No Need to Self Isolate with Covid after 24th March?

[Investigator1]

I know it’s only a proposal but am I missing something? This is the most frightening development I have heard for those of us who are CEV. Forgotten again? Don’t care about us. How can we live our lives not knowing we are sat somewhere and somebody near could be infected. Am I panicking? Or being a drama person. Thoughts please.

[Bushlady]

I too am terrified and feel we have been thrown under the bus. So people will be able to walk around and give Covid to anyone. And as for dropping mask wearing.....

[May7]

No you are not a drama person. If you are, then so am I. I was horrified by all the proposals yesterday, as the PM is pandering to the right wing of the party, and not even considering the good of the nation, let alone us. Quote from Sky News: " The prime minister also confirmed the intention to end self-isolation rules for people who catch coronavirus in the coming weeks. The legal requirement would lapse when regulations expire on 24 March, he said, but said the date could be brought forward." I am also dismayed by the almost immediate dropping of mandatory mask wearing in public places, particularly public transport. The last time he did this, I went into a light depression, with my freedoms curtailed again. Now I HAD been looking forward to venturing out on a bus the week after next, because I am getting my 4th Jab this Friday. And I feel sorry for those people who have to go to work on public transport. My only personal consolations at the moment, are my 4th Jab and my own PCR kit. Life continues to extremely difficult for all of us.

[PMRpro]

I've just been listening to Sajid Javid. "We have to learn to live with Covid" And the usual "we are ahead of the world in everything" including having a normal life. Funny - what I see when I go out is a normal life.

We do MrJ. However - that means living with it USING SUITABLE PROTECTIVE MEASURES. Like masks and distancing. Here they are INCREASING the role of things like passes and continuing with mask wearing, As a result I feel fairly safe - I do know I could still catch Omicron but since I am also careful what I do and where I go I do my part. But at least others are being encouraged to help me.

Mind you - I'm not entirely sure that stopping quarantine will make much difference since there are massively high case numbers that we know nothing of because they have no symptoms, don't test and are circulating freely and spreading the virus anyway. But that is where the use of masks and distancing play their part.

[Main1234]

No you are not being a drama queen. It’s a difficult one as I do think as a country we will have to learn to “live with it” as it’s going to be around for a long time, but I also think that when using public transport masks should be used and social distancing should continue (no hardship for people)

Schools are a difficult one as children have missed so much over the last 2 years and maybe good ventilation is the way forward. I may feel very different if I was a CEV teacher or had a child at school ( many children are asymptomatic)

We will continue to wear FFP2 masks, do our own risk assessment ( Wednesdays are quiet for shopping) and carry on with on line shopping.

We are lucky as don’t have to work or have young children , it must be so difficult if you are working.

I guess only time will tell if the right decisions are being made.

Wonder when the free lateral flows will stop ? We have a good stock !

Take care everyone think we are in for a bumpy ride.

[citygirl1234 in reply to Main1234]

The Daily Mail is reporting that allegedly the government is considering scrapping the free lateral flow tests by July and then we would have to pay for them if not an NHS worker (they’d still be free for NHS workers). It’s the Daily Mail, so take with a pinch of salt for now as I can’t find any other paper reporting this.

The office that I work in is reopening next week and my manager is very keen for us all to come back in at least a couple of days a week. At least TFL and the tube seem to be staying “masks on” zones. Will have to restock my FFP2s

[Main1234 in reply to citygirl1234]

Think we should be be allocated free LFT if CEV. In the meantime I am ordering frequently

[Grizzly-bear]

I think many people who are in privileged positions are used to thinking that bad things can’t last forever, so the government has been pandering to them by continually telling them masks and other measures will only be temporary to appease them, even though they really should just be a way of life now, like they are in other parts of the world.

I think for us folks who live with chronic conditions we’re used to the idea that bad things outside our control can be permanent, so for me the idea of having to wear masks in public indefinitely doesn’t seem like a bad thing or depressing, it’s what gives me freedom. I don’t think the world will become a better place to live just because I want it too, but other people have fed into this grand delusion.

