All restrictions to end?

I was very lucky in that I went to a convent school where there was actually no bullying (but then this was the 1960s!), we hung out in little cliques and I am still friends with the girls I was pally with.
However, I subsequently went to a college of further education where some girls did bully others. I remember being terrified but when picked on, swore violently at them (good job the Mother Superior wasn't there!) and avoided them thereafter. It worked but it wasn't a very nice place and I learnt to abscond when I wasn't required to attend classes without telling my mother! Probably I went up in the eyes of the bullies as a result, I did well in my studies anyway and was relieved to leave.
I suspect bullying now is much worse with smart phones and the need to be seen and available 24/7. Poor kids.

Switzerland is the latest Country to remove most of its restrictions.

Fgs. Stop moaning and get on with your life.
It's not a competition to see who can complain the most or who might know someone who knows someone who once read an article that we're all doomed!

MayBee70

MayBeMaw

This is NOT what this thread is about.
Can we not accept that an intelligent adult has made the decision to not spend her time on this site without agonising, or bewailing her absence or looking for any hidden significance.
Friends come, friends go, people move on.
That is not meant to sound harsh, but we also need to respect her decision.

But I very much doubt that she wanted to leave. She just couldn’t at that moment in time, cope with the things that people were saying. And, if that can happen to someone who appeared to be pretty strong minded, maybe we should all look at ourselves and the things we say to people on this and other forums. I know we can just switch off our computers and iPads when it gets too much for us but sometimes the only way to escape from it totally is to leave the forum and not be able to comment or be commented to/about.

I'd be grateful if you stop these insinuations, Maybee

As you very well know, Alegrias said she was leaving in the middle of a thread criticising the SNP about chopping the bottoms off classroom doors - it was a funny thread about the SNP despite what you and others try to claim. She left after I remarked on the hilarity of the thread remarking thatGransnet used to be funnier years ago and Alegrias said if that was what Gransnet was like, she was leaving.

As you well know, Alegrias was no shrinking violet and did not hesitate to say if posters exasperated her; she also gave credit where she agreed with someone.
She was very informative too.

If everyone who had their chosen politician, political party criticised then left Gransnet there wouldn't be many posters left.

Others have been bullied off by nasty personal remarks but this was not the case.

Report me if you wish.
I'm fed up with the insinuations.

She'll be back, you'll see. In fact, I did wonder if Aleg was a reincarnation of a previous poster from a year or two back. I don't remember the name but there was the same blend of insistent and sometimes harsh pedantry and in your face assertiveness.
Oops, am I breaking a rule or is it ok that I can't remember the name of this previous guise, just the flavour! I'm sure someone will be eager to report me if so, never mind. I'll go away and think about the Royals (not).

GrannyGravy13

Switzerland is the latest Country to remove most of its restrictions.

And the response is very mixed, with many thnking it is too fast, too soon, and that we should wait till the end of March and the better weather. Me included.

The anti-vaxxers are all celebrating and gloating- some very unpleasantly. One local Café owners invited everyone for a celebratory drink today, then went on to say all vaccinated could have it outside on the terrasse in the cold pouring rain.

Callistemon21

MayBee70

MayBeMaw

This is NOT what this thread is about.
Can we not accept that an intelligent adult has made the decision to not spend her time on this site without agonising, or bewailing her absence or looking for any hidden significance.
Friends come, friends go, people move on.
That is not meant to sound harsh, but we also need to respect her decision.

But I very much doubt that she wanted to leave. She just couldn’t at that moment in time, cope with the things that people were saying. And, if that can happen to someone who appeared to be pretty strong minded, maybe we should all look at ourselves and the things we say to people on this and other forums. I know we can just switch off our computers and iPads when it gets too much for us but sometimes the only way to escape from it totally is to leave the forum and not be able to comment or be commented to/about.

I'd be grateful if you stop these insinuations, Maybee

As you very well know, Alegrias said she was leaving in the middle of a thread criticising the SNP about chopping the bottoms off classroom doors - it was a funny thread about the SNP despite what you and others try to claim. She left after I remarked on the hilarity of the thread remarking thatGransnet used to be funnier years ago and Alegrias said if that was what Gransnet was like, she was leaving.

As you well know, Alegrias was no shrinking violet and did not hesitate to say if posters exasperated her; she also gave credit where she agreed with someone.
She was very informative too.

If everyone who had their chosen politician, political party criticised then left Gransnet there wouldn't be many posters left.

Others have been bullied off by nasty personal remarks but this was not the case.

