The decision to end restrictions is dangerous and premature, unethical and illogical.

If corona virus looked like a tick we would do everything possible to stop to stop it latching onto us.

Absolutely right, we would. But haven’t most of us done everything possible to stop ourselves catching Covid? We’ve been fully vaccinated, we’ve worn masks, we’ve sanitised, we’ve stayed at home, when we went out we avoided crowds. My DH and I certainly did all this and still we caught Covid, but we caught Covid before we were vaccinated. Now we still do much this, but feel more secure because of our vaccinations. For example, I visited my elderly mother in hospital after she fell, I wouldn’t have gone near a hospital unvaccinated. We are currently on holiday in Somerset, staying at a little holiday home on a farm far away from anyone, but we eat out each night at a restaurant or pub. Last the waitress put us within one metre of another table with diners, I asked for a more isolated table and was given one immediately. We have all got to get back to normal life, but we need to take any precautions we feel are necessary according to where we are at any given time.

Last night the waitress……

Wish it was fake news that Johnson was PM

Some nasty online responses after Waterstones have announced that they want people to continue to wear masks in their shops. This is going to be a nightmare for shops like them.Yet again Johnson has succeeded in dividing the country.

Waterstones are free to make their own decisions if anyone doesn’t like it don’t go in there

MayBee70

Some nasty online responses after Waterstones have announced that they want people to continue to wear masks in their shops. This is going to be a nightmare for shops like them.Yet again Johnson has succeeded in dividing the country.

There have been far more positive responses to Waterstones request regarding masks than negative.

Three anti-mask tweets were highlighted in the Independent.

Please if we all stop posting the minority negative stories both on GN and elsewhere it may just help some folks anxiety?

So I’m not allowed to mention that I have read some nasty online responses to what Waterstones have said. Should I pretend I haven’t read them?

To be fair there are far more positive comments than negative on Waterstones Facebook page. You are always going to get some that don’t agree that’s life. Doesn’t bother me I have a kindle click click send

MayBee70

So I’m not allowed to mention that I have read some nasty online responses to what Waterstones have said. Should I pretend I haven’t read them?

You can post/mention what you like.

Having checked Waterstones pages, the positives far out way the small percentage of negatives.

A sense of proportion would be appropriate at this stage of the pandemic I would have thought?

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Message deleted by Gransnet for repeating a deleted post.

It certainly isn’t rosie and it’s a really childish response as well from poshpaws

I think the issue that maybe is highlighting is that there are possibly sufficient “don’t cares” to make the risk of greater spread a real danger.

When we wear a mask, we are doing so to protect our fellow citizens, we do so because we value the community spirit, but we know - even on GN - that there are people without that moral value and they pose a real danger to the vulnerable.

Last Wednesday, every single Conservative MP voted against starting the COVID-19 Inquiry ASAP.

We know why. The Government’s pandemic response has been plagued by repeated failures and casual cronyism. At every turn, they have awarded their chums billions of pounds worth of COVID-19 contracts.

That’s why they want to delay the inquiry. They don’t want their flagrant cronyism to be scrutinised. Especially not before the next General Election.

We can’t let that happen. We need to apply the lessons learnt immediately, in case Covid drags on.

Will you sign our petition calling on the Government to hold an independent inquiry starting in 2021?

Just last month, the High Court ruled that Michael Gove acted unlawfully when he awarded a COVID contract worth half a million pounds to Public First, a firm with connections to Dominic Cummings.

Is the Government scared of more illegality coming to light?
With Boris Johnson’s “Freedom Day” just around the corner, he can’t still claim that it is too early to start the inquiry.
We believe that the Covid Inquiry should start in 2021. That way, the Government can learn vital lessons and apply them to future crises.

Please sign our petition to hold the independent COVID inquiry ASAP.

secure.unlockdemocracy.org.uk/page/84593/petition/1?ea.tracking.id=email&ea.url.id=5406289

I’m seriously concerned for retail staff that will not only be put at risk by people not wearing masks but may suffer abuse from anti mask wearing customers. And believe me that is going to happen. It’s almost as if the government want to create a country full of shops that request customers to wear masks and those that don’t.

This populist government is all about creating division. Them against us. Sadly that populist tactic has succeeded in many countries. We need to say NO. We are one people.

Although I am not English, I think the England football team set a good example.

GrannyGravy13

Whitewavemark2

Imagine how health workers are feeling

I know very well how health workers are feeling as we have several in our immediate family.

Hospital admissions for Covid are still low.

Not where I am.

www.leeds-live.co.uk/news/leeds-news/leeds-rocketing-covid-rate-holding-20993573

MayBee70

I’m seriously concerned for retail staff that will not only be put at risk by people not wearing masks but may suffer abuse from anti mask wearing customers. And believe me that is going to happen. It’s almost as if the government want to create a country full of shops that request customers to wear masks and those that don’t.

shops that request customers to wear masks and those that don’t.

As a shopper I'd be fine with that. Stick a sign up outside and people can choose. Sadly the staff don't get much choice. Like You, I worry for the staff.

hugshelp

GrannyGravy13

Whitewavemark2

Imagine how health workers are feeling

I know very well how health workers are feeling as we have several in our immediate family.

Hospital admissions for Covid are still low.

Not where I am.

www.leeds-live.co.uk/news/leeds-news/leeds-rocketing-covid-rate-holding-20993573

It's not just Leeds.

I guess it depends what is meant by "low".

There were 538 Covid hospital admissions in the UK on 10th July (the last date for which complete data are available). On 10th July 2020, there were 104 admissions.

I really cannot believe that the Government are going against all the warnings that are being made by SAGE members, scientists, leading members of the medical profession and WHO. I’ve read that we can expect 100-200 deaths per day if infections rise at the rate they are at the moment. That’s 700-1400 lives per week that will be lost because Boris Johnson wants to make this foolhardy gamble. How dare he decide that so many people will lose family, children lose their parents, grandparents and siblings. He is not an idiot he knows exactly what he’s doing and it shows his contempt for the ordinary people of this country.

MayBee70

I’m seriously concerned for retail staff that will not only be put at risk by people not wearing masks but may suffer abuse from anti mask wearing customers. And believe me that is going to happen. It’s almost as if the government want to create a country full of shops that request customers to wear masks and those that don’t.

That is a concern. On a popular daily news site I read anti maskers making comments like " now we'll see who cost us our freedom"

I hope the government passes a law to prevent discriminations, harassment etc

My grandsons secondary school has sent all of the pupils home today because the infection rate amongst staff and pupils has gone through the roof.

Curlygirl - when you said "He is not an idiot he knows exactly what he’s doing and it shows his contempt for the ordinary people of this country."

I am inclined to agree, but he is ignorant and has had a bad education, as indeed most of the ex public school types - perhaps we need to start a fundraiser to help improve the education of politicians from the Eton & Harrow mould.

We could use the money they voted not to spend on education, health, and welfare of children in less developed countries?

MayBee70

My grandsons secondary school has sent all of the pupils home today because the infection rate amongst staff and pupils has gone through the roof.

Ah - the "Johnson Variant" in full swing there then - and the pattern is repeated across England.

….and this is before Freedom day actually kicks in…..