We need a change of government who can change the narrative to show that masks represent freedom and not restriction. Who show that absolutely anyone can become vulnerable at any time, and that we’re only as strong collectively as our most vulnerable. They’re not just about protecting current vulnerable people, but masks will be there in case you become vulnerable too, without having to fight for it.

I’m currently most terrified by the point in the future where masks won’t be required in clinical settings anymore, as that’s the one place I really can’t avoid going. I’ve got my FFP3 and I wear goggles, so hoping that offers some protection, but it’s still pretty daunting.

[PMRpro]

I thought that anyone who doesn't usually look at the Guardian might like to see this article:

theguardian.com/commentisfr...

Get yourselves a good FFP2 or FFP3 mask and use it conscientiously. Claire Howell does know what she's talking about - and you can re-use them so they aren't that expensive in the long run. Here in Italy where I live they are mandatory if you can't keep away from others and are very protective - whatever other people decide to do.

[May7 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes I read this last night and took it to heart. I started to research where to buy the FFP3 masks, and am not sure yet which ones will fit because of disagreements on this in reviews. Have you any suggestions? I am getting my 4th Jab today, and would like to feel as much protected as I can be. There are no words I could print to describe my despair over this so called government's behaviour and cavalier attitude to the nation's health.

[PMRpro in reply to May7]

All ours are made in Italy so I doubt you can find them anywhere else! They are for sale everywhere here. I discovered this week that the different COLOURS fit differently! I have 4 different ones - they are all OK but the shocking pink and dark green ones fit me best. Not sure how you can get them fitted - as the NHS does for staff - though. Probably a case of getting singles and finding the one you like best.

[May7 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks. Yes I know you're in Italy, and a bit jealous of their better attitude to this. I was thinking of the internet, because I turned to Amazon to look. Just back from my 4th Jab, and that has cheered me up!

[PMRpro in reply to May7]

Numbers are still a bit hairraising - like the whole of mainland Europe. Except they are all lower than the UK when you look at them carefully. Our hospitals are still fine - unlike the poor old NHS.

[Investigator1 in reply to May7]

Just had mine May7, Amazon but I had to settle for PppF2.

[Investigator1]

Thanks everybody for your thoughts and concerns, I think to summarise we know it’s coming, we will do everything to protect ourselves but we feel a bit neglected because people who have no idea of what it’s like to be CEV don’t really care and need the norm. Funny isn’t it! Those that have constantly broken the rules, campaigned to take risks, not cared about others. They are the needy ones. Not us! Take care everybody.

[happyclappy]

24th March is a couple of months away yet. With masks no longer being mandatory from next Thursday who knows what state we'll be in by then!If the daily rate continues to fall they'll say 'well played,' but the next prime minister might have different ideas!

[Investigator1 in reply to happyclappy]

Fully agree! I am quite agnostic when it comes to political parties but as an individual this PM is renowned for throwing caution to the wind so if he gets over his current turmoil he will forge ahead. Our MP is Rishi Sunak, in line you would say if he doesn’t survive and I can’t see a different approach coming from him unless the demographics change.

[2013mayo]

Hi,

I agree, I think we are all left in a very vulnerable position, what on earth is the gov thinking. I for one will continue to wear my mask and take all precautions, I know we all do need to get on with our lives but at what cost.

[Tbrz]

Oh you are in no way being a drama, this government is totally throwing us to the wolves. However, the constant narrative in media etc., is that if people die then it is dismissed if say ‘oh they had health issues’ as if that makes our lives any less or that somehow it’s our fault. I feel very anxious about going out, especially, after I paid to have an antibody test after my 3rd vaccine and saw that I still was very low. I have barely being out for 2 years and it looks like things are not going to change for the foreseeable future, as cases, despite what the government and media want us to believe, are very high. As Grizzly bear says people in a privileged position want things back to normal, in fact Jeremy Vine and his right wing guest is currently saying this very thing, with very little interest in protecting others. Please tell me what does ‘living with it’ actually means??? It is just one of those three word slogans this government is fond of branding about without any substance behind it. I am not surprised at the actions of this government, we have a banker as the minister of health for goodness sake, but I am so angry they are doing this when the cases are so high and the NHS is still under pressure and just watch they will be charging for the LFT very soon. Sorry for the rant I am just so upset at their actions, especially, as we all know that they are coming from a place of Johnson trying to save his own skin - this bunch are completely morally bankrupt.

