Shielding call: Hi Got another call from the National... - NRAS

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Shielding call

allanah profile image
70 Replies

Hi

Got another call from the National shielding centre( their number us on the government letter) saying continue shielding until June 30th . I said there have been so many confusing messages , should I be going out ? she said its my call but I'm high risk and they advise total shielding , did I need anything.

So your guess is as good as mine but shielding till the original date of june 30th remains for me !

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allanah profile image
allanah
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70 Replies
Jora profile image
Jora

Same here, but I’ve also had messages from my rheumatology and respiratory teams urging me to remain shielded until at least 30 June.

Because I’ve had to increase the steroids ( in the absence of a new Biologic), the risk of infection is exponentially increased, apparently. And there’s the pulmonary fibrosis. I’ll have to take a risk at some stage. But not yet. J

allanah profile image
allanah in reply to Jora

Dud you watch fridays nras talk with doc from st Thomas, goes into a lot of detail ...

Jora profile image
Jora in reply to allanah

Yes, I did. x

Gigi71 profile image
Gigi71

It was discussed on BBC Breakfast TV this morning, they stated some confusion over shielding. They said people shielding, should do so to the end of June, they are allowed a walk a day. I’ve had one walk since the announcement last weekend, the weather has been awful since. Will resume when there isn’t a fear of being blown over. X

3LittleBirds2 profile image
3LittleBirds2

Thanks for this update...it's been so confusing. I'm wondering if they will extend it especially as in my area the R rate is supposedly at 1 and without a vaccine who knows..I guess we will have to wait and see.

I’m in the same boat

bubblyalex profile image
bubblyalex

Yes it is. On the nras Facebook page

They have called and checked up so I’m on the radar but like you can’t get priority slots. British Rheumatoid site says shield my works have said I’m on as shielding on their charts my clinic says do what’s comfortable for you I’ve have registered with Gov. com numerous times... given up

allanah profile image
allanah

Yes on NRAS facebook page x

bubblyalex profile image
bubblyalex in reply to allanah

Snap lol

allanah profile image
allanah in reply to bubblyalex

Great minds think.alike , or this one doesnt read everything!!,😂

bubblyalex profile image
bubblyalex in reply to allanah

I’ll opt for the great minds option please 😂

allanah profile image
allanah in reply to bubblyalex

😂😂

allanah profile image
allanah

Call your local council , they seem to be organising it x

allanah profile image
allanah

Have you gone onto a delivery site like tesco yet.? I I didnt get a verification call , I jyst went on and put in priority and got a slot ...

bubblyalex profile image
bubblyalex in reply to allanah

Same happened for me... and with Sainsbury’s.

in reply to allanah

Yep all of them

happytulip profile image
happytulip

My local council helped me by organising food deliveries from.the red cross and it was actually stuff I could eat! Gluten free and dairy free!

I hope your local council can help you?

allanah profile image
allanah in reply to happytulip

Did u get a shielding letter, if do call the number on it and explain

happytulip profile image
happytulip in reply to allanah

Yes, I got a letter. But I've also has a call each week from my council to check on me.

The government food parcels were no good to me because I couldn't eat 70% of it. But the council arranged a food parcel from the red cross and it was definitely taylored to my dietary needs.

I will see if I can have them again if needs be

bubblyalex profile image
bubblyalex in reply to happytulip

My council have never contacted me but I have a great local community group and was able to get online deliveries sorted.

happytulip profile image
happytulip in reply to bubblyalex

That's good to hear.

Stayloose profile image
Stayloose

Do you reckon there will an official 'anything' before the end of June or just a throwaway govt comment given that shielding was 'only guidance'?

bubblyalex profile image
bubblyalex in reply to Stayloose

I can’t see this ending in June for us... but maybe I will be wrong.

allanah profile image
allanah in reply to bubblyalex

They said announcements in june 13 th and 30th , but ill wait and see 😂😂

bubblyalex profile image
bubblyalex in reply to allanah

Let’s hope they announce a miracle solution?? That is what I’m hoping for ... sooner rather than later please. 😀

allanah profile image
allanah in reply to bubblyalex

Vaccine , september ..fingers crossed

bubblyalex profile image
bubblyalex in reply to allanah

Yes please but please let’s be sure if it. I see they’re saying that the tests that have been done so far are not fully reliable and not picking up everyone who’s had it?

allanah profile image
allanah in reply to bubblyalex

They wont release it until they know

bubblyalex profile image
bubblyalex in reply to allanah

😁👍🏻

happytulip profile image
happytulip in reply to Stayloose

Probably a "Tweet" from a secretary of state at about 11pm on June 30th. As an afterthought with no forthought and no advice or input from NHS England or anyone with an ounce of medical knowledge or respect for people with disabilities or chronic illness or respect for GPs who are trying to support those with chronic conditions.