Report me if you wish.
I'm fed up with the insinuations.

I’ve not blamed you as far as I know. And that particular comment certainly wasn’t aimed at you. I apologise if you felt that it was. And it was also meant as a comment about forums in general.

Apology accepted but I did feel that the poster mentioned left directly after my post on that thread.

So, how are people feeling now about the announcement we’re expecting tomorrow? DD has had to cancel a holiday at the last minute (all packed and about to drive to the airport) when her husbands pre holiday PCR came back positive ( totally unexpected: had been taking precautions and doing LFT’s).. Even though restrictions will end here restrictions in other countries will continue or will be different to ours. Will we still be able to get PCR tests as easily? If LFT tests aren’t as readily available there will be covid positive people everywhere. Johnson is using the Queen as an example of how we all need to continue working even if we have covid! Great if you happen to live in a palace and have servants etc. And will probably have been given anti virals immediately. What would be the problem of waiting one more month when the weather would be better, the nights would be lighter, less chance of people catching other seasonal viruses etc. Surely this is purely political and not science based?

I would be happier if there was scientific consensus for this, but clearly there isn’t. It appears from ONS data 1 in 20 still have the virus and it seems too early to lift all restrictions for political reasons.

Rates are now dropping very quickly
Those who test will continue to do so and stay isolated if they are infected
Even with isolation rules many do not test and have no intention of doing so
Pretty good chance there are already Covid positive people around anyway if there wasn't nobody would catch it
For myself I am no longer concerned about catching Covid.
My main concern are those that are vunerable but not sure that isolation rules now actually make much difference
I spring cleaned my house whilst in covid isolation and got all my husbands accounts up to date most people now that are vacinnated have very mild symptoms if any

I would be happier if there was scientific consensus for this, but clearly there isn’t.

There hasn't been scientific consensus on anything much throughout the pandemic, that's not going to change. We're just sticking with our routine for a while - masks, hand gel, stay out of busy places. Hardly anyone else was wearing a mask today but that's their choice.

I’m personally not too concerned about catching the virus either but am mindful of others that are. For example my elderly mother and a vulnerable neighbour.
You are right of course that isolation rules may not make any difference to some for example those without financial help who cannot afford to stay off work if they test positive and those who simply don’t care about infecting others.
I think many will however be conscientious in testing and isolating as long as tests are available. If there is a cost, as usual poorer people will be penalised.
I think some level of testing will remain important for tracking and sequencing variants in the future as they develop.

I would still like to hear from Chris Whitty.

And soon we probably won’t be told the infection rate or the death rate. It will be as if the virus doesn’t exist any more. And when the report into the parties is eventually released and the report into the government’s handling of the pandemic is issued it will be yesterdays news and all the people who died needlessly will be forgotten by everyone except those who loved them. Chris Whitty has, imo, been bought off…..

I don’t think Chris Whitty has been bought off but as a public servant he has to do what he’s told on pain of losing his job.

I hope that this will not be the case MayBee.
I do not think the very active group C-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, who have legal representation, will let the government off so easily. They have many unanswered questions.
The C-19 Public Inquiry which is to be chaired by Lady Hallett will have input from such groups, and at present the Terms of Reference for the inquiry are being drawn up. I hope Johnson doesn’t try and narrow this and that the truth will come out and lessons will be learned. I also hope that this will not drag on beyond the next election.
Regarding Chris Whitty he can’t be truly independent but at least he sounded a note of caution before Christmas which I think people heeded, preventing the situation at that time being so much worse.

PM will give a press briefing this evening with Chris Whitty and Patrick Valance

Delayed cabinet meeting due to “bickering” apparently.

Just had to endure half an hour of Ann Widdecombe defending the PM on Sky News. Why are people like her still regarded a relevant when it comes to the government of this country? Or is she the only person prepared to go on national tv to represent him?

MayBee70

Just had to endure half an hour of Ann Widdecombe defending the PM on Sky News. Why are people like her still regarded a relevant when it comes to the government of this country? Or is she the only person prepared to go on national tv to represent him?

She's not relevant and she's not even a Tory any more sp she won't be representing him or them.

Half an hour?
That's half an hour of your life you won't get back!

I was quite fascinated by what looked like a collection of snow globes that she had on the shelf behind her…..

I do like a snow globe!

Were they snowing at the time?

MayBee70. Why did you have to endure it? I use the off button or walk out if I can’t stand something. Mind you, for snow globes, I might just have muted her and admired them.