Covid19 & The Vulnerable Group
Following on from our previous posts at the beginning and later stages of the lock down caused by the Global pandemic. In today’s post we were hopeful of some good news for the general public and the vulnerable group.
Unfortunately the Coronavirus has not been contained since our last update, and following the stark warning from the medical professionals. The infection rate and hospitalisation rates are increasing as the country had attempted to return to normality. Although some responsibility resides with the government in the way the pandemic has been managed. It is very clear that Coronavirus will be with us for the short to medium term.
Shielding Until April 2021
Current predictions show restrictions will be in place until April 2021. With more potential restrictions being implemented on Monday 12th October including a new 3 tier system. This will potentially include the vulnerable group being returned to being shielded for many months to come. Many of the vulnerable group have already received advice from their medical professionals to shield prior to Mondays announcement as large spike in infection rates had been predicted. But up to and including today, there has been no official update for the 2.2 million vulnerable people. Which has left many confused and worried about what they can or cannot do.
As we learn more about Covid19 and the damage it can cause. We know have some medications that can help to treat the symptoms and causes. However, as the world awaits an effective vaccine and subsequent treatment plan. It is quite clear that we must again shield our most vulnerable and protect them however we can. At the beginning of the pandemic, we were made aware of the potential of people becoming fatigued. With the level of changes that they would need to make in the short term. This can be noticed by people getting to close to each other in shopping environment’s and not wearing face coverings correctly.
Supporting Others
At Life Insurance Cover we are not pointing fingers, instead we ask to be mindful of each other. Remembering that for the next few months we all need to help out. As Saturday 10th October 2020 is mental health awareness day. Take the time to speak to a friend or a loved who may struggle with their mental health. If they are also part of the vulnerable group, consider that they may not have spoken to others for a few days.
Currently the vulnerable group is defined as:
Solid organ transplant recipients
People with specific cancers:
Cancer sufferers who are undergoing active chemotherapy
Lung cancer patients who are undergoing radical radiotherapy
People with cancers of the blood or bone marrow. Such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma who are at any stage of treatment
People having immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments for cancer
Patients receiving other targeted cancer treatments that can affect the immune system, such as protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors
People who have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last 6 months or who are still taking immunosuppression drugs
Sufferers of severe respiratory conditions including all cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Rare disease patients that significantly increase the risk of infections (such as severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), homozygous sickle cell)
People on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase risk of infection
Women who are pregnant with significant heart disease, congenital or acquired
Including other people who have also been classed as clinically extremely vulnerable, based on clinical judgement and an assessment of their needs. GPs and hospital clinicians have been provided with guidance to support these decisions.
Protecting The Vulnerable Group
There has been mention of increasing localised lock downs to try and contain the spread of Covid19. It is quite clear that this plan is failing dismally. Let us know in the comments or on social media, if the instructions we have been given are too confusing. Or have impacted how you interact with others.
Although we remain hopeful for the time when we are all able to resume our normal hobbies, pastimes or jobs. We will have a few very hard months to get through first and please remember that many within the vulnerable group will need our help to get through it.