Do people think the pandemic is over?

It sometimes seems like it - weekends away, sleepovers, meals out, no masks, absolutely no social distancing, even talk of holidays and activities apparently starting up again.
Once we can say like Scotland we have no new cases and no deaths I might start to believe it, but until then “ah hae ma doots “

I think it's become the new normal. Also, people don't 'feel' it unless a family member has been seriously ill with it.

And let's face it, some people are selfish idiots. Like the American who went to a no lockdown/no mask celebration and died of C19 two weeks later. Wilful ignorance.

No, the pandemic certainly isn't over.

There's quite some debate about the usefulness of wearing masks, though.

They don't protect against flu epidemics in other countries where they're often worn. They may protect others from your infection (a bit) but not increase your personal safety.

Social distancing and hand hygiene are proven to work and absolutely vital. People soon 'forget' when they begin to feel safe - that's human nature!

In my local town I probably saw less than half the others in masks although we were keeping our distance. Halfway there I realised I'd forgotten to put mine on the top of my bag ready to put on before I got out of the car. Hopefully I rectified things a bit by sanitising my hands when I got back. I've made sure the masks are by my bag/coats for next time.

"The world is full of fools," I was once told and that's true, isn't it?

Yes I do agree, I stated this previously, I wish people would wear face masks in supermarkets, pharmacies, for essential shopping that can't be avoided, so make them mandatory, as on public transport, although it seems that practice is not strictly enforced yet. If everybody wore one at least we could be assured we aren't infecting each other. We have and are cancelling all holidays and breaks this year, don't anticipate going for a meal anytime soon, certainly not to the pub, will cancel my gym membership when my health club re opens. The evidence from around the world suggests this virus hasn't gone away. I also think it's an age demographic thing, as to how seriously the virus is taken, so many reports of young people at illegal raves and gatherings not to mention up close and personal outside some pubs. I guess they think they're invincible, and some are of course, it's all a matter of how the virus affects each individual.

I listened to one of the female experts on SAGE this morning and she reiterated that there is no conclusive evidence that mask wearing is effective as it some cases it leads to a false sense of security.

Far from over but thank goodness for testing!
Emergency services at Hillingdon Hospital in West London have been suspended.
It is being reported that 70 members of staff at the hospital, in Uxbridge, have gone into isolation after symptoms were detected amongst some of them.
Ambulances started being diverted away last night (July 7/8) to other nearby hospitals.
Other departments in the hospital, including maternity, remain open and walk-in patients are being seen still, it is believed.
In a statement Hillingdon Hospitals Foundation Trust stated : "An outbreak of Covid-19 was declared on Friday, July 3. As of Tuesday, July 7, 70 members of staff were isolating, a number of whom have tested positive for Covid-19.”
"As a result, the trust has taken the precautionary decision to close Hillingdon Hospital to emergency ambulances and emergency admissions."

As someone said on GN a couple of months ago "Unfortunately common sense isn't common."

Yes GG I’ve heard the argument that masks engender a false sense of security, but equally It is argued that they remind people the the virus is still out there. We have the lowest rate of mask wearing in Europe but one of the highest death rates. That should give pause for thought.

suziewoozie

Yes GG I’ve heard the argument that masks engender a false sense of security, but equally It is argued that they remind people the the virus is still out there. We have the lowest rate of mask wearing in Europe but one of the highest death rates. That should give pause for thought.

I am asthmatic and because of this apparently I am exempt from wearing one. I find this puzzling as I am in the high risk group.

A group of young people were being interviewed on Saturday night when they were out on the town, and one young lady said ‘No one round here’s got Corona!’

Great to be young and so unaware of reality.

GG I think there’s an issue about exemptions. For one thing, it will be abused of that I’m sure but also, I’m not sure either what the message is to exempted people. I actually think it should be that if you can’t wear a mask, then think very very carefully before you go into situations where one is required. That doesn’t mean I don’t have sympathy for the implications of that for exempted people but it’s about responsibility towards others.

suziewoozie

GG I think there’s an issue about exemptions. For one thing, it will be abused of that I’m sure but also, I’m not sure either what the message is to exempted people. I actually think it should be that if you can’t wear a mask, then think very very carefully before you go into situations where one is required. That doesn’t mean I don’t have sympathy for the implications of that for exempted people but it’s about responsibility towards others.

If I find myself in a situation whereby I am required to wear a mask I will regardless of the exemption.

I've never worn a mask from the start, on visiting local shops and I don't intend to as the dampness of them is a breeding ground/ trap for germs that are in the air which you then breathe in.

That’s really interesting GG that you say that. I wish everyone would be so responsible. EV I think you are perfectly free to decide not to wear a mask, and I hope local shops and businesses exercise their freedom to refuse non mask wearers entrance and help to protect the rest of us.

There is now evidence to show that covid carrying aerosol remains in the air for longer than thought.

I think this reinforces the need for mask wearing.

I think a lot of people think the pandemic is over. Not us, we're still staying in and having shopping delivered, but it seems many younger people have stopped social distancing and are carrying on as normal. Someone on our local FB page complained about customers blocking the pavement outside the village cafe so that people had to walk near them to get past. Another person responded saying 'Oh, stop making a fuss, no-one is bothering with social distancing now'. I have heard older people too saying they are going on holiday or visiting relatives and not worrying about social distancing as 'we have to get on with our lives'. Very depressing and makes me wonder if DH and I are being over cautious.

It’s not over. Not by a long shot. I’m sticking to social distancing and wearing a mask. My husband and I were a minority of two today in the shopping centre with our masks. I agree with a previous poster - it reminds me I’m still at risk and to be careful.

We went out briefly today
Staff in shop wore masks and directed us to hand sanitiser etc. Not many customers but only one couple not wearing a mask.
But we are a more cautious lot in Wales. No deaths for 3 days

I went to Tesco today, it was very quiet and I was in and out in 10 mins, wearing my mask. But all the arrows on the floor had been removed and none of the staff were wearing masks, a few gloves and everyone was walking round as normal and I felt standing too close for comfort.

I guess that all these people who have given up on being careful are conducting a large-scale experiment on whether covid is still at large.
We may soon find out the results, especially among the older experimenters.

I think the argument for wearing a mask gets stronger every day

Its not over by a long way. In Thailand when the virus started they order everyone to wear masks, which they did and they only had 58 deaths. Even if that amount is wrong and you push it up to say a 200 that is still an amazing figure with 70 to million residents. We could learn a lot from the Asian countries and I always wear a mask as soon as I leave the house to go anywhere.

I think a lot of people hear "easing of lockdown" and think 'great everything is back to normal'. It's not. Corona virus, just like all viruses and flu like ailments will probably always be here until we build up an immunity to it or there is a vaccine. Nobody knows how long that will take so until then we should all be vigilant. We can't police everyone and force the ignorant to obey guidelines but we should all do our bit to protect ourselves and others. As for there being "no conclusive proof that wearing a mask does help prevent the spread" there is also "no conclusive proof" that it doesn't! Seems to have helped in other countries.