Perspective

[Fosler]

I'm concerned that the numbers of people who have died, I have no wish to be insensitive, are classed as being tested positive for coved 19, This does not mean they died because of Covid 19, They had it when they died. There is a big difference. Why are flights still incoming from affected countries if this is such a threat? Why are our borders not closed?

I’m wondering the same.

Thank you. This situation seems to raise more and more questions. Why is the two metre distance fine when out but why can't we meet family and friends at this 'safe' two metre distance?

Before COVID-19, there were approximately 1500 deaths per day in this country. I don't know whether this number is higher at the moment (which would suggest people dying due to COVID-19, not just with it), but there are around 800 daily deaths where COVID-19 was present. So even if the total number of deaths is unchanged, 50% of deaths are in people with COVID-19, even though less than 10% of the country has been infected. There is no doubt that this is responsible for a large number of deaths - not just merely present in them.

Goodness knows why the borders aren't closed!

It's a global problem so look at what countries are doing globally - many many of them closing their borders!

Just because the U.K. hasn't doesn't mean it doesn't need to ...

I moved abroad in January (from the U.K.) and watching the British response has been absolutely baffling.

Also a direct comparison of death rates between this time last year and now won't be accurate, as lockdown will be reducing deaths from other causes (normal seasonal flu, traffic accidents etc) as everyone (or most people) are staying in their homes.

It will be a complicated exercise to properly assess this!

@Fosler because you have to shop for food, that cannot be stopped but socialising can. Two metres doesn’t mean you are safe but it reduces the risk. As it’s not 100% safe then the less we do it the better hence reducing social exposure. The number of deaths in this short period is similar to the number of deaths over a much longer period during a ‘normal’ year that’s why it is such a problem for the nhs. The ONS says that in the week up to 27th March there were 1011 more deaths than the average last 5yrs

Is your argument they've been classed as dying from other circumstances whilst having COVID 19 vs actually dying as a direct result?.... I'd say its a new virus and no one seems to really know?

Plus nobody has said you can't meet friends and family at a 2mt seperation? The guidelines have stated you just don't come in to contact with family/friends. Tbf it's not been 'that' hard to understand what they've asked us to do?.... I work with people with learning disability and they comprehend it quite clearly 🙄