Empathy and understanding : This is a post from another... - NRAS

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Empathy and understanding

Piwacket profile image
21 Replies

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.’

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Piwacket profile image
Piwacket
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21 Replies
Lolabridge profile image
Lolabridge

Well done for posting that - it really sums up the situation from our point of view. 👏🏻

MadBunny profile image
MadBunny

Thank you for sharing this- an excellent summary.

springcross profile image
springcross

Thanks for sharing this Piwacket, agreed 100%. x

charisma profile image
charisma

Very good! There are still many uncertainties about vaccine effectiveness and concerns for all the vulnerable.

Stowe profile image
Stowe

Totally agree, thank you for sharing

Mmrr profile image
Mmrr

Thank you

AgedCrone profile image
AgedCrone

I think your post describes the consensus here…we all take responsibility for ourselves & let everybody else do the same.I think a lot of people ….CEV or not…are going to be a lot more careful after ‘Freedom Day’ than their publicly stated bravado opinions ……well I hope they are anyway! 😷

Gladders profile image
Gladders

Thank you for posting I agree with everything in it - not confident about 'freedom day'

Sheila_G profile image
Sheila_G

What an amazing post. Thank you so much for this. The world would be a wonderful place if everyone had your compassion God bless you and keep you safe. x

Knip profile image
Knip

Thank you for posting this piwacket. It certainly does sum things up as Lolabridge says below. We need to take responsibility in protecting ourselves as much as we can. I am not happy with the 'no masks on public transport or in shops' which is planned from the 19th. I'm changing our delivery slot for groceries to early am so that fewer people will have been breathing over it! Going too far? Maybe, but I'm doing it! Stay safe and take care,🙂We all matter!

LinaM profile image
LinaM

Thank you for sharing this. I especially like that it asks people not to judge others . There’s been too much of that going on . I feel it is indeed “ survival of the fittest “ mode now , and sadly that means each individual has to do everything necessary for their own survival in their own particular circumstances. I will be avoiding crowded places which means I will still miss out on things I used to enjoy . But I think it’s good that others will now be allowed to enjoy them .

sylvi profile image
sylvi

Your last papragraph interested me as i hardly go out and when i do i can't wer a mask and i have lanyard with something in saying why i can't wear a mask. Also as i have hardly gone out at all since this started. I think like you have said each one of is different and how we go about our business is their personal choice. I have been to ASDA food shopping once since this all started. As long as i can sit in my garden then i will be content. It is u to others how they conduct themselves i am not going to have a go at them because of their cchoices in life. xxx

Flor1rence profile image
Flor1rence

thank you for sharing, amazing post. 'freedom day' is definitely going to be different for all of us, I know I'm a little nervous but I shall still do what I've been doing to protect myself. I really hope work don't remove our perspex screens as I feel its far too early for that!!! 😉

GinnyE profile image
GinnyE

A well expressed post. I fear none of us may be out of the woods yet.

barbieg profile image
barbieg

What a wonderful post. Thank you. I’m very nervous about going out and will still be extremely careful but wearing a mask is only protecting other people, it’s not protecting me , this is my worry.

cakenomore profile image
cakenomore

Thank you for this post , it sums up exactly what I've been thinking. A friend of mine has had both jabs and has had covid before. He works in a well known supermarket and has just caught it again!! This is with all the protective measures in place. I don't want to play Russian roulette with my life, coping with RA is hard enough on a daily basis. I will continue to wear a mask ,sanitize hands and keep my distance. I don't want to be part of a huge experiment, let's just say I won't be surprised if numbers start rising around September again.

Sue4983 profile image
Sue4983

That definitely sums up the mood of anyone vulnerable! My family keep telling me that I’ve got to get back out there for my mental health and I always answer there’s nothing I would love more but I don’t want to throw away all the of the last eighteen months almost !

Green230461 profile image
Green230461

Thank you for your text. I am very nervous of freedom day having been indoors for eighteen months. Friends and family keep telling me you’re alright now! But I know my immune system is stuffed and I am not safe. My OHhas given up trying to explain and has become my personal shield against everyone -not what he signed up for during our younger days. So do what you need to ,in order to keep yourself and your family safe 😎

shouty profile image
shouty

so well said

Neonkittie17 profile image
Neonkittie17

If only people would understand ...... I had a terrible time with a horrible offensive neighbour. Ridiculing immunosuppression/my own situation.

Goldsky profile image
Goldsky

Thank you Piwacket, well said.

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