Letters / Not everyone is out of the woods yet
You’ll start to notice people walking around the shops and town wearing yellow shield badges (available free from the library) in the near future. Not everyone will know what these are, so here’s a quick heads up.
People wearing these would appreciate being given extra space and consideration when you are needing to go near them, especially in enclosed environments, as they are at a high risk of infection from Covid or other pathogens, or are simply uncomfortable with distancing and other restrictions being eased or lifted.
Covid vaccination has been a great step forward, but the badges remind us that there are still some people in the community who are at great risk from picking up infection, for one or several reasons.
At the start of the pandemic, people whose immune system was compromised would have been shielding, which would effectively have meant that they would have had little or no contact with the outside world, as their immune system would have offered no protection from the virus.
Even with the vaccine, people such as cancer patients on chemotherapy may have a poorly functioning immune system, and so still need your help to avoid picking up infections, of which Covid is just one.
We’ll be wearing these in my family, and we won’t be the only ones in Shetland. In the same way that not all disabilities are obvious, not all shielding people look ill.
Please remember that not all of us are out of the woods yet, so your help is very welcome.
Rob Jones
Bressay
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.