Lifting all Covid resrictions- how do you feel about it?

Unfortunately lifting of restrictions does not mean freedom for the NHS. My OH was due an orthopaedic CT scan tomorrow which has just been cancelled because the doctor is isolating.
Same thing is happening at dentists surgeries.
According to the ONS Symptom study, which is the best data we have since people are no longer necessarily testing or registering if positive, 1:25 people have covid in England, Scotland and Wales.
Happily, as previously mentioned deaths from covid are declining.

I received a booklet today. The page here is from highly regarded surveys carried out amongst 60+ year olds during the pandemic. It really doesn't tell us much we didn't already know. Not fitting into any of the categories mentioned myself, I can still understand why life is harder for some people than others.

To be fair we still have shops showing the old signage that masks have to be worn even though they don't anymore.
Not everybody follows Covid updates and may have thought masks had gone completely. I know my husband isn't as interested as me in following rates ect

I was at the dentists today; everyone was wearing a mask but two young girls walked in without wearing masks, even though there were signs everywhere. The receptionist gave them masks and they put them on. I don’t understand why they thought the request to wear a mask didn’t apply to them.

All the pupils I'm teaching are in Years 7 and 8 (ie 11-13 year olds). I haven't asked the mask wearers why they continue to do so. Nobody's asked me why I wear one either and nobody's complained that they can't hear me. I think they just accept it.

What I do know is that nearly all classes have about 10% of the pupils absent (with Covid), there are some registered pupils who are still at home because they're at very high risk and the number has increased since mask wearing rules have been relaxed. I also know that there has been an increase in the number of pupils who have been taken off roll completely and are being home schooled.

Josieann

growstuff

Sorry, I forgot the link to the ONS report:

www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/bulletins/covid19schoolsinfectionsurveyengland/mentalhealthandlongcovidnovembertodecember2021

Thank you.

It's interesting that a good number of 6th formers are choosing to wear a mask, thus acting in a mature and responsible manner around others. Unfortunately that same concept would be totally unnatural in younger kids, and as several reports have made clear, detrimental to their development.

Do you have a link to one of these reliable sources?

RyanAir and Jet2 have dropped mask wearing rule.
Now this is happening we are almost back to normal.

Thank youy Josieann. On the question of younger children, I agree with you.

M0nica

Josieann you are entitled to your opinion, but you should disparage those who do not agree with you.

's interesting that a good number of 6th formers are choosing to wear a mask, thus acting in a mature and responsible manner around others

What is the evidence that those who choose not to wear masks have not also reached their conclusions in a mature and responisble manner?

Sorry M0nica my comment was more to distinguish between mature 6th formers and much younger children who should not have this imposition placed on them because they are too young to reach conclusions on their own. I have been careful throughout not to disparage any group, nor to be judgmental, so no one need agree or disagree with me either way. Live and let live.

Josieann you are entitled to your opinion, but you should disparage those who do not agree with you.

's interesting that a good number of 6th formers are choosing to wear a mask, thus acting in a mature and responsible manner around others

What is the evidence that those who choose not to wear masks have not also reached their conclusions in a mature and responisble manner?

I read this morning that Jet2 are removing mask wearing from their flights. I think this is good news. Others may follow.

growstuff

Sorry, I forgot the link to the ONS report:

www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/bulletins/covid19schoolsinfectionsurveyengland/mentalhealthandlongcovidnovembertodecember2021

Thank you.

It's interesting that a good number of 6th formers are choosing to wear a mask, thus acting in a mature and responsible manner around others. Unfortunately that same concept would be totally unnatural in younger kids, and as several reports have made clear, detrimental to their development.

M0nica

There is a very informative article on the BBC website today www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-60408419

The pcture it paints of the declining grasp of COVID is more optimistic than I, ever the optimist, had imagind.

This is not to say that the problem is over by a long way but it does show just how much the risk and danger of the disease has fallen.

I also read this Monica found it to be a very balanced view
Covid rates are now dropping along with hospital admissions and deaths

There is a very informative article on the BBC website today www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-60408419

The pcture it paints of the declining grasp of COVID is more optimistic than I, ever the optimist, had imagind.

This is not to say that the problem is over by a long way but it does show just how much the risk and danger of the disease has fallen.

Sorry, I forgot the link to the ONS report:

www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/bulletins/covid19schoolsinfectionsurveyengland/mentalhealthandlongcovidnovembertodecember2021

Josieann

The school I am in and out of growstuff does its own daily infection assessment from registers and parents' communication. If they deem it safe to remove masks at the moment, then I go along with that. Compared with only 4 in some classes before half term, attendance is now nearly 90%. My DH is in the same position visiting schools up and down the country. My DGC who I see regularly no longer have people wearing masks in school either.

I would imagine those are private schools. There is no way the majority of schools are doing that.

You might be interested in a recent publication from the ONS about long Covid in children.

Some headlines are:

1% of primary age pupils and 2.7% of secondary age pupils report long Covid. (That's thousands of children.)

Long Covid affects daily life.

Nearly half report having their mental and physical wellbeing affected by long Covid.

Incidentally, I am now doing a part-time, temporary contract in a secondary school. When I was given the contract, I said that I would continue to wear a mask, except when I'm standing at the front of the class well away from pupils. I was told it would not be a problem. Windows and doors are being kept open and the school was lucky enough to be able to afford air filters from fund raising and its own resources. About a third of the staff and pupils, especially sixth formers, are still wearing masks.

