Disconnect with the data.

I heard a very interesting scientist on TV (wish I'd written it all down) talking about the differences between now and at the peak of the virus - so, even though the number of cases are going up, basically, only a fraction of the people who now get it are hospitalised as compared to last year's peak; and of those who are hospitalised, again only a fraction of those will die. So, even though cases are rising, it doesn't lead to more deaths. of course, this doesn't include all the effects from Long Covid. Personally, I don't understand why people who can't wear masks can't at least wear face shields? And sorry, but I seriously doubt that all those people wearing lanyards to exempt them from wearing masks really need them (when anyone can buy them from Amazon). I tend to give them a wide berth.

Just because we can does not mean we should. Take responsibility yourself.

I think it’s madness to remove masks in places we HAVE to use (supermarkets and public transport). It’s one thing in clubs and theatres-you don’t have to go-but with cases rising so fast and the concern that the spread can create a vaccine resistant mutation, why give selfish people carte blanche to potentially spread germs to other people who may still catch it (badly)

Totally agree with you Maggiemaybe, it’s become a huge mess with billions wasted. Johnson has now become bored and is passing it all over to us to manage and so pass the blame onto us for not taking responsibility. In my humble opinion mass should still be worn in all public buildings not only to protect ourselves but those who have the unfortunate job of having to work in the environment, shop assistants, bus drivers etc. If it’s essential to wear one in an nhs setting, then it’s the same for the rest of the public workers. I will continue to wear one, why wouldn’t I do everything to protect myself and others. The only good thing with Johnson getting bored of the hard work I am pretty sure he will give up being PM , it’s just another tick box on the things he has done.

I think it is an experiment the rest of the world are watching unfold, aghast but unsurprised given our government’s appalling track record.
I think the approach may well bite them on the bottom if a good deal of the population are far from encouraged to go forth and spend but rather retract. I will continue to wear my mask in crowded, particularly indoor spaces and will maintain a wide personal space. I will certainly not be lured into busy coffee shops, gyms, hairdressers etc. I rarely use public transport anyway and certainly won’t now!

Perhaps, like other countries mentioned it's time for us to accept that viruses and germs are at high levels on our planet and just see masks as a necessary part of life. A mask can presumably protect from common colds and flu as well as Covid. Because of our global bad animal farming practices these viruses will continue to arrive. Until all peoples change their way of life dramatically (eat less meat) nothing will get better and may get worse. Although we are all neighbours on this earth, we have no control over what others further afield choose to do. That's the problem. Mother Nature has been very patient... I get the feeling she's well fed up now!!

I have no worries, the new cases are almost exclusively of unvaccinated people, and the majority of those are young people who’ve yet to be jabbed. The numbers are very misleading, A doubling of cases for instance on 1000 is still only 2000, the media are using inflammatory language. You need to see the daily data against all other similar serious deaths , pneumonia, heart issues and flu, all are a vast amount higher than the covid cases. We need to look at the whole situation in context not in its singular state, to get a real understanding of the big picture.

This says it all!

The thing is Katie59 that wearing of masks protects others and not the wearers.

Living in North Wales we have had different restriction dates to England.

I really don't know what to think anymore.

My family have had two funerals in a week. One was a family member. The restrictions at the crematorium were 20 people. Her own immediate family added up to ten without her four brothers and sister and their other halves.

The other was a close family friend - his funeral they were restricted to 30 at the crem.

Yet 60,00 at a football match!

Football seems to have been more important all along.

I know we have got to live with this and the economy has to be considered but things leave a lot to be desired!

I support those who say mask wearing should be retained in shops, on public transport and in indoor places of entertainment. It is surely a minor inconvenience and what harm can it do? It is only fair to the workers and will perhaps help those who are vulnerable and still need to shelter to be able to continue participating a little bit more in life.

Have we been wearing masks in public for 15 months to protect ourselves or to protect other people. If you want to protect yourself then wear a mask' if other people want to protect themselves they can wear a mask too. Masks . are like a security blanket and are being treated as such. They are not the only protection against Covid , vaccination is.

As long as we wear masks for the foreseeable future I see no reason why things can not get easier soon.
I was looking at people in my local supermarket this morning & everyone was wearing a mask so I think the message has got through.
We are starting our reading group again next week- we meet in one of the group's house & she has a huge sitting room & we can sit apart & have all french windows open so it should be fine.

Katie 59,
Well said, thank you.

My 50 year old daughter has a mild form of Covid. Headache and cold. Her 20 year old son had tested positive and subsequently had symptoms similar to what his mum has now got. My daughter is double vaccinated and my grandson has had his first vaccine. So maybe this is what is going to happen .Mild symptoms as a result of returning to some sort of normality.

I will keep wearing a mask in supermarkets and shops for sure. The spread of flu was drastically lower last year and frankly I enjoy not being sneezed and coughed all over quite so much. I also intend to keep doing lateral flow tests regularly just for my own peace of mind and those around me.

