Shielding - just me?

[Lizzy78]

Hi everyone.

Hope you are all well.

With the latest data around diabetes being released last week, the majority of people seem to now be wanting diabetes pushed into the shielding category.

Personally, I don't think this would be right. I'm 41, been diagnosed with T1 for 18 months. I work for the NHS, a mother of one and fit and active. The thought of being told to completely shield is really concerning to me. I think Diabetes is a very unique thing for each individual and we all manage it in the best way we can for ourselves.

Was just interested to get your views on this. One of the first things I was told at diagnosis was that you can still live a purposeful and meaningful life with T1. I just feel that if I'm told to shield away for my own good, it takes away all of that independence in managing my own condition.

 

[Docb]

The data you refer to was presented in the media by people looking for a sensational story. It was picked up by others who clearly did not look at the data.

For a fit, non geriatric female with good glucose control and not overweight the additional risk of a poor outcome from CV as a result of being diabetic, T1 or T2, is tiny if there is any at all. Get on with your life taking the precautions everybody else takes, after all is would be daft for anybody to get CV if they can avoid it.

 

[Robin]

Hi everyone.

Hope you are all well.

With the latest data around diabetes being released last week, the majority of people seem to now be wanting diabetes pushed into the shielding category.

Personally, I don't think this would be right. I'm 41, been diagnosed with T1 for 18 months. I work for the NHS, a mother of one and fit and active. The thought of being told to completely shield is really concerning to me. I think Diabetes is a very unique thing for each individual and we all manage it in the best way we can for ourselves.

Was just interested to get your views on this. One of the first things I was told at diagnosis was that you can still live a purposeful and meaningful life with T1. I just feel that if I'm told to shield away for my own good, it takes away all of that independence in managing my own condition.

I have no intention of shielding. I realise I'm in a fortunate position, retired, and not being pressured to go back to a job where social distancing is difficult. But I've been carrying on grocery shopping, walking, I observe social distancing, wash my hands when I’ve been out, and gel them if I’m going into different shops etc. My riding stables has just opened up again, so I’m riding, on a one to one basis.
My husband is ten years older than I am, so in the over 70s bracket. The thought of us not being allowed to do anything that we are supposed to be enjoying our retirement by doing, would fill me with dread.

 

[AJLang]

I personally want to be put into the shielding group for protection. BUT, as far as I’m aware if you are put into the shielding group you don’t have to keep to the shielding guidance if you don’t want to. At the end of the day research was carried out for NHS England and it showed that a third of Covid deaths were for those with diabetes. Yes you can and should have a purposeful and meaningful life with diabetes. I’ve had it for nearly 50 years since I was 2 and have had a brilliant life, and I still do. BUT with the Covid virus I want the option of being in the shielding group because if I can live this long, and hopefully much longer with diabetes, I don’t want my life taken away bu Covid 19.
Just to add that I have studied the original research papers, I am an ex-academic with a lot of academic papers and I passed my PhD at the highest level (with no amendments) So I do know how to “read” these papers.
[/QUOTE]

 

[AJLang]

I personally want to be put into the shielding group for protection. BUT, as far as I’m aware if you are put into the shielding group you don’t have to keep to the shielding guidance if you don’t want to. At the end of the day research was carried out for NHS England and it showed that a third of Covid deaths were for those with diabetes. Yes you can and should have a purposeful and meaningful life with diabetes. I’ve had it for nearly 50 years since I was 2 and have had a brilliant life, and I still do. BUT with the Covid virus I want the option of being in the shielding group because if I can live this long, and hopefully much longer with diabetes, I don’t want my life taken away bu Covid 19. Just to add that I have studied the original research papers, I am an ex-academic with a lot of academic papers and I passed my PhD at the highest level (with no amendments) So I do know how to “read” these papers.

 

[Lyn68]

I’m of the same opinion I have no desire to be shielded and think it would be detrimental to my mental health. I’m a civilian worker for the police and have been working throughout this pandemic. My employer has put social distancing measures in place, we are more spread out, screens have been put in place and anti-bacterial wipes and hand gelare provided. I also drive to work so no issues with public transport.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

I have 3 shielding letters and have chosen to ignore them. Stay safe and keep your social distance and you will be fine.
If diabetes is uncontrolled and you are over weight then then perhaps have a think about things.

