To those who think it's over

[user1497207191]

The Weston Super Mare hospital has announced this morning that it's closed it's A&E due to an increase in the number of Covid patients the hospital is currently treating.

This highlights why "tourist" hotspots have been trying to persuade people from away not to visit them.

Also highlights that there are still plenty of Covid cases around and it's still spreading.

This is why the lockdown needs to carry on, with very slight relaxations over a long time period. Those who think it's all over and we can get back to normal are deluded.

Exactly and many of my friends are planning jaunts to Devon & Cornwall over the next few weeks. Watch it all explode there.

It should be the same rule as Scotland or Wales. Local travel only (within 5-10 miles of home)

And how long do you want that to continue?

I agree lockdown cannot carry on but I really think it’s a good idea for people to stay within a short distance of where they live just for the time being. This will help reduce spreading the virus to areas that have had minimum impact and have fewer resources to cope.

But in Weston the visitors won't just be using the outside space. There won't be many cafes and loos open. The visitors will probably be going in the supermarkets that are on the way into the town by road and buying food and using loos. That spreads the virus to the local population and within the local population at a higher rate.
If it is a case of deep cleaning, then good, the hospitals need deep cleaning. Currently they are creating 'safe' zones in hospitals, but it can take days for results on a patient to come back, in which time just one asymptomatic patient can infect the whole 'safe' zone. Also wheelchairs etc are not being disinfected. Staff are all using the same canteen. The 'safe' zones are not safe, and some hospitals are using peroxide bombs to clean wards to make them safe while other more cash-strapped hospitals don't even have the equipment for a deep clean.

@IcedPurple Eased gradually but having the world and his wife (while millions are furloughed) going to the seaside every time the sun comes out is not right at present.

I'm currently 20 weeks pregnant and I have severe pain in my mouth and tylenol isn't working or the salt water remedy. I think it's an absect on my gums. Is there anything else safe that I can take that will ease the pain. I can't sleep.

It should be the same rule as Scotland or Wales. Local travel only (within 5-10 miles of home)

Of course there will be exceptions to that rule which will make it null and void really.

Lockdown should have been getting us to the point that track and trace was viable so we actually had a handle on living with this longer term, but the government has been too incompetent to get us there, so now we’re faced with open up and face the consequences or financial ruin.

Which countries have been forced into a second lockdown?

I don’t think anyone thinks the virus has gone.
However, there has to be a point when we take a balanced risk to try to resume some activities that are important to a civilised society.

People are allowed to go to the seaside - technically yes, because the government has said so.
However what has been happening is people crowding on beaches as much as a normal holiday without covid in the mix.

Do you think that’s ok?

What I would like is better test and trace with a regional approach.
Reopening businesses with social distancing in place.
Vulnerable people allowed to choose to remain in lockdown.
Regional opening of cafes, pubs, restaurants on the understanding that spikes in numbers may mean more distancing measures are temporarily put in place.

I am not one who believes we should be in lockdown for ever.
I do think that crowding on the beach and tourist spots is irresponsible.

morris none.
Countries have instead eased and tightened localised restrictions.

@trappedsincesundaymorn Not really. For leisure or exercise you should stay within a few miles of your home (like Scotland and Wales).

We now know a very large percentage of cases are actually asymptomatic - maybe up to 80%.

What is the source for this?

And is there evidence that being on a beach makes you more likely to catch the virus? There aren't any indoor venues available for beach visitors to congregate in. I suspect that people's chances of catching Covid on a day trip in their own car to be outside are virtually nil.

People are allowed to go to the seaside - technically yes, because the government has said so

Technically? Either you're allowed to go to the seaside or you're not. In fact, you are allowed, so your tut-tutting seems misplaced.

However what has been happening is people crowding on beaches as much as a normal holiday without covid in the mix

You said yourself nothing you have said relies on evidence so I'm guessing you're relying on sensationalist news stories and anecdotes from 'people' about this?

Aridane I think that’s a mistake.
The WHO believe 80% of cases are asymptamtic or mild.

South Korea have re-shut certain businesses due to a rise in numbers.
Germany are also seeing a rise in numbers following a small ease in lockdown.

These are countries that have shown to be well organised and effective.

I don’t think I said other countries have had to lockdown, but a rise in this country without a good hold on the situation could well result in another lockdown.

Which countries have been forced into a second lockdown?

None that I'm aware of.

There have been some tightening of local restrictions in response to localised surges - this happened in Germany and SK - but I believe no country has reimposed lockdown due to 'people mingling'.

We can't live in lockdown forever more.

Look at europe - strict lockdowns (generally) followed by a very large trac n trace, countries that didn't have a tight lockdown, used extensive TnT such as Germany and Turkey.
They are now opening bars, tourism, even international (but uk not welcome)
We have 1000s of new infections every day, italy has a few 100.

What did we do.... a very loose lockdown, relaxed and now is pretty much a free for all.

We don't even have any TnT solely because we wanted our own app instead of using the one developed with Google and Apple and ours doesn't work!

South Korea have re-shut certain businesses due to a rise in numbers.
Germany are also seeing a rise in numbers following a small ease in lockdown.

Yes, but neither have reimposed lockdown.

And of course there will be a rise in cases following easing of restrictions. That's obvious and entirely expected. But so long as the rise is relatively small, it should be managable without the lockdown so many here are in love with.

Is it not just common sense that crowding on a beach isn’t a good idea?

There’s no tut tutting going on at all here, people can and are doing as they choose.

Which countries have been forced into a second lockdown?
China, Lebanon.. none of the country people here give a damn about.

It's a completely moot point anyway, the UK never had a strict lockdown in the first place!

China, Lebanon.. none of the country people here give a damn about

China never imposed a nationwide lockdown in the first place.