It's just a cold

Kali2

I hear what you are saying. And perhaps those of us who are quite healthy can accept this. Would you say the same if you had loved ones, be it husband, daughters and sons, grandchildren- who are particularly vulnerable? Who have, as you said above, suffered in so many ways in last two years - and who are now told 'ah well- let's go back to normal, even if it kills you- all part of life!'

Why can't we just take care of each other for just a bit longer- see the winter out at least- and wait for further research too into long term effect. Because NO, it is NOT just a cold.

Kali2 it is always good to look at things from a personal angle, it brings home the human aspect to all this.
I do have a young DGS who is particularly vulnerable. He is not "supposed" to fly in case he has a brain bleed, he is not supposed to play contact sports in case he gets knocked, he is not supposed to play on park or playground equipment in case he falls etc. That is the advice for his illness, but his parents, despite their very genuine fear, have to let him have a normal life or what's the point? He has to feel the same as others and enjoy his life to the same extent. Do we want people, even vulnerable people, to live in fear of this virus forever, or to stop all those activities that make them feel human. Everyone lives with risk. I think that life now has to be lived in a normal way, though I have nothing against those who want to be cautious either.

Alegrias1

There was an article in the Herald this morning about an anti-vax march in Glasgow. Only it wasn't an anti- vax march, it was a march for people who were concerned about compulsory vaccination and vaccine passports. People a bit like me actually. Fully vaxxed, mask wearing, compliant old me.

We are in a situation where anybody expressing any slight deviation from what the hive thinks is immediately tarred as being an extremist willing to kill your granny so they can go to the pub. Who are told they'd think about things differently if it was your loved ones.

The long term effects on society of this virus will be more than just physical.

Totally agree with every word in your post Alegrias1

GrannyGravy13

I have chronic asthma, my lungs are not the best.

I do not want the UK (or anywhere) to shut down to protect me, I do not want mandatory vaccines to protect me, I do not want vaccine passports to protect me.

I will protect myself, I do my own risk assessments, I am triple jabbed and wear a mask.

This is your decision which I totally respect, as an older person and on an individual basis.

But we are talking about Government Policy here- for all. With the vulnerable not having any choice in the matter.

But many who are at increased risk are younger adults, and many children too. Do they not have the right to say that after all the sacrifices made in last 2 years- they do not want to suddenly stop all restrictions and testing, whatever happens? The vulnerable will have to stop work, school, visiting or being visited by GCs and ACs and friends? (no more LFT either).

Why do we have to stop now- as cases rise, in the middle of winter? Why can't we wait till Spring and better weather, and more research on the long-term effects of Omicron.

We're not stopping now.

I've just posted on another thread about hysteria.

So I won't repeat it here.

Kali2 nobody from Government has announced that there will be no more testing. It is being discussed as to when it will be possible to stop testing. I heard July 2022 mentioned on the BBC earlier this morning.

Getting in a tizz over something that may/might not happen is pointless in my opinion.

Alegrias1

We're not stopping now.

I've just posted on another thread about hysteria.

So I won't repeat it here.

Ditto

Josiann 'Do we want people, even vulnerable people, to live in fear of this virus forever, or to stop all those activities that make them feel human. Everyone lives with risk. I think that life now has to be lived in a normal way, though I have nothing against those who want to be cautious either.'

but that is my point. If we continue to take precautions, all of us as a society- those vulnerable people can go about their 'normal' lives as much as safely possible. If we stop precautions now, they will be condemned to stay at home, and no longer living as normal as possible. Exactly. So there is a very difficult balance to be achieved here - but stopping all precautions now, in the middle of winter, with cases rising and the NHS on its knees, and schools possibly closing soon again- is just NOT the way to do it.

Why can't we at least wait until Easter and for the winter to leave us- and hopefully then, we can 'live with the virus'.

Calling anyone who is concerned about stopping all restrictions and testing now, in the middle of (see above) - hysterical, is unfair, nasty, and incredibly rude. Typical internet bully language, and un-acceptable.

GrannyGravy
Well done you.
Kali2
If your diagnosed with a long term incurable condition and your doctor tells you im sorry, you’ll have to learn to live with it what would you say? Would you call him cruel?
He’s just being real It’s what it is.

Kali2

Calling anyone who is concerned about stopping all restrictions and testing now, in the middle of (see above) - hysterical, is unfair, nasty, and incredibly rude. Typical internet bully language, and un-acceptable.

You know where the report button is.

To be honest if a doctor used you just have to learn to live with it I would think he might be spending too much time on the internet, and had learned some fairly meaningless phrases.

At the beginning of the pandemic the government deliberately frightened us all in order to ensure compliance. I’ve read a few times that they were quite surprised by the way the public behaved as they didn’t expect such adherence to the rules. The problem for them now is that many people are still afraid, and talk of relaxing all restrictions and the end of free testing is really spooking many people.

What a worrying post if you're the type of person to worry. This hasn't helped those people and will only fuel their worry. The author has no medical knowledge, so I would totally disregard this. As previous posters have said no-one knows what will happen in years to come so there is absolutely no point in speculating. Live for today and always have hope that things will improve. Don't give up on a better future.