With all this shielding I do wonder what the heck is going to happen when people start to surface again............ as isolated like they are there would be no immunity to just ordinary bugs going around so would all the isolated pople then be hit very hard by something simple like an ordinary cold?

 

[JohnWhi]

In support of the point made by AJLang, government advice is now to use instinct and good sense in interpreting any regulations that may be put forward.

 

[Lizzy78]

Good to know it's not just me. I totally get why people think Diabetes should be covered in the shielding category, but it would be incredibly harmful to my mental health. If there is no vaccine, then shielding could be a possibilty for a while to come.

 

[Lizzy78]

[


QUOTE="JohnWhi, post: 976206, member: 24195"]
In support of the point made by AJLang, government advice is now to use instinct and good sense in interpreting any regulations that may be put forward.
[/QUOTE]

 

[Lizzy78]

I have 3 shielding letters and have chosen to ignore them. Stay safe and keep your social distance and you will be fine.
If diabetes is uncontrolled and you are over weight then then perhaps have a think about things.

That's a fair point. I just don't want to be locked away indefinitely. I'm going to continue to practice social distancing and take all precautions.

 

[Ian T]

Hi - a slightly contrary view - I don't want to be in the shielding group either for all the reasons mentioned by other BUT if asked to then I believe we should. This isn't just about us and our health, it is about managing the nation's health. If we don't take the precautions requested and catch it and end up hospitalised, then we are using up hospital capacity that should have been available for others. I already know of two people who have not been able to get the urgent cancer treatment they need because capacity is being used or reserved for Covid. The implications for them are terrible. We HAVE to trust those who are managing this - if no-one does what they are asked then it can't be managed and the outcome for all will be worse.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

BUT if asked to then I believe we should. This isn't just about us and our health, it is about managing the nation's health. If we don't take the precautions requested and catch it and end up hospitalised, then we are using up hospital capacity that should have been available for others.

I have already made the decision that if I caught the virus I would not be going to the hospital under any circumstances. After a 3 day stay last year and the appalling treatment I received, I would rather die at home.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

That's a fair point. I just don't want to be locked away indefinitely. I'm going to continue to practice social distancing and take all precautions.

I saw an interview with Jonathan Valabjhi (who I greatly respect and have met a few times) who authored one of the papers on this, who specifically said that those in their 40s with T1 had VERY LOW RISK (his words) and that there were no recorded deaths at all for T1s younger than 20.

The stats do make sobering reading for anyone with diabetes, and I know @AJLang has read in detail to establish her own modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors, however I do think it is important to stress again that the average age of those with T1 who died in the stats that were analysed was 70-something. Many were in their 80s. Just remember what diabetes treatment was like then they were most likely diagnosed. And consider the duration of diabetes that group is likely to have.

As we move towards a softening of lockdown, I believe it is more important than ever for people to be able to reach agreement with their HCPs about the appropriate level of shielding / social distancing furlough etc for them as individuals, taking their medical history and work situation into account.

 

[Amigo]

I’m in the shielding group but not because of my diabetes. If my only condition was diabetes, I wouldn’t feel compelled to shield but I know my leukaemia puts me into the mega high category.

Like @Ian T I’m very concerned that my cancer treatment has been put on indefinite hold until my Covid hot spot hospital resumes normal business. There’s now capacity in the NHS as non virus numbers generally have dropped so I firmly believe they should be making provision in the hospitals away from Covid wards or contract it out to private hospitals that don’t take Covid patients.

 

[Ian T]

Very good point about the age profile of those with diabetes who have passed away from Covid and the likely treatment they will have received over those many years. The more we can get to tailored outcomes (also for the over 70s and other groups as well) then the better. Anyway, with millions of diabetics in the UK there's no way the country can afford to shield us all!

 

[Becka]

I personally want to be put into the shielding group for protection. BUT, as far as I’m aware if you are put into the shielding group you don’t have to keep to the shielding guidance if you don’t want to.

This is an important point, shielding is only a recommendation as "the safest form of action" for people with health conditions that may them more likely to need hospital treatment.

