Shield and Self Isolate

[Jimminey]

Does anyone know the difference between shield and self isolate? Shielding is a term of not come across until today in respect of social distancing etc.

[helixhelix]

Shielding I think is supposed to convey that “we” are helping people to shield themselves, and make efforts to look after them while they stay at home. Self-isolate is something you do yourself.

The end result is of course the same - you stay at home!

[Jimminey in reply to helixhelix]

Thank you helixhelix. As it happens, I just got a text from UK_Gov saying that I must 'stay at home' (so they're shielding me and I'm self isolating).

Sort of like 'imply' and 'infer' I suppose.

PS I have RA; on MTX and SSZ; and also have emphysema according to the X-ray, but no symptoms.

[_siamese_ in reply to Jimminey]

My partner works for the DWP. Anyone who is receiving any benefit will receive the text, as long as they have your mobile number. It was not sent to particular people,/groups, just a mass text sent to the millions.

[Gillybob19]

I had a message from NHS Coronavirus service as follows: We have identified that you're someone at risk of severe illness if you catch Coronavirus. Please remain at home for a minimum of 12 weeks. Home is the safest place for you. Staying in helps you stay well and that will help the NHS too. You can open a window but do not leave your home, and stay 3 steps away from others indoors. Wash your hands more often for at least 20 seconds.

That was followed by another:

Do you liev with others? This advice will keep you safer from the virus.

- Sleep separately if you can

- Stay 3 steps away from others at home. Keep away from children

- Only essential carers should visit.

This is shielding as opposed to self isolating, I suppose it is similar. The daft thing is I'm a single parent so I can't stay away from children :-).

[Jimminey in reply to Gillybob19]

Thank you Gillybob19. As it happens, just after I sent the post I had a text from UK_Gov saying that I must 'stay at home'.

So shielding and self isolation and staying at home the same.

I always follow the advice on the medicine bottle anyway

[Pinkypie2018 in reply to Jimminey]

Everyone is receiving these texts from UK-gov, it doesn't matter if there in the high risk category or not. I got the text this afternoon and so did many of my family members who do not have any health issues at all. It's just for the government to emphasise their stricter restrictions and that home is safer for everyone.

[Jimminey in reply to Pinkypie2018]

Thank you.

[Hidden in reply to Pinkypie2018]

Not so. Everyone is getting the stay in text but the shielding letter is only to those at the most risk from Covid-19.

[Monkeysmum in reply to Gillybob19]

Yes that point about staying 3 steps away from the children wasn’t lost on me either - not sure how we are meant to do that whilst also home schooling them!!

[Jacey15 in reply to Gillybob19]

I've not heard anything. May I ask what puts you on this list? Is it medication or diseases?

[Jimminey]

Thank you Ajay575.

As it happens, I just got a text from UK_Gov saying that I must 'stay at home' i.e. they're shielding me I suppose.

[KittyJ in reply to Jimminey]

Jimminey everyone will get that text, my husband got one and he’s got no medical problems. It seems there are two texts going around. One general stating we must stay at home and the other stating you are someone at risk of severe illness.

[Jimminey in reply to KittyJ]

Thanks. Presumably the 'you are someone at risk of severe illness' is personalised and from the NHS?

[KittyJ in reply to Jimminey]

I don’t know Jimminey, I haven’t got either text myself.

[AgedCrone in reply to KittyJ]

Glad I can’t locate my never used mobile phone .

How did they get your mobile number? Nobody in this country has my mobile number!

[wishbone in reply to AgedCrone]

I don't know my mobile phone number yet still had a text from UK.gov telling me to stay at home. Seems as if big brother is watching us after all!

[wishbone in reply to KittyJ]

I had a text from UK gov saying "new rules in force now you must stay at home." More info and exemptions at a UK.gov email address.

