Do you reckon the uk will go into an official lockdown?

[orangedasies]

Just that really. I understand theirs a lot of suggesting going on but will they officially make people stay in or take responsibility?

Places like China will have a much higher infection rate than in the UK. They live in very close proximity to each other, usually high rise tower blocks, live in small apartments and often have up to 5 generations under one roof. It is vastly different here. This was one of the reasons why SARs spread so quickly in HK which has over has over 17,000 people per sq mile versus the UK which is 1,000 per square mile. Coronavirus will of course spread quicker in places like London but for the rest of us I actually don't think it is going to spread that fiercely. My point is, that I don't think you need to isolate people here like in Wuhan. At the very most I think the UK could isolate certain areas and try this first.

I just went for a walk and there were at least 15 people a various cafe's having coffee and not distancing themselves from each other. Of course they could all be close family members who live together but unlikely.

A local school here has just announced it's closed from tomorrow for at least two weeks due to the number of staff in isolation.

Wonder if that Telegraph headline and article is ready to go live later in the week and it was live now by mistake.

www.euractiv.com/section/coronavirus/news/johnson-puts-uk-in-lockdown-in-coronavirus-u-turn/

Wonder if that Telegraph headline and article is ready to go live later in the week and it was live now by mistake.

I wondered that too.

We should, the same as Italy, Spain, Hong Kong, Israel/Palestine.

If the U.K. did then companies and small businesses would be able to claim on their insurance and perhaps weather the storm. Yes Bojo’s cronies and Richard Branson would lose some money. But they can afford it more than my local nursery and independent restaurants.

My mother's day present was supposed to be take out pizza. I don't know if that is possible or even wise.

Are fast food deliveries likely to continue? It seems like non-essential, but I guess it would be a lifeline for some people - and the workers who need the money.

I may need to relocate to be close to over 70 health compromised relatives. So I hope we get notice. I also think a lot who are relocating (partic from London or any other hotspot) don’t realise they should isolate on arrival.

They’ll have to. Loads of people, people who are higher risk, are just carrying on as normal. I just texted my mother to ask if she’s isolating where possible. My mother is in her late 60s, has asthma and gets a chest infection every 5 minutes and is carer for my dad who has alzheimer’s,. She just said ‘yeah, to a degree but can’t avoid everything. Just off to slimming club.’ Not sure what degree she thinks that is.

The Brits have no idea what’s coming

France has 100k police making sure people comply, the UK doesn't have these numbers to get out onto the streets.... and our measures are "advisory" so will be ignored,
Polling shows only 70% are hand washing, though Johnson has been washing his hands for years now !!!

I think so. I've just driven through our town and it was full of over 70's having a gay old time, chatting and shopping. Costa was full.

Several school kids out of uniform (so parents have taken out of school) out for a bike ride through town.

Absolute fuckwits, the lot of them. It will take very firm instructions to keep people indoors.

Unfortunately I think we have to. don't want to though.

jasjas oh hang on folks three military helicopters flying along Thames central London
Hmm
Anyway has had absolutely love the ‘boris/handwashing’ reference. Golden. Love it !

Yes. I think we will have to go into deep lockdown in about 10 weeks time. I think this is just preparing us for that.

Can I just say, to people who are still going out to things that are unnecessary, or thinking of going, please, please don't do this!!!

France has 100k police making sure people comply, the UK doesn't have these numbers to get out onto the streets....

There is the military if necessary. Threats of large fines and prison, like elsewhere. If other countries can enforce this Britain can too.

@feelingverylazytoday really? My prediction is this weekend...

Yes. I think we will have to go into deep lockdown in about 10 weeks time.

You must mean in 10 days?!

The military are on standby - this is what they're on standby for.

Just been to the chemist to pick up a prescription. The usual chatting in the street. Cafés, pubs, restaurants and coffee shops are as busy as ever. Optimism and stupidity was plain to see in action. In other news the chemist had hand sanitiser. I asked on the off chance if they had any and a bottle appeared from under the counter. I've never bought illegal drugs, but that's what I imagine it feels like. If you need it, ask. The shop assistant says they're not putting it on the shelf the save customers stealing it or fighting over it! 😲

It seems that the 'voluntary' message is having no effect on many people in the UK. Slimming clubs, gyms, pubs etc still being used - just from the posts on this thread.

By contrast, in most of Europe everything is closed except food shops, banks (for now) and chemists. Going outdoors is either totally forbidden or is only allowed for essentials - food shopping, key workers, helping others - or is very limited. Short walks are still allowed here, for people and for dogs too, but must be fairly short and not with other people. Parks and playgrounds are closed.

For balance, friends in the UK are also telling me about local facebook groups being set up to offer help to the elderly and others unable to get out, about schools and community groups sorting out remote access for pupils and other voluntary initiatives, so community spirit is not completely a thing of the past in the UK.

@TwelveIslands where did you hear that the military are on standby? There is always a 'national standby' - that's not unusual. A core ready to go in case of a disaster for instance.

The head of the Army said on the radio yesterday that they will be deployed. It is not if it is when.

In contrast to what some are seeing, parts of the London Underground were deserted this morning (I wasn't there but friends sent pictures).