I have just about had enough of these contradictory covid19 regulations.

loveoc good for you.

But I will continue to listen to scientists and my common sense.

Politicians have never cut it - they know no more than we do and we only get an adulterated version from them to suit their political purpose.

I am retired so in the lucky position to be able to make my own mind up, but those working are not so lucky, although I am aware that contrary to calls from Johnson etc, companies are making their own decision about staff etc working from home.
My DD has been told by her company that her job is now a permanent home base as it’s been so successful.
DS is working from home for the foreseeable future as once again it works so well.

Perhaps Boris was saying that no matter what, people have to eat therefore the supermarkets will have to open so that people can buy essential food, safe or not. It is not possible for every household to order food deliveries online.

I certainly understand some people are worried/frightened of the impact if and when 'freedom day' occurs. Just remember back to Mach 2020 when Boris announced at 8.30 pm 'stay home' 'go out only once a day' etc etc. However, all supermarket workers get to work! Now ask yourself, was Boris saying supermarket staff's lives are not as worthy as the rest of the population, or was he saying we are concerned but it is nowhere as deadly as we are making out? I decided then it was so obviously the latter. My opinion has not changed.

There is a new variant Delta+ (mutation of the Indian and south African) and there are hints that it might be vaccine immune to an extent.

Not over until the fat lady sings folks!

Keep wearing the masks and distancing etc.

Nothing more to say

Should say ….really ill with Covid…..

Thanks Maybee, you’re right of course, and I’m annoyed with BJ because he didn’t put India on the red list in time to prevent this awful situation in Britain. I take hope from the fact that the infections are mainly in the young, who don’t become really with Covid usually. And from the fact that our vaccination programme is racing along. Only two of my family have still to receive their second vaccine, and it’s probably the same for many families.
I need to go on holidays when I can, and meet people where I can, and go out and about, because I have suffered from depression in the past, and I’ve had a couple of wobbles during these last eighteen months. I have to take as much care of my mental health as my physical health. I know that lockdown makes me low, so whilst not doing any big things like Ascot or football matches (not that I ever went to either of them before Covid) I’m doing things to support good mental health. So today we went to a country pub for lunch. We sat in the conservatory and no one else was there. Quite a few people were outside. I felt safe and enjoyed my outing. I hope you’ll feel able to do something like that soon, but if you don’t, it doesn’t matter, you’ll do it when you feel safe enough.

Thanks maddyone. You are very sensible in your approach, I know that. It’s just all of the anti vacc’ers, people that call masks ‘face nappies’ etc that freak me out! And the fact that this country seems to be the main source of increasing infection rates in other countries. I know the Delta variants started in India but it seems to be our failure to prevent it coming to this country that will probably be instrumental in it causing problems in other countries. It’s as if we never learn from any of the mistakes that have been made.

Maybee, thank you for your response. You are correct, like probably all of us on this forum I have been fully vaccinated, and in Dec/Jan I was seriously ill with Covid. We know that that Covid patients develop antibodies, but we don’t know how long they have them. The last piece of research I heard was that Covid antibodies definitely last six months, but after that we don’t know. It is now six months since I was ill, and so I don’t know if I still have antibodies or not. However, I live in an area with extremely low Covid infections now (not so last winter) so that also may influence my opinions. We do not even contemplate visiting my husband’s elderly parents who live in Greater Manchester, despite the fact that he has not seen them for the last two years, and at 93 and 94, it is very possible that he may not see them again. But the holidays we are planning have been chosen carefully so that we can be safe whilst we’re away. I would be annoyed if the wishes of people who wish to continue with restrictions despite being fully vaccinated was to influence government’s policy. In actual fact we are probably moving towards opening up in July. If we were to be asked to continue to wear masks I would not be unduly bothered and would continue to wear one. I will certainly wear one on the flight in September. My feeling is that if people are truly worried about opening up and wish to continue to shield, wear masks, or stay at home, then that is not a problem for anyone else. It’s nothing to do with anyone else. But if we open up in July, then so long as people’s actions are within the law, that also should concern no one else.

They are protected if they wear one. Right?

Not particularly, unless it is a high grade medical or hazard mask.

The whole point about mask wearing was a two way thing. It inhibits the release of aerosols by infected people to a certain extent and offers some protection against inhaling aerosols. To work effectively mask wearing has to be quite widespread. A bit like 'herd immunity' really... 'Mutual' mask wearing offers better protection than isolated mask wearing.

At the moment, infection rates are rising daily and rising fast. The more cases there are, however mild in their effects, the more likelihood there is of a vaccine resistant variant of C19 developing. That would be a bit of a problem, wouldn't it?

(It would seem that flu levels have been lower than 'normal' over the past 18months, most likely because of mask wearing, social distancing and a higher uptake of the flu vaccination.

www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-flu-levels-idUSKBN29R2AU )

maddyone

love0c
I agree with you. We have to get back to normal. I was asking what posters would do if they want to continue with mask wearing and social distancing, if the majority, like you and I, stop taking these precautions. Will those who want to continue just stay at home d’you think?

