Is now the right time to lift Covid restrictions?

My DS is a microbiologist and in his 30s, he refuses to 'go out and about or socialise' as he said the figures are still too high, and the risks too high. Who do I trust my son or Boris? My son, every time.

We’re keeping masks here in Scotland for now and lifting some other restrictions. That seems sensible to me while case numbers are still high.

In Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset the rates are still very high. It’s all very well to talk about the country overall. My little Gd has just tested positive making 30 out of a total number of 100 in her school.The LEA have advised their primary schools they still need stricter measures rather than relaxing them. I fear we will all get too complacent with measures lifted too soon.

LuckyFour

I'm fed up of the constant cynicism on here.
They've lifted restrictions but that doesn't mean you can't wear a mask or mustn't social distance. I'll still be doing the same until I personally feel I'm not at risk. We can only look after ourselves and this is the best way to look after everyone else.
We must think for ourselves, we're not zombies.

The point with this is that some members of our community are more vulnerable and will suffer because of all the selfish ’I’m alright Jack pull the ladder up’ types

No. I don't think this is the right time to lift all restrictions. I would have liked to see the mandatory wearing of face coverings kept. People are still allowed to use the hospitality trade without wearing face covering so it won't curtail their freedom.

Newspaper today reported it was the baby - and the poor little mite was quite ill. Sacrificial lamb to parents who clearly think safety measures don’t apply to them!

Zoejory

How are we being manipulated? Not sure I understand.

Just 3 weeks ago many were saying England/Boris were mad to allow Christmas and New Year celebrations to go ahead.

Many Scots came here and folk were worried that the English would give them covid etc etc

It now would seem that England called this one right.

I am pleased that restrictions are being lifted. It's about time. We can always revert if needs be.

We do seem to be doing better than many European countries and I've no idea why.

Maybe manipulated is the wrong word, but lifting the restrictions now doesn’t seem sensible. I would have thought more effort is needed to convince anti vaxers to get the vaccine so there’s less chance of other, potentially more virulent variants arising. By ‘manipulated’ I meant that the lifting of the restrictions is the governments’ version of ‘look over here at this shiny thing’ in the hope that partygate will die down.

No. Quite simply no. I for one will still wear a mask and limit my social mixing. Especially now you can be infected and go out and spread it…..or will be able to soon. Waste of all the effort that has been made for the last 2 years…..and what thought has been given to the immunosuppressed?

It's all happening too soon, and is IMO being done for political rather than health and scientific reasons a) to placate the right wing - or however it should be termed - 'Covid Recovery Group' of Tory MPs whose members recently rebelled against Covid measures - and b) to "prove" on the international stage that the UK is succeeding in "living with Covid", "as it does with (the very different) 'flu virus", apparently no matter what the cost in terms of infections, hospitalisations, deaths, and disruption to the NHS. It was reported a few days ago that at least the mandate on masks in shops and in other crowded internal spaces, including public transport, would be kept for the time being. But no - that's been flushed away with all other measures. I wonder if we'll return to the farcical situation in which MPs on the Tory side of the House of Commons is largely unmasked, while the ranks of Labour and other opposition parties mainly masked. I'm in a vulnerable group for reasons of age and an underlying health condition, and am somewhat dreading the next stage in the Covid story as handled by this uncaring government.

The problem with lfts is that negatives are not reliable DGD came to stay after a negative test, in the morning her next test was negative but she was not very well. DD took her for a pcr and she was positive. DIL (teacher) tested negative so went to school - by lunchtime she felt ill went home and tested positive. So how much worse is it going to be without testing and isolating? For myself I will continue having shopping delivered, wear a mask if I have no alternative but to go to a shop or medical appointments, and stay indoors, enjoying my hobbies and the crazy little ’therapy’ cat I got delivered during lockdown. In the summer I’ll visit outdoor places to take photographs. Luckily I am not a great socialiser so the only people I really want to see are DD, DGC who live locally and DS,DGC which is slightly more difficult because they live in Scotland and I can’t make the distance in a staight run. If we do not trust what the Govt. is proposing then I think we have to decide for ourselves how we keep safe.

A local business in our area was resistant to an offered visit by a mobile vaccination bus. Over Christmas 5 of their employees died from COVID! They are now reconsidering. Whilst Omicron does seem milder than the Delta variant etc, I definitely feel it is too soon.

