What happens after 12 weeks of shielding

[Hughley]

After watching the press conference today one of the questions set by the public was what happens after we have shielded for 12weeks. It seems from the reply from the doctor that it is almost open ended until the virus is in check. Does anyone else feel the need now to go out walking as my legs are becoming very stiff. Also to not be able to meet up with family is becoming very upsetting

[Mostew]

Please at least go for a walk if it’s quiet and safe and you feel it would be ok . B Johnson said we have to use common sense .

Weigh up benefits and negatives . Can you discuss best thing to do with someone ?

[Hughley in reply to Mostew]

Thank you I forgot to mention I have PV and take hydroxycarbamide.

[Mostew]

Do you feel able to take a walk ? I had a call from surgery to say I should sheild but when I read up on it seems it’s a recommendation nor a requirement .

Maybe talk to your Dr ?

[Mostew]

Ps . I meant only go for a walk when no one around (if that’s possible )

[JackLina in reply to Mostew]

ET, JAKE2+ and two years on Pegasys.

It really is possible. I began going out only at night and luckily, I live near a secluded beach, so husband and I can go there around dusk, when it's clear. Even when there are others on there, the space allows us to keep our distance by a lot more than 2 metres.

I would not go out in the daytime, under any circumstances but today, I did so with the dog. I did it very early, 'before the streets were aired' and saw only three people. I was able to avoid them easily and was lucky that they had the same intelligence and ensured a great distance between us.

I would never venture into a shop or similar, due to the reports I've heard locally about 'covidiots' flouting the recommendations. We need to stay as sane as possible and I'm sure we can all find ways of coping, providing we're not too 'low' .

I hope you soon feel a lot better. when you do find a solution, be certain to praise yourself for your determination. ATB. x

[Hughley]

I will try that thank goodness ou

[Dovme]

I think the plan is that when the infection rate passes the peak and goes down it will be safer, businesses will open etc

But the virus may be around a long time so it’s about using judgement- social distancing hand-washing masks adapting to a new way that works for each of us in our own individual situations

Let’s hope that a vaccine is available soon and treatments improve

[Dazakella2010 in reply to Dovme]

I have decided from next week I am going to start going out to get my own shopping. I have bought a cloth face covering and am going to be careful. This virus is going to be round for a very long time and as the have said they is no vaccine in sight!

I have been in my hoist for 9 weeks now And I’m getting to the point when I’m getting frightened to go out so I need to nip it in the bud now!

[Camelian in reply to Dazakella2010]

Like you Dazakella I have been at home for the past 8 weeks and I am at the point where I'm am getting frightened to go out for a walk so have decided I need to do something about this. I have to go for blood later this week so will have to go out but I'm very apprehensive. For me after 8 weeks of isolation I need to weigh up the balance between physical and mental health. Like Hughley im finding not seeing my family for so long very upsetting.

[Mostew in reply to Dazakella2010]

Good thinking ..

studies seem to show as long as distance is kept when out there is pretty well no risk , especially if just passing people

[Spirit123 in reply to Dazakella2010]

I go for walks with dogs but wouldn’t take a risk by going to shops. People pick things up and put them back on shelves.

[Dazakella2010 in reply to Dazakella2010]

Change of plan..... I rang my gp surgery for my blood test as I live in Essex and am not going to guys hospital obviously at the moment.... I normally go to my surgery for my blood test but when I rang to arrange my test I apparently flagged up straight away on the system.... my gp said I couldn’t come to the surgery and that they needed to send a nurse to my house to do my blood test. The nurse came today. It has put me off going out now and I think it’s best that I continue to stay at home. With everything going on at the moment with this pandemic I don’t feel safe.... our government doesn’t seem to be handling this very well or even seem to k ow what they are doing. I can see a second spike happening and with this in mind I think it’s best people that are shielding continue to stay at home.

[wotan10]

Greetings from Fleetwood England. Since I have been in social isolation from the 13 of March I go for an early morning walk along the less busy promenade.

It takes me 45minutes on a good blustery day to do 3miles.

I have clocked up 120miles so far.

I keep well away from people and my clothes go straight in the wash when I get home.

I enter our house from the garage.

I do not intend to mingle for at least till September, our food is delivered by scholarships that are very helpful.

It has worked for me. Hope this helps you.

[Paul_1971]

hi

I expect it will be extended but I would have been shocked to hear anything so soon.

I go for a walk but it depends on your circumstances and where you live I think.

paul

[Trueblue8]

I'm shielding as well, however, I'm of the opinion that the guidelines are generic and a 'one size fits all'. If you live in a built up area then clearly it's going to be more difficult to exercise safely, whereas if you can get out for a walk/run etc., and not come into close contact with other people, then the risk is much lower.

I run every other day and hardly see a soul and if I do, I always maintain the 2m rule. From my own perspective the benefits to my general fitness and mental wellbeing far outweigh the risk of contracting the virus. Therefore, if the shielding requirement is extended I will carry on as I have been. I hope this helps.

[JSKly]

Yes all that and I feel I’m slipping away. I have wounds on my feet so can’t go out for a walk anyway.

[paintbox]

I had been going out for an early morning "wake-up walk" with my 9 year old every morning before homeschooling, until her hayfever got bad. It really helped to get out when it was quiet but yesterday was much busier! I'm fortunate that we've got lots of garden space although I feel I'm missing the benefit of lots of walking and cycling.

