Easing Lockdown

To me it seems a case of be damned if you do and be damned if you don't, regardless of who was in power. We are indeed between the devil and the deep blue sea. We can only go with the flow.

Again, the money, the economy, id rather have my life thanks! What good is a world with money& goods in it if theres hardly any actual people left to earn,buy& spend???The world survived after the wall street crash many years ago,and other stock market troubles- it wont if all the people continue dropping like flies will it?it also makes me worry more for my family some of whom are in transport/retail- i really dont think the PM is thinking straight at the moment- he's being led, and although I'm not a conservative supporter,i thought he was starting to show some initiative& gumption before he got ill- i wonder what his partner thinks of this plan? Or if he's even asked her opinion? As a new mum,who also nearly lost her partner/child's dad,i doubt she wants the country to take any more risks at the moment! I thought they had 5 RULES to go by first? Yet we are still having people die every day? In high numbers.the government are insane i think.The other countries were about 12 weeks in lockdown werent they?so why are we not waiting longer too?

Completely agree with Missiseff . It was not as if they couldn't learn from what was going on in other countries. They could have gotten ahead of the curve and then flattened it!

Seems to me the NZ prime minister and government are a text book case of how to control a pandemic.

I don't think it's productive to use the phrase 'mass hysteria' in connection with Covid-19 or to suggest we'll all be OK if we follow the social distancing rules. I'm sure any relative or friend of one of the 30,000+ deaths we've experienced in the UK would be appalled at the suggestion that daily efforts on the part of the press to highlight the problems of this pandemic can be reduced to /mass hysteria. As for social distancing, there is clearly much more pressure on those of us who live in big cities as far as this is concerned. If you live out in the provinces or in the countryside, it's easy to say we should all socially-distance, but this is impossible if you have to travel on the tube in London, or the metro in other big cities. It all depends where you live, and what personal resources you have, and I realise that some people may have every reason to feel afraid to return to work. I'm just glad that I don't have to do that as I guess many of us on this site don't. And of course, for those of us who have been able to self-isolate in comparative luxury with food deliveries and a garden to potter about it, we really have no clue of the psychological effects upon those who do have to go out and get back to work.

The Bank of England are forecasting the worst economic crash in 300 years. There's no way that the government can keep paying the furlough rates so they are under tremendous pressure. However we are in a health crisis made so much worse by the mismanagement of the pandemic. I hope that the return to work is handled better, but there's no much reason for optimism. I do think that people are easing back of their own accord. Personally I am in no hurry to mix with others, but then that's my decision to make, not everyone can do that.

We are so lucky in our geographical situation but I believe we still need to maintain social distance. I don't think we ever need to shake hands again! I love the attitude we have that we are all in this together! Aussies are amazing in the way we all stick together. There is certainly going to be a new normal. But we have to count our blessings and thank our politicians for acting so quickly. We have only to look at Italy etc. for validation of that.Bless you all and stay safe!

I can't stand all this continued speculation in the media; I want facts not continual catastrophising. Honestly, it is no wonder we are experiencing record levels of anxiety as a nation.
The longer we continue the lockdown, the deeper the recession afterwards. For the last few years all I have read about is how the decision made about Brexit would affect our young people detrimentally. This is the same. They will be paying for this lockdown for ever and a day. We need a balanced approach to lockdown which keeps people as safe as possible but as economically sound too. There is no "right" way because we don't have a crystal ball to see what will happen if we make one decision over another. What will work for one country may not work for another. We are a crowded nation with a high population so I think we need to be more stringent but you also have to have the people onside otherwise it won't work. I am just glad I am not the one to make these decisions but I will continue to be careful no matter what those decisions are.

I think any government regardless of politics would be in a difficult position at this point.

In order to make lockdown effective they had to scare people so they constantly told us how many victims had died but never told us how many were surviving. Even though they didn't know the exact numbers of people at home with it, they knew how many people were recovering in hospital.

So now everyone is scared but it's time to ease lockdown. The government is between a rock and a hard place. We need to get back to work but people are terrified of going out and catching the virus. In a way scaring people into lockdown has been too effective.

Of course, once lockdown is loosened the number of cases will rise but the aim of lockdown was never to prevent us from catching it, rather it was to make sure we didn't all catch it at the same time and overwhelm the NHS. To that end it has been effective because even under extreme circumstances the NHS managed to do it's job albeit mainly due to the dedication of it's staff.

I will go out but will still social distance where possible for the time being and if I have to go on public transport or into other potentially crowded places then I'd wear a mask (not for my benefit but just in case I'm breathing the virus over other people).

I think the Govt (UK) have probably handled this as well as they could have done, given the information they had about this disease, with excellent partners in key workers, volunteers and businesses. We're all following their advice now and no doubt will follow the next plan. Many countries have already eased restrictions. Surely you can choose to continue to self-isolate if you want? I think Gagajo hit the nail on the head - you have to have money. A lot of us are fortunate in that we have work or state pensions. Many younger people need to work. Sadly too, school is by far the best or/and safest place for some children. In reply to your question Gagajo yes, I can't wait for restrictions to be lifted. I'm counting the days until I can actually see my DGC. The measures were taken to ensure the NHS could cope - unfortunately saving lives may not be even possible.

