Reading between the Whitty lines......

[frozendaisy]

So Boris seemed all jubilant "go to the pub, get a hair cut, book a staycation", did anyone else feel that Mr Whitty was attempting to run the country properly, urging caution?

We are sure there will be local lockdowns, and if you have to self-isolate awaiting a test as a family you will need a sympathetic employer as we think there will just be the minimum SSPay otherwise.

I just think briefing yesterday was a little rushed, little one-sided towards hurray enjoy summer, the Mr thinks that Government are thinking let everyone have a bit of freedom now before we lockdown again in autumn/winter.

I agree. But that's Johnson for you, he's a great believer in having 'fun', having a party.

Given Mr Whitty's profession, I image he will be looking at it from the 'what can go wrong' point of view and how that will impact on society, he's bound to be more cautious and measured.

I know we need to get the economy up and running again, but I do feel it's all going just a little too fast; almost everything opening at the same time, instead of in slow stages.

I think a great many people are just going to act as if the virus has gone away but as Mr Whitty made clear yesterday, it's still very much with us.

Chris Whitty probably is hyperventilating with all his sighings Bojo wants to be seen as the good guy (or does what dominic tells him) but yeah go to the pub have a pint and if you get Corona virus that is on you!

I agree OP. It was a stark message that this way of living and this virus is likely to be with us well into 2021.

As it’s been pointed out in numerous threads on this subject throughout lockdown & by CW himself, he is a scientist. He looks at the possibilities & modelling of the virus spread. That’s purely all he has to consider & what he tells the government. Whereas BoJo et al have a very different job. They have to balance up the risk of the virus v the risk of the economy collapsing, people loosing their jobs, houses & not being able to afford to eat. And the truth is, this isn’t a deadly disease to the vast majority of people who are working age. So it’s a balance. Potentially a little too fast but for everyone declaring their outrage at pubs opening there is a business owner who has cried with relief that maybe his entire source of income can start up again ..

Maybe his entire source of income can start up again
Or maybe he will have to acknowledge that his source of income is no longer viable in a postcovid world.

That's why we are all CW fans and think he's fabulous.

@B1rdbra1n

Maybe his entire source of income can start up again Or maybe he will have to acknowledge that his source of income is no longer viable in a postcovid world.

Well aren't you a ray of sunshine

BoJo et al have a very different job. They have to balance up the risk of the virus v the risk of the economy collapsing, people loosing their jobs, houses & not being able to afford to eat. And the truth is, this isn’t a deadly disease to the vast majority of people who are working age

^ This, at some point we have to take the risk. Better now, when the weather is good which makes social distancing easier.

When asked, Chris Whitty said he did agree with the stance taken by the Govt. All 3 (Sir Patrick, BJ and CW) expressed that caution needs to be taken. BJ was at pains to point out that we should try to adhere to the 2 metre rule but, if we can't, then it can be 1 metre + mitigation. (Masks, screens, etc)

I think they were all on the same page.

I think CW struck a totally different tone, rarely smiled and was urging caution more than optimism. I thought it was a stark contrast to the jovial I want to see people shopping and spending message of Boris.

I understand there are many aspects to balance, safety, economics, confidence, but reckless decisions will mean the R-rate rises, perhaps only locally, but that in turn creates a snowball effect that people can't see dentists, GPs, and if nothing else I think lockdown has illustrated to many regarding consumerism that there are many things that are not essential and not worth a risk, and it's not just personal risk, yes Covid-19 might be mild for most but for society it's still not "just like flu".

As a family our necessary exposure is quite small, it would be a shame/disaster if we all end up back at square one, or worse square one without the financial support.

Or maybe he will have to acknowledge that his source of income is no longer viable in a postcovid world.

🙄

So no more pubs, restaurants, spas, nail salons, theatres, gigs ever then. I hardly think so. People actually like doing these things, which is why they were all created in the first place, and there won’t be a Covid pandemic forever.

It’s all very well for scientists to want to keep us locked up for months but regardless of whether it’s the best science or not it’s not feasible. That’s why there are economists and other people involved in giving advice as well. As CW says there has to be a balance.