I got a dose of Covid last summer and since then have been diagnosed with a range of illnesses (arthritis, diabetes, asthma, iron deficiency anaemia, folate deficiency anaemia, thyroid dysfunction, chronic fatigue) that my GP and hospital doctors think could - possibly, no one is sure yet - have been worsened or perhaps set off by long Covid and the inflammation associated with it. I wouldn't like another dose and these newly diagnosed illnesses make me a more clinically vulnerable person. I really could do without a string of viral respiratory illnesses this autumn/winter and will be keeping the mask on and hoping for the best!!

A high number of bus drivers did in fact die last year before protective measures were put in place.
I’m 71, partner 75, and we will be continuing to be VERY careful, ie avoiding crowds, especially in indoor settings, and not meeting many people. Masks at all times when we go out. We were so happy to be able to go back to helping DD with school pickup. We’ll continue to do that but with some trepidation. She works in Intensive Care, so I worry about what will happen there.
I think it’s disgraceful that people are being encouraged/made to go back to the workplace, commuting to get there.
My view is that we’re being thrown to the wolves in the name of the selfish capitalist economy.

“ MerylStreep

Growstuff
If we proceed as you would wish, there won’t be any theatres or cinemas for you to go to.
I see that Lloyd Webber is putting on a Freedom Day concert on the 19th July. Hallelujah ????”

Personally I think it’s absolutely awful and irresponsible to call July 19th “Freedom Day” We were NEVER imprisoned ! Friends and family I have living in many different countries have endured much stricter and monitored “lockdowns” and guess what fewer cases, fewer deaths and less long Covid cases !

Our government’s actions have been utterly reprehensible and resulted in the situation in which we find ourselves now !

I feel so sorry for those involved in non essential retail, hospitality and entertainment who have suffered immensely - I agree we need to learn to live with this awful virus, but why the all or nothing approach who knows ! Anyone who travels on public transport during the rush hours or has to shop at peak time will know how utterly ridiculous it is to stop all precautionary measures and just leave it our fellow citizens to decide themselves, we’ve been here before and look how irresponsible some members of the public are ! Cannot wait to go out again, enjoy the cinemas, theatres and restaurants, but will certainly be looking after myself and others by being sensible with masks, staying at home if I feel unwell, using lateral tests if needs be and being generally more careful than pre-Covid !

I will be cutting down activities, shopping, etc if restrictions are lifted. It is sheer madness when infections are rising.

“poshpaws

I think the Tories know they've totally lost control of the virus spread due to lack of sensible decisions from start to present, and because they value the short term economy over human life or long term illness, have shrugged off all responsibility and placed it onto Joe Public (who've already provided ample proof of a high percentage of moronic behaviour), so that they can then say - as in Johnson's own words, the bodies pile high - it was our own fault.

Having lost my very much beloved husband to the virus, I for one am going to both continue taking all the precautions I've been taking to date, and thank God I live in Scotland where the government have shown more sense than in Englan.”

Posh paws

Firstly, and most importantly, my most sincere condolences, secondly I could not agree more with you.

People, please stop comparing coronaviruses with flu viruses, flu does kill people and people can suffer from post viral conditions too, but nothing like coronaviruses

It’s not 1,000 new cases a day being predicted (it’s already in the region of 25000), it’s 100,000 a day when restrictions are lifted! Like many on here, I think that masks should still be mandatory in shops and on public transport. Madness to lift all restrictions when we’re in the middle of the 3rd wave.

I would feel happier if they keep the mask wearing for a while longer,as I have to use buses.We are so used to them,it is no trouble to wear one indoors.The virus hasn't gone away,it makes no sense to go completely back to normal yet,we can still have plenty of freedom.

I agree with Katie59, and the BBC health correspondent seems to as well.

Why it's time to think differently about Covid www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-57678942

Boris Johnson is going to move to step 4 of his plan on 19 July
whether we like it or not.
In his own words he said "We will see rising cases and it will be bleak, because we will see rising cases of deaths also. However it is the summer and if we don't lift restrictions now then when will we.?
Putting the responsibility on people to wear masks etc is not good enough because if people don't think they should then they will not.
Open everything up for economy reasons is not what it is about what happens when all those deaths start to happen.
It's madness and we are getting thrown to the wolves.

It's a sad reflection on our Government that they are prepared to gamble with people's lives. Most of my immediate family have been vaccinated except my 26 year old son and his 22 year old girlfriend. Hopefully that will happen soon. In the meantime I plan to go on taking precautions and restricting my social life to family only. Only when it's clear that the risk is low will this change. I am thankful that I am not working atm and able to make these choices. Others are not so lucky and I feel for them. The truth is many have been living with it for all of it. Front line workers, carers, retail, emergency services, teachers. In saying that there needs to be a way to keep our economy running. But I think throwing caution to the wind is reckless. Hopefully the Government will see this in time. There will always be those that break the rules. The majority of us comply