Easing Lockdown

My understanding is That the virus will always be out there and just about every one will be infected. It's how their body will cope until we have a vaccination that works.

Dh and I are both vulnerable but me in particular with diabetes and COPD. When lockdown is eased its clear that more people will get ill. This is how the virus is managed....... People getting infected gradually and not overwhelming the NHS.

So eventually I will have to come into contact with the virus, we all do. unless we stay isolated forever. Because as long as there are hosts (us) the virus will be there.
We are waiting on the vaccine.
Have I got this right or wrong!

Absolutely not worried if it’s handled responsibly, the majority of the population have done what is asked and I am sure that will continue. We need action not some timorous inaction. The economy is crumbling, the ‘science’ is only based in modelling (which in itself is subject to human error).

I don't know if it is OK to add this but if it is, please consider signing this petition to stop schoos opening too early.
There are very cogent reasons as to why schools should remain closed.

I hope it works!

httpss://actionnetwork.org/forms/open-schools-when-it-is-safe?source=direct_link

The lockdowns are being gradually phased in until 20th July.
What I’m interested to know and nobody seems to bring up is why has China 1 and a half billion people population yet only 4,600 people died of the virus yet in the U.K. our population is 66 million and we’ve had over 30,000 deaths? Doesn’t anybody find this strange?

Yes agree with you Oldwoman (hate calling you that!)
Just heard on the News that we shouldn’t expect too much of a difference. Do hope that’s true as I’ve been worried too.
We just have to keep calm until Sunday eh?

Seems we are to Lockdown for every then. It was to allow the NHS to gear up. Not forever, in the end the Country needs to earn money to pay for this. Then of course the Austerity card will be played for Ty duration by certain parties.

i think speculating is causing a lot of anxiety

I’m concerned that once everyone is “set free”, there will be another wave like the Spanish Flu scenario of years ago! I’m very fortunate in that I am now retired so don’t have the worry of going back to work, but can understand it must be a worry for those that do. If I can keep getting online food deliveries I should be ok, plus the local chemist has been very helpful in delivering my prescriptions. I have a nice home and lovely garden, so I am quite content to stay put! I must have saved a small fortune by not going shopping, buying clothes I don’t need! I was due to go to Portugal in April with my partner to celebrate his 70th, but we decided to postpone the trip until the end of August, naively thinking things might have “settled down” by then! Now neither of us want to go - apart from the airport and being on a plane with hundreds of other people coughing and spluttering into the air conditioning, who knows what it would be like when we did get there. Goodness knows what it would be like at the hotel and beach, plus all the restaurants and bars might still be shut - and we might have to wear face masks! We’ve told Jet2 we wish to cancel, but so far have only had an automated reply as they are busy trying to deal with holidays in the immediate future. If we only lose our deposit plus any “cancellation charges” it will be worth it because I really do not want to fly anywhere, even if restrictions are lifted by the end of August! As far as my family go, my younger son is still sulking because I wouldn’t let him visit me for Mother’s Day and hasn’t attempted to contact me since! At the time he thought I was making a fuss over nothing! My elder son texts me occasionally and I miss my two young grand-daughters.

I can see both sides. Luckily we are not too badly affected by lock down as we are able to go to supermarkets etc. & are doing shopping for more elderly neighbours. We can walk from the house to some nice spots if we wish too- well I can - DH doesn't 'do' exercise.
However we need him to get back to work! We have no money coming in & he was out of contract for a few months before this so we have been without a salary for about 5 months now. Living on savings is OK but that is what the are- savings.
He loves his work & has had several calls seeing if he is free for when this is over.
I want the dining room free of computers too!
My elder son is working 7 days a week as his job is essential & my younger son is 'working form home' as much as he can with 3 small children.
I think we all need to get back to normal as soon as is possible while recognising that there will be certain restrictions for many weeks to come.

The other day, someone was asking whether it's right to tell on neighbours who are flouring the rules. There was an article about this: www.bbc.com/news/world-52525463

I think it’s more about the economy as well. We can’t sustain wages I’m on furlough on minimum wage and losing 20% of my wages was awful. So really with my husband self employed and no money coming in I’m more worried about making ends meet than the virus which is sad. But there you go.

