@Willow I felt pretty anxious yesterday hearing all those reasons why it would be up to the individual to decide whether to use mask or not… I felt and still feel that I need to ask my gp to give me sick leave for stress.
I was in the city centre on Saturday attending an event and although people knew my situation it was masks off when taking photos outside…
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Hi @Willow and @MoMo I certainly feel the same as you both.
I think @Willow you said it so well that the freedom it will bring will mean that we will have to be even more vigilant, especially as the number of Covid cases are probably bound to rise.
I think this ‘personal responsibility’ will mean just that and it is all we can do as we cannot control others.
You can understand the public as they just listen to the government announcements, whereas we are listening to the medical profession.
Take care all of you, what do others think?
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I agree @Erica. It’s going to be down to us keep ourselves safe. There is lots we can do and will just need to make sensible decisions. I really hope it doesn’t restrict you more @Willow and @MoMo. However, I understand completely why you would feel like this. @MoMo. Have you been on sick leave from work or have you returned
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@Nichola75 I have been lucky enough to work from home during the lockdowns and since the shielding ended back working with people when it’s not possible from home. So haven’t been on sick leave but if I don’t feel safe and my work expects me to do unsafe stuff, I’m getting sick leave.
I was just checking the data from April in my area, cases were under 10 whereas now they are over 60. And that’s just my immediate home area here in north west.
I’ll get what you are saying with @Erica but we are only as safe as people around us are sensible which doesn’t seem to be the case even now let alone after the 19th July.
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Hi @MoMo please let us know how you get on with your GP, stress is so debilitating, take care of yourself.
It’s very difficult isn’t it. Have you got a risk assessment etc? My work have been pretty good up until now. However, I think when restrictions are lifted it may just go back to normal. Will have to wait and see.
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Part of the problem is that I am the one who does the risk assessments etc. and don’t really have backing from anyone above me so if we go back to “normal “, I don’t have many choices to say I won’t do something, e.g. mix with too many people at once or how can say everyone needs to wear mask when near me or social distancing is required in the meetings. Really difficult time ahead made harder because our situation isn’t recognised… okay time to tune in to hear from the government!
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Let’s see why he says!
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@MoMo, just listening to the government, dodgy times ahead for us and we will not have a leg to stand on with employers, I fear.
Take lots of care and all you can do is really take all the precautions you can on your side.
How are you feeling?
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@Erica thanks for asking!
I feel so sad. No words really…
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I completely accept life has to move on and we do need to learn to live with covid, but I’d like to know from those making the decisions, what level of sacrafice they are prepared to make. I am mostly disappointed that there is no mention or awareness raising within these briefings, of all the people still at risk, they talk like everyone who has had a vaccination will be ok. I accept we have to manage our own risks, but it would be really useful if the government could help us in that and not just leave us to feel like we have been hung out to dry.
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Hi @Hopefulness, you said it so well, it is at least a comfort that we have this forum to support each other. Take care
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I feel very depressed that we have a government who plays Russian Roulette with our lives. Not just the healthy, of course, who at least having a fighting chance, but people like us with CLL and other blood cancers.
Needless to say that by no means are all our population vaccinated and even if they were, new variants of Covid come along all the time and it does not mean that all vaccines can fully protect us. Delta is the 4th variant in over a year, so by this time next year, there could be four more variants that have come along, in theory. Of course our jackass government do not think long term, but seem to be there only to serve their backbenchers and business buddies. These people come ahead of us. The government even ignore medical or scientific advice when it suits them. Politics trumps Safety!
We need to make our voice louder as voters, but how, since we cannot hardly go out and demonstrate.
They say that “hanging concentrates the mind”. Well for me, it is another autumn/winter/spring in lockdown - and this is the way we are going. Regardless what happens to the general population, I do not see how I can avoid continuing my lockdown. The major problem with me is how will I cope with this - not too well I fear.
By the way do you notice that many “headbangers” who favour doing away with masks or lockdowns that are MPs are not actually sitting in the House of Commons. No risk for them eh!
