According to the BBC the government are to announce today (Sunday 31st) that shielders are allowed out once a day and can meet one other person from another household. Has anyone else heard this and if so will you be doing it?
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Yes I have just seen that on BBC - we will need some guidance on this as whats suddenly changed to the end of June stint? I think what we all wanted to hear was such things as out or meet another person after end of June so we knew there was a light at the end of the tunnel - to suddenly get this seems āoddā !?! And will cause yet more confusion. Oh dear!! I long to be out and meet a friend as I live alone - will I do it from tomorrow - no, not unless I get an ok from consultant !!
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I should have mentioned that I have been on a daily walk on the advice of my consultant from the start it was on the proviso I did it in the early hours with no chance of anyone around so the dog and I have walked my local road at 5am from the start!! I do feel it has kept my mental health and the webinars recently have suggested the same so I shall continue that and await a bit of input from our doctors on what the govt now announcing.
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Hi @Franko and @Jilly20, I am still in shock with what I am hearing on TV. Yesterday I was shielding till the 30 June and now I donāt know what to say. We await.
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Hi @Franko and @Jilly20 we hope you are both doing okay? We can only imagine news like this can come as quite a shock.
@Franko am I right in thinking, this is the article you are referring to: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-52862440 Yes, we are aware of this and the change in guidelines, though it is important to say this only applies to people living in England at present. We are currently working hard to gather further information to give you all more clarity on what these guidelines have been based on. And as always, we will be sure to provide any updates and new information as soon as possible on our website and social media channels- so please do keep an eye on those. We will also continue to closely monitor the situation and ensure there are further updates for people living in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland too.
Take care in the meantime and we will continue to keep you all posted on this, we would really also encourage people to talk their treatment teams too.
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@Erica I hope you are okay, itās so understandable for this to be a shock to you, the current shielding end date of 30th June still remains, though as youāve seen, we have been informed about a few easing of restrictions for people who are shielding and living in England. We will continue to monitor this and keep you all informed, but of course, in the meantime as mentioned above, your treatment team are always the best place to advise on your individual circumstance.
Please do also remember the support line is always here if thereās anything you would like to talk through, weāre here
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This change is very odd, considering that only on Friday they updated the written guidance that clearly stated until end of June. Whether I go out, I might because I miss my daily walks and my mental health has been affected by being shielding, esp. because have to keep away from my family in the same house. But like @Jilly20 I might do it early in the morning, when I can be sure thereās nobody around. Will have to wait for further info this eveningā¦ and a phone call tomorrow to my specialist nurse.
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@MoMo I hope you are okay? As you say, itās so understandable for news like this to bring up all sorts of emotions like shock. And Iām so sorry to hear on the impact this has had on your mental health, have you been able to get any support with this?
People are being advised, if they do choose to go outside, to take in trying to minimise contact with others outside their household as much as possible and follow social distancing guidelines.
As you say, there will be a government briefing later on in the day, which we will also be closely monitoring. And you are absolutely right, speaking to someone like your clinical specialist nurse or anyone else from your treatment team is something we strongly encourage.
Take care in the meantime, and we will keep in touch
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Thanks @SuBloodcancerUK, I would be far happier to follow the reliable Blood Cancer UKās advice and my medical teamās. Thanks for you all being there and to know this forum is here for us all to support each other and the wonderful Blood Cancer UK support line is also there for us. Our safety is so important take care everyone.
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I was also surprised when I saw the article on the BBC this morning. It will be interesting to see what happens in Scotland, NI and Wales and I suspect the devolved administrations will take different approaches on this. I was disappointed that there wasnāt any reference to this decision being based on advice from the scientists, particularly in light of some of the reports in the news yesterday that some of the scientists are concerned that the lockdown is being eased too early. Seems to be a further example of inconsistency in messaging Iām afraid.
My personal view is to follow the guidance from our medical teams as each of us have our own unique circumstances and their professional advice is the most important to follow.
