Shielding - nobody told me!

[Jo1947]

Received a text last Saturday 27th March from the NHS telling me I could stop shielding from today. I thought it was a hoax as I’ve never been told to shield! but it had my NHS number and Doctors details enclosed. Has anyone else had this? I’m glad I’ve got this far without having to have shielded, it’s been bad enough.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It is correct that shielding for the vulnerable ceases as of today. However - a very good interview with an epidemiology expert on Sky News this morning (formerly held either Chris Whitty's post or similar and has commented VERY accurately throughout the pandemic) pointed out that since it has now been found that half of people still don't know what the symptoms are, even more don't ask for testing when they do have them and even if they do don't necessarily stick to the self-isolation rules, nothing has changed and you are at risk when out and about unless you are very careful. Just because they don't have to shield doesn't mean they are safe and even having had both jabs won't assure that either since it is not yet clear how much protection we will develop while on pred or other immunosuppressant medication. One jab is almost certainly not very effective and many experts are suggesting that we shouldn't relax at all until at least 3 weeks after jab No 2.

I'm doing nothing different for a very long time - wearing an FFP2 mask to go shopping for half an hour isn't too awful compared with the risk of spending all day behind an oxygen mask or worse.

[Jo1947 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for that take on it PMR, it’s so easy to relax a bit but you have refocused my mind on things.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Jo1947]

Basically it comes down to no-one is safe until everyone is safe - and the new variants add to the uncertainty. It still isn't known how effective the vaccines are against the existing ones - new ones are developing constantly and it is only a matter of time before one arrives that the vaccine doesn't work against and then you could be back to where we were a year ago. If everyone doesn't assume everyone is a risk to them, you continue to play catch-up, the nasties at the bottom of Pandora's box are released and you can't get them back.

[123-go in reply to PMRpro]

Well said, PMRpro! I've made a note of this to relate to friends who are saying how pleased I must be that I no longer need to shield, etc etc.

I do believe we need you on 'the podium' to explain a certain person's recent speech that was likened to a riddle where, 'Nothing can be known until that which can be known is known, whereupon we will know some knowns.'

Ever thought about a new career in speech-writing?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to 123-go]

I loved the known unknowns speech - it does actually make perfect sense if you take it slowly! And the unknown unknowns are very applicable to Covid. Just over a year ago my husband and I were talking to the head of the local hospital lab. We all agreed that the assymptomatic infected were going to be a major problem - he'd just been at the equivalent of a Cobra meeting and we'd worked it out as an obvious factor. Known unknowns - but unknown knowns ...

The "you don't have to shield" has one basis: you won't get any money if you do. Fine if you are retired, not so fine if you do need to work. And BoJo is going on about "getting back to the office" because "you've had enough days off" - just to show he hasn't got a clue!!!

[123-go in reply to PMRpro]

Q.E.D. 👏👏👏

[Coffeebeans in reply to PMRpro]

It really is causing me some worry. I do have to work and now I can be told I have to go into the schools I support. Just as I'm starting MTX too.

I'm refusing until after 2nd jab and certainly after seeing the news of others not isolating.

[Greensleeves in reply to PMRpro]

I was removed from the shielding category, but looking at the new version , those taking Prednisilone are listed again . I also read those living with the clinically vulnerable should be vaccinated too .