Shielding again!!!!!

Yellowstone

Did any one watch the government briefing today?????? Guys I think people that are shielding have been put out to pasture yet again. Absolutely deplorable ☹️☹️☹️

stickywicket

I didn't watch the broadcast but I'm wondering what you feel the government can do. We are shielding because we are vulnerable. We are vulnerable until there is a proven vaccine which, for us on DMARDS, is not a live one. Frankly I think this government has made a complete mess of dealing with the pandemic but I really don't see how they could conjure up some magic for us. What did you have in mind?

Yellowstone

Hello wicket what I was pertaining to was there was nothing on further shielding. I am vunerable like thousands of people so I am not racing out anytime soon. Thank you.

Lilymary

I’m not shielding but I am supporting some who are. I go out as little as possible, as frankly I just don’t enjoy it any more. When I do go out, I very obviously steer round people like mad, and most are polite when they realise this and do likewise if they were getting a bit close. I’m very concerned not to be the one who introduces the virus into someone’s life.

i’m not being ageist, but I find it’s people below their mid twenties who are least aware of distancing, but tbh I probably would have been at their age too, I don’t think young people are as risk aware, it comes with age, along with arthritis etc. 🙁

dreamdaisy

I am not expecting to end my shielding until there is a vaccine, I began shielding before I was told to because it was common sense. I know I am in a minority and that the interests of the majority will always come first and their needs and wants are far easier to calculate and manage. I didn't watch the broadcast but have heard it stated from the same brefing that the rules for shielding remain in place which is unsurprising as basically nothing has changed. I expect a further letter to arrive sometime this month or early next month having had a total of four in April. I won't be surprised if it does, I won't be surprised if it doesn't.

I do not expect to be out and about until sometime next year but that's OK. I am keeping in touch with friends, I am able to amuse myself and realise I am blessed to be at the wrong end of life, my hard yards are done. I learned aged eight that other people would always have better sweeties than me but I too have better sweeties than others. DD

Kazza52

I am still shielding and as mentioned in some of the above posts, which I totally agree with, I feel that until there is a vaccine we will still be very vulnerable if we venture out to the shops. I personally, will not be going out. I don't want to queue for hours with people who may be silently carrying the virus. Anything I need I order online which for me is the safer option.

I do think that us that are shielding due to a medical condition, etc, have been forgotten. Since March we have followed strict guidelines but all I have been told is that I have to carry on shielding until the 30th June.

Stay safe everyone 🐶

Kazza52

I have just heard on my local radio station a statement by Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, that all those people who are currently shielding will receive a letter from the Government shortly on the next phase of shielding. Why do they have to write to us? Why can't they also make an announcement in the daily briefings on tv? I have been shielding since March and I had hoped that all us that are shielding would have had detailed guidance by the Government sooner rather than later.

Stay safe everyone.🐶

stickywicket

Kazza, you have it sussed in your previous post when you write " I feel that until there is a vaccine we will still be very vulnerable if we venture out to the shops. I personally, will not be going out. I don't want to queue for hours with people who may be silently carrying the virus. Anything I need I order online which for me is"

That is true. The government can say whatever it likes but we still remain vulnerable and I shall continue to take all precautions whatever I'm told.

In my neck of the woods there is very little virus but, until there's a vaccine and a speedy, effective test and trace system, we remain at risk whatever Matt Hancock says or writes. Surely the more shielders complain, the more pressure the government is under to relax things whether or not it is in our best interests?

dreamdaisy

Oh gawd, tomorrow people will be asking me if have had my new letter. Eye-roll.

The range of reasons for shielding is fairly broad, maybe the letters that parents receive on behalf of children contain different info to that for adults with asthma which might be different again to those with solid organ transplants. To cover all this in a briefing, together with the assumption that all shielders will be glued to the screen, is maybe asking too much of the non-specialist Whitehall mandarins. I admit I don't watch the daily virus speechifying, it's dull, repetitive, often inaccurate in content (I despaired after the fiasco of the 100,000 tests by the end of April). I wonder if the officials spent less time prepping and performing more could be achieved where it actually needs to be done. DD

silverfoxxxx

My worry is, I won’t have any choice as I have a job, they will pay me while I’m off as long as I have a letter from the NHS but obviously if they it’s safe when it isn’t then I’m not sure how that will work out for me.

