Scientists have published a letter in the Lancet, saying that they have 5 main concerns over the governments plans for unmitigated infection.
I have taken this from John Campbell’s site.
First - disproportionately affecting children and young people
There are 17 million people with no covid protection.
Exponential growth will continue until millions more people are infected
This will leave hundreds of thousands of people with long term illness and disability
Risks leaving a generation with ill health.
Second - transmission in schools will lead to educational disruption.
There should be strict mitigation in schools and eventual vaccination of children.
Important for clinically vulnerable children and socially vulnerable children.
Third - emergent of vaccine resistant mutations, with their potential spread.
Fourth - there will significant impact on exhausted clinicians.
There is no break yet between infection and hospital admission.
Rising case numbers will inevitably mean more hospital admissions.
Millions of people are waiting for procedures and many will die waiting.
Fifth
Deprived communities are very exposed.
The deprived and marginalised will be disproportionately affected.
Given that vaccine offers the same protection and herd immunity, the governments strategy is unethical and illogical.
The U.K. government must reconsider its current strategy and take urgent steps to protect people and children.
We believe that the U.K. government is embarking on a dangerous and unethical experiment, and we call on it to pause its planned endings of all mitigation on 19 July.
GrannyGravy13
My AC are anti having the GC vaccinated especially the under twelves. The ones with 13 and nearly 12 yr olds are equally hesitant.
My 16 GS is fully vaccinated with AZ. Has had zero side effects.
I think that the debate as to whether small children will be vaccinated is still unresolved. However, I take you back to the original OP.
The government is risking to much by going for herd immunity and not being patient and wait until 80% of the population are fully vaccinated.
My AC are anti having the GC vaccinated especially the under twelves. The ones with 13 and nearly 12 yr olds are equally hesitant.
The vaccine minister has stated today that after 19th people will still be expected to wear masks. It won’t be a law but the expectation is there. I can’t “do” links but it is on the bbc news website.
I believe children twelve years old and up are being vaccinated in America. We will watch and wait I expect. But long term possible problems will not show up for a long time.
Of course it is GrannyGravy. Doctors will never put the health of anyone, especially children, before others. Young children barely ever have bad Covid or Long Covid, it is very, very much the tiniest minority. But to herd vaccinate young children, with absolutely no idea what may happen in the future, would be not only foolish, but selfish. My daughter is a doctor and has said her young children (seven and three years old) will not be vaccinated with this new and highly effective vaccine. She was eager for us (oldies) to be protected by the vaccine. She is not anti vaccine, she is anti experimenting on young children.
maddyone
How does anyone know that young children will be safe if vaccinated? Vaccination of young children (birth to under ten years) has no precedent and it is unknown what possible problems or repercussions there may be.
Exactly maddyone which is why the UK is holding back on mass vaccination of children.
maddyone
How does anyone know that young children will be safe if vaccinated? Vaccination of young children (birth to under ten years) has no precedent and it is unknown what possible problems or repercussions there may be.
And how do we know how children will be affected by long term illness, long covid etc.
How does anyone know that young children will be safe if vaccinated? Vaccination of young children (birth to under ten years) has no precedent and it is unknown what possible problems or repercussions there may be.
I think it's only taking forever because as soon as there is light at the end of the tunnel, out go the restrictions.
Always too soon, in my opinion.
There is no requirement to make the country wait forever, but to wait until the % of vaccinated has reached herd immunity level.
Approximately by the end of August
GrannyGravy13
Alegrias1 that is what I posted, Whitewavemark2 disagrees with both of us!
I certainly disagree with your commitment to opening up on 19th.
The Lancet article was not just signed by Independent Sage, their is also an hour long video in which a number of people took part in the discussion., and I am unclear why that makes their advice invalid.
alegrais has not made her opinion known regarding to the 19th unless I’ve missed it.
Whitewavemark2
I am glad to know that you have so much more knowledge than those people whose signature is on the letter.
Clinicians and scientists who have studied and worked their entire lives on the subject of epidemiology, etc.
With respect I think people would be so much better advised to follow their advice.
With respect I have followed all advice since March 2020, all implemented in our business.
I have worn a mask when required despite being exempt.
However, when I have been out and about recently I have observed more and more folks totally disregarding Covid guidelines, they have had enough.
This Government is reportedly rethinking Covid-19 passports for entry into pubs, clubs and restaurants to encourage those reluctant young people to get vaccinated.
Unless vaccination is made mandatory, people still have a choice whether or not to take up the jab and the Country cannot wait forever.
Most Health workers are feeling a sense of panic, because we are in uncharted territory. There are now more young people in ITUs and general beds than in the first two waves. A&E departments are very busy again, and there is a lot of disrespect and aggression towards staff from the public who are refusing to wear masks. Some hospitals have already been forced to reduce or cease elective activity again. They are also concerned about the increasing number of people with long covid, the demand is huge and there is no additional manpower. Right across the UK doctors and nurses are lobbying the government to rethink.
It’s a very good job the school summer holidays are starting, let’s hope that will help in England as it is doing in Scotland to bring the numbers down, and that more people opt for vaccination.
Daisymae
It's not about the older generation though. It's about deliberately exposing younger unvaccinated people to the virus, removing basic mitigation. Herd immunity by default. There will be thousands more dealing with long term disability as a result.
Exactly
Alegrias1 that is what I posted, Whitewavemark2 disagrees with both of us!
It's not about the older generation though. It's about deliberately exposing younger unvaccinated people to the virus, removing basic mitigation. Herd immunity by default. There will be thousands more dealing with long term disability as a result.
I am glad to know that you have so much more knowledge than those people whose signature is on the letter.
Clinicians and scientists who have studied and worked their entire lives on the subject of epidemiology, etc.
With respect I think people would be so much better advised to follow their advice.
A very quick look at this shows that the main signatories of this letter are in fact the same as the members of Independent SAGE.
That doesn't mean that they are wrong, it just means that the same people are saying the same things as they've always said.
lemongrove that is how I feel, it’s time to open up, those who wish to be cautious (the elderly and CEV) can.
Seeing groups of young people enjoying themselves, no social distancing has been prevalent of late on our beaches and parks.
Coming out of senior schools all linking arms and hugging, for them it’s over already.
Smileless2012
I understand the worries, I have them too but I don't agree that that the "UK government is embarking on a dangerous and unethical experiment" and think it's a ridiculous claim to make.
We live in a sea side resort and some people haven't been complying with the regulations for some time, and let's be honest, some never have.
I agree Smileless
The hope is that being Summer and being able to be outside more, we have to try and get on with our lives and businesses to do the same, for their sake and the economy.
For us older people ( more at risk) we can continue to be cautious even if others aren’t.
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.
But not broken. At least 100000 infections expected A DAY imagine what that will do for hospital admissions and the knock-on waiting lists - the deaths from undiagnosed cancers, the pain from osteoarthritis and no knee and hip replacements.
I too have a a doctor and clinicians in the family, and what I see and they feel is utter exhaustion and sadness.
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.
Imagine how health workers are feeling
several people who work in pubs and restaurants are quite worried about what this might mean for their health.
they feel very exposed.
it is mostly the business owners who want all restrictions lifted; they are not at the sharp end.
some workers have resigned rather than face further risk, and feel very let down, after trying to keep things going for so long in difficult circumstances, eg pubs doing take-away food.
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