Are the madding crowds doing us all a favour?

I suspect that spikes don't happen immediately after madding crowd episodes. Ity takes a while for those who were crowding together to develop the virus and pass it on to others who then pass it on to more people etc. It is the same geometric progression as the first waves to hit this country - each "generation" of people affected was a multiplication of the one before.

It’s quite joyful shopping in a supermarket at the moment - so few people, no queues at the checkout.

Annaram1

Suziewoozie, If the virus likes colder weather why are there so many cases in hot countries such as India and Brazil?

Is it the heat it doesn't like, or the humidity? We have very high humidity in the UK in summer - it appears we may be more susceptible to viruses generally in the winter when the humidity is low:

First, they say that when cold, dry air comes indoors and is warmed, the relative humidity indoors drops by about 20%. Such a drop in humidity makes it easier for airborne viral particles to travel.

Second, the hair-like organelles outside of cells that line the body’s airways, called cilia, do not function as well in dry conditions — they cannot expel viral particles as well as they otherwise would. full article here

....and the Middle East.

If the virus likes cold weather then why is it rampant in countries likes India and South America!

Look at Aberdeen outbreak. No social distancing in outside queue- outbreak. Footballers who are regularly tested- no social distancing in pub - 3 positive and likely to spread. Also the infection rate for the younger groups is steadily increasing. The virus is still here and the young are not doing anyone any favours. Social distancing is still needed as well as all the other precautions. Are we complacent - yes. Spotted two females both of whom I know work on NHS front line arrived at supermarket in same car, walked together to store- front of queue as NHS uniform and entered store WITH NO MASK. What chance do we have when those who should know better don't seem to care.

The only remote 'favour' I can think of is that, when infected, they are giving the powers that be more practice in speedy designated lockdowns and, perhaps, more practice in the sadly inadequate testing arena. Small benefit indeed and certainly not my ideal.

This is not the first heatwave with over-crowded beaches. If that were going to trigger a great surge we'd surely have seen signs by now.
And you can't get much further from the sea than Leicester.

I agree with Hetty58. I can’t see how they’re doing us a favour either, as they will all go back home and mix with other people in shops, pubs etc. so if there are big rises in cases, we will all be at greater risk if/when we go anywhere.

It’s also a bit concerning that if all these people then try to get in local restaurants and pubs, they will also become overcrowded, at much higher risk.

My local pubs are very good, one way in,one way out with cordoned area. Seating outside only, tables 2m apart. Waitress service only. Only 2 allowed in toilet area at a time.

I feel it’s pubs in large cities that the youngsters use that are attracting crowds, these are the ones that are harder to manage, but it can be done but it depends how serious landlord/ manager is about rules or putting money first.

they have doormen coco they should havemade sure the queue was "distanced " instead they were massed jam packed together.And yes I know how badly hit the hospitality trade has been BUT many did follow the rules and they are very angry at the publicans who didn't ...as one bar owner said online " the greedy bas---ds spoiled it for us all by failing not just us but the folk they want as customers "

Suziewoozie, If the virus likes colder weather why are there so many cases in hot countries such as India and Brazil?

There wasn’t much of a spike, except in Leicester, within a few weeks of the last lot of beach madness or the hundreds of thousands of people at Black Lives Matter demos; I began to wonder at that point whether we had developed some of that herd immunity the govt were on about when all this started. However we are now seeing localised spikes all over the country so I don’t think it will be as straightforward as either no spike or a massive spike

Not sure how publicans can be responsible for queues outside their premises

Perhaps it’s my pessimistic nature but I feel we are in the trough between waves. Hope I’m wrong but I shall continue to go carefully.Best of luck to all.

crowd ...sorry should have proof read

The Aberdeen outbreak has been linked to bars and restaurants ,its the publicans fault as much as the customers.If they had followed the gudlines with distancing and bookings for tables only this wouldn't have happened.They didn't,they allowed long queues outside and people to crown in side . recipe for disaster Scotland has now had 21 days without a death ,we'd like that to continue .

It’s also the summer still and there’s general agreement that the virus likes colder weather.

I can't see how they're doing us a favour. These same people will be in shops, on transport, at work etc. possibly asymptomatic yet highly infectious to the rest of us!

Of course, our government wants the economy up and running asap. Therefore, obviously, they'll downplay the risks we're exposed to when travelling, eating out, working or socialising.

Yes outside the risk is much less but I still keep away from people as much as I can and I don't stop and chat. Same with public transport, will avoid as much as possible. I will keep to these rules for the foreseeable future.

Or in crowded trains, buses and tubes.

It is outdoor contact though, you can't really compare that with an office environment. So even if not many people became ill after a trip to the beach, it would not mean it was safe for people to go back to work indoors.