Shielding our highest at risk

We need to continue looking after our most vulnerable who are shielding but we need to amend plan to prevent poor mental health in the next stage. People who need to shield should be allowed to excercise once a day at a nominated time for 30 mins while oth et s indoors if possible. Contact could be allowed with one or two people who strictly adhere to social distancing to allievate loneliness. This would give shielded like myself something to look forward to whilst still protecting us. A few small
Changes could help people continue to shield and therefore keep protecting the NHS. Employers need to also support shielded working from home both financially and mentally as they have a duty of care

Why the contribution is important

These small changes could help people to continue shielding which helps the NHS. It would help the mental and physical wel being of those involved

by polly1963 on May 08, 2020 at 08:12AM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.9
Based on: 23 votes

Comments

  • Posted by Annmack May 08, 2020 at 09:00

    If shielding has to go on for a long time it will be very important to allow those shielding some form of exercise and fresh air, and also limited contact with others.

  • Posted by Lynne_W May 08, 2020 at 10:26

    Very good proposal, however would be concerned that it would be difficult to implement until there is greater overall freedom - people are no longer being as conscious of their movements and impact on others and this will only continue as lockdown goes on.

  • Posted by seventyplus May 08, 2020 at 10:45

    In one European country - I think Spain - there are specified hours for different groups to be allowed out. A version of this might work for those who are self-isolating - of course it would be very hard to enforce, but perhaps we can still trust ourselves to be self-enforcing. The small bubble suggestion is also very good.

  • Posted by HighlandLass May 08, 2020 at 17:18

    Agree people who are Shielding need more support. Long term mental health will be a struggle also to note support financial and protection re employment

  • Posted by Marniemcleod May 08, 2020 at 17:40

    As someone who falls into the shielding programme I totally understand why it's important to protect the most vulnerable and in turn will protect the NHS. I feel frustrated that we cannot go for a walk. Although i have garden, I personally feel i would benefit from being able to go out to exersise. Some conditions that fall into the shielding category benefit from taking regular exersise. If we are following the rules for shielding I am 100% positive that we would follow the social distancing rules to the fullest. My worry is that not enough people are sticking to the social distancing rules therefore its going to take a lot longer to get any sort of normality and the prospect of having to not be able go out for a very long time, perhaps until a vaccine is found, is sometimes very hard to get your head around. And i dont think the general public appreciate this point.

  • Posted by GrendelsMother May 09, 2020 at 01:55

    I fully agree with this. My 16 year old daughter is in the shielding category. She has active Crohn's Disease and along with her other symptoms she suffers from malabsorption. Since lockdown she has sat for half an hour a day on a stool in our block's uncovered private parking area in order to get fresh air and sunlight. Vitamin D is particularly important for those with a chronic disease. A nice walk outside on a regular basis would do her the world of good.

    She's a strong and resilient girl but she's beginning to feel quite despondent. For obvious reasons, she couldn't sit her Highers this year and has no idea if she'll be able to return to school when those who do not have underlying health issues return. She is worried about being left behind in terms of her education and future prospects. I worry equally for her physical and mental health at this time.

    I think a lot of people don't realise that there are thousands of children and teenagers who are shielding.
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