Do You Feel You Come Under The 'At Risk' Category?

[Barsel]

If you do, have you received a letter from the government or your GP to tell you that you are? Do you know of anyone who has received this type of letter?

[Canary42]

Yes, no, no

[postman44]

I haven't received any letter from GP or government. Has anyone else.

[Mamyalynne]

I don't fall into any of the categories on the lists, so I feel no more vulnerable than anyone else really.

A thread on these lines yesterday.

https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Body-and-Soul/Question1701293.html

[dannyk13]

Yes, received a letter from the NHS informing me that I am extremely vulnerable.

[Barsel]

Mamya thanks for the link. did't realise somebody had already asked. x

[Barsel]

I was told by my hospital Rheumatologist on the phone last week that I come under the at risk group because of the treatment I have for my arthritis, being over 70 and only having half a lung on one side, but I've never received a letter from anyone.and when I was trying to get help with having my medication delivered, I am being asked do I have the letter. Danny, when you said you got one from the NHS , did it come from your GP, the hospital or the government?

[Mamyalynne]

Have you tried to get yourself registered Barsel?

Link here.

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable

[Barsel]

Thanks for that Mamya. x

[Barsel]

Mamya have registered on there and at the end it says phone your GP to let them know you have registered. Phoned the GP and was told I'm not listed as vulnerable so they advised I ask for a telephone call with a GP in the morning. Why is life so complicated?

[Buenchico]

I'm in the high risk group (due to current chemotherapy) but I've not received a letter. However I doubt that it wold tell me anything I don't know anyway.

I regard total isolation as impractical, so I'm simply trying to limit the number of times I leave my house and, of course, to observe the social distancing rules. I'm also deliberately only shopping where there are wide aisles (which rules out the Co-op down the road, which is very cramped) in order to make it easier to stay well away from other people. I'd rather do a 30-mile round trip to Waitrose (where I feel relatively safe) than shop locally in cramped conditions.

I had my latest chemo session at Ipswich Hospital this morning and then went straight to Waitrose (because it's on that side of the town anyway). My plan now is to remain indoors for at least two weeks and, ideally, for three (so that I can then leave my house just once, for chemo and shopping on the same day).

I know what the Government advice for people like me is and I know the (hopefully small) risks that I'm taking. I can't see how getting a letter would make any difference.

[Mamyalynne]

Life is complex Barsel, yes.

Buen, I think you're doing the best you can like everyone is.

[-SharonA-]

I'm not at risk, but hubby has diabetes. And no letter.

[pixie374]

I don't think so, but am surrounded by people who definitely are, and I don't know of anyone who has received a letter yet.

[Vagus]

Could be wrong, but I don’t think diabetes is classed as at risk in so far as these letters are concerned.

[pixie374]

Type 2 is a big risk, so it should be.

[Vagus]

Do you pixie, I’m not so sure.
We have both type 1 and type 2 in the family and none of us/them feel in the very ‘at risk’ category, requiring this letter.

[bednobs]

the vulnerable and extremely vunerable people are 2 seperate groups. It is the extra vulnerable people who are getting letters "This includes, for example, those who have received organ transplants, are living with severe respiratory conditions such as cystic fibrosis and severe chronic bronchitis (COPD) or specific cancers like of the blood or bone marrow.

And some – though not all – of those receiving certain types of drug treatments including ones which suppress the immune system – leaving the body less able to fight off the virus. "

[Barsel]

Chris, you may not see the need for a letter as you have not asked for help. When I asked for help, I was asked if I had received the letter and I had to say no. I got the help I needed (picking up my medication from Tesco) but I was told it would be a one off as I hadn't received the letter, I'm not classed as vulnerable.
Vagus my daughter is a teacher and has type 1 diabetes and she is not allowed in school.

[pixie374]

Not 100% sure... I spoke to someone working with covid people in the local hospital, who said type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure are the biggest risks- in his opinion.

[Vagus]

Barsel, the type 1 in our family is working from home but wouldn’t consider themselves to be in the most vulnerable category. I hope your relative stays safe.
On the other hand, my cousin has motor neurone disease and wouldn’t even be offered a ventilator if he got the virus.