Yes i am..im staying in still.I understand about economy but still, wouldnt people rather have their lives than money?? You'd think Boris would be more leaning to the cautious side as he was so ill with it?maybe it does affect the brain! The countries who eased their lockdown were in it twice as long as we have done weren't they? And we have had highest death toll in europe- and yes,still rising-Boris always seemed a bit more cautious before,so im definitely not agreeing with him on this- i think hes being told to, so that we do have a second wave-to enable the 'herd immunity' they spoke about in beginning- but that's just insane!! I for one won't be allowing my 17 yr old back in college if they're told to return yet as he has health problems.

An appalling dilemma - I am so glad it isn't my decision to sort things out. There is a choice here between life and livelihoods - can anyone imagine how the country will surivive, or what kind of life we might have if the economy implodes, the stock market collapses and every business goes under? We will be looking at the beginning of a kind of hell. The country must start moving again - hard as it is, and frightening too, we must get going for the sake of the future, for our children and grandchildren who will in any event be paying for this long after we are gone. People have always had to be brave, to step out and face the unknown, and now we must. too.

I am worried. But I think people are already starting to go out more anyway. That's without restriction being lifted. I go out for a little walk in the evening about 3 times a week,. That's what I'll Carry on doing. But I don't think other people will. As some ate quite selfish. And they don't think anything will happen to them

I think it’s important to get the economy started before the whole country is bankrupt.

So much (idle) speculation?
Last weekend somebody posted confidently (presumably with “insider” information)
Today, the tune changes and news is that over 50s may be in lockdown for months


We shall see on Sunday.
For many (of us) common sense will hopefully prevail, we can choose not to travel on the tube or buses -although here in the country, what few buses there are seem to be empty- we can choose whether or not to shop in person and wear face masks if so advised. We may be able to see close family provided they have taken similar precautions, but that won’t be the case for everybody .
For those caught between a natural reluctance and the necessity to go back to work, if insisted on, they are indeed between a rock and a hard place.
I suspect many self employed will be grateful as their income will probably have dried up and nobody wants to hear of people losing their homes because they cannot afford mortgage or rent repayments when the “payment holiday” ends.
Truly a difficult situation.

Even if the government eases the lockdown no one is forced to go out. If you’re uncomfortable with whatever the government says - and at the moment it’s just superstition- you can still carry on with lockdown. The country needs to take small steps to return to some kind of normality for the sake of our economy. We can’t stay in lockdown forever

SillyNanny it's hard to say that they have done there best when all along they have tried to balance the economy with people's safety. Alot of poorer countries after 2 deaths were in lock down and are still in lockdown. What is laughable those in higher jobs have been asked to come and see what is going on, check on the safety with rules that they have put in place on the transport frontline but of course there is no reply. Thin line if it's going to effect their wage!!!Then it's all back to work

*meant to type , how the employers were behaving...

I am in the forest too and had to drive to Lyndhurst last week, I was shocked at the amount of people parking on the sides of the roads even though they were told to stay away. Groups of people everywhere !

I agree with GagaJo, I’m afraid that the easing of lockdown will lead to a second wave. The deaths are still far too high. We should wait a while longer until the weekly death total is much lower. There are still around 2000 to 3000 deaths each week, it’s far too many to ease lockdown.

NoddingGanGan and I understand what you’re saying as well?but how caring is the employer, of you as an employee, if they can’t arrange something so there is social distancing between you...working from home maybe,..or from another room..they do have a responsibility and perhaps you’ll have to remind them of that if need be. The government would support you. In the early stages of lockdown, I know of some employees who made it known to the government, how their employees were behaving...and I know of two companies that were forced to reorganise or stop working. Good luck. Let’s hope they will do the necessary.

Not worried! Agree with GrannyGravy13 - as the same number of people will die of COVID-19 regardless of lockdown in the long run, let's allow Britain to get back to work and play. The consequence of lockdown is that the economy will tank and there will not be enough revenue in the way of taxation to support the NHS and social services, therefore more people will live miserably in poverty and die of preventable diseases, which Covid is not. COVID-19 will be with us until a vaccine is developed. Globally, seasonal flu kills 8 million people every year, Covid is nowhere near that yet, and maybe never will be. It's up to us as individuals to take whatever precautions we see fit, but we should not be compelled to do so by law. To be fair, I think the law should try to ensure that employees are provided with a safe environment and equipment. Sweden has fared better than those countries which locked up their citizens like Italy, Spain, France and ourselves. Their PM said they were relying on their citizens 'folkvett' (folk wit / common sense). Why can't we do the same?

Bad, bad decision. I fear the donors and big business are exerting pressure as they see their shares tumbling. Would have hoped Boris strong enough to resist. We wont be going anywhere for a long time. I haven't worn shoes since February !

It has to change
We’ve protected the NHS
Whilst storing up health and economic problems for the future
Lockdown has put us as the worst in Europe
Lockdown mentality is leaving people terrified or
Happy to be Home and paid
It’s time to protect the most vulnerable whilst getting the country back on it’s feet or we will have disastrous repercussions for years to come

granygravy I agree with you.
I think the figures for various countries aren't always reliable, China for example.
Susan55 makes an interesting point.

i think it needed all of us to obey the rules and, unfortunately, theres always an element of , I`m all right jack, i will do what i want when i want, so for the lock down to have been at its most effective everyone should have abided by the rules , i think the government are under so much pressure , mainly from the press, to ease the restrictions, constantly be bombarded with, ,,,, when can we go out etc, in my opinion there are still too many deaths at the moment to chance it