To be more confused after BoJo's press conference than I was before it?

[Fev11]

I watched all of today's press conference as i have family members who fall into at risk groups.

The guidance before today was clear to me- self-isolate for 7 days if continuous cough or fever

but now I am not at all clear what it all means. That started with not even being clear at what time the press conference would actually take place!

Surely in a time of global crisis our government should, above all, aim to communicate their plans clearly with specific guidance?

AIBU?

I qualify for the flu jab as I have asthma but it’s relatively mild. I can’t imagine they mean everyone in that category stays home for so long. Maybe though.

I found bits of it confusing

So if you’re pregnant with asthma now you’re to self isolate for 12 weeks?

What does self isolate mean? Can you hang out with anyone you live with and literally that’s it?

It was quite clear tbh.

But obviously there will be more to come.

It is the right approach. Delaying lockdown means we aim to come out of the virus weeks down the line with some immunity, and a hope that it doesn't resurface as soon as we all begin to go back to normal life.

In countries where they've been confined there is risk they'll all catch it again / in large numbers because they've not had any exposure and immunity.

It's not actually that ridiculous and in this case he's not being that much of a moron, plus it's trying to reduce the strain on the health service.

I agree Fev11. The lack of proper guidance is appalling.

I agree, OP and it's confusing to tell people not to attend theatres, pubs, restaurants etc without closing them. If they close people can get money back for what they may have already paid for and the business might get some money from. Insurance if they stay open but no one attends everyone loses money.

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras

The NHS website is now saying that your gp will contact you from 23 March if you are considered to be in a high risk group. I'm currently not sure if I am or not...

My daughter is in isolation due to a continuous cough and temperature. I have been told that I'm exempt from also having to isolate due to being a care worker. I've started to cough and feel warm but gave to go in.

Adastarkadder but your first lot of symptoms may not have been the virus, as they're not testing you'd never know. So if you got symptoms a second time it again, may or may not be the virus. Surely you'd have to re-isolate each time or the whole thing would be pointless.

The avoiding unnecessary social contact is confusing me as pubs and bars near me are full of people tonight and shops are full and I work in a cafe where I serve people face to face and handle money and we are really busy, people are saying they won’t stay in and they’re so glad they’re open etc even this evening. I don’t get what we are supposed to do.

I found the lack of definitive commands unsettling. "Should" and "advise" are not statements of authority.
I will however avoid non-essential social contact - I'm not likely to see anyone when travelling on the bus to take my DCs to school, am I?

ShirleyPhallus: What does self isolate mean? Can you hang out with anyone you live with and literally that’s it?
..........
Yes - as long as anyone you live with isn't going to work, travelling around, etc, in which case you confine yourself to the bedroom.

Well that's what it sounds like but don't quote me.

Or you could wear something like this: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174221296359

Well there'll be another conference tomorrow, and no doubt things will change between now and then, and some things will be clearer, and other people will become confused by what is said.

For those who say it was clear
When should over 70s isolate from
When do pregnant women isolate from
When do those with chronic illness isolate from

Do they really need spoon feeding the answer? If so immediately.... if not immediately....

Some of it was as clear as mud, saying that we should socially distance ourselves as much as possible but not closing schools & colleges which are probably some of the biggest breeding grounds for germs & bugs. Yes children & young people probably won't be very ill or even show any symptoms but they can bring the virus home & pass it on. It would be helpful if there was funding released to pay for the army to be brought out to help carry out paramedic duties, help with food deliveries & distribution ready for when the virus peaks or numbers start rising faster than can be coped with.

The latest Government advice is here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people

It includes people with asthma among those who should be taking this extra-seriously

It completely lacked the clarity millions of people need in order to quell the panic.

'Suggesting' that people reduce social contact? Excellent. Not open to interpretation at all.

The government 'doesn't support large gatherings'?

Boris Johnson is terrified of saying anything that means the Tories have to pick up the bill.

Is travel to school - on public transport - "essential"?

Also finding it confusing. What’s the point of isolating when your children will bring it home from school?

And what does one do with a 78 year old parent who actually works in a school! Didn’t cover that did you Boris 🤷🏼‍♀️

Found this

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/image_data/file/97282/vulnerable_people2-960.jpg

This bit helps

• if one member of your family or household has a new continuous cough or high temperature ** if you live alone and you have a new continuous cough or high temperature if you live alone and you have a new continuous cough or high temperature * for example via telephone or internet 1 ie anyone instructed to get a flu jab each year

I am celiac so i am on the list for flu jab each year as am classed as having a lowered immune system, I am otherwise healthy and follow a gluten free diet. Celiac is not on the list from the link above so does anyone know if that means I can continue as normal? I am socially distancing anyway but still going to work and on school runs at present

reenon

I've just seen that and no, I can't work out which category I'm in. I take immunosuppressants but for an autoimmune condition, not for organ transplant, so what does that mean? Plus, when you read it clearly says that people in the group with over 70s, pregnant women etc should be stringent about social distancing which, they say, means avoiding social gatherings, socialising with family and friends and get others to do your shopping BUT you should work from home, if able to and avoid public transport at rush hour.

So, do you go to work if you can't work from home? Even if that eork exposes you to lots of people?

I might also fall into the most severe category - so am I not at a huge risk now given that I live in London, which he said is ahead of the rest of the country?

Honestly, if they're going to do these briefings then they need to be damn sure that they are clear and explain everything properly.

What he actually said was

avoid all non-essential travel

avoid all non-essential social contact

That isn't limited to pubs, bars, etc - they are simply examples. It's much wider guidance than that.

What about weddings? Are they classed as mass gatherings?