Will things go back to normal faster than anticipated?

[Emcont]

I personally believe there will come a point, sooner rather than later, where people will want their normal back. I guess as we are seeing that already with how busy places are.

My mum believes the opposite, that the effects of this on the public will hang around for months. She believes queuing outside shops will be the norm now as will face masks and gloves.

What’s your opinion?

The old normal was crap, why don't you want a better normal?

My old normal was great, thanks. And "new" doesn't mean "better". I don't think it is in anyway "better" to live in a world where I cant socialise with who I want; where I can't take my children to theme parks, cafes, theatres and music festivals; where education takes a back seat and children are seen as expendable.

People have been going out and about more and more in the last several weeks probably from VE day onwards in creasing numbers and guess what the numbers aren't rising (much to the annoyance of the doom and gloom brigade)....

As this poster points out (maybe the virus is burning itself out now)

"Worriedaboutthefuture1 Mon 25-May-20 08:39:52
I think we’re all going to be surprised at the speed at which things return to normal. The Oxford study has already said it it struggling to find enough people testing positive to trial on and London infection rates are dropping extremely rapidly (let’s not forget London was estimated to be approx. 2 weeks ahead of the rest of the UK). I’m going to guess that like SARS, CV will have burnt itself out by autumn."

Previous viruses burnt themselves out so maybe this will be similar....

I do believe we will see "normal" return at a steady rate. I have no proof and no research to quote, I just think slowly things will go back to how they were. Some people will remain cautious, others already don't see a problem.

I haven't found lockdown a problem myself, I have just missed meeting up with the family and trips to coffee shops. Well, any shop to be honest.

However, we can already go out to garden centres and B&Q etc. It won't be long before we can sit outside and have food (socially distanced apart). I don't understand why people are still upset about friends and family.....of course we can't have big gatherings yet but we ARE allowed to travel further afield and we can meet with one other person, outdoors and 2 metres apart. I have travelled to see family members this way, not at home but we have met in the park/countryside, stayed apart (and I have been in mask and gloves) but had a nice time chatting and catching up. It's all moving towards normality already....

I don't think it is in anyway "better" to live in a world where I cant socialise with who I want; where I can't take my children to theme parks, cafes, theatres and music festivals; where education takes a back seat and children are seen as expendable.

Amen to that.

If you choose to visit granny you must do so accepting the risk to her. If you’re happy to do that, entirely your/her choice.

Except that’s removing all agency on the part of the older person - what about their choice? What level of risk they’re willing to accept? I know my 81 year old dad would rather take his chances with the virus than miss a year or more of seeing his 2 year old only grandchild - he’s unlikely to live to see her reach adulthood anyway.

Looking at the pictures of people drinking beer from pub on Brighton beach makes it look like life is moving very quickly back to normal in England

And im getting really frustrated that we have so many less deaths and infections in Scotland but we are still in complete lockdown

I think nicola sturgeon will make sure its a long long time to normality in Scotland

The only reason there isn't more of a kickback is because many people are being paid. If people weren't being paid, do you think there would be this much acquiescence?

I work for the civil service (home office) and we were told last week 6-12 months working at home

If people weren't being paid
good point, and I suppose it follows that one strategy to get us to go back is to gradually cut off the money supply

I'm swinging a lot between, "screw this, I want my life back, I'll take my chances" and "I need to isolate and follow the rules to the letter".

I consider myself a law abiding and compliant person, but this is all pushing at my patience now.

I work for the civil service (home office) and we were told last week 6-12 months working at home
This is what I find strange. Most sensible companies are taking a “let’s wait and see” approach. DH works in the private sector in London and his company are reviewing the situation every three week but more than satisfied with how WFH is working for everyone. I work at a University and we are WFH but following government guidance. We are planning to be able to receive students in October.
This reaction of 6-12 months is just, frankly, ridiculous and over the top.

Will society go back to normal functionality, likely not for a while.

People, will go back to their selfish ways though, littering is already increased thanks to fast food places reopening, pollution levels will go up as no one will consider walking / cycling places too.

Universities will be online only if they follow Cambridge's example.

They will lose millions in accommodation fees etc. I think most will aim to offer on-site too if possible.

@frasersmummy that’s because it’s all about the independence, no other explanation for still waiting for a relaxation in the rules.
When they finally happen on Thursday, they will make things harder not easier. Adding to the stress I have to try and make sure my very tactile little people maintain 2m from the grandparents they haven’t seen for 10 weeks!
Can travel up to 5 miles for exercise, wow, my 3 year old can cycle that distance, so not really any improvement for us. Except that the roads will now get busier so cycling for them becomes less safe as they dodge all the folk driving off to the garden centres, golf and lawn bowls . I have said on other threads I beyond fucked off with NS and her political games.

The government wanted lock down to end. The unions and sections of the public, parliament and the media were fighting it

Genius! I never thought of it this way! One way to convince the public it’s now safe to come out of lockdown, send their kids back and get back to work - use DC as a poster boy!

"As this poster points out (maybe the virus is burning itself out now)"

It's burning itself out because there's nowhere to go while everyone is social distancing.

There's an obvious danger of numbers increasing as things move back towards normality, and as people start coming into the country in greater numbers.

SARS burnt out because it made people sicker, so they weren't walking around transmitting it so much.

"Universities will be online only if they follow Cambridge's example."

It's only lectures that will be online I think. Seminars and tutorials are likely to go ahead in person, with appropriate precautions.

The only reason there isn't more of a kickback is because many people are being paid. If people weren't being paid, do you think there would be this much acquiescence?

I totally agree; some of it was necessary initially, but the extension of furlough to October's probably the worst decision of all. Granted it may still be needed for a few, but I swear I'll scream if I hear one more person say "I'm on holiday until October", when actually their employers didn't have to close in the first place

I suspect, though, that the very worst delays will be among things which councils control. With no need to think of where their money's coming from and with a total inability to make timely decisions, they could drag this out indefinitely

@Worriedaboutthefuture1

Why are you pretending I said something I didn't?

@Sadie789

if you think the future of universities is online learning only and that businesses can survive with true social distancing in place then your version of the world would be out of business by October and we will all be living in dens fashioned from twigs and considering the pet dog a viable option for dinner.

Hyperbole. Not worth a response. Calm down.

Life will go back to normal pretty soon I reckon with people still dying but the press reporting less and less on it so we forget about it and with just a few small restrictions I think. But what do I know?

I'm in Australia and we have not had anything like the impact in the UK, but have been in lockdown. We are opening up with remarkable speed, or so it feels.
Schools back this week. Restaurants can seat 10 people now, 50 from next week (if big enough to do digital distancing). Nail salons. Even sport is restarting this week, with talk of limited crowds in July.
Work is still WFH if you can, which I think will stay around forever really. At least for a few days each week. It's been great for flexibility so I hope that sticks around.

Yes, things are being brought forward already, first it was going to be july for non food shops now it's coming forward to potentially next week.

Other countries are opening up much more too, Italy is allowing open air events from july, prague is allowing events of 1000ppl from june or july too. Germany is reported to be abadoning any type of lockdown shortly

Then next yr tax will go up and council tax will probably be the biggest rise we ever seen...happy days!

I think once lock down is lifted people will go back to normal surprisingly quickly.

Just so say I apologise - I've not read the full thread.

I'll be even more fucked off if there are tax rises snd schools are part time!! Dont't want to pay extra tax and have to home educate!