Do you not think though that your perception of the threat of the virus is different to mine because you have survived the virus and have been vaccinated and therefore have a high level of immunity. I know someone on another forum that thinks everything should just return to normal because he had the virus and is now vaccinated. There are still lots of people that don’t have immunity because they haven’t had covid and haven’t been vaccinated either.

The number of people dying with flu and pneumonia on their death certificate in England and Wales is now 10 times higher than those with Covid, figures show.

The latest weekly data on deaths from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that there were 84 deaths mentioning Covid in the week ending June 11. There were 1,163 involving flu and pneumonia.

love0c
I agree with you. We have to get back to normal. I was asking what posters would do if they want to continue with mask wearing and social distancing, if the majority, like you and I, stop taking these precautions. Will those who want to continue just stay at home d’you think?

I feel sorry for those who are immune compromised so unable to be vaccinated, and for the estimated 15% of the population who aren’t protected although they have been vaccinated if most of the population are going to behave as if Covid has gone. I’m as much for getting back to normal as most people are, but I don’t want to do it at the expense of others - I really hope the infection rate starts to reduce so those people can get back to enjoying a normal life too.

maddyone It will not be my 'new normal'. I am with Rishi. On July 19th freedom Day? I am ditching my mask. Those that wish to carry on wearing one, can do so. They should not worry about people who choose not to. They are protected if they wear one. Right? The government's motto has been for quite sometime now 'Fear is the key'. My goodness me, it has worked very well!

Sorry posted too soon, anyway I’m interested to know Maybee what you’re going to do when in the very likely event in the near future, people no longer will be required to wear masks in public places or maintain social distancing? Will you simply stay at home then, because that’s the only way you will be sure to maintain social distancing and ensure not coming into contact with non mask wearers?

….we must live with a new normal which is maintaining social distancing where possible, wearing masks in public places etc etc

I am sick of politicians, footballers and celebrities flouting the rules so now I ignore the rules. I had an appointment at the hospital last week and should have isolated for 2 weeks prior to that. I refused since I have been vaccinated. I enjoyed some brilliant days out while waiting for the appointment. I am NEVER going to isolate again and since the rich and famous think the rules are not for them the rules are not for me either.

Advice will be contradictory because everything is constantly changing. Nothing in life is ever totally black or white. We have to listen to advice, not necessarily do something because we’ve been told we can do it. Question things that we’ve been told we can’t do: read, listen analyse things to the best of our ability. I’ve been pleasantly surprised over the past couple of days as, on our daily walk to the beach virtually everybody has smiled, spoken and more importantly for me have given everyone else space. This hasn’t been happening over the past 18 months. And what we do have to take into account is the virus is still mutating so the government do need to be aware of a situation whereby the vaccine is less effective. The Delta variant would have resulted in far more hospitalisations if hands face space ventilate was being ignored.

I can’t take much that the government are saying seriously I’m afraid. I think they are scaremongering and only produce selected figures to support their cause which do not paint a true and honest picture. One has to delve deeper into what different scientists (and official statistics) say rather than just rely on the Sage ‘advisors’,a group of people who I certainly didn’t vote for but now have far too much control over my life. More people are going to die or live their lives in pain because of the huge NHS waiting lists for treatment and that is what really makes me angry. And that’s not to mention education and the economy which is suffering horrendously.

It’s all rubbish and based on MONEY not safety. Makes me sick !

No you are not alone i feel it's totally unfair now . My husband and I have obeyed all the rules from day one now I feel like we are being slapped in the face now if you are a rich celebrity you can basically do what you want and then preach to us saying we our all in this together what a load of rubbish

Sadly family events are restricted because they are more dangerous in that we forget to socially distance Restrictions are about harm reduction It doesn't matter how fed up we are the virus isn't In Scotland today there are around 3000 new cases worst day since mid winter We need to give vaccine roll out a chance to stay ahead in the race that means continuing restrictions We may be fed up but ...

Chewbacca I agree with all of your post ?

You're right growstuff, I'm intelligent enough to be able to assess the risks for myself. That same intelligence also makes me question why I can go to a football match with 120,000 others but I can't watch my GC run in the egg and spoon race at her primary school. I have no issue with following rules providing those rules make sense and aren't arbitrarily manipulated to suit those events that are managed by money, power or influence. Possibly you have no family that you haven't seen freely for the past 15 months. And possibly you haven't tried to continue to run your business so that your employees still take a wage home each week. And possibly you didn't have any social contacts in your life pre COVID that, now removed, have left you in a state of utter despair. Many of us have. And we find the glib "but you have to continue to follow the rules for the greater good" a bit wearing now because "the roolz" no longer make sense.