All the best,
Peter
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I have not been out of the house, apart from time in hospital, since 12th March, as I could see what was happening (someone I know in Northern Italy had to start lockdown 2 weeks before the rest of the country). I did not get a shielding letter until I spoke to my GP in mid-May. My reasons are not included in the list. My husband has been shopping (so could bring it back), but I am surprised that the advice has changed at the same time as lockdown restrictions are easing. For now I want to see how things shape up over the coming month. We need to be able to make informed choices, and I hope there will be more clarity in the coming days. Stay safe, and trust your own instincts xx
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Thanks, @Pisces56, I completely agree with you and others. I think we all were a bit surprised, anxious and confused today. I await further medical guidance and my own medical teams advice. I also want to ensure there is not a second wave of the virus as lockdown measures also change tomorrow. Stay safe everyone, that is the most important thing as we are very special people.
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Here is another thread on this subject which includes my thoughts. Personally I am about to go on a drive with the two people I am shielding with (its just before 8am) We will go to a big common (not a forest) and we will only get out of the car if it looks deserted. I feel nervous for sure. And I will not allow myself to get anywhere near another person. Shielding continues. We have just been told it might be ok for us to go out once a day (which some people were already doing. We should only do this if it is safe and just as importantly FEELS safe. https://forum.bloodcancer.org.uk/t/shielders-advised-they-are-safe-to-go-out-once-a-day-from-tomorrow/2676/8
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I think the decision of raising the lockdown so early is putting us all at risk, not just the vulnerable who are shielding.
Boris said his decisions were based on scientific advice.
The latest certainly isnāt, all the scientific advisors say itās too soon and there is a risk of another peak.
I live on the coast and the beaches were packed both here in Whitstable and all over Thanet.
Apart from hospital visits for chemotherapy I will still be shielding.
Iāve absolutely no confidence in the governmentās current advice.
Anthony
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I like many of you am shocked by the suddenness of this announcement and not impressed by the haphazard approach the government is taking in managing the whole situation not just for people shielding. This is a personal decision though and everybody should do what they think is right for them whilst being careful if they decide to go out and nobody should stand in judgement of you whatever you decide is right for you. Personally after 10 weeks I feel I need to go out for a daily walk both for my physical and mental health but Iāll be very cautious and avoiding people as much as possible. I do live in a very small house with 3 people that are not friends or family so I have probably been in as much risk from them as I would from going out myself as they have been going out regularly the whole time. As a household of people who are not closely tied though I canāt really ask them to do what suits me. Iāll be working most days during the main 9-5 chunk so any opportunities I get to go out will most likely be at non busy times. Good luck to everyone in what they decide and their ongoing problems with this situation.
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Hi @Blackhat, I agree with you.
I sound more like Victor Meldrew every day.
It is interesting that this āadviceā only applies to England.
Our safety is the main thing.
How did your treatment go last week?
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Hi @Franko, it cannot have been easy for you being in a very small house with 3 people that are not friends or family. What challenges practically and emotionally has that brought up for you?
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Itās almost impossible to get to use the kitchen without one or more of them coming in. Itās a very small kitchen so not designed for multiple usage. I have to take my lunch break at certain times because Iām on a work schedule but even attempting to coordinate with the others doesnāt work and they still come in. Also in a lot of competition for the bathroom as I have to use that at certain times for starting work. Iāve been avoiding social contact as much as possible. I used to sit and watch TV with them before this. My landlord does try and organise social evenings such as baking a cake for us and he cooked lunch for Easter Sunday. Itās rude not to take part. I already feel rude spending most of my time in my room.
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Well Iāve done it. No fanfare of trumpets, no brass band to announce my release but the birds sang sweetly and the trees were in full leaf; strange to see as 11 weeks ago when I started shielding they werenāt here in the north. My feet felt odd in shoes and the ground was moving or was it that my legs felt like jelly? Iāve exercised plenty indoors but this wide open space was a joy to behold and after 10 minutes or so there was a lifting of my spirits. Donāt get me wrong I was still very alert and socially distanced the few people out and about by much more than 2 metres but I have found it worthwhile and itās saved my carpets a bit of pounding. Take care those who venture out and only do what you feel safe doing.
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