Yes, I am concerned too Gagajo,

No,its to soon. Yes the impact on the economy is disastrous. I think the media are whipping up a frenzy with endless speculation which will result in some thinking lock down is being eased to a greater extent than it will be taking unnecessary risks. Those who are anti lockdown will probably have a wonderful time in the expected hot weather crowding beaches and parks with little regard to others. I think Boris is being irresponsible waiting until Sunday to make an official statement. Maybe that is deliberate. The Governments handling of the crisis is shocking on many levels. In whose main interests is the economy kick started? Maybe it's big business that needs large numbers of low paid,zero hour workers to make vast profits. Reputable research has shown a disproportionate number of covid sufferers from poor /low income/deprived areas. Workers who have no choice other than to take additional risks using public transport and work in work environments where social distancing is impossible or lip service is paid to safe working environments. Professional workers can probably continue to work from home etc. The super wealthy company owners will remain safely on lock down. When the next big wave hits the Government will say how terribly tragic it is etc. Everyone has to try and do there own risk assessment. I do feel frustrated by people who state they've been working through the crisis implying those who may be more vulnerable for a variety of reasons may be shirking. I am lucky I have a small amount of savings I can live on for a few months. I work in care. I'm in the private sector. Previously I worked for council. I have friends in the public sector and know how they are much more protected by safer working conditions,sick pay etc,and yes more informed and qualified management. My life is worth more than £9 hr.

I agree with Bluedaisy they have not been truthful from the beginning also think all countries should stop trading with them until they tell the truth

I think it`s all paper talk.
I wouldn`t take any notice of anything you read/hear until it`s out of the horsesmouth.

It’s not about the current death rate but about the number of new cases which will indicate future hospital use and future death rates. It is also about the R or rate of infection which has been lowered to manageable levels. Lockdown will be eased slowly to keep R low but if it starts climbing past 1 then back to lockdown. Next winter will be the crux point when the virus could return with a vengeance and into a second phase worse than the first.
I for one am in the fortunate position of being able to stay home and I will stay there to protect myself and dh until they get a vaccine or a cure.

I remember reading somewhere that over 3 million people died of the Spanish flu. 50 million died in the second wave. Think on Boris !

I too am lucky I am retired and do not have to go to work but truly the government has handled this so badly.
We most definitely should not be out of lock down yet with so very many deaths.
I still get the feeling the government cares more about business than real people and is under pressure to open up from people with money who don't want to lose more.

Hi fellow grans, I don't often post.
I think we must put things into perspective. Nearly thirty thousand people die or are seriously injured on our roads. No-one is suggesting we stop driving though.
Certainly we should be cautious and follow guidelines.
But life is uncertain anyway and we all take calculated risks otherwise we would never progress.
I will listen to the PM on Sunday and look forward to seeing my family and friends, taking any necessary precautions

I too am concerned. I hate all this "we may do this or the other". So many people on hearing the suggestions will take it upon themselves to assume well its being thought about, I'll just do it. Why can't the powers that be just announce the actual decisions. A huge factor in what will happen is the econony. I have yet to see or hear any person in Government warn about wearing face coverings. If you trawl through all the scientific blurb available face coverings should be made of specific materials and washed at 60°C after each wearing. Obviously masks are different and are disposable. So get your sewing machines out, as we will need a pile of face coverings once the restrictions are reduced. Terrifying!

I fear that the government may revert to what was going on in the beginning when economy was given priority. A truly shocking situation unfolded in Italy 2 weeks ahead of us and we carried on regardless.

Surely Boris won’t announce easing of restrictions while there are still 600+ deaths daily and we now have the highest death rate in Europe?

Reckless tabloid speculation this morning has already set the wheels in motion for a free for all by the weekend.

...and that is why Boris and his teams are making it a gradual process so they can apply the brakes swiftly should a spike occur.
The economy is teetering and he's looking for ways to restart the engine before more businesses go bust.
The number of people who are claiming JSA and UC has risen exponentially and Sunak is considering reducing furlough payments to 60% instead of 80%. Government coffers are finite.
Small businesses will be able to go back to work soon and public transport will be severely limited in the numbers they accomodate. Buses likely to be 15 passengers in total and spacing on trains.

I composed a long angry post about people I know well, boasting about flouting lockdown rules, all of them categorised as vulnerable, shielding and self-isolating. The post vanished so clearly too much personal detail. These people I would have classed as pillars of the community.

Suffice to say, I believe lockdown has not worked as well as it should because too many people ignored the rules brought in for their own protection, and this country chose not to employ draconian measures to enforce them, trusting to their common sense.
Wrong.
I think the minute the slightest relaxation is introduced more will ignore them, and then complain bitterly when infection rates rise.

My sympathies are now with those who have lost their income, their jobs and future prospects, and they have to get back to work. The rate of recovery is at risk from the selfish few, sadly in my age group, those classed as vulnerable, but who persist in leaving their homes unnecessarily, and/or socialising with friends and family despite so much help being offered to protect them.

You will be able to picnic with your family...isn't that what you want, what you've been missing?

Italy are two weeks ahead of us, so why not wait to see how they fare?

I’ve become used to lockdown and quite like it. If I have to go out now, I can’t wait to get back home, but for those with businesses and jobs, I can see why they would want to hurry it along.