Gransnet forums

Coronavirus

Covid 19 - Lift all restrictions?

(453 Posts)
Esspee Thu 20-May-21 10:48:28

We have been discussing the options available to deal with the pandemic.

What do you think if, once everyone has had the opportunity to be vaccinated if they wish, of simply lifting all restrictions?

There would most definitely be a rise in cases but with vaccinations and better treatment options it would not be so serious and not too long before herd immunity was reached. Those of us who are particularly vulnerable could police our own behaviour and shield if necessary with services designed to protect us such as deliveries.

I know it would be a brave government to implement this but the country can’t keep up this semi lockdown regime for ever.

What do you think?

GrannyGravy13 Thu 20-May-21 21:00:17

growstuff our company supplies PPE for many different circumstances, ranging from asbestos extraction, chemical hazards and surgical/medical.

growstuff Thu 20-May-21 20:56:22

bikergran I don't see how breathing in your own infectious breath could cause you to have additional colds.

Urmstongran Thu 20-May-21 20:55:57

I didn’t ‘claim’ it. I read in in a newspaper today.

growstuff Thu 20-May-21 20:55:02

Urmstongran

Bugger.

But things could change in a few weeks? ?

They could, but it's not what you claimed Grant Shapps said.

growstuff Thu 20-May-21 20:53:52

rosie1959

Why not Lateral flow test before you go in the restaurant no virus no mask
We are being vaccinated up so will reduce transmission anyway

Lateral flow tests aren't accurate. In any case, why are you moaning about such a small thing? It's hardly a big deal considering what some people have had to endure over the last year.

growstuff Thu 20-May-21 20:52:24

GrannyGravy13

MayBee70

So you do agree that the wearing of masks reduces the spread of the virus then. But it’s no point customers wearing them because they haven’t been trained how to wear them correctly?

A home made face covering, not fitted or worn correctly (examples of this can be seen on every High St and on every shop) sorry not convinced.

PPE grade mask, fitted and worn correctly and changed frequently, yes.

Like I said up thread with 35+ years procuring and selling PPE, I have my own opinion.

Have you had experience of PPE needed for medical staff or the general public? It's been mentioned a few times that mistakes were made at the beginning because the kind of masks people need for reducing transmission from Covid are not the same as those needed for nursing a bacterial infection or in an operating theatre. Preventing the spread of bacteria isn't the issue with Covid.

rosie1959 Thu 20-May-21 20:51:51

Why not Lateral flow test before you go in the restaurant no virus no mask
We are being vaccinated up so will reduce transmission anyway

growstuff Thu 20-May-21 20:49:43

Lin52

growstuff

GrannyGravy13

growstuff they do not have to hang around a vaccination centre all day.

The staff know how many people are no shows by mid afternoon (i.e. those who have missed their appointments) so they begin ringing then! At the end of the day they contact those closest to the vaccination hub.

Even if it's only at the end of the day, people with young children can't always find childcare at short notice, people without transport can't always find a suitable bus (especially if they live in a rural area) and those at work can't always get time off at very short notice. It's not a solution for many people.

There are many volunteer drivers to collect people who have this need, and take them to the surgery. My cousins wife does exactly this.

It depends where you live. I know that in my area they have to be booked in advance. The idea that one can ring up a vaccination centre to ask if there are any spare doses and then arrange transport at very short notice is a non-starter. I doubt if your cousin's wife covers every area of the country at the drop of a hat.

GrannyGravy13 Thu 20-May-21 20:43:23

MayBee70

So you do agree that the wearing of masks reduces the spread of the virus then. But it’s no point customers wearing them because they haven’t been trained how to wear them correctly?

A home made face covering, not fitted or worn correctly (examples of this can be seen on every High St and on every shop) sorry not convinced.

PPE grade mask, fitted and worn correctly and changed frequently, yes.

Like I said up thread with 35+ years procuring and selling PPE, I have my own opinion.

Alegrias1 Thu 20-May-21 20:42:41

I would guess that most people on here are wearing their masks diligently because its the right thing to do. But that doesn't mean we have to like it or commit to doing it forever

We never used to wear masks to prevent flu deaths; we could have but we didn't and I can't see that most people will continue wearing masks to prevent illness and death when we didn't have to do it in the past.

Its not a little thing. Posters have been talking about how difficult they find it. Its not natural, we're meant to see each others faces when we interact. We are managing without that right now but its not how humans behave.

At some point, the benefits of the vaccination must come into play. I don't know when that will be but I am going to guess that most people will not keep wearing masks forever, just in case.

Lin52 Thu 20-May-21 20:41:45

growstuff

GrannyGravy13

growstuff they do not have to hang around a vaccination centre all day.