Just my guess.

That's what's happened so far....

bubblyalex profile image
bubblyalex in reply to happytulip

😏 let’s hope not eh 😊

allanah profile image
allanah in reply to happytulip

😂😂😂😂😂 as usual!

happytulip profile image
happytulip in reply to allanah

I just tried to mention you in a reply....I used a phrase that you said when I wrote to my MP about the Twitter post and it not being the right platform for announcements.

I said "we're worth more than that." I'm pretty certain that I got that from you.

Anyway, it worked! I got a reply that they would pass it on.

allanah profile image
allanah in reply to happytulip

Fab !!,

allanah profile image
allanah in reply to allanah

Let me at them !!! Or even Claire CEO NRAS , shes good you know !

Stayloose profile image
Stayloose in reply to happytulip

Hmmmm....

bubblyalex profile image
bubblyalex

Don’t wait for them... with Waitrose you have to be sent an email allowing you to register as priority with them. Sainsbury’s and Tescos it is worth calling them to tell them you appear to have slipped through the net. Don’t be fobbed off... have you tried to create an account with them.

Karen12 profile image
Karen12

Have you tried booking? I know that may seem daft but that’s the only way I knew. If I tried to book a slot it just said slots are for vulnerable only. One day I tried and it just let me book.

allanah profile image
allanah

Well being optimistic just changed our holiday to cape verde September 2021 woooooo

happytulip profile image
happytulip in reply to allanah

Fingers crossed for you. Does your insurance cover CV?

allanah profile image
allanah in reply to happytulip

Just changed the booking as we would lose money, from now , to september 2021 ... we should know more by then fingers crossed !!!

Kerensa21 profile image
Kerensa21

hi whaleroad; you can ring Tesco’s on 0800 917 7359 to obtain priority slot whether shielding letter or not. I did same. I didn’t receive letter until a couple of weeks ago; it’s all beena bit muddled I know as automatically got slots from others 🤷‍♀️

Mmrr profile image
Mmrr

😥

Sorop profile image
Sorop

Hello. I live in wales and we who are shielding are now evidently going to be sent a letter to keep shielding till the 16th August! Evidently we can go out to exercise or meet up with another household outside adhering to social distancing but will wait for letter to arrive as things keep changing. 😒😢

Aliceeliza profile image
Aliceeliza in reply to Sorop

How can this advice be called shielding? I'm confused

allanah profile image
allanah in reply to Aliceeliza

Think we all are !

Liberty43 profile image
Liberty43 in reply to allanah

I won’t be listening to government advice; will use my judgement based on advice from my respiratory and rheumatology consultants. I think it best if you contact your consultant/hospital as it appears that many GPs are being left out of any decisions made by the government. Whatever we do, we should do safely and l will wear a mask if l do venture out at all after 13 weeks of isolation. Keep well.

allanah profile image
allanah in reply to Sorop

Hows that shielding , it's what everyone is doing !!! X thanks for answering, its strange the differences xxx

Otto11 profile image
Otto11

I still don’t have a clue what’s happening either. My Rheumatology team say I don’t need to shield my GP is sitting on the fence but has written to my Respiratory team for advice seeing as I havnt managed to get even a call back from them. No follow up from latest CT on 1st Feb either.

I had a couple of text messages from the government early April but nothing since. My GP has suggested I shield till she hears back from Respiratory team. So reluctantly that’s what I’m doing but seeing others now out & about is going to be really tough mentally. X

allanah profile image
allanah in reply to Otto11

If you dont hear soon contact your PALS service and explain, they might help x

Otto11 profile image
Otto11 in reply to allanah

Thanks. Do you think they are currently working? I asked my GP why I was on the shielding list but as it was a GP who I had never met & she couldn’t answer hence her writing a letter to them. X

Flowersaregreat profile image
Flowersaregreat

I got told on the phone (in a regular appointment - NHS) that I should wait for a health care professional to contact me to tell me when it's safe to stop shielding and go out, not to follow the political things on TV by MPs who don't know or perhaps don't care about the clinical risks involved (for each situation).

