Hi @Pippi, yes, it really is the hugs we miss, isn’t it. I don’t suppose it has been easy for you in lockdown and however good relationships are the close proximity for so many weeks I have found does put a strain on relationships. My emotions have also been up and down and all over the place and I think I have lockdown fatigue, but also anxieties about the safety of the world out there. All these statistics but what do they practically mean? Yes, I also have online shopping deliveries and a never ending ‘to do’ list. On the plus side I have never been bored. We are also here to support you with your challenges with your son, so please keep posting.
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I think as people have said on here, that you have to find a way that works for you personally whilst socially distancing and taking precautions. Being able to get out is something I now feel is essential for me, especially when the weather is good. Yesterday I found a nice socially distanced bench in the park to sit for a couple of hours with a book and that did me the world of good. I’m also starting to meet up with one or two friends as well. I can completely understand the people that don’t feel that they want to do even this much as the picture is somewhat muddied by the confused message coming from government not just for shielders but for everyone. I’m happy with the approach I’ve taken though. It’s good to see new people on here and I think this thread shows just how well this forum works when it’s at it’s best.
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Good morning. Yesterday I spent a few hours walking around an RHS garden for the first time since beginning of March. I am a member and on reopening they hadn’t considered shielders at all and felt that the measures they’d put in place were adequate. The gardens were beautiful with wildflower beds flourishing. My husband, daughter and myself wandered around in the mizzle which had to appear, however, that made it more enjoyable as people disappeared with the rain as, prior to that, despite the signage, social distancing was not being observed. Had I gone earlier in our release I would have had to leave as it would have been frightening trying to avoid other people but now it’s becoming more the norm…people are returning to previous habits. Undeterred we distanced pointedly and one or 2 people appreciated it. As you say, we have to make our own choices about what we are comfortable doing but, like you, I do appreciate getting out and about and trying to find what my new normal is for the time being and trying to accept that others normal is not mine for now.
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Morning @Lababe, hope you’re keeping well. I’m sorry to hear of your experience at RHS, but glad that you still got to experience seeing the lovely gardens. They are so beautiful at this time of year. As you say, its making our own judgments about what we feel comfortable with and understand that others people’s normal may be different to our own. I can imagine how difficult this may be for you, if you would like to talk to someone we are only a phone call away. Make sure you look after yourself and enjoy getting out and about its so important that we all look after our mental health too.
Best Wishes
Bav
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Definitely agree with finding what’s right for you. I’ve been to the beach, but late evening. Booked a few night away, but self-catering and in a quiet spot. I feel like I need to try and do things but I’m going to try and not feel pressured. @Lababe, I’ve been to places where others are considerate and others are not. It varies! @Franko, I agree, such confusing messages. @Pippi, my children desperately want to hug there nan and I know how much she is missing it to. I really hope that hug comes to you soon. I returning to work in a primary school in September which will come with its own challenges. It will be great on read the updated guidance and what it means for us.
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It is all rather confusing. The NHS letter says you can go back to work, as long as it’s Covid safe. Then at the bottom tells you to stay home as much as possible!
It will be more difficult as more and more people start moving about. Have to say I’m completely gutted that it hasn’t been made mandatory for face coverings to be worn in all indoor places, eating and drinking places excepted.
I can’t really see the difference of being inside a shop, with social distancing measures and a hairdressers, museum, theatre, gym etc.
The places where it’s not mandatory are all places where either you’re quite close to staff, or you are likely to be spending longer periods of time.
But then of course as shielders we aren’t really suppose to do these things!
I think staff should be wearing them as well, they can pass the virus on too.
I would feel a lot more confident to go out and about more if this was the case. I thought it was suppose to be a two way thing to be effective!
That rant being over I have been going for a walk in the early morning for some months, what a life saver that was.
I’m meeting up outside with my Tai chi group, keeping a distance and have met up for a short while with a friend in a park.
I did however bottle out of a visit to the hairdresser, not all their customers were wearing face coverings which I feel puts the staff at risk. They had done everything possible otherwise to make it safe.
So little by little whatever you feel comfortable with.
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Hi @AnnD Yes, confusing it is. I just do all I can to protect myself with a mask and moving out of the way of others to social distance. I listen to my medical team, the NHS and Blood Cancer UK. Your outside Tai chi group sounds fun I look forward to hearing more.
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@AnnD @Erica I can see a case for people who are having their hair done not wearing masks. It would be impossible washing, cutting and styling while masks are on. I always remove my hearing aids at the hairdressers
Hi, on the subject of hairdressers, I just wanted to say, it might be good to do some research in your area to see what precautions hairdressers are taking, as I went to the hairdressers last week and it felt so safe. They insisted on all customers wearing masks for the whole time they were in there, they had hand sanitizer that you had to use as you walked in. The day before I went, they had emailed me a form to fill in about my health and so that I could be contacted if track and trace was required. All the hairdressers were wearing face shields and some had masks on too. If you were early, you had to wait outside as they’d taken away the waiting area so fewer people were in the salon. I was shown to my chair and only had to move to go to have my hair washed. They had constructed wooden boards between the basins so that the customers had a barrier between them and the next person, and after my wash, I was shown back to my chair for the cut. Everything was done at the chair, the cut, dry, and even paying and booking the next appointment. So no one was walking around the salon. I kept my mask on the whole time. It really did feel safe. Also, I was very anxious about going and my hairdresser picked up on this and did everything to ease my anxiety. Its worth shopping around for somewhere that is doing all this although I think all salons and barbers should be as my hairdresser said they had been sent a 46 page document on the rules and guidance for re-opening.
