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

OnwardandUpward - what you said here is interesting: "I hope the government passes a law to prevent discriminations, harassment etc"

Given that they stoked the fires of racism and online / offline abuse, I think that is highly unlikely.

This is so depressing.

varian

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.

Well said - and absolutely right.

We, as a people need to oppose this government - it is continuing to do wrong and bad things.

varian

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

Signed - and I'm in total agreement with you.

I have suggested that not wearing a mask in company is about the level of not using a hanky when you sneeze - basically quite disgusting. This hits the nail on the head when it comes to flaunting your "freedom of choice". I wonder if those pushing this know exactly how ridiculous they appear.

Signed Varian. Thank you.

songstress60

We need to get the economy back! We have the vaccine so I want my freedom, and medics are concentrating so much on Covid they are neglecting other medical procedures and operations. People are being diagnosed with cancer when it is too late to treat them. I had my cataract op cancelled 3 times. We have the vaccine. Let's get back to normal.

Sadly, it is exactly because covid is rising again so fast that ops are being cancelled again due to the numbers in hospital with covid. How would a clear message to continue wearing a mask and social distance where possible be likely to worsen the situation? Not everyone has had the vaccine yet. Not everyone can. I bet they would like some freedom too - to have a little protection against something that might kill them.
How much do very basic measures impinge on the economy?

PippaZ

I have suggested that not wearing a mask in company is about the level of not using a hanky when you sneeze - basically quite disgusting. This hits the nail on the head when it comes to flaunting your "freedom of choice". I wonder if those pushing this know exactly how ridiculous they appear.

That's brilliant - the Anti-Masketeers are beyond ridiculous.

I'd be totally for mask wearing being mandatory for a little longer and will be continuing to wear mine. I do wonder though how you can be sure that those who have been exempt from wearing masks have not been infected and gone on to infect others. I wouldn't think the virus can tell the difference between exempt and non-compliant. Perhaps if we hadn't allowed exemptions, hard as that is, we'd not have had so many people choosing not to wear masks in the knowledge that nobody could challenge them.

Signed, varian. Great post, PippaZ 12.07 today. Spot on!

PippaZ

I have suggested that not wearing a mask in company is about the level of not using a hanky when you sneeze - basically quite disgusting. This hits the nail on the head when it comes to flaunting your "freedom of choice". I wonder if those pushing this know exactly how ridiculous they appear.

Excellent

PippaZ

I have suggested that not wearing a mask in company is about the level of not using a hanky when you sneeze - basically quite disgusting. This hits the nail on the head when it comes to flaunting your "freedom of choice". I wonder if those pushing this know exactly how ridiculous they appear.

From California with idiocy.

Not you PippaZ, the article.

PippaZ

I have suggested that not wearing a mask in company is about the level of not using a hanky when you sneeze - basically quite disgusting. This hits the nail on the head when it comes to flaunting your "freedom of choice". I wonder if those pushing this know exactly how ridiculous they appear.

Do you mean this ? It’s brilliant

Lin52

PippaZ

I have suggested that not wearing a mask in company is about the level of not using a hanky when you sneeze - basically quite disgusting. This hits the nail on the head when it comes to flaunting your "freedom of choice". I wonder if those pushing this know exactly how ridiculous they appear.

From California with idiocy.

What is idiotic about it Lin52? One group of peoplewho have no intention of their own so-called "freedom" being temporarily sidelined are being shown what would happen if we all treated others like that.

So where is the idiocy? Why would it matter where it came from. Have you some sort of prejudice against Californians?

railman

OnwardandUpward - what you said here is interesting: "I hope the government passes a law to prevent discriminations, harassment etc"

Given that they stoked the fires of racism and online / offline abuse, I think that is highly unlikely.

This is so depressing.

Yes I said it because of reading awful comments in the "hate mail" about how the loss of freedom was all the fault of those who wear nappies on their faces and how everyone will know who they are soon.

It's very concerning and I was thinking of writing to Sajid. What do you all think? People should be protected from hate- and there is so much division about already.

I am afraid I find the policing of face mask exemption as worrying as I find the policing of disabled parking. The impact that has on those with disabilities should not be overlooked.

What do they mean "know who they are soon"?

It's not as if some of us just chose to wear masks and bullied the government to make everyone else do it.

FarNorth

What do they mean "know who they are soon"?

It's not as if some of us just chose to wear masks and bullied the government to make everyone else do it.

I know. But those who are believing this stuff are blaming the vaccinated and mask wearers for their lack of freedom. It's very unfair, but it's what they are saying.

It's one of the things that was said to me when I was threatened to not get the vaccine. One of the people who refuses to have anything to do with me now says everyone who has the vaccine is evil and they "Can't be around THAT type of energy" . It's like they think we are unclean! The brainwashing is horrific!

AND YET THEY think WE are brainwashed SHEEP.

National Trust have just contacted us to say they’re scrapping all covid rules on Monday but ‘advise’ people to wear masks indoors. No pre booking required so indoor spaces will be full of non mask wearing people. Given that, in my experience, NT visitors tend to be older people I think they should do everything possible to safeguard them. And yes, I know people are going to say that, if someone’s old and vulnerable they would be wearing a mask anyway but I’d prefer it if there was less danger of asymptomatic or presymptomatic people spreading the virus in these places. I thought better of the NT.

My DD has an immune disorder and is usually wheelchair bound, but bedbound atm. Her carer today had a mask round her chin, and it is unclear whether the carers will even have to wear masks from Monday (working with vulnerable patients in the community.) The carer also divulged she had done a lateral flow test which was positive but because a PCR test came back negative the next day the care company told her to work. The carer's brother has just had a positive test. The carer was symptomatic of something.

My Dd is double vaxed due to her health issues but I don't know how much protection it has given her. We wait and hope.

I always wear full ppe for my work as a carer, and I'm expecting that not to change any time soon.

MissAdventure

I always wear full ppe for my work as a carer, and I'm expecting that not to change any time soon.

Good to hear. I expect with private care companies there will be huge variation if they aren't given clear legal rules.

My company are exploiting it for all they're worth - giving us lists of cleaning to do, to reduce the risk.
Because everyone knows covid lives inside people's ovens.

MissAdventure

My company are exploiting it for all they're worth - giving us lists of cleaning to do, to reduce the risk.
Because everyone knows covid lives inside people's ovens.

I think you need to keep a record of all the things your company are asking you to do.

We have to keep a record by signing a sheet to say what we've done.
Luckily, "my people" prefer me to be actively involved with them, rather than seeing a view of my backside as my head is in their oven.