The staff know how many people are no shows by mid afternoon (i.e. those who have missed their appointments) so they begin ringing then! At the end of the day they contact those closest to the vaccination hub.

Even if it's only at the end of the day, people with young children can't always find childcare at short notice, people without transport can't always find a suitable bus (especially if they live in a rural area) and those at work can't always get time off at very short notice. It's not a solution for many people.

There are many volunteer drivers to collect people who have this need, and take them to the surgery. My cousins wife does exactly this.

Urmstongran Thu 20-May-21 20:40:04

Bugger.

But things could change in a few weeks? ?

Lin52 Thu 20-May-21 20:37:55

Urmstongran

BREAKING NEWS:

Grant Shapps has just said many of the countries currently on the amber list might be on the green list in 2 weeks!

Spain (hopefully) here we come!

☀️?

Apparently Spain is locked down to UK and not letting anyone in apart from Nationals and essential workers. One chap today was refused permission to fly from Wales to Spain and that people must check countries rules before flying to them. So Amber to us but we are red to them. .

MayBee70 Thu 20-May-21 20:28:57

It must be awful to have to wear masks for hours on end. I don’t actually want that to continue indefinitely.

bikergran Thu 20-May-21 20:25:55

I for one will be glad when we can dispose of our masks(when safe enough to do so)

My longest shift is just over 6 hrs.

Not sure if it is connected but this last 12 months or so I have had 4 bad colds and now on my 5th.

Prior to mask wearing a normally might have had one cold if that in 12 months. Not sure what the cause is.

The masks have not stopped me getting a cold, maybe breathing in my own breath has caused it I've no idea.
Maybe it has stopped me having covid who knows.(unless I have had it and not known)

We have colleagues that wear masks for all their shift (some around 9 hrs) but have still caught covid.

rosie1959 Thu 20-May-21 20:16:41

Just my opion you dont have to agree

MayBee70 Thu 20-May-21 20:14:52

So you do agree that the wearing of masks reduces the spread of the virus then. But it’s no point customers wearing them because they haven’t been trained how to wear them correctly?

Urmstongran Thu 20-May-21 20:14:06

Just 15 positive Covid tests among the thousands who flocked to Wembley and the Brit Awards.

A Low rate of infection among crowds at trial major events raises hopes that mass gatherings can safely reopen this summer.

Positive news indeed. Gives me great hope for further unlocking.

GrannyGravy13 Thu 20-May-21 20:11:55

MayBee70

Just remember as well that the people who work in bars and restaurants aren’t there for just an hour or so but all day. And if people don’t wear masks they’re being subjected to having to having no end of viral load thrown at them throughout the day. So perhaps those who think they’re doing the staff a good deed by eating or drinking at their establishment it might be a good idea to be happy to protect said staff by wearing masks and doing everything possible to keep them safe. And not moaning about it.

All staff wear face coverings, a reputable restaurant/bistro/bar will provide high grade coverings/ masks ensure they are worn correctly and changed frequently.

growstuff Thu 20-May-21 20:11:11

rosie1959

2 or 3 hours in a restaurant of which you wear your mask for a min or so whilst being seated will that really make that much difference

It's longer than that because it includes toilet visits. Even if it only makes a small difference, it's not going to make the viral load worse. Why moan about such a little thing?

rosie1959 Thu 20-May-21 20:08:29

2 or 3 hours in a restaurant of which you wear your mask for a min or so whilst being seated will that really make that much difference

MayBee70 Thu 20-May-21 20:05:02

Just remember as well that the people who work in bars and restaurants aren’t there for just an hour or so but all day. And if people don’t wear masks they’re being subjected to having to having no end of viral load thrown at them throughout the day. So perhaps those who think they’re doing the staff a good deed by eating or drinking at their establishment it might be a good idea to be happy to protect said staff by wearing masks and doing everything possible to keep them safe. And not moaning about it.

rosie1959 Thu 20-May-21 19:55:55

Well as it appears that anyone who does not share your opinion is talking nonsense I am sure you must be right

growstuff Thu 20-May-21 19:43:55

rosie1959

Not nonsense to me growstuff those tables are not going to be that far apart ever seen a mock up of aerosol movements of covid in a restuartant

Of course it's nonsense. Ideally, people would wear masks all the time, but it's about risks and compromises. And yes, I have seen models of aerosol movement in restaurants. Would you prefer that restaurants remained closed or people had to have their food liquidised and eaten through straws? The point is to mitigate risk where and when it's possible and it's not possible when people are eating.

GrannyGravy13 Thu 20-May-21 19:26:17

MayBee70

I’ve been wondering if pubs and restaurants are turning off background music given that if there is background music people will talk louder and the droplets from their breath will travel further.

Not where we were yesterday, and it is an upmarket establishment.