So surely now is the moment for the UK to shut down?

[littleblackdress04]

All the info I have read online indicates that the UK is probably 2 weeks behind Italy in terms of infection. So rather than wait until the horse has proverbially bolted, wouldn’t it make more sense to shut down now and stop a massive spread of coronavirus?

I am in two minds, I first thought the government was planning to do nothing and let it sweep through.
There has however been a noticeable change in tone.
Wednesdays COBRA meeting will be the one to watch.
The British are fairly obedient but so many are not willing to change their lifestyles without massive preparation.
We will see a steady drip feed this week of how bad this will be if no action is taken. To slowly prepare the general public to ensure they conform.
My town has several cases. The misinformation on local facebook groups is ridiculous. So many insisting it is only mild flu and only the old will die. They are adamant this is a fuss about nothing and they are in for a massive shock.

I don't think many of us are being blase about it (sorry can't be arsed finding accent).

We are all worried, and nervous for what is going to happen.

But we can't stop living due to this virus.

When and if the time comes for more serious steps from the UK government, then I will comply with it all.

But I also trust the experts who have an incredibly hard job at the moment.

The economy is also important. How many people have died as a result of austerity?

If we destroy the economy then we will surely have many die as a consequence of that.

Boris said on TV the other day that we need to 'take it on the chin' and let the disease run its course. So I won't be expecting any shutdown while he's in charge.

Please can someone link to the Italian doctors post on Twitter please? I would like to read it. Thanks.

Mashed Boris is being guided by the experts.

Not necessarily with comments like that - bit with the decisions that need to be taken.

And actually I think he was trying to keep the situation calm.

I have absolutely no time for Boris but I don't think it's his plan to kill of a whole load of us.

We have to have faith in the scientists. Just watched BBC news and am feeling as if the UK is watching, learning and monitoring. They are learning more about the disease and are holding out until just the right moment to shut down. We must be vigilant. Wash our hands. And then when it comes we all need to do as we are told. When the north of Italy was locked down loads of Italians just moved (a lot have second homes) to the despair of their fellow countrymen. Hence total lockdown!

And bloody Rory Stewart needs to be very careful about moving out of line.

Having said that, 99% of those will almost certainly get better and most people will have a really quite mild disease and will not need to be in hospital and can be managed very safely and appropriately at home.
from the deputy medical office

those of you who want to shut down, i take it you have totally prepped?

I'm not sure Boris has a plan at all. Nothing he's done so far suggests he's equal to this kind of challenge.

I genuinely cannot see how a lockdown would operate.

Can someone explain?

As for Iran, their great leaders were initially saying it was all an American plot, so personally I wouldn’t pay too much attention to any ‘official’ information coming out of Tehran.

Rory has seriously went down in my estimation.

Hes trying to win votes.

I agree OP. DH had an email from work last night saying everyone is to work from home wherever possible from now on.

Which scientists should we have faith in? The ones working on the virus in Italy who are suggesting the UK should go into lockdown earlier than they did? The ones saying the UK response is based on pandemic planning for flu and hence insufficient and inappropriate for coronavirus? The WHO which is suggesting a higher mortality rate than the one the UK Govt is using?
To be clear, I don't blame the chief medical officer. He's in an unprecedented position and in an incredibly public post. He will be under pressure from all sides. Ironically if Boris' team is full of innovators and statisticians, they could (working with medical professionals and experts in public health) come up with a dynamic emergency response. But it's not happening so far.

Having said that, 99% of those will almost certainly get better

I hate to be pedantic but 99% get better, like nothing happened, they just won't die. it's not as simple as get better. We have no idea about the severity or rate of the complications that result from this illness.

99% won't just get better

I'm fairly sure the CMO and his team are fully aware of the situation in Italy and have factored that into their decision making.

I cannot stand Boris Johnson and wouldn't trust him to run a bath but I do trust the civil servants and scientists who are working behind the scenes and advising the Government.

When we are advised to do something different we will do it. Until then the best thing we can do is keep the economy going as best we can so that there are the maximum resources available to pump into the NHS.

If you have particular concerns I don't think anyone would blame you for choosing to self isolate at this time if you want to. It doesn't have to be a command from the Government for people to choose to do it.

For those that want shut down now. What’s stopping YOU from locking down. Serious question?

My employer won’t allow me to work at home without me potentially getting disciplined!

I’ve also found out that our employer doesn’t have the capacity for all of us to work from home.

It’s not that simple

I wish they would but I don't think it would work at the moment. I feel all too many people in this country wouldn't grasp why and would be furious, thinking only of the inconvenience to themselves and their daily routines or blaming the EU and/or anyone they suspect might be an immigrant. Frothing about nothing with ZERO idea what's best for anyone. Look at the idiots attacking people who look like they might have a drop of Chinese blood.

The aforementioned lot will only start to understand once it threatens their parents or grandparents in a few weeks or a month (given current trajectory) Then they'll 'get it' and a shutdown could be viable,(meaning they might actually follow the rules) but too late for many (and then they'll be wailing asking why it wasn't done sooner)

@VegetableMunge do you really genuinely think that? You really think that the Prime Minister of the UK is not being advised by senior health experts?

For those that want shut down now. What’s stopping YOU from locking down. Serious question?

School fines x 3 and the necessity for all three to be off to mitigate risk.

Boris Johnson will be being advised and be being various options.

He then decides which option to take.

be given

@TheMagiciansMewTwo do you have a source for the Italian scientists who are telling the UK to go on lockdown now?