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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

The way the Tory government are acting now makes it feel like all the lockdowns were a waste of time

366 replies

Poetrypatty · 21/02/2022 17:24

Just lifting all the restrictions as if it was all a waste of time. It makes me feel like a mug for everything we went through, especially as they were having their parties and not even following the rules. I think it's bad for peoples mental health as well.

OP posts:
Nidan2Sandan · 21/02/2022 19:30

@Jellykat

I disagree with ending ALL restrictions a month early.

Covid cases are still high, you think all those cases are still bouncing around with a mild cold?

SAGE has said its too premature, and not based on Science, plus question reinfections and saying the time is right for another worldwide mutated strain.

Other countries around the world are not ending all restrictions, why are we?? What makes us so different other then the politics?

I think ending SOME restrictions is fine, but all at once? nope..
I'm just relieved im in Wales and Drakeford is more cautious, listening to the actual experts on how to proceed.

Until Drakeford realises that he cant rely on Westminster cash-cow any more and cant afford to fund his puritan desires himself. I give him a month and he'll be announcing the same. Nippy, will also follow suit. But they're both always too scared to do anything first, they like to watch England and hide behind English skirts before being brave and making the same decisions.
JellyOnAPlatewithicecream · 21/02/2022 19:31

They are lifting restrictions because we are in a totally different place now than where we were during the other lockdowns. We have an effective vaccine and the new strain of covid is much less dangerous / likely to need hospitalisation. So no the other lockdowns weren't a waste of time they stopped the spread while we were unvaccinated and it was a more deadly disease and prevented the NHS being overwhelmed.

I agree it was appalling that they weren't following the rules themselves though and think Boris should resign / (or be arrested!) because of that

labyrinthlaziness · 21/02/2022 19:33

'Anyone who wants to can buy a test'.

Liar liar pants on fire.

Anyone who can afford to can buy a test.

MrsBerthaRochester · 21/02/2022 19:33

Yessssssssss!!!! About time. Just hope despot nicola comes under such pressure that she has to scrap all the shitty covid rules up here.

Dibbydoos · 21/02/2022 19:34

@EatSleepRantRepeat

I'm sick of hearing people using "the vulnerable" as an excuse instead of saying they're personally struggling to adjust. The vulnerable have been vaccinated 3 times and will get a 4th, all for free, so we can get out from under these restrictions.

You realise the vulnerable are also killed by other viruses, right? My mum going through chemo many years ago was advised to stay in and shield by her doctor, because even a cold, chest infection or chickenpox could have made her extremely ill or killed her. I didn't see anyone willing to wreck the economy or providing shielding support for mum, or giving her extra vaccines for these things - we had to work around it and bring everything to her at home, dad had to stay home whenever someone in his workplace was ill, etc. It's the health condition that causes the vulnerability that's the problem now, not covid.

You sound like a lovely caring person, not!

People who have aged are vulnerable, what are you saying, it's OK you can all die now? Really?

And People with underlying health conditions don't choose those conditions, do they? But for the grace of God, you could have been born vulnerable! And it's not just the odd few people, it's millions in the UK.

Wtf does its their conditon not covid? Before covid only a few were vulnerable to minor infections, but everyone was susceptible to covid - how many allegedly healthy people died? And look how many people have a new disability called long covid!

If you haven't got anything constructive to say, keep your thoughts to yourself.

Not everyone who is vulnerable is not in work too; the vast majority of us are! I am sick of people telling me how to manage this risk. I'll do it hiw I need to, what I expect is that if you're ill, you stay home just like you do if you have flu or a bad cold.

WindyState · 21/02/2022 19:35

@Nidan2Sandan

Free tests were never a thing, it was just that they were free at point of use. Our children will be paying the bill for this testing and maybe even our grandchildren.

Now they are going to be charged at the point of use, a much better system!!

... If you can afford them.

Fuck the people on the breadline who might have to choose between a box of LFTs and heating for a week, eh?

In reality what is going to happen is that testing rates are going to drop off a cliff, which is (another) huge tory gamble.

Featuredcreature · 21/02/2022 19:36

They were pointless and lock downs for the whole population were never proscribed by any kind of experts beforehand. Anyone who questioned anything, or still now, questions anything were and are shouted down and shamed. Fuck it all, Margaret Thatcher was right there is no such thing as a society. The majority of people are self serving bootlicking fuck nuts.

balalake · 21/02/2022 19:36

I think restrictions have been ended now to placate Tory backbenchers. No consideration to those who test positive having some restrictions but not all complete stay at home isolation, for example. Go outdoors say but not in a medical setting, office or workplace until you test negative.

As for the thought the OP said to begin this thread, I don't think the restrictions were a waste of time. What I think and have done for a long time is the reluctance to act promptly in March and October 2020 meant the restrictions ended up being longer than could have been the case, and secondly the all or none approach made things worse (schools I think could have opened for a day or two a week for each child in June /July 2020).

Whitefire · 21/02/2022 19:37

@birdladyfromhomealone

Been super careful.for 2 years and somehow dodged the virus. Don't ever go shopping as have deliveries. Wear a mask etc. Now restrictions are being lifted and I seem to be the only person wearing a mask. I've terribly painful conjunctivitis for 4 days now that isn't getting any better. This morning I had a cough . I'm.positive . But I'm suppose to carry on as if nothing is wrong with me. I guess that's how I caught it from someone who didn't self isolate.
I've never been super careful, covid has been in my house, yet I have never had it.