I'm apprehensive about what we'll be told longer term about continuing to shield (watch this space for more confusion on the letters we each do/don't get!!!) & how to balance the need to shield with my daughter's need to (eventually, at some point) return to school and mix with her peers.

Yesterday, I took a drive and sat to read my book in the car overlooking the sea (we live in Bournemouth & it's a couple of miles) but I wouldn't feel comfortable being out walking among other ATM. It was surprisingly busy.

[BeckyDing in reply to paintbox]

Hi

I just wanted to say your not alone with the school situation. I have a 4 and 7 year old and with shielding until at least 30 June will be unable to send my youngest back to school. I definitely will come September regardless as I can’t keep their lives on hold due to no treatments/vaccines if that is the case by then. I also go out for a long walk with my kids once a day and both myself and my husband fortunate enough to be able to work at home for the time being too. Unfortunately no answer until come 30 June and they can check how the R rate is going?!?! I have face masks at the ready as I do hope at some point in the summer I will at least be able to sit outside a cafe with a cappuccino or take my kids to the beach for the day. Take care x

[Jlah]

Hi. I have a dog and live on own so sort of had no choice but to go out twice a day for a dog walk. I was v grateful for this as helps health but did feel guilty. However I spoke to my haematologist and she said fine as long as on own so my suggestion would be that you check with your consultant. She did say there were nuances which a standard letter could not cover. Take care. Jx

[Spirit123]

I walk everyday avoiding any contact with people. Far better than sitting indoors getting depressed and overeating. Gp told me I’m right to walk a bit everyday even though I’m in shielded group.

[Mostew in reply to Spirit123]

Good advice . I do feel we have been a bit brainwashed . Those with common sense know what is ok for there particular health issues .

[Hughley]

Thank you for all your comments I will definitely start to go out walking but social distancing.

[ashby6708]

Love the comment about the advice being generic and one size fits all. I know one thing, I live just outside Winchester, and I've abandoned Radio four for Radio Solent; after years of Brexit enough was enough of doom and gloom. I'm caught in a double whammy as my dear wife is in a care home and I haven't seen her for eight weeks, so I get by phoning her and friends each day; I've a list on the wall, they don't know this, they're on a rota! Our mental health is all important. Try to make the most of this enforced seclusion; learn Spanish or French, take up fretwork! Anything to feel a sense of achievement. Take a tip from the NHS, only by caring for others can we get through this.

Who knows what the future holds, my daughter thinks things will go back to normal. I'm more optimistic. Anyone want to buy an Jumbo Jet or a cruise ship?

[Hughley]

Thank you for your reply Ashby I have done lots of gardening and have started growing salad stuff from seed and also flowers. We back onto a field so I’m going to start walking round it with my husband he has just put a foot tracker on his phone.

[Sweetlucy]

My relatives live in the heart of the country and they send me photos of themselves lounging in their huge back gardens. I'm so jealous. I went for a walk at midnight yesterday when the street was deserted. Even then I almost fell over a person sitting on someone's wall. This is London the epicenter of it all. My garden is 15x15 approx and too close to neighbours to feel comfortable. Time to move from London to a rural area?

[Cja1956]

I have post ET MF and I walk about a mile and as half about 3 times per week. We always practice social distancing. I just feel it’s important to keep up your physical strength. I do go to the grocery store every couple of weeks, but I wear a mask and wipe everything down and sanitize my hands on the way out. So far, so good.

I hope you find a balance that works for you.

[Scrollernut]

Even just sitting on the front /back porch in the sun helps. Cannot stay 24/7 in the house. Not good for body or soul. Open up a window and breathe in fresh air. If you have stairs wall up and down. Walk around inside the house. It’s amazing the small things you can do. I have lots in door plants and I water one then go back and fill up my bucket. Then do that for each plant. Yes not seeing family is the hardest. Use zoom or FaceTime if possible. Hang in there and keep in touch.

[Hughley]

Well I keep walking round the garden and then down the drive I think the neighbours must think that I am crazy. Been a bit chilly today but hopefully warming up soon my lettuce and radishes are almost ready.

[Jennytheb]

Hi there, I live in a rural area and I do go out walking, it is very easy to avoid people in my area so I feel to keep sane this is the thing I have to do. I am still very upset not to be able to see family, not since Feb half term.

There was a report from the World Health Organisation last night that perhaps the virus will never disappear! I am not sure what lies behind this thought but if it is aligned to the common cold as some think, there may never be a vaccination for Covid19? If that is the case then I think we will have to be rational about this, we cannot isolate for ever!

I wish there was an immunity test. I expect that some of us have already had a case of this as before lockdown we were able to get around. In January I was unwell for 3 weeks with nothing too severe but it was a most peculiar illness with many of the what seemingly are 100s of possible symptoms.

Some clarity would help a lot of us I am sure.

Take care all.

[Jazzyb50]

I go for a short dog walk at 6:30am to avoid people. I walk around the estate, should I bump into anyone I can cross the road to avoid them. It's so very sad and I can't see an end to this. I've been lucky enough to get shopping delivery slots and wouldn't want to risk going to shops. Stay safe everyone x

[Hughley in reply to Jazzyb50]

I have just received a text saying to shield until June 30th that will be 14 weeks of shielding I just wonder will the government just keep extending the period of shielding. I heard on the news that the search for antibody tests is doing well I think that after essential workers the people who are shielding should be given the test and then we could at least get back to some slight normality of life what are anyone else’s thoughts.