Could we/do we want to reduce cases?

[EmilyDickinson]

So on most of the measures I’ve seen cases of infection, so far as we can tell are remaining fairly steady (Eg C-19 app, number of hospital deaths etc.). To be honest, I’m actually a bit surprised given how much we’ve eased lockdown. However, this suggests to me that if we did just a bit more we could actually get the infection rate to decline, which would be a good thing given that schools will be reopening soon. What’s the one change you’d make to push the rate of infection down so that it’s actually declining rather than remaining fairly constant?

For me I think it would be making masks mandatory in every indoor space that isn’t your own home except for small children or when people are actually eating or drinking, but they should be kept on when you’re waiting for food to arrive etc.

[HeresMe]

I don't think wearing masks all the time is healthy, people need to encounter bacteria viruses to build our immune systems up.

[midgebabe]

@HeresMe

I don't think wearing masks all the time is healthy, people need to encounter bacteria viruses to build our immune systems up.

Good job the OP didn't suggest masks on all the time then

[HeresMe]

But they want them mandatory in every indoor space.

[Hothammock]

I think masks are stupid.
Making more handwashing facilities available and stopping groups from gathering would be more effective.
For example, in my local wetherspoons, the venue is packed to the brim with groups of jolly people from different households not socially distancing, every night. How exactly is that pattern of behaviour cancelled out by customers wearing masks in superdrug and millets?

[midgebabe]

Not your home.

[midgebabe]

@Hothammock

I think masks are stupid.
Making more handwashing facilities available and stopping groups from gathering would be more effective.
For example, in my local wetherspoons, the venue is packed to the brim with groups of jolly people from different households not socially distancing, every night. How exactly is that pattern of behaviour cancelled out by customers wearing masks in superdrug and millets?

It's not cancelled out.

The aim is to allow as much of normal,life as possible whilst ensuring that the total number of dangerous interactions is below the level needed to keep the virus under control

You can't drink with a mask on. You can shop. If you allow both to be mask free, you are allowing more dangerous interactions overall.

The hope is that pubs are not enabling too many dangerous interactions

[AlaskaThunderfuckHiiiiiiiii]

@HeresMe agree. I read an article somewhere before that was stating that all this over sanitising everything is storing up issues for the future and our immune systems

[HeresMe]

@AlaskaThunderfuckHiiiiiiiii

We will be like the Martians in war of the worlds

[AlaskaThunderfuckHiiiiiiiii]

@HeresMe absolutely agree that hand washing/gelling etc is of utmost importance as it is for all bacteria etc but not cleaning things a thousand times a day Etc

[LucyLocketsPocket]

I would close pubs in the evening until the numbers come right down.

[HeresMe]

I would close pubs in the evening until the numbers come right down.

Why what reason, does it not transmit in daytime.

Mumsnet has a irrational hatred of pubs

[LucyLocketsPocket]

@HeresMe

I would close pubs in the evening until the numbers come right down.

Why what reason, does it not transmit in daytime.

Mumsnet has a irrational hatred of pubs

Because I think social distancing goes out the window when people go out drinking at night and the data shows that many new clusters originate in bars and restaurants.

www.nytimes.com/2020/08/12/health/Covid-restaurants-bars.html

[Lockdownseperation]

Maybe people following the existing guidelines might help.

[HeresMe]

That's the US I bet lots of mummy's groups meeting up could be cause also.

[EmilyDickinson]

Lockdownseperation do you think more enforcement or better messaging is needed to get people following the existing guidelines?

LucyLocketsPocket I think you’re right about pubs and bars being a particular danger. Drunk people don’t social distance, even to the normal non-pandemic extent!