I live inner city, it's so busy always there just isn't enough room for 2 metres distancing, the pavements aren't even 2m wide anyway so I can't get to anywhere quieter without passing through a whole lot of people. To get to a less crowded area involves transport (public transport as I don't drive now) so not an option. If I lived where my parents live though they can walk ages without seeing anyone else and easily walk around people. So I guess it largely depends on individual situations

Liberty43 profile image
Liberty43 in reply to Flowersaregreat

That’s true. My respiratory consultant phoned me about a week ago and also had a letter from my rheumatologist, urging me to keep fully isolating. The advice from government is confusing, as quite sure they don’t consider all repercussions involved. Haven’t been through the door of my flat for 13 weeks now and will definitely wear a mask if l do when it feels safe to do so. It is far too early to ease lockdown for the clinically extremely vulnerable, in my opinion.

Nyreedw profile image
Nyreedw

Did you register on Gov website and tick you have no one available to help you? Supermarkets use this list for slots. I've only been able to use Asda plus were you registered for online shopping previously? You need to contact council for help as well x

Marykate7 profile image
Marykate7

I’ve been very lucky then. I had an e mail from Iceland offering me a slot. When I rang Tesco, as I always do my shopping there, he said I wasn’t on the list. After words back and forth he put me on list. I then got a slot for 2 weeks away.

Sallysuk profile image
Sallysuk in reply to Marykate7

Iceland was the only supermarket that I could get deliveries from for weeks although I registered with Gov UK from April 3. At the end of April I reregistered with Gov UK stating I not only needed help with shopping but also BATHING etc after that I was contacted by the council and soon after went on the supermarket priority list as well as receiving government food boxes! I felt awful as I only needed help with shopping and have since removed the bathing etc requirement but it was the only way my name was sent to the supermarkets. I have found Morrisons have been very helpful for shielding and vulnerable people who do not use the internet as they have a dedicated phone line for orders for next day delivery from quite a long list of essential items

Marykate7 profile image
Marykate7 in reply to Sallysuk

That’s a good thing to know. I didn’t apply to council as I felt too vulnerable but didn’t the whole package they ere offering

Neonkittie17 profile image
Neonkittie17

Shield shield shield. I had a rare car ride yesterday and picnic inside it on top of a moor, with my husband. I did find out I had incorrectly been scored 2 and should be 3 and rheumatology are addressing that in case proof needed for a vaccine etc. As someone shielding wrote in The Guardian recently .. How have things changed for her ? They haven’t really got safer and she is still as vulnerable and will be made difficult by the huge increase in people out and about since lockdown eased and they aren’t distancing enough, so I’m just doing the same as since end of Feb. Garden and essential blood test at GP and the odd car ride twice more recently to somewhere very remote in terms of terrain (but local!) on a weekend, but I’ve been in the house mostly for over 12 weeks. You get used to it and I’m creative and do loads of art but your freedom has been curtailed but that’s the way it is isn’t?! I’m definitely shielding and should be, so you are treble shielding I think! xx

allanah profile image
allanah in reply to Neonkittie17

Yes I am xxx only been out for my drip !

Neonkittie17 profile image
Neonkittie17 in reply to allanah

My only physical interaction with people other than my OH was the nurse at the blood test at the docs practice.. I can’t walk round locally as most people won’t attempt to distance. I have seen that from the house/window and even more so yesterday when we had a car ride. We passed a small lake on our way back from our little car jaunt and there were people paddling even though it was cold and reining and they were queuing up closely for ice creams. 😫😱. It didn’t look as though that would be hygiene conscious even without the virus. 😑 No thanks. xxx

chacha700 profile image
chacha700

I got the same call x

allanah profile image
allanah in reply to chacha700

Did u ask any questions? Tell them its confusing?

chacha700 profile image
chacha700 in reply to allanah

I thought to myself next time!!!😂😂

allanah profile image
allanah in reply to chacha700

😍😍😍😂

chacha700 profile image
chacha700

Yep I said what I thought and they just said if I need anything get back to them!

allanah profile image
allanah in reply to chacha700

😂😂😂😍

Botcher profile image
Botcher

Hello Allanah, I agree with you most of the way, due to steroids effect, but have found a fellow U3A member with COP-D. She is immensely nervous after a serious episode earlier in the year, but as we are both self-shielding and live alone we can regard each other as safe. We could walk to see each other, but she came up by car. I am fortunate as my neighbourhood is very quiet at present (till students return in Autumn) so I do feel safe to take the allowed daily walk. Need the exercise due to bad side effects of steroids - you name it, I’ve got it!

Anyway, whatever you decide to do, good luck. We have to ease up a little bit somehow, sometime, depends on where we live I think.

The Botcher

allanah profile image
allanah in reply to Botcher

My area is high r number so for now I'll just bide my time and be patient, but yep decision as to when the risk is less will have to be made, although my personal risk wont change. Xx

Botcher profile image
Botcher

Fair enough, bad luck that you’re in high risk area, bye

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