Easing Lockdown

If you’re retired, you can carry on staying in. Which will help. But the rest of us can’t stay off work forever. There are a lot of people who have carried on working, to keep us all safe. It will be scary to go back , but we just have to be sensible.

I work in a huge college on the largest campus 2,000+ students and staff and I will not go back to work. I do not work with students. My work is office based but staff related. I have consulted both my union and my friend who works in HR and unless it is imperative you physically have to be in the building you cannot be made to go in.

I think this government have sent so many mixed messages
Exercise once a day outside if you wish from your doorstep.. Oh no its ok to drive somewhere to take a walk as long as your walk takes longer than the drive there!

unherd.com/2020/05/not-every-death-is-a-tragedy/?tl_inbound=1&tl_groups[0]=18743&tl_period_type=3

I think this article Not every death is a tragedy is worth reading.

I'm deading it. I have hardly been out in weeks to protect my 89 year old mum for whom I am full time carer. I went to my local co-op early this morning to get some things I can't get on my delivery. What a joke! No-one except me following the one in one out policy. Whilst it wasn't particularly busy, people were simply not keeping away from one another. God alone knows what will happen with the easing, but I will be staying away till a vaccine is available. As one person has already said, people are doing what they want, and my nearest busy main road is notably noisy today.

I honestly have no faith in the leadership here in the UK
And now the PPE from Turkey that caused such a scandal weeks ago turns out to be unusable and is to be returned.
Daily briefings saying nothing
And dont get me started about 'we're straining every sinew'.. If I hear that one more time I will truly go crazy
We are not the idiots the government seem to think we are

Other countries are gradually lessening the restrictions.

Here in Denmark, junior schools are back, have been for a while and kindergartens and creches are open. They must ensure there are 2 metres between each child, that everyone washes their hands ever two hours and that toys are washed every two hours as well.

Schoolchildren too must stay away from each other and wash hands every two hours.

Whether it is actually possible to implement these restrictions is another matter.

Buses are running, carrying fewer passengers and you cannot buy a ticket on the bus, but have to use an app on your smart phone or have a travel card.

Shops are open and depending on size may only admit a certain number of customers at one time.

So far there has not been an increase in cases since these steps were taken.

It remains to be seen whether there will be an increase in the number of cases again, or not.

If you are worried about going back to work and cannot get your GP to state you are not well enough to work, then I think you should contact your employer now and ask what steps he/she is going to take to protect you will at work.

In these circumstances I think you are fully justified in wearing a mask and gloves while at work.

Contact your union - it is their job to protect your interests.

If you don't belong to one then join ASAP.

Seems to me that we are damned if we do and damned if we do not. This is unchartered territory and we are all feeling our way around. Who knows the best way forward. Scientists and the medical profession still do not know how this virus works properly. I think I must be suffering from lockdown syndrum as I am starting to feel so frustrated and fed up, I never hear of any good news or optimism, and there has to be that somewhere - does'nt there??? Getting out of lockdown is risky but so is staying where we are - anyway we will all go bust if we stay still.

I have downloaded The Good News Network app as it’s all positive stories.

I just need to get out. Cabin fever has set in and I could argue with my fingertips.
Just a little aside. Can anyone shed light on the perfect hair-do of Nicola Sturgeon. I am very suspicious.

The economy cannot sustain a lengthy lockdown and so there must be some return to work. I suspect that many younger people cannot weather this time financially as well as those of us lucky enough to have pensions and no mortgage, It would be wrong and decisive to only look at this from our older persons point of view.

Sorry, spell check, meant devisive

Thank you NemosMum for putting things into perspective, it is a very necessary call to common sense.

All life is a risk from the moment you are born, and you have to do your own risk assessments and get on with it. If you have become terrified to go out, then don't, but the world has to pick itself up and carry on. On Monday you will be allowed out to exercise as long as you want, and more people will be encouraged to go to work, that seems to be the only change so far.

Yes very worried, I feel that Boris has caved under the pressure of the journalists asking every day, “when are you easing lockdown”. I have visions of Margaret Thatcher shaking her head in dismay.
I am very interested as to how Ireland have considerably low figures overall. I wonder what their strategy is?
Sending good health wishes to everyone.x

Boz Nicola Sturgeon posted photos online of her cutting her own hair recently.
She did it on a video call with her hairdresser while following her step by step instructions

Going to get the goodness network app right now!
I need something to look forward to. Thanks for that.
And whoever mentioned Nicola Sturgeon's hair cut - you are right, I never noticed but will now. Thanks all. Did my bit of yoga and feel better.

Nicola S. Wow - Respect. She has done a good job. Is there no end to the woman's talents.

Thank you NemosMum , very interesting articles.

Good heavens, stop speculating and worrying yourself sick you poor things. Wait until Sunday and don't expect massive easing of restrictions. It will only be something very small to start with and employers will have to put strict safety measures in place, likewise public transport if you need to use that. I think the press have a lot to answer for, trying to imply that the lockdown will be suddenly lifted on Sunday, but I think it has become clear that it will be a case of a very gradual and phased programme that could be halted at any time. Relax and don't believe everything you read in the papers on line or see/hear in the news.

Do any of you find it ironic that the journalists which are now a baying mob demanding relaxation of lockdown are the same ones who only a couple of weeks ago were moaning that we didn't go into lockdown sooner and that it wasn't stricter?

Hear, hear GrannyGravy13

Well we are both retired & my husband is classed as vulnerable because he has COPD ,diabetes & is in remission for prostrate cancer.I personally don’t think for one min that Boris will release the lockdown all at once,he is not stupid & will do it very gradually........remember he nearly died & that drastically changes how one feels about life.
I don’t think any government would have done any better,poor Boris is damned if he does & damned if he doesn’t,I certainly wouldn’t have wanted to make any of the decisions that he’s had to make.Its easy for the opposition politicians to say what they would have done but not easy when you are the person who had to make these decisions.Why don’t they all get behind the government & help rather than criticise.
The only thing that really annoys me is that our borders should have been closed,no flights should’ve been allowed in or out & the boats of illegals arriving on our coast should’ve been sent back to where they came from because while we are all on lockdown the virus is still coming in to our country.

Great article NemosMum.
It says it all.

Gosh, Vampirequeen, I find myself in complete agreement with you again! I’m shielding with DH, but we will shortly start to go for walks where we know we’re unlikely to meet anyone - just to get our legs working again!

I can see why GagaJo is nervous about returning to work if she has to fly back to her job although social distancing is the norm now and airports are much more aware. Perhaps it’s best to go now while fewer people may be travelling.

I think it is too soon to lift the lock dowwn, but the economy must get on its feet again,oif the lock down is eased in a few weeks mybe the death toll will be down and it will feel safer for most people.I think as other countries have done, there should be compulsary wearing of face masks and even gloves any type,but surgical gloves are easier to manage.We shall have to wait for the powers that be to make a statement on Sunday, then the country will be in uproar as most people will not agree.Good luck UK.