Coronavirus: What we know about the end of the lockdown!

While I think many of you are coping with science and cold hard facts and statistics, I personally prefer to stay positive. I have hope for the vaccine and I can only thank the wonderful NHS and other health and essential workers that are keeping us all going.

I have severe COPD have been shielding, was due to end 13th June, received a second letter now extended until 13th July, but got no intention of going out until vaccination found, or cases and deaths down to 0. Definitely far too early for  children to return to school especially young children who want to play and have rough and tumble with mates. Miss pubs but will definitely not be going to one for a very long time. Am in hospital at moment on IV’s for bad chest infection, been here a week maybe another week, am very anxious and afraid, first time out of house since 17th March, only come here under protest because breathing so bad, last place I want to be, nurses and staff are brilliant and meticulous about hygiene, but still apprehensive.

Isolate for many years? Gosh that sounds horrendous. My hubby is 83 with COPD, Asthma, Hypo Thyroidism and Atrial Fibrillation. he is classed at very high risk and is shielded. Does that mean we will have be isolated for many years to come? We have a son and his wife living in Canada. They can only come to UK once a year and at no other time than August. I doubt very much if they will be able to come if they have to be quarantined for 2 weeks when they come into the country. if that is the case, they will not come unless they can be quarantined in out=r own house. its so much in the air at the moment. They only got married 3rd Aug last year and we were hoping that we will help them celebrate their first wedding anniversary here, Will just have to wait and see.

@robjmckinney  Hello again . you are right if we read the material being issued the future is none existant for us older persons. But We have survived in the past as your wives case shows. However many of us who are reasonably well & active are not eager to spend many years cooped up in our own homes.The advice given to highly clinically vulnerable does sound too rigid compared to the advice given to those in the at risk category. my opinion is we should consider what is best for ourselves its your health and live. Take care if you have diabetes I speak from experience having lost a member of family from diabetes & virus mixture.My thoughts this morning are , could this heat go away as it is causing me added breathing and sleep problems and the fear that it could be the virus everytime I feel a bit of raised symptoms of my normal illnesses.  Enjoy your day both.

@Katieoxo22 

Hi Kate,

When I say stay isolated for years I just mean avoiding people you don't know or large groups. The race meeting just before the lockdown was a major spreader of the disease. The challenge will be grandchildren once the isolation is over, we already have been seeing ours while they are isolating. The challenge will be when they return to school, the only time we caught Colds and Flu were when we met our granddaughter. They are largely unaffected but they carry the disease so a real battle. We generally did not mix widely so the challenge of not meeting people not a great issue as both our relatives have died over recent years. An interesting report is the disease in Britain now is that it is mainly confined to care homes and hospitals, no so much in the general population. We have totally reduced our hospital appointments to simple phones call with the specialists and our GP, it seems to work. I shall be buying a small camera to attach to my iPad to help show various issues. Little bits to avoid confrontations but clearly the Opticians are a challenge and my wife has cataracts so regular testing for her to see well. Yes it is all a challenge but I do believe we can continue to remain isolated to a degree for several years. As with the Flu jab I don't believe any vaccine will be 100% but adding sensible isolation we can try to keep safe and reduce our contact. That I believe this situation is the new normal the government describes for those few of us at real risk. Stay safe! 

@robjmckinney  Hello again, like yourselves my appointments  have been reduced to  telephone , my milkman wears a mask when collecting money. shopping has been by delivery. Social life has been telephone chats only. Have you seen todays news , my freind rang to tell me Sheilded will be allowed out once a day from tommorrow including those of us who live alone. Obviously many of us will be cautious  but just a walk to the post box would be refreshing. For myself that is a mammoth task as my knee joint does not work properly due to arthritis. I have masks and gloves, so its just about crossing the road to distance if necessary . Things are moving on but whether its too soon I am not sure either.

@Katieoxo22 

Hi Katie,

Yes I imagine living alone is a lot tougher and my wife and I are well suited to each other. She has many life threatening illnesses so Covid-19 would be a death sentence. Yes they do say those at 60 plus or with underlying conditions can venture out but with great caution. Have tried mobility scooters to get you about as some of the 7mph versions have a reasonable range of 20 miles plus, which open up new adventures. That is of course getting over the embarrassment of being seen on one but are a good solution. There are clubs and groups to join if company is needed but in the present climate be dangerous. Perhaps the internet can supply many of your needs both emotionally and physically. Stay safe.

@robjmckinney Hi  sad to say the group I run which has been around for thirty years has had to close due to the lockdown ect  along with another group I am on the committee of plus the face to face arthritis action group. There are many others but all closed at present. I have done a virtual meeting with a few people but not the same as meeting for varied activities . I am not a very good driver on mobility scooters, so might have to pay for a private op but that will only give temporary walking improvement & pain releif as I have multi joint arthritis along with a lung condition . As you say maybe the computer might be my best option but not the one of choice as I have arthritic hands too. Its difficult to decide what is the best option, stay safe & isolated for the rest of my life or go out and risk further illness that could shorten my life anyway. I can't even manage in my own home anymore in safety,its so strange living like this unable to make decisions or mow your own lawn in comfort. Best wishes to you both.

@Katieoxo22 

Hi Katie,

My wife suffers from essential tremor, Reynard's and arthritis in her hands. Voice systems in various forms are  widely available plus touch screens in the end I bought her Samsung Pad and she using the pointer to select things which has enabled her to remain using such technology. If you use a PC voice commands are available plus I bought specialised mouse's to operate the PC. Nice touch screens combi versions have been out for years for the PC. Mobility scooters are quite adaptable and kits available to use and control easier. Even wheelchairs have tiny stick controllers and crossover versions between scooters and wheelchairs. Operations should be getting back to normal soon as they had it so easy over the crisis as nobody was using the wider services. But an operation for the next few years will be risky as care homes and hospitals are Covid-19 hotspot and remain so for years. Good to know that you are active with groups and I feel such groups/people will be the only company for many in the future. Stay safe!

@robjmckinney  Good morning , I have tried some of the suggestions  you mention for using the PC ect . My ipad is the easiest to use. Think microsoft have a free speech programme.  We do need these groups in future but how we keep them going is debatable.  I have essential hand tremor like your wife, was born with it.  It is amazing how much people have in common  once you start talking.  Did not want to end up in a wheelchair but looks like thats the only option  or as you say a mobility scooter with adaptations, better than being stuck at home all day everyday. Other option a chauffuer :)  Have a good day and stay safe.