Leeds Covid shielders speak out as second lockdown starts

A  Leeds pensioner who shielded for four months during the first Covid-19 lockdown said the experience has left her better prepared both mentally and practically at the start of the latest lockdown.
Connie CluderayConnie Cluderay
Connie Cluderay

A Leeds pensioner who shielded for four months during the first Covid-19 lockdown said the experience has left her better prepared both mentally and practically at the start of the latest lockdown.

Connie Cluderay, 68, shielded at her home in Cookridge from March to the end of July on her GP's instructions as she suffers from a serious lung condition bronchiectasis and rheumatoid arthritis.

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Mrs Cluderay, who could not leave her house and garden for four months, said she will at least be able to go out for a walk during the latest national lockdown, which started on Thursday and is due to end on December 2.

Keisha MeekKeisha Meek
Keisha Meek

The Government has published guidance for people defined as "clinically extremely vulnerable" and is strongly advising them to stay at home at all times, unless they are going out for exercise or a doctor's appointment. They are also advised to try to stay two metres away from other people within their household.

Mrs Cluderay, who is a regular gym goer and does voluntary work for older people, said the first lockdown affected her more mentally more than physically due to the social isolation.

Mrs Cluderay, who worked in childcare and social work, said: "It is not shielding like it was the first time around, they are not calling it that, but it is more or less the same process, with registering with the Government again for priority shopping slots.

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"In the first round it was hard going getting delivery slots and people were panic buying. It felt much worse the first time around because we had no experience of what that means, so people were learning.

"I have kept my supermarket delivery slots from the first time. We are more prepared this time and we have got strategies in place to manage things better.

"And I think mental health wise we are in a better place because we have had this previous experience."

Mrs Cluderay, whose husband Keith, 68, does not have to shield, said she is "extremely worried" about contracting Covid-19, adding: "It (lockdown) is still going to have an impact on us. It is still worrying me and restricts what we can do and where we can go, but is like that for most people.

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"It is going to be a long month, but I feel OK about how I will manage.

"This time around I'm more prepared and I think people in general are and this time we can go out for walks. "

NHS project analyst Keisha Meek, 28, from Kippax, suffers from a rare form of endometriosis which is on the lungs and she has had pneumonia five times since Christmas.

Miss Meek, said: "I am a bit stressed about it and feel like I am isolated at home.

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"A lot of people my age don't understand shielding and don't get why it's important and they think people are over exaggerating by doing it.

"My partner, who is a joiner, is working at Bradford University at the moment and there is quite a lot of transmission at universities so it is making me feel worried."

She added: "I feel more concerned about it because the numbers of cases are higher and I feel like it is going to be longer than four weeks. It is worrying with the number of cases that there are at the moment."

The Government has said that the clinically extremely vulnerable group includes those with reduced immune systems, specific cancers or severe respiratory conditions such as cystic fibrosis.

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People with stage five chronic kidney disease and those undergoing dialysis, as well as adults with Down's syndrome, are being added to the shielding patient list by the NHS due to new evidence about groups more likely to be at risk of serious illness from Covid-19.

The Department of Health and Social Care said the Government will provide more than £32 million to upper-tier councils in England to support the clinically extremely vulnerable over the next month.

Deputy chief medical officer for England, Dr Jenny Harries, said: "With the prevalence of the virus continuing to increase across England and in places across the world, it's right that we adjust our advice for the clinically extremely vulnerable accordingly so they can feel as safe as possible over the coming few weeks.

"Our guidance for this group of individuals has always been advisory, but I would strongly urge all those who are clinically extremely vulnerable to take these extra precautions to keep themselves as safe as possible."

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Sarah MacFadyen, head of policy at Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation, said: "With people advised not to go to shops, including the pharmacy, it's vital that delivery systems are easy to access and properly funded so no one is left without essentials.

"The Government must ensure local authorities are given as much help as possible to support people and that the money promised gets to where it is most needed."

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