Or maybe he will have to acknowledge that his source of income is no longer viable in a postcovid world

What's a 'postcovid world' when it's at home?

There have been pandemics before, many of them much more virulent than Covid. It is also quite likely that effective treatments and/or vaccines will be available, possibly quite soon. Sooner or later, people are going to go out and socialise again, and that is a good thing. You may lock yourself up and enjoy your 'postcovid world' indefinitely if you so choose.

So Boris seemed all jubilant "go to the pub, get a hair cut, book a staycation", did anyone else feel that Mr Whitty was attempting to run the country properly, urging caution?

Who elected Chris Whitty to run the country though? That is not his job. His job is to advise the government in his area of expertise, but his advice - however expert and important - is only one of the many factors the govt has to take into account when making decisions which affect society as a whole.

Well aren't you a ray of sunshine

Heaven forbid that anyone point out that some forms of earning a living may not be viable anymore and people need to pivot and innovate.

There is zero need to get nasty.

no more pubs, restaurants, spas, nail salons, theatres, gigs ever then

Nobody said no more of them, just that they might need to be rethought and this has given us a chance to consider whether some businesses and some of our habits are actually that great.

Fast fashion and nail bars feed modern slavery, for example.

I’m really glad this has happened. I have family in the hospitality industry. My SIL could lose her home/business (village pub). It has lots of outdoor space, over a football pitch size. My nieces work there too and get a lot of their wages through tips. That wasn’t taken into account with furlough, not that I think it should have. Just pointing out that 80% isn’t always 80%.
The main reason I’m glad is that it also means that the cancer clinics will be able to see more than 7 people a day and that the counselling service for cancer patients can open back up. We are saving people from Covid, but we have also been letting people with cancer go without life saving treatment.
I doubt Covid is going anywhere soon. We have to try and get the health and economy moving again.

people need to pivot and innovate

FFS. Real life is not buzzwords from a Ted Talk.

So now I will be free (as a shielder) to go out into the world where people may or may not have Covid, may or may not mix with people who do, may or may not observe social distancing, or may or may not wash their hands regularly. I won't even be sure that my food packer or deliverer will. A brave new world indeed.

I totally support the opening up of the economy, but why do the precautions have to go out of the window too?

and this has given us a chance to consider whether some businesses and some of our habits are actually that great

Not your job to police

So now I will be free (as a shielder) to go out into the world where people may or may not have Covid, may or may not mix with people who do, may or may not observe social distancing, or may or may not wash their hands regularly. I won't even be sure that my food packer or deliverer will. A brave new world indeed.

None of that’s any different to before. You’ve never been able to control other people’s level of compliance. The difference is the level of virus is down from what it was before lockdown and you were told to shield.

but why do the precautions have to go out of the window too?

I wasn't aware they had? There's still a lot of things that aren't allowed. You still have to distance. You still have to wear masks in public transport you still have to wash hands etc.

@Jaxhog
So now I will be free (as a shielder) to go out into the world where people may or may not have Covid, may or may not mix with people who do, may or may not observe social distancing, or may or may not wash their hands regularly. I won't even be sure that my food packer or deliverer will. A brave new world indeed.

You have always been ABLE to go out for a walk etc but the advice was against it. I am also in the shielding category and received my updated government advice letter today. You can follow the advice or ignore it.

I look at my risks and judge what I should do. So I don't expect/assume everyone to continue ad infinitum to make lots of adjustments for me... the country has to gradually resume and I accept that Covid-19 will be around or reoccur in the future. I will when shielding fully ends be very careful as I always have been and take care when visiting some places or not visit them if busy/if unsure etc. Personal ownership and risk assessments for grown ups from now on.....

@FizzFan

So now I will be free (as a shielder) to go out into the world where people may or may not have Covid, may or may not mix with people who do, may or may not observe social distancing, or may or may not wash their hands regularly. I won't even be sure that my food packer or deliverer will. A brave new world indeed.

None of that’s any different to before. You’ve never been able to control other people’s level of compliance. The difference is the level of virus is down from what it was before lockdown and you were told to shield.

Well this is the problem - since the start of the lockdown people have been trying to control other peoples actions and they still are except they have moved on from the "rules" to whatever else they can get on their hobby horse about