All restrictions to end?

It reminds me of Logan’s Run. I don’t think it will have the desired effect either, because millions of people will be more cautious than they are now, so spending on travel, leisure etc. won’t recover yet.

Just read the headlines don’t know how I feel about this. DH and I have just ordered a box of tests each so I will still test before seeing my elderly mother and uncle and Dad and stepmom. If I get covid I will be not responsible for spreading it to my family so will be staying in. I really think it’s too early. I understand at some point we need to live with covid. I wonder as someone has said if they will still be releasing the figures ever day. I’m sure they’ll shoot up again. I’m not worried about getting it but I’m worried about potentially passing it to my family.

The point was made in Parliament that family carers rely on testing to keep their loved one safe but will have to choose between eating and testing, they have so little money. I despair.

Caroline Lucas
@CarolineLucas
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5m
It is utterly perverse to ask people to take personal responsibility over Covid while also removing the very means which allows them to do so, by ending free Covid tests

PM's Covid moves don't just ignore medical advice, they leave the clinically vulnerable even more exposed

Well it seems free LFT tests will end on April the first. It’s not a good idea from my perspective. Apart from anything thing else I have to do a test before I go to see m mother in her care home. And I also test before I visit two of my friends who are
both suffering from cancer.

It was a bit of a shock to be honest. Want expecting the wind to kick off in the early hours the way that it did!

Hope you sleep better tonight, MB70.

Because the wind had kept me awake all night; I have Sky News on throughout the day and was too tired to make the effort to turn it off. Also think it’s important to watch interviews like that. No point just listening to people that share one’s own political views.

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.

Were they snowing at the time?

I do like a snow globe!

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

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!

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?

Delayed cabinet meeting due to “bickering” apparently.

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

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.

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.

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 would still like to hear from Chris Whitty.

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 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.

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. It appears from ONS data 1 in 20 still have the virus and it seems too early to lift all restrictions for political reasons.

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?