Part 2. Un-shielding - what it means for me

Keith, haemodialysis patient, UK

Picking up from where I left off last time, and almost a month has passed.

COVID-19 has created a whole new layer of fear. The news is full of unlocking but as a ‘self-shielder’ all the guidance coming out, the new ‘Bubble Option’, shops opening, golf, Zoo’s – there is a caveat “none of this applies to the extremely vulnerable.” There was a concession that I can go out for a walk so long as I socially distance, but what if someone without face covering or a proper mask sneezes as they go past me, or their dog jumps up to say hello, has my luck then run out?

I asked some of my renal FaceBook friends about their feelings towards going out for walks as the first bit of the new word ‘unshielding’ and 533 responded during a five day period form 6/6 to 11/6. The results are below, very rough and ready but a window on feelings:

To the Medics, I hope you are coping and that you have the opportunity to offload and relax. How are you finding your patients, are they fearful of coming into clinic, seeing hospitals as high risk, and are they avoiding contacting their GP? Mine has been brilliant, and the surgery has too, but I have to say going in for an injection was irrationally a nerve-wracking experience.

Keep safe.. and thank you for all your work that directly and indirectly keeps me alive.