Summer holidays abroad ‘extremely unlikely’ as third wave hits Europe

Oh dear, well dont.l would rather support this country then go to Europe where they cant organise their vaccine rollout.

You can get nice food in England. I noticed when we went to Bourton on the water the co-op was FULL of local food. I am extremely lucky where I live that we have farm shops selling local meat and produce. We have locally produced beer and wine too. The pubs are actually the nicest, least boasted about too. But would anyone come here for a holiday?

We have family in Wales and we are able to get local produce too and have nice meals out

Dinahmo if you live in France, you have more reason to be afraid than I have. France is going into it’s third wave. If I was French, or living in France, I would be very cross with Mr Macron, because of his false scaremongering, people in France will die. I hope you are able to access a vaccine very soon.

We have decided to cancel our visit to Italy booked for June. Will go somewhere in the UK instead.

Monica well said.

Dinahmo it’s not my figure, it’s the figure that was reported. Thankfully people will not be so ill if they catch it.
I’m not forgetting anything. I know that viruses mutate. The good thing is that up to now the scientists have reassured us that the current vaccines will offer protection against all known strains, although the protection may not be so high.

I think we will have to learn to live with this virus. I don’t think it will go away. Further vaccines will be developed, and maybe we’ll need a yearly vaccine, like the flu jab. Nobody locks themselves away for eternity because of fear of flu, and yet about ten to twenty thousand people die of flu every year, mainly like Covid, the oldest people.

Monica Thanks for the clarification. I obviously only had one ear listening to the news.

Despite living in a beautiful part of France I had a brief period of being fed up a few weeks ago. Last spring/early summer I realised that the friends who come to visit us wouldn't be able to come and I thought "Oh well, they'll be able to come next year, because it would be over by Christmas" Fat chance. It now looks as though we won't get to see any of them this year.

Some people have mentioned why they like to holiday abroad - food being one of them. Many years ago we borrowed some friends' house in Northumberland. We had our dogs with us, the weather was good, lots of things to see and specialist cheese makers too. And good beer. However, it wasn't foreign food. We shopped in the supermarket in Hexham and I was so disappointed because it was exactly the same as shopping in one in Suffolk, where we used to live.

My OH and I like to cook and always on holiday we go round the local markets and choosing food for our lunch and dinner that day. One year we were in the south of France and bought a large bunch of basil - nearly as fat as a bunch of daffs - for a few cents. You can't get that in England unfortunately.

Someone mentioned holidaying on Crete. We went many years ago and one afternoon ended up at a village which was famous for its blue doors. We had a plate of yoghurt smothered with local honey. The best Gk yoghurt we've ever had - better than any that could be bought in the UK, even if it was imported from Greece.

Mind you, I'm missing English bitter and fish and chips. Always the first meal that we have in England.

The figure of 79% comes from the AZ testing trials run in the USA, Chile and one othe country. These were requested by the US Drugs Administration, or whatever they call themselves.The trials done in the UK produced the higher figure.

Whatever the figure it is higher than the flu vaccine that no one worries about, and to know without worry that if you get the disease, you will not be seriously ill, is enough it in itself to get me cheering.

There's not a big difference between 79% and 80% is there? It was on the 6.00pm news.

With your figures there is still a 10% to 20% of catching covid. The point is that if you do catch it, having been vaccinated there is a 100% chance that you won't be so ill.

Lots of people have flu jabs but some of those will catch it.

Finally, you are forgetting that the strains are morphing and this weeks jab may not prevent you from getting a different strain in a few months time.

I am one of those global grandparents and I will have a need to see my DDs and DGC in the U.S and Oz. It is hard for all families, but when a flight or flights are involved it makes it more uncertain.

Have I misunderstood? The developers of the AZ vaccine have already told us that the vaccine prevents catching Covid at between 80% to 90%. I have never seen the figure 79% anywhere. In any case, do you not think that 100% chance of not having severe illness, like I had, is a good thing? I do. I can’t believe the negativity on this thread. It’s no wonder the Victor Meldrew character, based on miserable old people, was developed.

maddyone

Just announced on the BBC, AZ is 100% at preventing serious illness.

But only 79% prevention of catching covid. The 100% safe means that if you catch it you won't be so ill.

We have all been in the same boat, had to stay home for a long time and getting frustrated. We want our freedom and to decide for ourselves, we are lucky getting the vaccinations, but to go mixing with other countries who haven't, doesn't seem very fair. We won't get sick with Covid, they still could.

GagaJo

And it is the height of selfishness to put others at risk.

The third wave is coming, if too many people act this way.

Can't add anything more to this.

And it is the height of selfishness to put others at risk.

The third wave is coming, if too many people act this way.