[Hidden in reply to wishbone]

You are talking about 2 different text messages. Everyone is getting a stay at home message which reiterates the PMs instruction from Monday but those who are very high risk are getting a different message that says they have been identified as v high risk, must not leave house, only open window etc. stay 3 steps away from everyone, sleep in separate beds etc. I have AS and take cimzia - I only got the bog standard message as I have no other conditions that make me high risk and the biologic alone only bumps me into the moderate risk category. The advice from NASS for this category is be especially stringent with your social distancing. Isn't it funny a these new phrases coming into the vocabulary?!

[wishbone in reply to Hidden]

I know there are 2 different text messages. I probably should have made it more clear that I was just repeating what was said in the text I recieved.

Already know that I'm high risk and been in self isolation for the past fortnight. My wife joined me a few days ago.

[Hidden in reply to wishbone]

Sorry Wishbone I wasn't picking you out for the response, just sticking in my tuppence worth under your comment! I've seen a lot of people assuming the blanket text is THE text telling them they are high risk (or as now phrased "shielded") and it is making people unduly worried, so I wanted to make clear there are 2 texts. I am not leaving the house other than to walk the dog once a day in a field where I can turn away should I see anyone appear on the horizon (which I always have to do anyway as his recall isn't particualrly good!) and my husband will do any shopping that is required. He works fom home anyway, but having the kids here 24/7 is another matter, especially as the oldest should have been taking GCSEs and doesn't really have any work to do. At least the youngest is following a proper school day!

[wishbone in reply to Hidden]

No worries jnmmum, I know you wasn't picking on me, hence my smiley. Here's another just to prove it. lol

Good luck avoiding the virus.

[Hidden in reply to wishbone]

As I said to my nearly 94 year old nana who is self isolating on her own, you've got to keep laughing! And so we did when I told her about the meme going round of the lady wanted for questioning by police after she was seen acting suspiciously as she left the supermarket with an accompanying picture of a doll in a crochet dress sitting on a spare loo roll. And yes, nana does have one of those! And she did laugh!!

[wishbone in reply to Hidden]

That's a grand age! How is she managing? I presume she must be in reasonable shape living on her own, but self isolating is something different.

[Hidden in reply to wishbone]

She is amazing - you would never guess she was in her 90s. I call her the Bionic woman as she's had both hips, a knee and a shoulder replaced. She keeps her house and garden immaculate with no help at all. She won't get a computer but she uses her phone all the time (she has 5 sisters still living and a brother) for a good natter and she still has all her marbles. She told me she is doing her chores, then she sits in the garden for a little while, then listens to her music, has a chat with someone on the phone, watches a bit of TV, sits in the garden again. She's got it all planned out!

[wishbone in reply to Hidden]

Fantastic!!...she's in much better shape than me! I bet you are hoping that she's passed lots of those longevity genes down to you

[Hidden in reply to wishbone]

Yes! I certainly didn't inherit the Ankylosing Spondylitis from her! I love genealogy and tbh many of my ancestors lived to a grand old age. I'm pretty sure nana will get her telegram from the Queen and she will be the first one in the immediate family - although I did just find a 3rd cousin twice removed who lived to 101!

[Nannydewdrop in reply to Jimminey]

If you have the shielding text it says that you are being shielded for 12weeks and must not leave your house for anything, including shopping and exercise, whereas the other gov message tells you that you should stay at home but can go to the shops and take daily exercise.

[Hidden]

that text is a standard text to Nation not vulnerable. It is the way they get important messages out through the telephone networks.

[Jimminey in reply to Hidden]

Oh. Interesting. I assumed it was sent to me as I was high risk.

Thank you.

[Hidden]

No the high risk text was more detailed and had more information re meds and living with others whilst high risk. He has no spleen and me RA.

[Jimminey]

And was the high risk text from the NHS?

[helixhelix in reply to Jimminey]

Yes

[Liz018]

Everyone will get the government stay at home txt sent by their mobile provider .

[MadBunny in reply to Liz018]

Ah thats where they come from.I was wondering how gvt got my mobile no.

[Brushwork]

Shield means you must not leave your property. The government will put in place measures to help you get essentials if you do not have someone to do this for you.

Self isolating is a choice, if you feel vulnerable or it might even be advisory, but if 'self isolating' you are expected to source your essentials yourself.