It's a virus, it plays by its own rules.

labyrinthlaziness · 21/02/2022 19:37

The arsehole just said that in Germany they are more responsible about not going to work when ill Angry - look at their sick pay!!

Abraxan · 21/02/2022 19:37

@VickyEadieofThigh

Free lateral flow test kits are still available - I ordered some 10 minutes ago.
Not currently available. Seems that a lot of people have gone online and ordered some following the announcements.
Nidan2Sandan · 21/02/2022 19:38

Fuck the people on the breadline who might have to choose between a box of LFTs and heating for a week, eh?

People on the bread line are the last people we should be demanding test and isolate frankly. If they're sick they can take sick leave. But they dont need asymptomatic testing, and risking not being able to work when perfectly well enough to do so!

SartresSoul · 21/02/2022 19:39

I don’t think they were because at the time we had no vaccines and no real way of knowing how to treat those with it. We also didn’t have a clue what effect it had on people so it was quite terrifying. I think the first lockdown in particular was rational and reasonable. Last year’s I think was rational to a point although I don’t think schools should have closed because children were never affected. It was rational to keep adults apart at that point because barely anyone was vaccinated.

The only real reason we’ve been able to move past this in the way we have is vaccines and also better knowledge of how the virus works, more effective medication etc. Without science we’d be fucked.

WindyState · 21/02/2022 19:40

@Nidan2Sandan

Fuck the people on the breadline who might have to choose between a box of LFTs and heating for a week, eh?

People on the bread line are the last people we should be demanding test and isolate frankly. If they're sick they can take sick leave. But they dont need asymptomatic testing, and risking not being able to work when perfectly well enough to do so!

Wow.

Just.... wow.

Jellykat · 21/02/2022 19:41

Niden theres quite a lot Drakeford has done first over the last 2 years, i.e firebreaks etc and just because hes exercised caution doesnt make him a wuss! In fact the opposite as hes had the balls to do things slightly differently.
Every single person ive talked to here, (and working in retail, ive talked to a lot of customers as well as family and friends) has agreed with his pathway so far.

red321 · 21/02/2022 19:41

I don't think the lockdowns were necessarily a waste of time, particularly pre-vaccination. But I do agree with removing restrictions now.

TheKeatingFive · 21/02/2022 19:41

Anyone who can afford to can buy a test.

Like most other countries then.

I still haven't come across another country that offered them for free.

Chasingaftermidnight · 21/02/2022 19:42

Do we know what will happen with people who work in care homes and in healthcare? Will they just go to work with Covid or will they continue to test?

labyrinthlaziness · 21/02/2022 19:43

@Chasingaftermidnight

Do we know what will happen with people who work in care homes and in healthcare? Will they just go to work with Covid or will they continue to test?
Care homes - testing apparently

NHS - fuck it, just spread it about Shock

SartresSoul · 21/02/2022 19:43

@birdladyfromhomealone

Been super careful.for 2 years and somehow dodged the virus. Don't ever go shopping as have deliveries. Wear a mask etc. Now restrictions are being lifted and I seem to be the only person wearing a mask. I've terribly painful conjunctivitis for 4 days now that isn't getting any better. This morning I had a cough . I'm.positive . But I'm suppose to carry on as if nothing is wrong with me. I guess that's how I caught it from someone who didn't self isolate.
Or you caught it from someone who was asymptomatic which is most people and even for those who have symptoms, most just have a blocked nose.
Abraxan · 21/02/2022 19:44

This link has a summary of the cost of tests in some countries around the world. It may not be fully up to date and doesn't always say how many tests (just know it's plural due to them saying tests rather than test) per pack.

Varies hugely.

www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/11/how-much-does-a-covid-test-cost-around-the-world

MsJinks · 21/02/2022 19:44

I am interested in guidance for non council community carers - will they have to test? Will they have to isolate? This section of carers often seems left behind the NHS and council carers, but care will be an area of risk. It will be up to the company I guess but a lot of them just focus on profit margins unfortunately.

BurscoughBooths · 21/02/2022 19:45

It’s good that “free” LFT are going.

BIL has recently arrived from overseas and announced he wanted some “free” packs of LFTs to take back home. I told him he was taking the piss, he hasn’t lived in the UK for 30 years.
I expect SIL will supply him with some though

labyrinthlaziness · 21/02/2022 19:46

Vallance at least is talking about important aspects, he just said 'this vorus feeds off inequality and drives inequality' and I think that is very true and very sad. Britain is so unequal and our system of support for illness is a disgrace.

3cats4poniesandababy · 21/02/2022 19:47

The point of lockdowns was to protect the NHS and that aim has now been a achieved. We know have a vaccine, and better drugs. It is time we took advantage of these and lived our lives. Lockdowns have a major impact of people's health. We need doctors and nurses working when they are well but testing positive rather than having being sat at home feeling fine. The NHS staff shortage will kill people if we don't move on into 2022 and post-covid.

Lockdowns kill people - be that elderly who have gone down hill, mental health causing people to commit suicide, children abused because no one is watching.

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