Kazza52

Yes, I wonder if the letters that will be sent out will be tailored to each person's medical condition. I too like Silverfoxxxx have a job and I have to provide my employer with correspondence that I receive from the NHS "to keep them updated". I will just have to wait and see what the letter says when it arrives.

Take care and stay safe

🐶

680kmc

I work for the NHS frontline and have been shielding since April having already worked for three weeks before I received a letter. I am very anxious about returning to work so soon. My consultant advised I carry on as I am for the near future, how long that is I have no idea. It has been suggested that I may have to consider working elsewhere within my place of work! This is not something I want to even contemplate.

PaulW

I'm on DMARDs but still go to work and live a normal life as can be at the moment.

I do place precautions on visiting supermarkets and crowded places.

Live your life with a healthy dose of common sense and precautions and you'll be fine.

ajolly

Hi @680kmc,

Welcome to the forum, I'm glad you've joined us. I am sorry to hear you are having a difficult time. It must be incredibly frustrating for you not being able work and dealing with the uncertainty of not knowing when you will be able to go back. A lot of our members and moderators on the forum are also shielding and can understand and empathise with what you are going through.

Given you work for the NHS, I’m sure you are aware on of the latest advice from the UK Government but just in case it’s helpful I’ve provided the link to the information on our website.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2020/april/coronavirus-covid-19-and-arthritis-where-to-go-for-information/?utm_source=Versus%20Arthritis&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11426317_Coronavirus%20-%20email%201%20%2824%20March%202020%29&utm_content=intro%20text&dm_t=0,0,0,0,0

If you want to take your mind off the current situation, we have plenty of non-arthritis/coronavirus related conversations in our chit-chat forum and you are most welcome to join.

Best Wishes,

Alice

680kmc

Thank you Alice for welcoming me. I wonder if there is anyone on the forum that suffers from GCA which I was diagnosed with last year and how they are managing under this lockdown.

frogmorton

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/669317#Comment_669317

That was the impression I got too @Kazza52 That some will be advised to stay inside longer and others will be allowed out if they want to. In general life we should all do what we feel comfortable with. I'm doing nowt!

I imagine a lot of work places will want people back if they don't have a letter which will make some people feel very anxious.

Time will tell....

Yes there are or certainly have been people on here with Giant cell Arteritis @680kmc. You could put it in the search button and see what comes up?

Kazza52

HI everyone,

I have just heard on BBC news whilst they were doing the paper reviews that the Government is considering "enhanced shielding". What does this actually mean?

I am back at work tomorrow after four months of being on furlough due to Rheumatoid Arthritis and as I work in an office my employer has sent to me all the health and safety guidance notes as they now have Covid 19 secure measures in place.

My employer has also said to me that if I need to shield again in the future then they will not pay me. I have been at my employment for nearly 23 years and work fulltime. If I do receive a letter in the future advising me to shield again then I will have to think about it carefully as I could not be without an income. What a dilemma to put people in who work fulltime. Has anyone else got views on this?

Stay safe everyone.

Karen 🐶

silverfoxxxx

I’m in the same boat and return to work Friday, I am concerned as I work in a supermarket and they have not said anything to me other than I’ll be wearing a mask, I’m not sure that makes it Covid secure for me?? Also been told further absence will not be paid, I believe it should be, whether funded by the government in full or part government part the company, I don’t believe the work environment will be safe now and if things get worse then obviously it will become even less safe for me.

Lilymary

That's awful, it does seem like people who are shielding again, at the Govt's request, are being thrown out with the bath water this time. Surely if they were eligible for payment first time around they should be so again, given that (a) this isn't their fault and (b) it's being imposed by the Govt as part of the same ongoing circumstances? Or am I reading this wrong? I'm self employed so I can manage risk and make those decisions for myself, but it has knocked a huge hole in my income.

silverfoxxxx

Well halfway through my first shift back at work, had all of 5 mins meeting about how I feel and no discussion on any changes to aid my return other than to wear my mask.

MoWW

There is a lot of uncertainty and anxiety around returning to work, especially for those who have been shielding or supporting someone who has. We have updated our website with some frequently asked questions, links to appropriate advice for each nation is also included. Check out the guidance below from Versus Arthritis, Government and ACAS websites.

Speak with your manager about any concerns you have, raise it with your HR team and / or union if you feel concerned that your employer is not following guidelines.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/covid-19-updates/covid-19-employment-and-work-information/

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19

https://www.acas.org.uk/working-safely-coronavirus/returning-to-the-workplace

Mo