All the Scottish guests have offered to do lateral flows, but it is still bit of a worry, about those coming from other areas of the UK. I'm sure those from other parts of the UK will be doing the same. All my family and friends take a test before meeting and have done for months. Your son should just check with his non Scottish guests, I expect he'll be pleasantly surprised, or else he can say that regretfully anyone unwilling to test will no longer be welcome, so as to protect those guests who are especially vulnerable. No decent relative or friend would object. Hope you all have a lovely day!

Yes Marydoll, I have noticed a few dismisdive comments, but you know me better than that, I hope.
Your son's wedding has be memorable occasion for you somehow and I guess doing LFTs is the only answer for you to worry a bit less and smile on the day. Have a great time, as MoG!

Josieann, I fully understand that.

The point I am trying to make, probably not very well is taht there are still people on GN, who are very dismissive about how virulent Covid is.

I cannot wait to get my life back, but as my GP said to me, mine will never be normal now and myself and my family must remain cautious. I hate that they have that burden imposed on them.

I am delighted that things are easing, but concerned that the response of the English and Scottish Governments to Covid is so different.

My son is getting married on Friday and many of the guests are coming from other parts of the UK. How do we manage that when the advice on testing and masks is so different?
All the Scottish guests have offered to do lateral flows, but it is still bit of a worry, about those coming from other areas of the UK.
BTW, this is not coming from me, but from my son and his fiancée, as a number of guests are vulnerable.

The school I am in and out of growstuff does its own daily infection assessment from registers and parents' communication. If they deem it safe to remove masks at the moment, then I go along with that. Compared with only 4 in some classes before half term, attendance is now nearly 90%. My DH is in the same position visiting schools up and down the country. My DGC who I see regularly no longer have people wearing masks in school either.

Josieann

Marydoll I don't think covid has gone away and I do understand you must feel concerned.

If I were to meet you, of course I would wear a mask, as I do in shops etc to protect others. But in school for me I see little point in wearing one, and for the children the benefits of seeing facial expressions outweigh the small risk.

But it's not a small risk for children! You seem to happily ignore the fact that schools have been (and still are) hubs of infection, which children of all ages take home to their families. Not only that, but hundreds (if not thousands) of children are suffering from long Covid and nobody has any idea whether the symptoms will be permanent. If schools and children were such a high priority, there should have been greater efforts to make schools more Covid safe and to plan for blended learning.

Marydoll I don't think covid has gone away and I do understand you must feel concerned.

If I were to meet you, of course I would wear a mask, as I do in shops etc to protect others. But in school for me I see little point in wearing one, and for the children the benefits of seeing facial expressions outweigh the small risk.

As someone at the highest risk of dying from Covid, I received this message today from the Scottish Government:

The First Minister said:

“Covid is unfortunately still with us and we must therefore remain vigilant and prepared for the threats it poses. But today’s new framework is an important moment in our recovery. It marks the point at which we move away, hopefully sustainably, from legal restrictions, and rely instead on sensible behaviours, adaptations and mitigations.

“Our return to normality must go hand in hand with a continuing determination to look out for and after each other. All of us have a part to play in ensuring a safe and sustainable recovery, so please continue to follow public health advice on getting vaccinated, testing as regularly as appropriate, wearing face coverings when required or recommended, and keeping rooms ventilated.

“All of this still matters, even as we lift the remaining legal requirements. It is how we can keep ourselves and each other safe as we recover from Covid and look forward together to brighter and better days ahead.”

Access to lateral flow and PCR tests will continue to be free of charge, ahead of a detailed transition plan being published on the future of Scotland’s test and protect programme in March
People who test positive for COVID-19 will continue to be asked to self-isolate to reduce the risk of infecting other people. Any changes to the recommended period of self-isolation will be considered on an ongoing basis.

Source: at www.gov.scot/news/living-safely-with-covid

Case are rising in my area for the second week in a row in my area.

Today, 5,484 more people have tested positive for coronavirus
1,093 people were in hospital yesterday which is 52 more than the day before.
Sadly 11 more people who tested positive have died (10,656 in total)

Source: gov.scot/coronavirusdata

For those who think Covid has gone away, it has not, according to the data.

Just to say that I, for one, am delighted that less people are wearing masks everywhere. Now, at last, I can actually converse, again with people.

I had not realised previously how much I relied on seeing people's lips and faces when holding conversations, even with my hearing aids both in place.

All I get from anyone wearing any mask is just a very muffled sound, very little idea what they are trying to say - and it made me feel extremely cut off.

So, yes, less mask wearing really suits me (and, before anyone tells me about see-through masks, I will tell them that they were of little help).

I took my 12 year old grandson out on Sunday. Before going to see a film we went to the local Carvery for lunch. With it being a Sunday lunchtime the place was packed but it was only me and my grandson who wore masks while walking around the restaurant. Not one other diner or a member of staff wore one except for the chefs cutting the meat who have always worn them for hygiene reasons. It was as if Covid had never happened to some. Well I have news for them. Covid is still here. I think Boris has thrown caution to the winds in getting rid of all restrictions. Time will tell if this will come back and bite us on the bum.