shielding emergency

barbarawright

I work for a local council on the COVID helpline. While this wouldn't be part of our standard package, it's something we would try to help with. As mentioned, email or phone their advice line, don't be shouty and ask for what you would like ie someone going to your house for specific items. If you aren't comfortable with that, it's hard to see what they could do. What exactly do you want them to do? (Obviously sort the power to your flat but no doubt they are working on that)

alerton123

diggingdude said:

your struggle may be that if your authority is anything like mine we don't have enough staff to perform statutory duties never mind risk their lives going to someone;s homes to collect their possessions.  Contact them but before you do be sure to know exactly what you are asking for and don't take the mick as that is the mostly likely way to get some help

i have actually just spoken to the council, they cant get anyone to go get anything for me, im guessing its an insurance / protection / safety / inconvenience issue. BUT it seems they do hope to have an alternative power supply connected to the lifts next week, they need the lifts working so the people working on the repair can start work, it seems they cant use the stairs like residents are expected to. so when the lifts are working i dont see any reason that i cant go back and sort things out / collect things for myself. i know im 'shielding' but if im in my own car to get there and make sure nobody else gets in the lift with me then i dont see a problem. the council already made me come into contact with various people due to my move into temp accommodation anyway. then i'll just have to be careful with my use of clothes etc. i have plenty but if im stuck here for 10 weeks i know i dont have 70 pairs of socks and undies lol. and im NOT using the washer in the temporary accommodation, it looks like its seen better days, same with the pans here but if i can get access to some more of my own stuff next week that will help.

Vegastare

As above I would certainly approach the council in a calm manner and explain that you are struggling and are very appreciative of them putting you in the temp accomodation etc but..... , my mother in law is lives in Housing Assoc property and within the first 5 -6 days of the lockdown and she is 80 - she had a phone call from the council asking if she required anything and that they could add her to a contact list for the vunerable, she declined as we are getting all her shopping and hubby(her son) goes twice a week and chats through the door etc.  The lady said she would post the contact number to her should her situation change and that very afternoon a young lady brought it to the house....we thought it was amazing.  So just give them a try.
Take care and stay safe

suki1964

alerton123 said:

diggingdude said:

your struggle may be that if your authority is anything like mine we don't have enough staff to perform statutory duties never mind risk their lives going to someone;s homes to collect their possessions.  Contact them but before you do be sure to know exactly what you are asking for and don't take the mick as that is the mostly likely way to get some help

i have actually just spoken to the council, they cant get anyone to go get anything for me, im guessing its an insurance / protection / safety / inconvenience issue. BUT it seems they do hope to have an alternative power supply connected to the lifts next week, they need the lifts working so the people working on the repair can start work, it seems they cant use the stairs like residents are expected to. so when the lifts are working i dont see any reason that i cant go back and sort things out / collect things for myself. i know im 'shielding' but if im in my own car to get there and make sure nobody else gets in the lift with me then i dont see a problem. the council already made me come into contact with various people due to my move into temp accommodation anyway. then i'll just have to be careful with my use of clothes etc. i have plenty but if im stuck here for 10 weeks i know i dont have 70 pairs of socks and undies lol. and im NOT using the washer in the temporary accommodation, it looks like its seen better days, same with the pans here but if i can get access to some more of my own stuff next week that will help.

See now that was what I was going to suggest, that you go yourself to collect the things you need yourself if you could manage the stairs. I was wondering if you were disabled to the extent that the stair weren't an option, mum is, but she can walk on the flat for instance. But if the lifts are working that surely is an opportunity for you

Many of us have been out working throughout all this, whist having elderly parents that need to be shielded living with us. I myself haven't contracted nor passed it on to anyone as far as I know - no symptoms, work colleagues and household all fit and well, yet I am out every day for work and Im the one that stands in the queue for the shop every week.

Driving back there, making sure you are the only one in the lift, and keeping your social distance from anyone you may meet, washing your hands upon entering your flat and again when you get back should see you ok

I also wash my clothes that I have worn outside and don't wear footwear that I have worn outside into the house.

Good luck, you will feel a lot better mentally with a few more personal belongings

alerton123

i have actually just spoken to the council, they cant get anyone to go get anything for me, im guessing its an insurance / protection / safety / inconvenience issue. BUT it seems they do hope to have an alternative power supply connected to the lifts next week, they need the lifts working so the people working on the repair can start work, it seems they cant use the stairs like residents are expected to. so when the lifts are working i dont see any reason that i cant go back and sort things out / collect things for myself. i know im 'shielding' but if im in my own car to get there and make sure nobody else gets in the lift with me then i dont see a problem. the council already made me come into contact with various people due to my move into temp accommodation anyway. then i'll just have to be careful with my use of clothes etc. i have plenty but if im stuck here for 10 weeks i know i dont have 70 pairs of socks and undies lol. and im NOT using the washer in the temporary accommodation, it looks like its seen better days, same with the pans here but if i can get access to some more of my own stuff next week that will help.

See now that was what I was going to suggest, that you go yourself to collect the things you need yourself if you could manage the stairs. I was wondering if you were disabled to the extent that the stair weren't an option, mum is, but she can walk on the flat for instance. But if the lifts are working that surely is an opportunity for you

Many of us have been out working throughout all this, whist having elderly parents that need to be shielded living with us. I myself haven't contracted nor passed it on to anyone as far as I know - no symptoms, work colleagues and household all fit and well, yet I am out every day for work and Im the one that stands in the queue for the shop every week.

Driving back there, making sure you are the only one in the lift, and keeping your social distance from anyone you may meet, washing your hands upon entering your flat and again when you get back should see you ok

I also wash my clothes that I have worn outside and don't wear footwear that I have worn outside into the house.

Good luck, you will feel a lot better mentally with a few more personal belongings

yes unfortunately, for me, going up the steps is not an option, i did manage going down but up again is out of the question. i wouldn't  be able to wash my hand when i got back to my place either as no water until the electric supply is fixed (needs pumps to get water up the the higher floors) but if / when they do get the lifts working i can at least get some of my stuff and collect any post too. who knows they might get the fault fixed quicker than expected with luck. also in a couple of weeks when i am more 'settled' and feeling upto it i might even take the chance and spend a few days back at my place and decorate while i dont need to 'live' there, got to be easier when things can be moved and left out the way until the painting is done then when i do get back i will be moving into a nice freshly decorated place

suki1964

Hand sanitiser for when soap and water isn't available , its easily sourced now, even corner shops sell small bottles

Fire_Fox

Are you able to use a shower or a bath at the temporary accommodation? If yes put your worn underwear in with you. Shampoo or body wash is effective on laundry too.

It may be the council's repair team need the lift operational to transport essential tools and equipment to different levels.

alerton123

Fire_Fox said:

Are you able to use a shower or a bath at the temporary accommodation? If yes put your worn underwear in with you. Shampoo or body wash is effective on laundry too.

It may be the council's repair team need the lift operational to transport essential tools and equipment to different levels.

the temporary accommodation has a wet room, much better than i have in my place, at least it is now its had a half gallon of bleach and a good clean and 2 lots of mr muscle drain unblocker after nearly flooding the whole of the flat when i first arrived (oops). laundry will get done even if i have to do it in the sink but i think the washer might be ok after its has a good clean and a cycle through with bleach and a few rinse cycles. ive even managed to fix the communal gate into the communal gardens that has apparently been waiting for over 2 years for repair. most of the neighbors seem to be 'older ladies' so to have me moved in has caused a bit of excitement, they may be a little less excited if & when they realize that i 'bat for the other team' but for now they all seem friendly enough