Shielded to be allowed out!

I started shielding in mid March because I'm over 70 and take medication that mean my immune system is compromised. I was told by my GP and Rheumatologist that I needed to be very careful but wasn't in the shielding category. I decided they were wrong and continued to shield. On 23 April, I got the 3 page government letter telling me I must shield. As NfKDumpling says, the letter is scary.

I've followed the advice other than I've continued to walk my dogs once a day, early and away from crowded places. Last week, we met two close friends, who are also shielding, in our back garden. We kept the distance, and had a very pleasant hour together. I don't plan to make any changes. I wish I could resume care of our grandchildren but that isn't safe. Yet, their parents are expected to be back at work with no full time school or child care available.

There is zero evidence based science underlining this new advise.

It is nothing more than a good news narrative by this government desperate to take the focus away from Cummings and the governments shortfalls.

This decision will put the most vulnerable as risk just for a political narrative.

At 8,000 new infections a day, how is the situation improving?
Furthermore, why is it significantly decreased in London, but still apparently raging further north? The new 'guidance' seems very London-centric to me.

We should all continue to be extremely careful.

Just wondering how long those who are shielding expect this to continue.

The virus is still out there, now and will be so in a few months time. Chances of a vaccine are not very high, despite the enormous amount of money and effort being put into it.

The coming of Autumn and winter is likely to intensify the spread of this and other illnesses.

Okay, those who are not in employment, can stay in their isolation for a very long time, if they can cope with it. But a large number of the Shielded are of working age and normally employed, and many of them are not able to continue their work from home. They will be forced, by their own economics out of their isolation,

It also concerns me that so many of those Shielding have taken it to mean NOT TO GO OUT at all. Also, this mania with using things like bleach and over-cleaning everything.

Could this mean that months of total isolation inside, living like that, could actually lead to them being more vulnerable to all the usual virus's and bacteria that we all come across in our normal lives?

franbern

At this moment the scientific evidence precludes easing lockdown on the most vulnerable (never mind other stuff).

This doesn’t mean that this will go on for ever, of course not. But the timing is entirely wrong.

Let’s wait for scientific evidence that shows it is ok and not political expediency.

Franbern the extremely strong advice in the letter was for the shielded to Stay at Home.
Obviously if someone has a garden, that does not mean they cannot venture outside, but going beyond that was not recommended.