Is volunteering selfish?

Oprah2020, there's no way that you should volunteer - it's just too risky!

Gabriel56, I'm surprised that you are not on the sheilding list. I have your conditions, with lung disease and am sheilding.

The British heart Foundation have a very good explanation on their site, about people with heart conditions.
www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/coronavirus-and-your-health

You need to keep yourself safe.

Oprah2020 I'm so glad you've made your decision - hope you both stay safe and well and I'm sure we'll do all we are able to do once this nightmare is over!

So good to read all the comments and to find that others also have that feeling of wanting to do something but their wise mind saying they must leave it as the best thing to do is stay at home. Like Gabriel56, I rarely mention the Diabetes although of course the internal reminders to stick to the diet, exercise and tiredness if I stray off course never go away. I see also that DH is more vulnerable because of his age. As Barmy points out it feels very strange not to be doing stuff and leave it to younger fitter people. Your comments help me to see sense.

I have been asked to help with deliveries for a local farm shop - I am generally well and no one could tell by looking at me but I do have coronary artery disease and angina along with rheumatoid arthritis. All are well controlled and I don't talk about it outside my family but I feel I should say no. I interpret the vulnerable list as showing heart disease as heart failure etc but I have to decide for myself I suppose. OP, diabetes is a definite condition on the list so I would declined if I were you. I realise I'm just rambling on here so apologies for that - just feeling a bit useless and low I suppose! Stay safe and well everyone

Thats fair Barmey
And staying away from others counts as a good deed these days too!

I usually help at the local food bank but I am afraid I am giving it a miss at the moment, I just don't want to be with people. I must admit I do go out daily on my bike but never really meet anyone and I do shop once, sometimes twice a week but I feel safe. Not sure I would feel safe in a work type environment.

Listen to your instincts.

You are the vulnerable. In my village it feels strange to not be one of the volunteers as I have been in the past. Now is the time for the next generation however. And they have stepped up to the mark.

I think if you want to volunteer you could find a way to do so that is low risk for you.

You do not need to do it through work, being synical its good PR for them to have you all volunteering through them, but theres no reason why you cant take up other, less risky volunteer roles that have nothing to do with work

I'm 61, work only in the mornings, I have mild Asthma. I'm doing some voluntary work for the Red Cross at the moment - collecting prescriptions, getting shopping, etc., for people within a 5 mile radius. I wouldn't do it if it was 12 miles away.

Yes, as a diabetic, you, too, fall into the vulnerable category. It is admirable to want to help, but you have to put your own safety and that of your DH first.

You too are at risk besides your husband. 12 miles is a long way to drive in these circumstances. I would not please keep yourselves safe.

I would not do it,your husband is one of the vulnerable.

There are many young fit people that are safely volunteering.