Why we are still in deep trouble

But theyre NOT closing things down in local hotspots!!! And if they did, people would probably just travel to next nearest place that wasnt closed down if they were determined to go out- all thats on gov.uk website for the 'local lockdown' area is that they cant meet other households in their homes, gardens, or in pubs, restaurants, etc.But they CAN go to these places as their own household unit- where theyre still mixing with others, just that they're strangers, not their family members- so still going out, NOT LOCKED DOWN AT ALL! so places in local hotspot areas are NOT closed- that means can still spread the virus.IF they want to contain it they will Have to close down ALL the entertainment venues again! The only things closed are salons & libraries that BJ hant opened yet- Economy aint gonna be worth a jot to anyone if everyone dies off in the end, is it.

Has'nt opened yet*

Without a safe and effective vaccine there is no such thing as herd immunity. It's not mumps which incidentally I had twice, but a virus which is possible to get more than once. Test have shown that antibodies in people previously tested only last in the majority of cases for 3 months.

Nannan2
Places were closed again in Leicester ( that had previously opened up for business.As a result of that, things have improved there regarding the number of positive Covid cases.
The latest ‘hot spots’ have slightly different criteria, as in those towns it had been shown that the transmission was mainly from households visiting other households, and not from visiting cafes, pubs etc.

Glad to see that many others feel the same as I do.....am not a lone voice after all! ?

growstuff

BTW For herd immunity to be achieved, at least 60% of the population would need to be immune (preferably 80%).

Leaving aside the suspicion that being infected doesn't give long-term immunity, that means that 39,600,000 people would need to be infected. If the death rate is 0.5% (and nobody is absolutely sure) that means that 198,000 people would die and many others would be left with life-long side effects.

Is that what people really want?

No I don't want that nor should any civilised country.

Concur lemongrove, seems eminently sensible

My friend has to have an out patient appointment at her local hospital. Her GP said that they need to fit her in quickly as a spike in COVID-19 is expected in October.

I felt very scared when shopping this morning. It would appear in my local supermarket, because people are wearing masks they have completely forgotten to SD as well!!!! This could certainly start another spike.

Not sure why this question was asked in the 1st place.
Most of the answers here are regurgitating information that has been reported in the media and therefore just to sell papers. I'm not a virologist or epidemiologist or any other type of medical expert so am unqualified to hold court on the virus. All of these opinions are given with the benefit of hind sight. What was impressive about the virus programme last night was how many scientists kept saying "they just didn't know at the time because it was a new virus". Just be grateful it's not you having to make the decisions that ministers had to make.

Local coastal GP surgery with very elderly population are making preparations for an October to December spike or 2nd wave. Could be other or all surgeries doing the same thing but this is the only one I personally know of.
October is not usually particularly cold so I wonder if this is in preparation for when schools go back in September?

Amen to that Natasha ??

The sad thing about all this is the fact that the economy is struggling, we are getting conflicting messages from our Government, people are still getting infected/dying and there seems to be a certain portion of the population that thinks masks/social distancing are not essential and that the virus has gone. We must get on top of this and listen to the virologists. We need strong leadership with some sensible guidance, if not we will still see squabbling over death and infection rates for a long time to come.

JenniferEccles spot on. It's a shame all the 'know it all's' aren't running the country they would have got it all right - not!

Which scientists should the government follow? There as many differing opinions as mutations of Covid19. The government is damned if they do and damned if they don't. If lockdown had been brought in earlier I believe a majority would have ignored it. Only when it really hit did people sit up and take notice. You just have to look at how many ignored lockdown even with the rising numbers infected and deaths.

Well said Jennifer Eccles. Totally agree.

There isn’t a serious concerted effort to get the virus under control.
For the second time this week I’ve been criticised for wearing a mask today in a local shop they told me they are leaving it up to people to decide to wear a mask or not WTF? Police are not pursuing shop keepers or people who won’t comply.Who do I report a shop who isn’t enforcing mask wearing? Absolutely nothing I can do.
Supermarkets are full of family groups with kids running about no masks touching everything. We were asked for just one person to shop but that’s completely gone now.
This behaviour is going to bring about another lockdown and more misery. Getting back to ‘normal’ was never a possibility with this virus about, but we continue to whine on like children because or freedoms have been curtailed and we want to throw a tantrum because everything is s..t. We must grow up.

The "Government" should have made the rules simple - if you are outside your own home then you must wear a mask; unless you are eating or drinking, then stay 2m apart.

Economy before life's .

I agree with your sentiments, Gillybob. What is happening to all the people who are normally being treated in GPs' surgeries and out-patients departments?
I was contacted by my GP to have my annual checkup. I had to buy a blood pressure machine, because they aren't lending them out any more. The surgery was closed when I called with the completed form, so I had to put it through the letterbox. I had by blood checked, by appointment, at a very quiet out-patients department.
My GP phoned to say that my blood-pressure is a bit higher than they would like. She wants me to start on medication.
I have been unable to take proper exercise for a while, because I have a painful knee. Because of this I have put on weight, and my general health is suffering. They won't arrange for a cortisone injection which I usually have every six months. and which takes away the pain.
She said that there was a risk of infection if I have the injection. When I pointed out there there was a bigger risk of having heart problems because of my lack of exercise there was a silence. Then she said that she would forward a prescription for the blood-pressure tablets to my pharmacy.

I feel very lucky to be having a nurse appointment next week for pemonia jab. My surgery told me back last year i should have it done as over 65, i didnt realise i was eligable. Since Dec 19 have been trying to have it but they never had any supplies. On the off chance i emailed them on Monday and they rang and booked me in for next Monday. I will ask for BP to be checked whilst i am there. Have this done 6monthly normally. Not on meds thank goodness, but all my siblings have high bp so i just like to keep a eye on it.

its not the over 50's that have to self isolate ,its the age group 18-35 that should isolate .i have never seen so many people like sardines on the train to brighton last week... i was going to worthing and had to change trains at brighton...(west sussex). one or two had face masks, but the rest didnt ....really stupid....

My thoughts exactly JenniferEccles. Isn’t’ it amazing how everybody becomes an expert when others are having to make life-changing decisions.

I’m fed up with the back biting.

You are right. This has never been about saving lives it's all about the economy. The scientists are largely ignored. While people keep on ignoring basic advice this will never be under control. We need to learn to live with Covid, it's going no where. We can as a society control the levels, but only if advice is followed,

Sussexborn

Maisie : Do you seriously think any other political party would have coped any better? Labour seems to be intent on destroying their own party and would probably still be arguing who should be in charge and then issuing court proceedings against whichever poor sucker they decided on. Starmer is struggling to get a grip and only half the party seem to be supporting him. Their gigantic egos are killing off any support they may have left.

Yes. Well they couldn’t have done any worse. The statistics speak for themselves.