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Must admit I greet the lifting of every thing on July 19th with fear and anxiety…it’s too quick especially with the delta variant around…it needs but September…but that’s only. Y opinion.
Il just continue to wear a mask and I’m not a big one for shopping centres so that won’t change. Plenty of hand gel and will keep myself safe…
I. Glad for others who are happy and miss their holidays …but just afraid they will all go bonkers . It’s our nhs who I feel so sad for
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Scary! I have been going out and about, carefully of course. (I have some antibodies but who knows what this means).
The govt just seems to ignore our existence. Perhaps pressure them BCUK to make sure our group gets a top up third vaccine ASAP. This would prob help at least some.
It’s not our faults we ended up with a blood cancer.
I cannot go back to not going out, no socialising, I have no family nearby (I’m in Essex, family in Canada and Somerset).
Meanwhile I shall enjoy a few days soon with my little granddaughter in an isolated cabin in Dorset.
Take care everyone …xx
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I certainly feel the same. Am currently having treatment with Rituximab/Venetoclax, together with Filgrastim injections to boost neutrophils, so guess my immunity is low in any case. I shall not be going far after 19th - in fact this is the most scary time since pandemic began. At least whilst shielding I felt protected.
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Hi @Frl0612, you have certainly found us at the right time, welcome.
I think so many of us are sharing similar fears, thoughts and feelings on here and from what I have seen and heard is that Blood Cancer UK is campaigning vigorously for everything that we are saying plus employees rights, by itself and with a collective voice with other similar charities @patmroberts, @Hmc63, @Lulu999, @Hopefulness, @MoMo, @Willow, @Yvonne, @ilivesunshine,@nicola75 etc
@Frl0612 we are all here to support each other so this is a safe place to say how it really is to be you. If you would like to speak to someone you can contact the Support Services Team on 0808 2080 888 (Mondays: 10am-7pm, Tuesdays-Fridays: 10am-4pm, Saturday, Sundays and Bank Holidays: 10am-1pm) or via email at support@bloodcancer.org.uk
What are others thoughts?
Take care and keep posting everyone.
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Thanks Erica. Here’s where I am at, I am sure some it will resonate with others…
While I sat in a hospital bed having been admitted a couple of days ago due to complications of an infection, Boris delivered his explanation of measures to be relaxed.
I completely accept life has to move on and we do need to learn to live with covid, but I’d like to know from those making the decisions, what level of sacrafice they are prepared to make. I am mostly disappointed that there is no mention or awareness raising within these briefings, of all the people still at risk, they talk like everyone who has had a vaccination will be ok. I accept we have to manage our own risks, but it would be really useful if the government could help us in that quest and not just leave us to feel like we have been hung out to dry.
I don’t want special treatment, but equally I don’t want the government giving the impression that everyone is in the same boat when restrictions are lifted. The bare minimum of a mention that there remains people in the country with different medical conditions for whom the vaccinations will not work for or will only provide minimal protection, would have been a start. Giving the general public a reason why, in addition to protecting themselves, they might choose to continue to exercise caution by wearing a mask indoors, on public transport etc would be helpful.and reassuring that we are being considered.
Instead the Government have done nothing but put fear and anxiety into those who are vulnerable and their families, while not providing any specific guidance to them whatsoever.
Under normal circumstances I have to be very careful where I go and what I do - I have to manage my own risks and the fact that I have been hospitalised by an infection is a reminder of that. But these are not normal circumstances, so what choices do I have when we know infection numbers are rapidly increasing while the general public are being told they no longer have to be so careful?
I never chose cancer, it chose me. It has already changed my life and continues to impact my quality of life. Cancer isn’t just about the physical demands on your body, it’s also about the toll it takes on your mental health in equal measure, and at times like this the “fight” is made all the harder.
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Hi @Hopefulness, well said.
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Hear hear to that, Erica and Hopefulness. We are basically being chucked to the wolves for the sake of Johnson’s votes.
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