I hope this helps anyone who is wanting to get their hair sorted.
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Thank you, that is interesting to read. I know most have put in a lot of safety measures. They must just have to be more careful around the masks/ears (and it would not work with the tie at the back ones which people who have to deal with hearing aids, spectacles and masks are more likely to wear)
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I’m due to go in a couple of weeks so might someone research to see what they have in place.
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Online shopping.
Anyone shielding getting shopping delivered please be aware that the use of plastic bags has stopped. I was told. Asked if I was shielding and still needed plastic bags. My delivery instructions were ignored by Asda .
I know it’s not serious but it could cause someone alot if anxiety. There’s enough of that around.
I felt sorry for the delivery driver he told me that company policy was that shielding had ended the previous week. It was just announced overnight . Ive also noticed a lack of basic hygiene measures being used such as gloves… face masks … this awful disease hasn’t gone away. The risks are still there…
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Thanks for for this. I have to find my IKEA bags from somewhere, as I won’t have anyone coming into the house like before (I was a serial online shopper already before the Covid 
)
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I received this reply from my MP in response from the Blood UK request to contact your MP’s.
Thank you for contacting me about employment support for people with blood cancer.
Blood cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, with around 250,000 people living with the disease. For those people and their families, I believe we must do all we can to ensure the right treatment and support is on offer.
Blood Cancer UK has raised concerns about financial protection for people in the UK with blood cancer who are unable to return to work. The charity estimates around 9,000 people may be in this category, due to being advised by clinicians to continue shielding or where their employer cannot create a COVID-free workplace and working from home is not possible.
Shielding for clinically extremely vulnerable people in England, including people with blood cancer, will be paused from 1 August unless transmission of coronavirus in the community starts to rise significantly. From this date, the UK Government will advise people who were previously shielding that they can go to work, provided the workplace is COVID-secure, but should carry on working from home if possible. Shielding is also due to be paused in Scotland from 1 August and in Wales from 16 August.
I am concerned that where an employer cannot make the workplace COVID-secure, individuals may feel forced to put their health at risk just to make ends meet. I therefore supported calls on the UK Government to extend the full job retention scheme for those who are unable to return to work safely.
Ministers in the UK Government have said regarding people with blood cancer who have been shielding and cannot work from home that an employee could be furloughed from 1 July where they were previously furloughed for at least three consecutive weeks between 1 March 2020 and 30 June.
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) has been available as a safety net in cases where people have been unable to go to work or be furloughed. The UK Government has said that once shielding is paused individuals will no longer be eligible for SSP on the basis of being clinically extremely vulnerable. However, it has also confirmed that those who are required to continue shielding after 1 August and have a medical letter confirming this will continue to be eligible for SSP.
Thanks again for your email and don’t hesitate to write to me again if you have any further questions about this or any other issue.
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Hi @Cazzie, a very good comprehensive response by your MP. How are you doing?
That’s really interesting Cazzie. It sounds like as long as someone has a letter from their doctor saying they are advised to carry on shielding, then they can still claim sick pay which is good. I suppose the problem comes when someones doctor doesn’t provide them with a letter because the doctor feels it is ok for them to return to work and yet their workplace isn’t safe. To be honest, I don’t think it will long before the government tell all people who were shielding before, to start shielding again. If the incidences of the virus continue to increase then they will have to tell shielders to stay at home again.
Thank you for sharing the reply.
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A really good reply. Mine was pretty standard and gave me no additional information. I do hope that those that need the letters this time get them when they should. Fingers crossed!
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As I am no longer being seen by a haematologist I did not get a letter originally. I was seriously ill at the beginning of lockdown, so imagine what it was like having the consultant coming after you were supposed to be in theatre, and saying that she was going to get a 2nd opinion, and knowing that she was trying to find a way not to operate because of my complicated history. The operation went ahead, but again there were complications during and post. When I had recovered enough I spoke to my GP who then added me to the vulnerable group. I am just having to feel my way as I do not come into any group. Luckily (!) I had to take early retirement after my SCT, but even during treatment I was having to attend interviews to see if I could do any work, and letters from my consultant were non-admissible. It took 10 years before the DWP said i would not need to attend any more interviews (and I haven’t attempted applying for PIPs)
I hope things work out for everyone during this worrying time
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Gosh @Pisces56, it sound like it was a really scary time! Definitely sounds like you should’ve been put in the vulnerable group. Must be really scary For you and others when you’re not sure where you are at and have to chase it up yourself! I can’t believe it took ten years! How are you feeling about things at the moment? X
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I have excellent care from my GP practice, it is just that I am dealing with multiple post treatment problems, which are monitored, but I don’t fit into a standard formula, so am used to being pro-active. DWP and the Job Centre were stressful, but the people I saw were so lovely. I am staying at home most of the time, and only visiting places which look safe.
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