‘Shielding’ in a Time of Pandemic
I’m really too ill to be writing this, but I am incensed!
I aplogise if it doesn’t make sense, but I’m in my 4th week of non-COVID-19 pneumonia.
So, last night I just happened to walk in the room as the bbc happened to mention that vulnerable people would be allowed out from Monday.
I checked the Government website – nothing.
Then this morning I saw this tweet.
Now we’ve flattened the curve & reduced new infections, from tomorrow, the 2.2 million people who have been shielding can safely go outside
I know how much those shielding have sacrificed. Thank you to everyone who has protected our NHS & saved liveshttps://t.co/QmfpVSXwCa
— Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) May 31, 2020
This raises three questions in my mind:
I’m writing this listening to the Daily Briefing – and it makes even less sense because the talk is of extending Shielding at the same time as easing it. I am very confused – and not a little furious – and unsafe.
This is all heaped on top of my experience of Shielding.
Register on Gov.uk as vulnerable they said and you will get lots of help. I registered on the website the minute I got my letter, I have heard not one thing. I have not heard from the supermarkets to get a ‘priority’ home delivery shopping slot (and I have spent absolutely hours on the phone to Sainsbury’s trying to get registered and failing), I have never had a phone call to check if I’m ok and I have never had a food parcel. My husband has had to keep running the risk of going shopping once a week.
My GP surgery has, as ever, been fabulous, caring, helpful and cannot do enough to help me. When I have had to go in to the surgery, they have had full PPE and all care has been taken. So imagine my shock on going for a much needed x-ray during the week. The hospital website lays out all kinds of rules. I expected to have to account for my presence at the door, and to have to persuade them to let my husband come in with me…
But other than a large yellow sign that you walked past saying not to come in if you had symptoms, that was it. I had no mask, as I had no intention of going anywhere. No one stopped us, asked us what we were there for, or gave us a mask. It had been implied that there would be special arrangements for if someone with a cough needed an x-ray, but no. The radiographer had a mask, apron and gloves on, but the person on reception who stood less than 2m away to give me a gown didn’t – and no one seemed to mind that I hadn’t – even though it was a chest x-ray I had gone for. I was shocked, but a friend said she had heard similar in another hospital.
I can’t really write any more, but just needed to share this. My lungs are really not good. COVID-19 is I am sure, the last thing they need. My GP surgery has been doing its absolute safest best – but I’ve seen little evidence from anywhere else.
(Oh and I would absolutely love to see my Granddaughters in the flesh, amongst other people – but I’d like to be able to see them for the next 20 years!!)
Pam's Perambulation 