Two metre rule

[Bobthebuildercanitbefixed]

The two-metre social distancing rule can be abandoned by businesses reopening after lockdown if they introduce other measures to reduce the spread of coronavirus, Government scientists have told ministers. So you can go to a pub but not visit parents who are fit and healthy. When do you reckon the whole social distancing will be scrapped? Just interested to know opinions.

[SpeedofaSloth]

WHO say 1 metre. NI schools are now working to the same. I think the current review may well reduce the distance down from 2m.

[DomDoesWotHeWants]

And if it's the death of an elderly person you know and love is that still ok?

You have a very jaded view of people's humanity. Fortunately you don't make the decisions.

[ACautionaryTale]

I have a realistic view of the reality for most people.

People make decisions in self interest for the majority of the time. They will make some altruistic choices but that stops when their personal price becomes too high.

Even charitable giving is selfish - normally for the feeling of doing good or tax breaks.

If you think people are going to throw their lives under a bus indefinitely then you are some sort of Pollyanna

[userxx]

a fucked economy also leads to thousands of deaths?

I said at the very start that the economic fall out will be worse than the virus itself.

[DomDoesWotHeWants]

I'd rather be a Pollyanna than like you. I don't believe people do want to throw their elderly relatives under a bus.

Most people are a lot nicer than you. I actually don't know anyone in RL with such a vile attitude. Fortunately.

[RoseAndRose]

"I said at the very start that the economic fall out will be worse than the virus itself"

That'll be because policies were designed and implemented to make sure it was like that.

Had it been the exponential tragedy (leading to hundreds of thousands of deaths) then the economic collapse would be even worse than it's going to be, and there would be mass graves as well.

There was never going to be a 'good' outcome

[mrpumblechook]

Reducing the 2 m rule may work if everyone wears facemasks but you can't do that in pubs or restaurants so I can't see how that will help those businesses.

[FluffyKittensinabasket]

The shops won’t be happy having to put new floor stickers down!

[Hearhoovesthinkzebras]

I very much doubt that the country can afford another full on lockdown should a second wave hit. If we abandon SD, people won't wear masks, track and trace system is a mere twinkle in Boris' eye how do posters think we will manage if a second wave hits?

How do you think the sick should be managed? Should they stay at home or should there be like a tier system for access to hospitals because a second wave but with no lockdown will lead to the NHS being overwhelmed. So how should it be handled?

[Porcupineinwaiting]

I think if there is a full on second wave schools will close again (they'll have to if enough teachers get sick). Beyond that it will be like in the States - those who can afford to will hole up at home, and the working poor will be forced to carry on until they drop. And lots of businesses will go bust because people just wont go out to eat/drink/shop if they know there's a high chance they'll get infected if they do.

Therefore it seems to me that keeping measures like social distancing, wearing masks in enclosed public spaces, getting a working track and trace system etc should be a priority to avoid a second peak. For both health and economic reasons.

[Hearhoovesthinkzebras]

@Porcupineinwaiting

I think if there is a full on second wave schools will close again (they'll have to if enough teachers get sick). Beyond that it will be like in the States - those who can afford to will hole up at home, and the working poor will be forced to carry on until they drop. And lots of businesses will go bust because people just wont go out to eat/drink/shop if they know there's a high chance they'll get infected if they do.

Therefore it seems to me that keeping measures like social distancing, wearing masks in enclosed public spaces, getting a working track and trace system etc should be a priority to avoid a second peak. For both health and economic reasons.

That's how I see it too.

We can't afford a second wave and so it seems essential that we do all we can to avoid it or at least suppress it as much as possible. Seems like a no brained to me.