This is a post from another group I am a member of - the person has given permission to share
It is a long post but think it sums up everyone’s feelings and fears so eloquently and empathetically
Hope someone finds it helpful
‘Hi everyone. I've just posted this status on my Facebook as I've seen a few people on my friends list posting things such as come on get back to normal, the vulnerable are double vaccinated it's fine now, or stop testing your adding to the numbers, or just general we will have to learn to live with it, some will die some won't 🤦♀️ After spending a day in hospital with my asthma and back on the pred for the foreseeable I was a bit irritated so posted this 🤣🤣
As things open up and we get a taste of normality I can understand the excitement across England right now.
The vaccines seem to be doing a grand job in alot of people protecting them against severe covid (For the people at the back that's what is designed to do, not stop covid altogether and the idea that it gives some protection to prevent severe covid)
However I keep seeing posts the CEV population are double vaccinated so it's fine let's "live as normal, they are now fine" For the millions of shielders aka CEV alot are on some form of immunosuppressive drugs which ultimately means they aren't getting the response from the vaccine and if they do it's only in small numbers. This leaves them exposed and vulnerable still to covid. There is also a fair few sheilders paying for their own private antibody tests to try and determine their level of protection in preparation.
On the flip side there are also fit and healthy adults that didn't develop antibodies from the vaccine (at a reduced level in comparison to the immune suppressed) but everyone's body is different and complex, we are all unique.
I've also read this morning all CEV will be issued new letters with advice which is pretty similar to the advice we've been issued currently, so for us shielders the end isn't quite in sight yet.
So after the 19th July if you see people still wearing their masks it's not for you to judge, if someone asks you to take a step back out of their personal space their could be a reason for that, if you see someone still wiping things down let them get on with it. In fact if you see something that doesn't affect you then leave them be. The vulnerable still walk amongst us, people that have lost loved ones to covid or have suffered covid walk amongst us and they may still be doing extra bits to keep themselves protected for various reason's.
If you develop covid symptoms then get a test because you don't know if the person your stood next to in public is a shielder, immune suppressed, had a bad experience with covid and ultimately catching it could have massive consequences on not just their physical health but mental health.
If you had flu you'd stay at home till you felt better and temperature had passed, if you had d&v you stay at home till 48 hours post last episode and I certainly wouldn't be entering anyones houses who had the above so it's no different for covid. Alot of illnesses have isolation days but we've just called them days you have to stay at home rather then isolation. Part of that is to stop a spread/outbreak happening.
Everyone will have their own views and opinions re "freedom day" some super excited others super nervous and for some feeling like it's a game of survival of the fittest. We are all different with different lifestyles, up bringings and experiences so ultimately just be kind, a simple act of kindness goes a long way.’