But it is also important to note that no one is at any greater risk of being infected by the virus than anyone else, shielding is only about the higher risk if you do become infected. So being extra vigilant to take all appropriate precautions to avoid infection is equally as important. Especially as to shield properly means sleeping and eating separate from anyone else in your household, using separate bathrooms, and at all times maintaining social distancing. Something most people cannot do because they do not have big enough homes.

The decision on whether someone needs to shield, though, is made by a G.P. based on their clinical judgment. So even if someone is only diabetic, if other factors put them at risk they can be asked to shield even without any of the listed conditions for being "clinically extremely vulnerable".

But the only benefits of being put in the shielding group are that you get a letter you can use as a fit note, you can receive government food parcels, and should be able to receive priority delivery slots from supermarkets.

As diabetes puts people at a higher risk (the "clinically vulnerable" group) then employers should be taking measures to protect your safety otherwise they should not require you to come into work. Councils and volunteer groups are delivering food parcels to people at risk, and can offer ones to suit different dietary needs unlike the government. And apparently if you explain your vulnerability to Tesco they are offering priority access even without being in the shielding list.

So in practice the difference is negligible. If being people with diabetes were automatically asked to shield those who feel it inappropriate can ignore the letter. As they are not, those who feel they do need to shield can request this of their G.P., or in may cases can gain all the same benefits regardless.

I have been shielding and live alone, and honestly it is quite horrible and I would not recommend it. However in my case it is because I am immunosuppressed and have a lung condition so there is good reason to think I will be unable to fight a virus if I get infected. Never mind my pancreas choosing this year to stop responding to medication. My immune system will probably welcome the virus as they can attack my body together.

 

[Lizzy78]

Hi Becka.

Thanks for your thoughts. That's the thing, diabetes impacts on us all so differently. I hope you are doing ok, as I can't begin to imagine what shielding has been like for you. I hope you stay well, and hopefully you are getting plenty support on here.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

But the only benefits of being put in the shielding group are that you get a letter you can use as a fit note, you can receive government food parcels, and should be able to receive priority delivery slots from supermarkets.

The parcels are a joke so no advantage in that dept., I can assure you. I insisted I didn't need one yet ended up with 3 which I managed to rehome with other people. I'm coeliac so there was nothing in the boxes I received that I could eat.

As to the supermarket slots yep great if you want one at 10pm at night as that's the only ones on offer to me so it seems. I am not having my dog barking her head off at that time of night disturbing the neighbours and nine time out of ten I am in bed well before 10pm anyway.
If you can get delivery slots then the food parcels are not needed anyway.

All the supermarkets have set times for vulnerable people anyway and have one way systems setup.
I walked into Sainsburys the other day to collect my GF bread to find this system in place so asked the guard at the door if he could arrange/ask for a staff member to collect the bread as walking an extra mile for it exhausted me due to my MS.

His response was hang on a mo I will get you a necklace which means the staff will help you with what you need and just take the short cuts to what you need. I thought that was fab. So now all I will do in future is wear the necklace when I go into Sainsburys.

 

[NotWorriedAtAll]

I have 3 shielding letters and have chosen to ignore them. Stay safe and keep your social distance and you will be fine.
If diabetes is uncontrolled and you are over weight then then perhaps have a think about things.

With all this shielding I do wonder what the heck is going to happen when people start to surface again............ as isolated like they are there would be no immunity to just ordinary bugs going around so would all the isolated pople then be hit very hard by something simple like an ordinary cold?

I have been to all intents and purposes living a near enough 'shielded' life for ten years.
I have had the occasional cold and flu which I generally caught when on a supermarket visit or when my husband picked something up from a business meeting. Despite having undiagnosed diabetes for a chunk of that time and then diagnosed diabetes - I fought off the infections quickly and well.
So no - I don't think isolated people will be hit harder by colds etc They may well catch them more easily but how they respond to them and recover has loads of factors.

It is better that people can be on the shielding list if they have diabetes so they can then have access to support that is only presently available to those on the shielding list but as others have said it is up to the individual if they choose to shield or not once they have been given that category.

It is also important for working people who can then tell their employers they will be shielding and will be protected from being sacked or discriminated against.