It’s been a long time but I’m back and ready to do some sharing!

Today Boris announced the scrapping of the self isolation law leading to me sending an email to No10 for the first time ever

“Following on from the prime minister announcing today the scrapping of self isolation rules for those who test positive to Covid-19, do I assume correctly that all those of us who have made no antibody response at all like myself and others with primary immunodeficiencies and other conditions will be able to receive the antibody therapies prophylactically to prevent serious illness when those testing positive are allowed to walk around shops with no mask infecting anyone they come into contact with.

If not then the feeling amongst antibody deficiency patients that we are seen as second rate citizens and an inconvenience during this pandemic is true and highly disappointing.”

I have 3 covid vaccines and made no antibody or T-cell response to any of them. I have not sacrificed two years of my life staying inside for the government to decide I really do not matter. The scrapping of self isolation rules without giving those of us who are immune deficient the antibody therapy needed to keep us safe is an appalling thought.

Even those who have responded to the vaccine do not want those testing positive wandering about being able to infect anyone and everyone and I really do not want the risk of hospitalization or death from being infected myself.

So I would urge everyone to contact the cabinet office about this decision and what it means for the most vulnerable in society.

I started blogging 3 years ago. I haven’t blogged as much as I would like but I hope it’s been informative.

Let’s face it 2020 has not gone as anyone planned and who knows when it will be back to “normal”.

After several weeks of feeling mentally rubbish and hating everyone I realised I couldn’t snap out of the mood so increased my antidepressants a week ago which reaffirmed mine and many others thoughts that this pandemic is leading to a mental health crisis.

Whilst I understand at the moment the government is focused on the physical effects and spread of Covid-19 I am concerned at how the future response to this mental health epidemic will be managed.

The go to for mental health treatment seems to be drugs and I am all for them in many situations. Many people don’t understand how helpful these drugs can be but there is another option I believe strongly in.

Talk therapy should not be underestimated, it gives everyone a chance to chat through what they are feeling and learn they are not alone. This view was confirmed by my hairdresser; almost everyone who goes to see her talks about what they have been up to, how they are feeling, what’s annoyed them. If ever there was proof talk therapy is beneficial and people are widely using it this is it. It almost makes you wonder whether hair dressers should receive a therapy fee.

I understand the major restrictions at the moment of face to face counselling but with so many digital platforms available for online chats would it not be worth to have more group counselling session?

Counselling should be available to those affected directly by Covid-19 and for those who have not had it but by starting to treat it now it will prevent an epidemic later,

Today is day 2 of World Primary Immunodeficiency Week raising awareness for those living with Primary Immunodeficiencies (PIDs).

Having lived with this for 32 years it’s a cause I feel strongly about.

These are a group of over 300 different conditions that affect how the body’s immune system works.

People affected by PIDs have parts of their immune systems missing or not working. This leaves them with reduced or no natural defence against germs such as bacteria, fungi and viruses, which surround us everyday.

The consequences are that people with PIDs get infections more often than is normal; they can take longer to get better when they have antibiotic treatment and even then the infections can keep coming back.

This susceptibility to infection is one of the most common symptoms of PIDs. Often PIDs are diagnosed early in a child’s life. However, signs of immunodeficiency can also occur in older children, teenagers or adults.

Having a PID can also lead to other illnesses and life with or without these can be concerning.

With the current Covid-19 pandemic it is an extremely worrying time for everyone and especially so when you have a PID.

Depending on the type of PID a person has and their other conditions many patients may be classed as “extremely vulnerable” and have been advised to “shield” for at least 12 weeks only leaving their homes for medical procedures that are necessary.

Being on immunosupression, having myelodysplasia etc means I’m in this extremely vulnerable category and so I’m not allowed to leave the house except for medical procedures as stated above. Luckily I have so many amazing friends around that I have plenty of people to collect prescriptions for me, get food etc and due to my status my amazing dog walker can still take my gorgeous Minnie out for a walk.

My sister is only 15 minutes away and has done some “essential visits” to me to get/deliver bits but we then chat through the window.

As they are over 70 my parents are classed as vulnerable and are not meant to leave their house so we speak on the phone everyday and introducing them to Zoom has been amazing. Other patients are still “vulnerable” but do not need to take such extreme measures but I reckon if you speak to most PID patients they are shielding as much as they can.

The issue with this is that getting bits if you have no friends and family around e.g food delivery shops. We all know how difficult it is to get a food delivery slot but for those more susceptible to illness complications and no-one around to help them it is a nightmare leaving them with hardly any food or ways to get any.

The one thing this pandemic has shown is how much community spirit there still is around, with groups of volunteers being set up to help those in need. Even I have had 2 calls from the Red Cross to check I am okay and aside from my ataxia stopping me from hoovering the stairs I am.

So what I’m trying to say is do your bit to help others even if you don’t know why they’re having to do what they do, if you have a food delivery slot ask your neighbours (especially the vulnerable ones) if they want to add anything to it and of course don’t forget to clap for carers and keyworkers tonight.