I don't think that it's to regain popularity, much as BJ might need it! I'll be glad to see the back of restrictions and feel that we have to learn to live with it. I tested positive between Christmas and New Year and my symptoms were more like one of allergy episodes, itchy throat, sneezing and runny nose. I'm triple jabbed btw. My main concern was how the lives of my contacts would be disrupted, rather than my mild symptoms.

Thank you sazz1,

The most sensible post I've read for a long time.

I know that since late last year, more people I know - and their family members- have had covid than in all the previous months together. I'm not convinced it is the right time.

Yes.

I will use my own assessment regarding wearing a mask - will do if the shop or supermarket is crowded, not if I'm shopping at times when there are few people in there and they're not nearby. I presume shops etc will keep the perspex screens at paypoints as ongoing measures, and if people choose to wear/not masks that is their choice and not up to others to judge.

From observation at our local supermarket, the majority of the order picking staff - all younger staff - weren't wearing masks so clearly already weren't bothered about them!

If people want to stay at home and wear a mask they are free to do so. We don't need a government and PM to tell us how to live. If your friend or family had flu or some other contagious disease would you wait for government to tell you not to visit? Just keep yourself safe and don't mix if you are unwell. People need to think for themselves again.

I'm pleased they have lifted the Covid restrictions perhaps we can get back to leading a normal life soon. Just use some common sense.

It's the right thing to do at the right time. The Government is a lot more than one man and to say they are doing it for the reason you suggested is laughable.

Give it a rest ?

Yes

sazz1

I think if we lock down cases will fall then we open up cases will rise.
Atm far too many people feel protected by the vaccine. I don't believe they are at all. Too many vaccinated people in hospital and with serious symptoms for it to be effective at anything.
My friend an anti vaxer had covid mild symptoms better in 5 days.
My DD fully vaccinated very ill and still not fully recovered. DGC unvaccinated due to age temperature for 24hrs only but positive PCR. So Im not convinced vaccine actually works.
I'm fully vaccinated 3 jabs hoping I don't catch it and limiting contact with others.
If the government knew the vaccine didn't work why would they continue with it? Money?
I think this virus will run its course and we only delay that by locking down. Masks don't work unless specialist masks are used.
Most packs actually say not effective against viruses.

To be fair nobody has mentioned locking down that would be a total overreaction
As for the hospital figures yes there are people who are vaccinated but taking into account for the fact that the majority of the population is vaccinated that is hardly a surprise I believe most in ICU are unvaccinated
If the vaccine didn’t work bearing in mind the amount of infections we have don’t you think hospital admissions and deaths would be off the scale
We have just experienced Covid in our family 4 people two of which are CV nothing more than cold symptoms for them and the other 2 including myself no symptoms whatsoever
We have boosted far quicker than most European countries and we have lower rates of infection

Other countries are sensibly waiting for Spring and good weather to return, just a couple of months more. We have made too many sacrifices to now ruin it all by rushing into this.

LuckyFour

I'm fed up of the constant cynicism on here.
They've lifted restrictions but that doesn't mean you can't wear a mask or mustn't social distance. I'll still be doing the same until I personally feel I'm not at risk. We can only look after ourselves and this is the best way to look after everyone else.
We must think for ourselves, we're not zombies.

Cynism?! What about people who have to go to work surrounded by people who have chosen to stop taking care, no masks, no washing of hands or gel - on crowded buses, tube or train. Those who work with the above in close proximity? Those who have to serve clients who have stopped masks and everything else, in supermarkets and shops, bars and restaurants, etc, etc. What choice do they have?

Yes !

I think if we lock down cases will fall then we open up cases will rise.
Atm far too many people feel protected by the vaccine. I don't believe they are at all. Too many vaccinated people in hospital and with serious symptoms for it to be effective at anything.
My friend an anti vaxer had covid mild symptoms better in 5 days.
My DD fully vaccinated very ill and still not fully recovered. DGC unvaccinated due to age temperature for 24hrs only but positive PCR. So Im not convinced vaccine actually works.
I'm fully vaccinated 3 jabs hoping I don't catch it and limiting contact with others.
If the government knew the vaccine didn't work why would they continue with it? Money?
I think this virus will run its course and we only delay that by locking down. Masks don't work unless specialist masks are used.
Most packs actually say not effective against viruses.