confusing call

This Morning in lockdown blunder as Ruth Langsford is forced to correct psychologist telling viewer to socialise

THIS Morning suffered a lockdown blunder today as Ruth Langsford was forced to correct psychologist Emma Kenny for telling a viewer to go out and socialise.

In a phone-in, a woman said to be at "high-risk" of catching coronavirus said she was angry about those flouting lockdown rules and said her family don't understand why she can't see them.

Emma began giving her advice on how to get over her anxiety of seeing other people again, before the caller interrupted and said: "Isn't that against the advice I've been given?"

Disagreeing, Emma continued: "If you have been advised to shield you still have the opportunity to stand away from someone for two metres so you have some sort of social contact.

"Also, you want to make sure your mental health is being looked after. You need to digitally detox, you don't need to read that..."

She was then cut off by Ruth who said: "Emma, sorry to interrupt, but if I've got this right, if you have been told to shield then you are not allowed out.

"That's the point. You're not allowed out for this period. You have to stay in your house."

Trying to argue shielding people can still meet others at a two-metre distance, Emma added: "Yeah, but are you not allowed the two metres?"

The caller said she had received a letter from the NHS saying she was "very high-risk" and shouldn't leave her house until the end of June.

When Emma again asked if the woman was allowed to see people at a two-metre gap,  Ruth insisted: "No."

When she accepted that wasn't the case, she said: "Oh you're not even allowed that? Oh right, OK."

At the end of the phone-in, Ruth reminded viewers about the rule set by government.

She said: "We have to make that clear.

"If you have been told to shield that does mean you are not allowed out at all.

"If you have any doubts or confusion about that please speak to your GP."

On the government guidance website, it describes those who are clinically extremely vulnerable to stay at home at all times, which is called "shielding".

It adds: Do not leave your house. Do not attend any gatherings, including gatherings of friends and families in private spaces, for example, family homes, weddings and religious services. Strictly avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Government is currently advising people to shield until June 30 and is regularly monitoring this position.

Defending her advice on Twitter after the show, Emma responded to a critic saying: "What? Undermining what? Giving her an option to consider something that may help her mental health.

"Listen, my job is to explore possibilities that will help. Just as shielding is only ‘advice’ so too is mine suggesting she has a friend visit or goes for a short walk x."

She also pointed to a line from the government website, which reads: "Shielding is for your personal protection. It’s your choice to decide whether to follow the measures we advise."