We need to take control

growstuff

I'd forgotten what was in the op. I agree that personal liberty matters and shouldn't be sent to hell. However, surely personal liberty includes the right to be able to go to a supermarket and not be breathed on by somebody not wearing a mask, but was exercising their personal liberty not to wear one.

I'd forgotten what was in the op .... I do that too!!

I wish for the same.

Alegrias1 ... I was just, as I said confused because I thought we were saying basically the same thing!

I confess to being continually confused by some posts, I think the written word conveys different emotions some times

Esspee, NZ has been able to effectively close it's borders, use successful quarantine measures and nip outbreaks in the bud.

Our so-called 'quarantine' is pathetic (to non existent) by comparison. Unlike NZ, we're densely populated, also, unfortunately, an international travel hub.

At least two threads addressing the same question so I will repeat my comment from t’other one. People talk about the briefings on tv and what we are told but it occurs to me that a lot of the people flouting the rules would never watch bbc tv much less a news programme. What they need are celebrities - reality stars rappers influencers etc - going on social media telling it like it is
.the briefing advice is surely often preaching to the converted

Sir John Bell had an excellent response to a BBC reporter who tried to compare us with NZ.

People talk about the briefings on tv and what we are told but it occurs to me that a lot of the people flouting the rules would never watch bbc tv much less a news programme.

And this is spot on, Lucca

I have a friend, aged 60, (should know better) who is clueless about what's going on. She's just doing her own thing and wonders when I became so well-behaved

I've tried to tell her this is slightly different from us going into discos when underage but she isn't interested.

She won't be the only one. I honestly don't know what would make her adhere to any rules.

Hetty58. That is exactly the point I was making. Other countries have strategies to halt the spread to their residents.

The U.K. has had a year to close the borders and introduce effective quarantine measures yet we still don’t have them. It is only now that having a negative test on entry is being brought in despite many countries implementing that many months ago. This is an island and, like Australia and New Zealand, we had a huge advantage which the government did not take advantage of.

Quite right Esspee, so much more could have been done, but wasn't.

Lucca, yes, BBC news, preaching to the converted. Of course, the selfish brigade don't watch it. They don't want to know.

A friend even said 'Oh, I didn't know only two of us could walk together!' (as if ignorance is an excuse).

Lucca ... What they need is reality stars, rappers, influencers going on social media, telling it like it is

That is a very good idea.
Come to think of it I havent heard of anyone fitting that description supporting staying home. Either British or American (as they seem to have a lot of influence with younger age groups)

I know all the younger people I know are taking it seriously and staying in, especially those without children.



I do remember some footballers and their partners posting from a party they were at over Christmas, without a care in the world!

Esspee.Prof John Bell was excellent answering the endless comparisons with New Zealand.Basically he categorically said stop doing it.And his briefing was the clearest,most reasssuring and believable update I've seen in this whole crisis. What matters is the here and now.Today .Getting people to cut all unnecessary contact,practice social distancing and masks and take up the invitation to get vaccinated.

I've just watched today's briefing. I was quite impressed with Prof Stephen Powis, NHS England national medical director - boring, factual, got the message across without scare mongering and no ridiculous promises or gags.

Namsnanny

Lucca ... What they need is reality stars, rappers, influencers going on social media, telling it like it is

That is a very good idea.
Come to think of it I havent heard of anyone fitting that description supporting staying home. Either British or American (as they seem to have a lot of influence with younger age groups)

I know all the younger people I know are taking it seriously and staying in, especially those without children.

I do remember some footballers and their partners posting from a party they were at over Christmas, without a care in the world!

The trouble with using influencers is that their message can sometimes end up being very patronising.

The only youngish people I've been in constant contact with over the last months are my children and my tutees. My children, both in their 20s, have told me they've hardly been out (and I believe them). One is a student, stuck in Newcastle, and the other is currently working from home, as is her partner, with whom she lives.

My tutees had to go to school, but they've also told me they haven't been anywhere else. One of them is bubbled with his grandmother, but that's it.

It's true that young people are more likely to pick up messaging from social media than TV.

Lucca People talk about the briefings on tv and what we are told but it occurs to me that a lot of the people flouting the rules would never watch bbc tv much less a news programme.

Totally agree. The youngest independent members of my family, nieces and nephews in their teens/early twenties, get most of their information from their friends, often via social media. Although they are better now at staying home for a long time (during last lockdown) they were out and about and were convinced the pandemic had nothing to do with them.

“ The trouble with using influencers is that their message can sometimes end up being very patronising.”. How so ?

I’d have thought a lot less patronising in young people’s view than Hancock et al.

Because most influencers are very shallow and many young people really aren't that shallow.

Lucca I totally agree!