I agree the lack of consensus between GPs is unacceptable. I feel incredibly lucky that my consultant recommended I shield, and when I told my GP they agreed. I am under 40, no other health conditions and HbA1c between 47-53 over the years so by all accounts I am low risk. However the thing that made my consultant recommend shielding was my job, as I also work in a school, and he did not believe social distancing would be possible. Indeed, it has now been accepted that children are not expected to follow social distancing measures, but that staff should. My employer recognised the current school set up would not enable distancing and indeed many staff who have been in with the key workers have since been off ill.
The inconsistency has put people at the mercy of their employers. Luckily I have understanding employers and have had plenty of work to do from home, and have if anything been working longer hours than usual, but also full pay the whole time. Our work policy clearly states all vulnerable adults (Inc extremely vulnerable) require a risk assessment before returning to work, so I'm still not sure what my job looks like for September. All measures introduced in schools have to be funded by the schools themselves, so it is incredibly hard for them given the lack of funding over the years.
Is it not a requirement for employers to provide a 'covid safe' work environment? Shielding has been paused, but the wording of the letter makes me think no one else has been downgraded, just that everyone should be stringently following social distancing measures?