MerylStreep

GrannyGravy
Well done you.
Kali2
If your diagnosed with a long term incurable condition and your doctor tells you im sorry, you’ll have to learn to live with it what would you say? Would you call him cruel?
He’s just being real It’s what it is.

Again, a ridiculour comparison which makes no sense at all in this context.

True maddyone- and especially NOW- because of the figures rising, the NHS on its knees, in the middle of winter.

This could happen at Easter, hopefully, but NOW is NOT the time.

Kali2

MerylStreep

GrannyGravy
Well done you.
Kali2
If your diagnosed with a long term incurable condition and your doctor tells you im sorry, you’ll have to learn to live with it what would you say? Would you call him cruel?
He’s just being real It’s what it is.

Again, a ridiculour comparison which makes no sense at all in this context.

True maddyone- and especially NOW- because of the figures rising, the NHS on its knees, in the middle of winter.

This could happen at Easter, hopefully, but NOW is NOT the time.

Kali2 the Government are not stopping testing now, please stop with your scaremongering and fake news

I think it’s the wrong time too Kali. I think it would have caused people less stress and worry if we had allowed Omicron to recede naturally and by then we would have been approaching Spring/Summer and I think people would have felt more optimistic.

Accepted- this has been reported by many sources as the plan, and heavily denied by Savid (which makes me very suspicious- call it hysterical if you wish). See how it goes.

Kali2

Calling anyone who is concerned about stopping all restrictions and testing now, in the middle of (see above) - hysterical, is unfair, nasty, and incredibly rude. Typical internet bully language, and un-acceptable.

In all honesty your posts are adding to the worries of those with a nervous disposition already concerned about Covid.

The Government are not stopping LFT’s now, they are discussing when it will be safe and appropriate to do so

Alegrias1

Here's a tweet from Saturday from an actual epidemiologist who has just been named by Nature as one of the top 10 scientists who helped shape science last year. She's not one to sugar coat things and minimise covid. Actual epidemiologist, not private citizen with an agenda and no qualifications in this area.
mobile.twitter.com/kallmemeg/status/1479773960279633925

Her comment? Do not buy into this message. It's rubbish. But she says it better than me. Because she's an actual epidemiologist.

?
I've heard of her, friend's DD worked with her.

Arguing about whether or not it's ok to post something on social media and whether one social media feed is more informative and expert backed is just bonkers. It's social media, people can post what they like and those who are worried will post about their worries and being told they are foolish or misguided is a waste of time.

As to quoting certain experts against others or rubbishing certain posts because someone is a scientist of some kind while another is 'just a journalist'. Hasn't anyone noticed that the world of science has moved on in leaps and bounds, as has education so that many now understand complicated medical papers. Experts disagree wildly, science moves on, we are told not to trust experts by politicians.

I think a deep breath and a walk in the park is called for. I think some scientists have said that nature is good for us but I expect there are others who think the world would be better paved over. Who knows??!!

Would I book a holiday No it’s two fold,, rules change on a sixpence, and it’s a bigger risk, would I jump on a bus with my mask on and go to the city to look round the shops yes I would Would I hold a big party no I wouldn’t but would I meet up with friends for lunch or coffee yes I would

I agree Bluebelle (apart from jumping on the bus); at some point we have to make our own judgements within guidelines.

If I develop a long-term or terminal illness. I would expect a doctor to tell me that I would just have to learn to live with it, but probably in a softer language. I can see no point in pretending things are other than they are.

Equally, alarmist language, from people who have not read their sources properly is equally unacceptable. As others have said, there are no plans to immediately, stop LFTs and anyone posting imformation like that is being hysterical if not guilty of spreading alarmist rumours with no substance in fact.

Do complain to The Times, please.

Kali2

I was accused of being unkind because of one of my comments yesterday- but saying 'just learn to live with it' - to those who are particularly at risk- be they young, old or anything in between, that is cruel and nasty beyong belief. 'Knee jerk histrionics' aimed at their genuine fears is beyond the beyond.

Hang on a minute, Kali, please do not twist yesterday's posts!

I was talking about myself, being immune compromised and "at risk", as you very well understood and I was saying I will make my own risk assessments about what I consider safe to do.
I do not expect others to make huge compromises to suit me.
Others have to make their own judgements.

You asked for your unpleasant post to be deleted and rightly so. There is no point in continuing to refer to it.

I did say that you have your view and I have mine and I hope you can respect that.

A guy with a background in Systems Architecture is not an expert on Long Covid or the way that Covid affects the internal organs.

People can post what they like on Social Media and some of them get banned for it.

It is not acceptable to place his musings and inaccurate assumptions as equally acceptable with those of people who actually know about viruses, epidemics and medical science. He clearly does not understand the complicated medical papers because the conclusions he draws are just... wrong.

Platitudes about education and about scientists disagreeing don't work, at least not on me. I'm a scientist of some kind. I know how it works. They didn't have Twitter in my day but I know for sure that if you are going to do an analysis of 61 medical studies you better have some knowledge about medicine. Experts disagree because there are different ways of interpreting data, but I'll tell you this, they agree in the end.

If you don't trust experts, maybe going for a wee walk in the park is the best thing you can do right now. At least there won't be any more specious posts about "trusting experts"