ASTHMA AND SHIELDING

Hi I just wondered how everyone is coping in the extremely vulnerable category. In particular those of us who have received the shielding letter. How are you feeling now that healthy members of your household are getting back to normal life? There is the chance that we could catch it from them whether we go out or not. I am finding this situation very challenging to say the least not only for my physical but my mental health.

[Bearrules]

Hi Faith007. I feel what you are feeling. I am in the same category.. and feel very nervous about everything opening up and people getting on as normal. When no-one is wearing masks, and contact tracing is very poor.

I’m staying away from people and wear a mask to go out. People look at me like I’m crazy but I try not to care. I have 3 children who are itching for life to get back to normal. It’s so hard. I want them to have a life and have fun but am very scared they will bring something home with them.

Personally, I won’t feel happy or comfortable until there’s a vaccine and that’s at least months off. I’m here if you want to talk feel feee to PM me if you need support x

[actinglife]

Hi Faith

I must admit I have felt so much better since being allowed to go for walks outside. I live alone in a one bedroom flat with no garden or balcony and was beginning to feel extremely isolated and down. I am in Scotland, so we have been allowed to take a walk outside since 18th June and it has changed my outlook completely.

I have to say that I am a bit nervous about passing people and obviously I am not visiting any shops - I think I will continue to have my groceries delivered for the foreseeable future.

I am absolutely desperate to see my family, I'd love to hug my two adult daughters. Normally I do my mum's shopping and housework, but I haven't seen her since early March - she is climbing the walls.

I am hoping to get back to work in August, but teeter on the edge of terrified about that.

One of my daughters is getting married in November, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that all will be well for a very quiet wedding.

Stay safe and well x

[WindsweptRissa]

I’m not doing too bad really. I’m lucky in that my two daughters and husband are shielding with me, we have a garden and I live in a rural location so do t come across that many people on my walks. My main concern is how things will be when we come out of shielding. We haven’t had any cases where I live for weeks but this may change when people start doing more things and travelling. So it seems I may be coming out of shielding at a time when, locally speaking, the risk rises. Come August my daughters will be going back to school and I would normally be going back to work. But I’m not sure what the advice will be regarding work, I work in a school as supervisory assistant and as a youth worker at the local youth club. Also I’m not sure how I’m ever going to be able to go in shop. So far I’ve not had any luck trying to get used to a face covering. I know we are exempt if we find it difficult but I don’t want to confronted by it. Also I cough all the time and I’m a bit worried about the reaction I’ll get. But most of the time I just take each day as it comes and try not to think too much about how things will change. This week the nurse is coming to take some bloods and this will be the first time I’ve had anyone from outside the household in the house. I’m wondering if she will wear a mask when she comes in, or should I wear one. I’ve got to go for an X-ray soon and that will involve going off our island for the first time since February, which will be strange. It seems the hospital has a shielding and non shielding entrance for outpatients, so at least I know they have precautions in place. It’s strange though all the things you have to consider now for doing everyday things.

[Meliko]

I'm a bit worried! We talked about it as a family yesterday and decided small steps. I'm more worried about mealtimes than other things at home as we all sit very crowded together so first thing we're going to try is me eating in the same room but not on top of everyone else at the table. Cups of tea after dinner will be in the sitting room with the windows open etc! We talked about going outside beyond the garden but the pollen's upsetting me so much at the moment that I think that's going to be a while - but again there's a plan: first cross the road to the postbox to put a letter in, then go out with one other person just to walk round the block, then maybe a bit further . . . The idea of stepping on to the pavement outside the house gives me butterflies at the moment so I think that is my biggest hurdle!

Going to try and use July as a way to sloooooowly think about returning to normal, rather than try to do everything at once in August, I think.