Are we allowed to be optimistic yet? *Title edited by GNHQ*

Nannina where are you getting the information that shielding will end by the end of March?
As a shielder I won't be going anywhere, according my consultant. I think I'm pretty au fait with things, but I have seen nothing about this.

I'm 54 & waiting patiently for my jab. Older friends and ones who had been shielding all got theirs and they are all absolutely delighted. N.I executive are still being very cautious compared to England, but hopefully we will get good news soon about things easing up. Roll on the summer

Regardless of whether you get the P or AZ vaccine, one dose give you a minimum of 80% protection - all good in my book!

I'm 52 with a serious health condition and had my 1st jab 2wks ago. In the houses immediately next-door (both sides) there are 3 nurses who are members of the BAME community.

Talking to both households over the past couple of days I'm struggling to get my head around their thinking.

I said in passing that I'd had my 1st dose of the vaccine and they looked at me like I was mad. All 3 of them told me in no uncertain terms that they WILL NOT be having the vaccine!

Surely (I'm not being racist here because I'm white, I'm just conscious of the risks), by virtue of both their profession and skin colour, they are at greater risk from this virus than anyone else from their age group (mid-late 40s).

I know it's not my business that they're not going to have it but it seriously makes me wonder what information they're basing their decision on.

I have just heard an interview on the news and in answer to a question about shielding, the end of March was the answer for it thought to be no longer necessary, provided other precautions are taken of course.

Harmonypuss, that is awful. I don’t understand why anyone would refuse it, but BAME nurses? Seriously risky.

Exactly!
As I said, not really my 'personal' business but these are just 3 people who I know, it would be really scary if larger numbers of BAME medical staff have the same attitude!

The shielding announcement applies to England. Hopefully Nicola S will have something to say today.

Peasblossom

This friend talks about nothing else growstuff?

I think I'd be having internet/phone problems with a "friend" like that and use social distancing as an excuse to keep away.

Harmonypus, did you ask your neighbours about their reasons for refusing the vaccine. I'd be interested in their thinking.
To my mind it's the only safety net on offer, even if there are a few holes in it (which there don't seem to be), it's better than no net.

Cabbie21

I have just heard an interview on the news and in answer to a question about shielding, the end of March was the answer for it thought to be no longer necessary, provided other precautions are taken of course.

Johnson said that clinically vulnerable people should shield until at least the end of March.

Don't tell me there's been another U turn since yesterday.

Nicola S has just stated on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer, that shielders, even those who have had both vaccine doses, must continue to shield.

I know who I will listen too!

With regards to the op, yes I'm being 51% on the optimistic side.

Take each day as it comes. No breaking rules just yet. But for me a definite lightness in my demeanor!
Credit where credit is due.

Marydoll

Nannina where are you getting the information that shielding will end by the end of March?
As a shielder I won't be going anywhere, according my consultant. I think I'm pretty au fait with things, but I have seen nothing about this.

It depends where you live. I think you're in Scotland. If you're in the Orkneys, you could probably risk it, but if you're in the Central Belt, I'd think I'd wait for the incidence rate to come down a bit and stay down.

I honestly think whoever it was who gave the end of March as a firm date was being utterly irresponsible. An awful lot can happen in five weeks. The return of schools could be the start of another spike. If you look at the case data broken down by lower tier region, most areas have quite big pockets where new cases have been rising steadily for the last few days.

Being optimisting is a way of life. There is no reason you should not have felt optimistic all year.

Totally agree Growstuff.
I will take advice from my clinicians, not a buffoon.
Unfortunately there will be shielders reading this who will take it as a given fact that all shielders can go out at the end of March.

Marydoll

Totally agree Growstuff.
I will take advice from my clinicians, not a buffoon.
Unfortunately there will be shielders reading this who will take it as a given fact that all shielders can go out at the end of March.

Yes, I know. What Johnson actually said was that the clinically vulnerable people should shield until at least the end of March - not that the end of March would definitely be safe.

I despair! Why don't people listen?

If somebody important (like a government minister) did say on the news that the end of March would be safe, he or she needs to be sacked (having said that, there's a queue of those who should be sacked but won't be - arrrrgghhh!)

I mean BJ is the buffoon, not anyone on here!

I want social distancing and masks to end completely. Surely that is the idea of the vaccine but according to Matt Hancock social distancing is the future. It's depressing and I have nothing to feel optimistic over.

The vaccine doesn't stop you catching it. Why do people think it will?

From the NHS England website.

The 1st dose of the COVID-19 vaccine should give you good protection from coronavirus. But you need to have the 2 doses of the vaccine to give you longer lasting protection.

There is a chance you might still get or spread coronavirus even if you have the vaccine.

This means it is important to:
continue to follow social distancing guidance
if you can, wear something that covers your nose and mouth in places where it's hard to stay away from other people.

Some friend!!!

Songstress60 Don't feel depressed - one step at a time. I doubt this vaccine will be the final offering the wizards in the labs have to offer.

I know some nurses who have been working 12 hour shifts on and off for some time in horrendous conditions. I can only imagine their relief that the day is coming when not only will they be able to work in better conditions, with less chance of catching Covid, but their hours will be decreased as the number of people hospitalized decreases.

I am really pleased to see the data coming out from the Astrazenica vaccine - as this is the one my husband had his first dose of over two weeks ago, and the one I expect to get myself later this week. The idiot Europeans (France and Germany mostly) who say this vaccine is not effective in the over 65s are going to have to eat their words as its proving highly effective across ALL age groups. There are people in France and Germany who are refusing the Astrazenica vaccine when offered, all down to poor, cynical and political misinformation from their politicians. I for one am very proud of our homegrown vaccine - which is the ONLY one that is being provided at cost price across the world for the duration of the pandemic. Looking forward to my vaccine on Thursday (even though I am needlephobic) - my husband had no side effects other than a sore arm for a couple of days.