Do people want to be ‘vulnerable’?

To be perfectly honest, I'm glad I haven't had a letter or it could have had a psychosomatic effect on me. By not receiving one I'm obviously able to carry on as normal within reason of course.
Yes, I suppose it's a relief in a way. I'm a pretty wilful and determined person who probably with a letter would have broken the rules anyway

No, I wouldn't want to be vulnerable. I really don't like this way of separating us out into different groups based on what should be confidential information. Who knows how it will be used down the line?

For me, it's not about being able to go out - surely people know their own conditions and won't want to go out if they are suffering from something that could exacerbate the virus if they catch it? It's about having some sort of code next to names on our records. It doesn't sit well with me.

I have the letter, but would gladly donate it to someone else! I'm quite willing to swap my illnesses.

It's quite upsetting to actually see how vulnerable you are, stated in black and white! Realising what it implies about your health and the consequences of catching Covid 19, is quite a downer.
On top of that, you can't leave the house or have any contact with family for at least 12 weeks and I'm sure that will be extended.

Despite what someone here on GN wrote, wishing she had a letter, getting the letter doesn't guarantee you a supermarket delivery slot. In fact there really aren't any advantages, as far as I can see. You have to sit for hours, like everyone else, trying to get a slot.

I am very glad I am not high risk. It is bad enough being told I am elderly and vulnerable, when I am fit, active, healthy and not overweight, when I can, or could before the shut down, go into our local town and see lots of people who are none of these things and considerably under 70.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

I think a lot of people out there are confusing Vulnerable with those needing to be Shielded.

The NHS website says that these people are Vulnerable:
You may be at increased risk from coronavirus if you:
are 70 or older
are pregnant
have a condition that may increase your risk from coronavirus

There is a far longer list of specific conditions that cause people to be Shielded.

Surely nobody would wish to fall into the latter category?

My friend is a doctor's receptionist. He says that patients are placed in three categories:
Sheilded
Vulnerable
Those who do not fit in the other two categories.

When you are told, you will probably not survive the virus if you are infected, it makes you re-evalute what is important in your life.

When I read the comment by the Gransnetter, who was miffed that she hadn't received the letter, so consequently wouldn't be entitled to delivery slots, I have to admit that I was pretty annoyed.
Who on earth in their right mind would want to be classed as Sheilded ?

Nope! Haven’t had a cold in the last three years and need to stay healthy to look after DH who has heart/asthma problems and is recently recovered from a hip op.

I’ve been so careful of our infection/contact rate in the last 6 months that it’s all been second nature for so long - I don’t need a letter to keep us safe.

I was rather cross too.

I pmd you Marydoll
Hope the pm will help

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Posters are still not getting it, Marydoll

Vulnerable is not Shielded

In today's briefing, Jenny Harries spoke of some early indication of obesity being a possible factor in morbidity/mortality from Covid 19. I hope I don't get THAT letter.....

My sister, who suffers from RA among other things was really upset to receive 'the letter'.

As Marydoll said, to see it in black and white, even though she obviously knew she was vulnerable, was a shock.

She and all our family are always very careful about contact with her even if we only have a cold as it makes her very ill if she contracts the slightest thing that most of us can just brush off.

She hasn't had a delivery slot yet either.

I should have said shielded not vulnerable

There is a very BIG difference between vulnerable and sheilded, Callistemon.

Many posters think they are one and the same thing. It's almost like a badge of honour to some. Well they can have my badge anytime.

I should add that I’ve always been overweight and DH never has - but I’ve been healthy and he never has....

Nobody in their right mind, Marydoll - perhaps she isn't atm?

I'm quite sure my medical records are available anyway to the CMO of Wales, Doodledog and will not be divulged to a third party.

I remember getting a letter a few years ago saying that unless I opted out, my records would be put on a central computer so that any authorised person in the NHS could access them if necessary. This seemed sensible, so I didn't opt out.

That is different, I feel, from there being coded categories of people based on their likelihood of needing expensive medical treatment as we enter what is potentially a lengthy period of living with a virus that will cost the country a fortune.

I am quite possibly over-reacting, but in the current climate, I am not at all comfortable about that.

I wouldn't say I was vulnerable either although I'm 80 in a few months. I'd feel insulted. I'm as strong as an ox with what I've overcome. Let it continue.

Oh dear, Big Brother is watching me.

Well done, EllanVannin and long may it continue.

I find shopping online more stressful than a pleasant wander around with a trolley.

I'm officially 'vulnerable'. I've been scored by my specialist as scoring 2 on the official system. The advice is to ensure distance and shop weekly, at the specific time for those of us in the vulnerable category. I have RA and until a year ago, took two immuno suppressants to modify the disease. I now only take one, I dropped the second med because of side effects. If I was still taking two, I'd score three and move into the shielding category.
I'm relieved both to be only 'vulnerable' but also, because shielding means staying in your home for 12weeks. I can take my daily walk, which I value. I did a quick supermarket raid during the 'vulnerable' time, awful so my husband will go in future.
I hope to avoid this virus - I'm not at all convinced Id survive it

EllanVannin I have always thought you were much younger!

Years ago, when I had a hospital appointment, the staff couldn't access any records other than the relevant one. I would spend half my appointment updating the doctor on other clinics.

I attend a number of hospitals and now all hospital records are linked and immediately accessible. It makes life so much easier and treatment more efficient. My GP can view updates, without waiting weeks for hospital letters and consultants can liaise.
I have no problem with my records being stored in a safe environment.

I am vulnerable and I shop for a friend who is shielded and therefore cannot leave her house and garden.