The jab is not a silver bullet!

We had our vaccines yesterday, the Pfizer one. I’ve already had Covid and read that in that case the vaccine acts like a booster. I’m not going anywhere anyway as I’m still recovering from Covid, but I understand the need to still take precautions when I do start to go out. Not that there’s anywhere to go really. Yesterday the nurse who vaccinated me said the vaccine will take about two weeks to kick in, and the follow up vaccine will be given when I’m called in a few weeks. Is this too difficult for some people to understand?

I get my jab tomorrow but I'll still be in a mask for shopping etc (not that there's much 'etc' at the moment) and it'll still take time to get back to normal, won't it?

I am anxious when people say, “I shall still wear my mask.”. It is the right thing of course, but, it infers that there are others out there who think that once vaccinated, that’s it.

Is it going to more dangerous for a while because people will think the vaccine is the silver bullet the OP mentions? Will people stop taking precautions?

I for one will be ruddy glad to get rid of masks as soon as possible although they have one benefit I can go shopping without my false plate in as it has been rubbing recently

Calendargirl

^They are never going to let us out^

What rubbish! Do you really think the government want us to stay like this forever? Of course not! I’m sure they want things back to normal as soon as possible, but it will take time, even with the vaccine.

Yes I do! I don't know why, but it is in someone's interest to keep us all out of circulation as long as possible. I'm not sure who either. But one thing I am sure of is that not all of this is to do with covid 19

Well that must be very depressing GrannyRose15, I feel sorry for you.

Would the government trash our economy without a good reason? Of course not! There is no other reason for lockdown other than the pandemic.

Jaxjacky

And why do you surmise ‘they’re never going to let us out’ GrannyRose13?

Because they keep moving the goalposts. If we are being locked up to stop the NHS being overwhelmed then ALL restrictions should have been lifted in June, and we should now have a clear date for when ALL restrictions will be lifted.

My view is that the government is far too timid to make the decision to lift all restrictions because they don't want to be blamed for even one death after they do.

Likewise, the scientists, they would hate to get it wrong so are erring on the side of extreme caution.

But the fact remains that this country and its people are suffering, possibly irreparable, damage caused not by the virus but by the response to the virus.

At some point this has got to end but the only possible way forward, as far as I can see, is for the people to take back control of their own lives. To say enough is enough and that we are not going to be dictated to any longer.

Jaxjacky

Well that must be very depressing GrannyRose15, I feel sorry for you.

And I feel very sorry for all the people - usually young people - who have had their livelihoods trashed for the sake of keeping us safe.

Death is irreparably damaging.
That's the crux of the matter.

maddyone

Would the government trash our economy without a good reason? Of course not! There is no other reason for lockdown other than the pandemic.

As I have said I don't know who and I don't know why but there must be a reason for all the lies we have been told.

MissAdventure

Death is irreparably damaging.
That's the crux of the matter.

Death is also inevitable.
Your chance, and my chance of dying from this disease is extremely small.

I'd rather be the one to take that chance myself, not to have others decide for me, because of their decisions, which are based on different criteria than mine.

Ok, lock yourself up for ever. Don't meet anyone and you won't get ill.

I can't unfortunately.
I'm a keyworker with vulnerable people, and have my grandson to bring up.
That's 2 of my main criteria.
I don't want to take the virus in to someone's home who is very likely to die from it.

I must admit to have lost your argument completely.

Let me get this right. You want everyone to stay in lockdown so that you can continue to work and stay safe.

You have already had a vaccine, so your chance of getting the disease is even smaller than it was.

Can I ask at what point you will allow me out to continue to work, support my family, and see my grandchildren?

Topical or wot!

It's not me who is keeping you in!
I want everyone to be able to come and go as they please, as much as the next person.

I would say though, that surely it's worth hanging on a bit longer, now that there is an end in sight.

MissAdventure

It's not me who is keeping you in!
I want everyone to be able to come and go as they please, as much as the next person.

I would say though, that surely it's worth hanging on a bit longer, now that there is an end in sight.

But the end isn't in sight. They keep changing the goal posts and have been doing so since the first lockdown.
We need these restrictions to end so that we have a chance of saving the country's economy.
Surely once those most likely to die have been vaccinated then ALL the restrictions should end. But no, we are getting rumours of having to wear masks forever and social distancing and the rule of six going on through the summer. This is madness.

For what it's worth (nothing, I know!) I think restrictions will be lifted soon, but probably too soon, and then we'll have to start restricting again.

Surely though, we must be heading in the right direction, slowly?

Let's just hope I'm wrong, because I have been, on odd occasions.

Covid will not disappear, I think at some point we will be like Australia, with a few restrictions and short, snap, very regional lockdowns which society will adapt to. It will probably include annual or bi annual vaccinations. How long it will take to get there, not a clue.

That's my thinking, too.
Little outbreaks which can be contained and dealt with; a bit like we thought it might be all that time ago.

My daughter came up with a positive suggestion. The government should lay out ‘milestones’. ie when this figure is reached this will happen. As an example if the numbers in hospital reach .... then groups of six will be allowed. This approach would give us all something to aim for without putting specific dates but would give us all a bit of a boost. At least we could see some progress for our efforts.

I would also like to point out that in the NE we have been in various forms of lockdown since mid-October. Never mind about holidays, I’d just like to be able to meet one friend for distanced coffee and cake indoors and to see children back in school.

The mixed messages out there are no help at all. I didn’t think there would be so many people out there who seem incapable of understanding the necessity of following what guidelines we have.

I’m having the vaccine tomorrow and I’m fully aware that it will take 3 weeks for my immune system to get up to speed. Even then I may still contract Covid-19 but the symptoms will be less severe than they may have been before. I will still be able to pass on the virus to others, vaccinated or not. Hopefully the numbers severely affected will decrease, hospital admissions will fall and we can begin to enter a new normal.

I’m heartily fed up with all the idiots who take no notice of guidance. It’s absolutely galling that because of them I’m stuck indoors, my grandchildren can’t go to school and my daughter has to work from home.

Time for clear and concise instructions with penalties for those who refuse to cooperate.

Your daughters idea sounds an excellent one.
Therefore, I can't see it happening.
I think we keep trundling along, and people lose the impetus to keep it up after a while.

We had the idea of publicising the criteria for the move between levels in Scotland. (This is not a "Scotland is better" post, its just an example )

Each Health Board area published detailed stats every week on hospital numbers, available beds, case numbers, etc etc, but in the end the situation was so complex that even though the criteria were met, there were too many other things that meant we couldn't move between levels. E.g. one area had good stats but people from surrounding areas with worse stats could travel there easily, so they had to stay in the level they were at. Again, that's just an example but the complexity of the decisions could be one of the reasons that the Government don't want to publish criteria.