No. I’m not afraid of catching or transferring the virus. The recovery rate for COVID is very high and for most people the illness is mild or non existent. I am vaccinated against flu and pneumonia as well as a number of other infectious diseases including TB. I don’t spend every waking minute worrying about whether I am contagious or going to catch something ghastly even when I was working with very vulnerable people in the community where TB was rife. That is what vaccinations are for.
Additionally I think that I would have to be exceptionally unlucky to be contaminated where I live as there are fewer than 3 cases in the town. I am also low risk being females, fit, healthy with no underlying health issues. I have a low and normal BMI which I work hard at maintaining and have not had a days illness since German measles when I was 13. I am prepared to take the risk of getting on with my life as it’s the only one I have. I will say again, if you don’t feel that you want to stick your nose out of the door and you want to live in a perpetual state of fear and anxiety and continue to live this half life, then that’s your choice.

What really annoys me is those who are vaccinated and who are now wanting to travel. Just because you are vaccinated, doesn't mean you can't get covid. Just because you had covid once, doesn't mean you can't get it again. (My sister in law has had it twice.)

If you get covid and have had it or been vaccinated, maybe you don't get too ill. But you can still infect others. We ALL need to stay at home to protect others, not just ourselves.

misschatelaine/maddyone. Thank you for saying that. I thought I was the only one. I have no intention of locking myself away anymore. Once we’re allowed out I’m off. Life is about living and this isn’t living. I worked in Cancer medicine most of my life and as my old boss used to say “you’ve got to die of something “. My 99 yr old mum hasn’t got that long left and she’s been locked away for nearly a year now. It’s worse than prison. We’ve both agreed she’d rather take her chance than stay locked in any more. If you want to stay in that’s fine but don’t put your fears on the rest of us. Sorry. That was a bit ranty. I’m sure there are lots of variables out there but for me, this is the last time.

You're ...not afraid of catching or transferring the virus ...

So you don't care if you transfer the virus then? Let's hope you don't pass it on to one of your loved ones, MissChateline Or mine, come to think of it.

Have you seen what's happening in Europe at the moment? Many areas are seeing growths in cases and are imposing strict lock downs again.

There is talk of a Covid Passport which will entail people to travel but it's unlikely to happen for a while.

I'm not frightened by Covid. But it's a shame to hear people saying they are just going to do what they want, when they want

There is light at the end of the tunnel. We're just not quite there yet

Marsie

Want to go and see family in Dubai! Daughter and her family including baby twins who we have yet to meet! We need our freedom and to be able to live our own lives! We have been vaccinated and so have they!

Perhaps so, but what about all the others who haven't? Those who refuse to cover their faces? Those who cough without covering their mouths? Those who speak very loudly and project heaven know what from their mouths?
These people are everywhere! And you don't know just what the person standing next to you is carrying either.

Totally agree with everything you have said Maddyone. I haven’t gone through a ghastly year of my freedoms being curtailed to protect anyone. I’ve done it because I was ordered to. If you don’t want to emerge into the everyday world of near normality then stay inside. But I don’t intend to. Enough is enough. If having had the vaccination doesn’t free us to do what we want then what is the point if it? How can we have any belief in the vaccine if we are still prisoners.
I’m not afraid if the virus and haven’t been from the start. The idea of living in the constant state of fear and anxiety that many people have is more unhealthy. The government plans to extend the COVID laws for a further 6 months frightens me more. I fear that we will never get back many of the freedoms that we had before as it suits this government not to allow protests etc.
I love exploring this country in my Campervan, wild unpopulated places enjoying the spontaneity of eating out where I want and going where I want. But I’m not going to queue to get into a place or put up with people who have no regard for the countryside and use it as a tip. So let those of use who are not afraid of catching or transferring the virus get on with our lives.

There have been several comments here about helping out the British tourist industry. Why is it that the Brits themselves aren't always keen to work in the hotels and restaurants to help the cause? The irony is that staff are having to be employed from Europe and other far flung covid suffering countries while we have lots of unemployed here. It rather defeats the object.

As has been stated many times, Nobody is safe until everyone is safe

I'm sure none of us believe that the government just wants us all to never leave our homes. Of course they don't. They want life to get back to normal as soon as possible.

I'm no expert on vaccines but I do know that they don't take in a small number of people. I know with MMR it's about 10%

It matters not if you've had the virus and the 2 vaccines. Not everyone has. You can still contract the virus, it can still be passed on.

We end up going back to square 1 unless we use a bit of common sense.

And to be honest, the thought of sitting in a plane filled with people just fills me with dread at the moment.

We complained, quite rightly, that we didn't shut down soon enough and now we're moaning that we can't go on holiday.

Actually.... partially agree! I guess it could be fun with the whole family somewhere not too crowded.

GillT57

I have no desire to holiday in the UK this summer, will instead stay in my own sunny back garden, have friends around to sit in it and catch up over a glass or two of something sparkling and frequent local pubs and restaurants with a garden to have lunch, supporting local business. My idea of hell is self catering in the uk; pay £800 a week to cook in someone else's kitchen? No thanks. I would imagine that anywhere half decent will be packed full of people desperate to have a break, and I don't blame them, but having to book for dinner rather than eat on impulse/drive around looking for a parking space/try to find somewhere not rammed with others? Nope.

Totally agree.