I’m a shielder who's been out for the first time. How do I stay safe? (11 August 2020)

Summary

Pippa Kent is one of those people who were told that from 1 August they no longer needed to shield to protect themselves from the coronavirus.

While you might assume that, having been trapped inside her house for the past 18 weeks, she would embrace this newfound freedom with enthusiasm, the reality remains far from it.

For those whose pre-existing medical conditions greatly increase the risk from COVID-19, there, naturally, is hesitation to embrace this sweeping change. Read Pippa's blog, published in the Guardian, on her first trips out and the fears she felt.