So we are staying lockdown until June at the earliest?

[Mummypig2020]

Just seen on daily fail (sorry!) that Boris is going to announce that we will be lockdown until June at least.

Not sure if I can cope that long. 😩

[CathyandHeathcliff]

When can we see our families?

[HouseTornado]

@GrimmsFairytales and your friend, too.

[cantory]

Of course it is not going to last for ever. You are getting hysterical.

[Bertucci]

I really hope not.

We are luckier than many but the thought of at least another month is really depressing.

[Yurona]

Nobody knows.
They are also going to consider the non-covid, but lock down related deaths (suicides, murders, missed medical attention), and general negative outcomes (self harm, mental health, long term damage due to no medical attention) before coming to a decision. If the 5 criteria are met is only relevant IF the alternative isn’t worse. So if the population is under more danger from lockdown, the 5 criteria will be relaxed to take that into account

[Delatron]

I think beginning of June was always to be expected. It ties in with furlough/school summer term.

We’re just not there yet in terms of the death rate falling.

I do wonder if they’ll relax any measures on May 7th? I liked the idea of a ‘bubble of 10 friends’ that you could choose to see.

[Hedgehog44]

It's all speculation until next Thursday I think.

[AJPTaylor]

The daily mail with write any fucking headline to get morons to click on it.
Stop fucking encouraging them.
Apply some common sense to the situation.

[vanillandhoney]

Nobody knows what's going to happen yet, but I do think it's highly unlikely that we'll release lockdown next week when countries who locked down several weeks before us are still locked down.

[cantory]

@Yurona Overall suicide and murder numbers are still relatively few people. The non covid 19 patients could be treated. Lock down or not will not change whether staff are available or how risky it is for them going for treatment. They need to just sort it out.

[imsooverthisdrama]

It'll be relaxed slightly but normal life is a way off . I'd like to be able to drive to a park with my dc just for a change of scenery just that would be something at least . I know technically you are allowed to drive somewhere for exercise but it's not necessary and I wouldn't want to risk a fine. I'm bored of the same walks . It would also be good if could see parents too . I honestly would not expect things to be exactly as they are now till June .

[Yurona]

For example, i know nobody who has died of covid 19. I know 3 people who have died because of lockdown ( one heart attack who didn’t want to bother the NHS, 2 suicides). If that becomes the average experience, the 5 criteria become meaningless as full lockdown is then more damaging than the virus

[ivfgottostaypositive]

@cantory
I don't think Homebase can be classed as a DIY store....

[Flyinggeese]

OP why not just wait until tonight's briefing at 5pm rather than share speculation from the Daily Mail?

[LittleLeaps]

@AldiAisleOfCrap yes I am well aware of that having 2 family members who are shielding due to terminal cancer, one of whom I am unlikely to ever see face to face again. That breaks my heart and I have every sympathy for them and I am in awe of how they are coping (although actually i know they are struggling too - its shit!)
But as I suffer quite severely from mental illness, suicidal tendencies and anxiety that are all made far worse by being in lockdown, having no access to the support that I need (video calls/phone calls are not helpful for me unfortunately), yes being in lockdown for the foreseeable future is terrifying.

The thought of leaving my children without a mother is terrifying - suicide rates are increasing due to people not coping with lockdown.

[crazydiamond222]

I understood they are considering relaxing measures in a couple of areas next week, garden centres and outdoor exercise and will also be setting out the plan for easing other measures. Schools will be june at the earliest.

[Mum2Girls19]

I think we will be in lockdown for the forseeable..
TBH do we really want to out there whilst the deaths are still happening and theres no cure?
Furlough will be extended and schools will remain closed.
The reason they are telling us 3 weeks at a time is because we will all lose it if they say that they really dont have a clue whats going on and theres no vaccine.
They have been clear, social distancing will remain in place for a long time, businesses and schools remain closed, everyone where possible work from home...nothing says June at all..

[PinotPony]

Did anyone see Despatches on Sunday? Interesting idea about either 1. Gradually relaxing lockdown so people catch it gradually and the nhs can cope, or 2. strict lockdown until day October to ensure that the risk of infection is vastly reduced. Generally feeling was the latter option would kill the economy.
I am hopeful that the schools will reopen in June... maybe the universities... social bubbles... maintain social distancing measures..
We're all going to catch it at some point until vaccine is sorted in what..?... 18 months..?

[cantory]

@LittleLeaps Shielding is voluntary. If they do allow us to see some relatives you will be able to visit them.

@PinotPony Yes I know they will happily let more people die. Not going to be one of my family.

The suicide rate had risen drastically in 2019. Few seemed to care about that. I was concerned.

[Quartz2208]

I for one think June is correct but I would want him to come out and rather than just say we are waiting for the science say that we believe that another 3 weeks is necessary and at the end of that we are hoping to be able to do the following.

Just like the French did for their last 3 weeks and have set out the plan from the 11th May.

If he just continues lockdown then I will lose the last bit of faith/hope I have he knows what he is doing

[SansaSnark]

@Yurona I'm very sorry to hear of that situation, but based on statistics, you're very very unusual.

[dottiedodah]

The DM seem to know whats going down before anyone else! I am not so bad as some ,no money worries DH still working .Miss my Son ,and having to make do with telephone chats instead of W/E visits .However I think it would be unadvisable to lift lockdown too early ,as it will put us back .Also when lifted it will be small steps ,Pubs /Restaurants unlikely to open for a good while yet!

[YgritteSnow]

I think @Disquieted1 has it exactly. I think that's how it will play out and to that timescale.

I've just been talking to my neighbour - through the intercom - about it and both have said that we'll continue for another three weeks after lockdown has been lifted, to see how things look. I don't trust the government to get it right tbh.

[Gwenhwyfar]

"Single parent trying to work from home with 2 small children. She needs an extra pair of hands. She's really struggling, and with each chat we have she seems even more upset at how she isn't coping."

People with childcare responsibilities can now be furloughed. Has she asked her employer? Or could she afford to go part time for a bit? Many employers are being flexible now with how much work parents can do.

[Gwenhwyfar]

Beginning or end of June?
I've been planning in my head to be in lockdown till beginning of June anyway, partly because I know they're afraid of lifting it around the late May bank holiday weekend.