[May7 in reply to Tbrz]

I couldn't agree more. On a medical forum we try not to be political, but when our health, and possibly lives, are at stake, it is with great dismay and disgust that we find ourselves at the mercy of a government that is putting politics above the health of the nation. While I realise that at some point in the near future we will have to live with Covid, having annual jabs as we do with Flu, now is certainly not that time.

[Tbrz in reply to May7]

Unfortunately, it is very hard in this instance not to be political as the decisions being made are being made on saving political careers. If you see comments generally by medics it is one of caution as cases are still so high and with that the extra pressures this puts on the NHS, which also affects people like ourselves. I haven’t had a face to face appointment for 2 years let alone seen a GP, because 1. I am stable, but also if I do t have to I don’t want to add to their work load or have unnecessary contact, even though I have things I want to discuss etc,. Also, on the note of vaccines, I have had 3 getting my 4th tomorrow, but as said my antibodies were still very low after 3, so how much protection do we have knowing the vaccines efficacy declined after 12 weeks? I would be happier if restrictions were lifted if we were only getting 1000 cases a day not over a hundred thousand, which will be a conservative number, as not having to do PCR tests, which the media always negate to mention! The lack of thought is astounding, let’s hope none of those who dismiss us so readily have their lives ripped apart by a chronic condition through no fault of our own.

[Investigator1 in reply to Tbrz]

Hi Tbrz. Good stuff of course as always. You see most of us in the position share your thoughts regarding not putting extra burdens on the NHS because we care about others, that’s what we do.Throughout this pandemic my feelings of being let down have only really come from 3 sources. 1 - Politicians, 2 - Covidiots who either won’t get jabs or break all the rules and 3- The BBC - who’s Covid coverage has set out to frighten and shock above everything else, whatever happened to a balanced view, they don’t bother with good news. All of the above have blood on their hands as far as I am concerned. Sorry but it’s the way I feel.

[Galaxy2]

I'm joining this discussion a bit late but am too horrified, thought the timing of the latest restrictions lifting was interesting to say the least. For starters I don't think the figure released each day in any way reflects the true number as one people are confused by the changing of the rules over testing or maybe choosing not to report a result, the decreasing figures just allows the government to justify relaxing restrictions.

Madness to lift rules when reportedly 1 in 20 had it last week.

Again I just don't get why mask wearing becomes such a issue for people, this has no bearing on the economy.

I'm also fed up of politicians and commentators saying how 'we have to protect the vulnerable', how exactly do they plan to do this? Leave us existing within our 4 walls? Most of us live with others who go to work or school, shopping, travelling on public transport etc, I often think its a matter of time until I get it, as careful as I am, I can't expect my daughter not to live her life.

After my third vaccine I had no antibodies, just had my fourth but have decided with my specialist to have a break from rituximab for a year as on it I feel just too vulnerable. Just got to hope my health doesn't deteriorate in the meantime.

So all in all agree with everyone and feel we are being very badly let down

[Chicky12]

After 10 months of being back at work as a radiographer and 10 months of ‘acute stress and anxiety’ and pretending I’m ok, the announced dropping of plan B made me think what am I doing ? I’m now signed off sick with said ‘acute stress and anxiety’ till April. I am massively relieved and am starting to feel more myself. My friends and family do LFTs before seeing me and I do mini risk assessments before walking outside the door. I’m doing my own Plan B plus and if things go in the wrong direction, my GP has told me she’ll extend my fit note. I’m very lucky to have a good GP. Others aren’t as lucky.