment all you can do there is open windows not quite the same as getting outside.
My Daughter is a medical secretary, and her consultants have said, that they feel this will go on for at least six months maybe longer, and although some children may get back to school, the primary ones may not go back until September as they do not understand about social distancing, so she is prepared to keep on home schooling which she is finding really hard, plus the consultants are all at London Hospitals all doing their bit for the NHS so they themselves know what would happen if it’s all lifted to early.
Take care
Jean
Hi Jean, thanks for your reply. I grew up in Tunbridge Wells so I know Bromley reasonably well!
There are definitely more cars about down here as well and also some people are just blatantly ignoring the social distancing, probably thinking it won't happen to them!
I've got 3 boys, one at primary and 2 at secondary school, needless to say I now have the utmost respect for teachers, home schooling is challenging to say the least! I've just read a report in the Sunday papers that primary schools might go back on 1st June, which I'm not sure will go down well with many parents. It may just be media rumours of course!
Stay safe and enjoy your garden!
Best wishes Ian
Hi. Just so you know, the new shingles shot is not a live vaccine-at least not in the USA. And we’re advised to get it at 60. But I share your concern whether the Covid vaccine might be live. I don’t have a normal immune system so it probably won’t work for me anyhow. Be well. Katie
Hi Ian,
I agree with you about the West Country. Someone said to me a couple of weeks ago that there is a thought that our peak will come in about 12 weeks, when restrictions are being lifted and people start to travel to the West Country instead of going abroad. We have a huge proportion of 2nd home ownership here and our area is the lowest region on the graphs shown daily for infections and death. I fear people will think this is a safe place to be and we will be inundated.
The RD&E is not at full capacity and they are just about to commence work on the Nightingale hospital in Exeter. Assuming this won’t be ready for a few weeks, they must think it will be needed? All rather worrying.
Stay safe Ian
Judy
Hi Judy, thanks for your reply. I think you're absolutely right, we will be inundated. It's a double edged sword in that we need the numbers to boost the economy but the risk of the virus spreading down here is massive!
We were due to go to Disney Florida in August, that obviously won't be happening now, so I might just take the family off to a remote island somewhere!!
You stay safe too
Best wishes Ian
Hi Ian, I’ve been shielding for 6 weeks now and eventually got my letter last week, so rather than from the date of letter I’m taking it from when I started. I’m like you ET Jak2 pos and take aspirin and Hydroxy. I keep reading about it being extended for us, and it fills me with dread. I’m desperate to visit my elderly mother in Yorkshire, luckily my brother is going every week to get her shopping and medication. My two sons are hoping to come home when lockdown is lifted, although I hope they keep that on for longer, the thing is only one of my sons knows about my condition as I’ve put off telling the other , as he was in uni and a lot going on, and then I’ve just not got round to telling him, or rather haven’t wanted to, so if my shielding is extended I’m going to have to, but do I let them visit? I don’t know. The news changes every day.
Keep safe
Jackie
Hi Jackie thanks for your reply. I'm in a similar situation, my boys are 13, 11 and 9 and I've never felt it necessary to tell them about my condition. However, it's going to be difficult not to as the Country gradually returns to some kind of 'normal' and I will still be shielding. Tricky times but then I always remind myself that there are people far worse off in the World.
Stay safe and best wishes.
Ian
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