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.

*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?*

If you 'totally support the opening up of the economy' then you'll have to accept that risks will be taken and have to be taken. And precautions aren't 'going out of the window'. There will be restrictions in pubs and restaurants, social distancing in shops, masks on public transport etc.

If you still feel uncomfortable going out, nobody can force you. Just as nobody was stopping you from doing so before now.

FizzFan - yhe risks you describe have always been there. Unless you have been totally self sufficient over the last few months without any contact with the outside world.

Covid-19 is here to stay.

Yeah it wasn’t me citing the risks, @Ylvamoon, I was quoting someone else

@FizzFan - sorry looked like it was your post.

Whitty and Vallance were saying that this next phase is risky but they can go along with it as long as everyone really does stick to the rules....ie. they fear it won't work as people will not do that.

Not going to sit in a hot humid hair salon with a mask on.

Sorry Johnson No can do.

Basically it is now down to each individual to keep themselves safe with hygiene and distancing as much as possible. The country depends on business and we all depend n spending time with others for our mental health.
I'm an ex-academic working in the field of pharmaceutical development strongly influenced by immunology and we aren't rushing back to the office : our labs have switched to shifts so half as many in there at one time and anyone who can work from home must. This isn't going to change for the foreseeable future. We (the UK) are kicking arse for treatments compared to the rest of the world but there were too many of us in too Small an area to ever control it, plus too many lifestyle illnesses. I'm overweight and frankly furious with myself as I've been shielding to support another household and have put on loads of weight.
Get thin, don't smoke, stay as distant as you can while doing your job and what you need to do. Keep the clinically vulnerable safe. Live your life. It's all we can do. This is the new normal.

TBF though Whitty was hyperventilating when Boris told people they could have BBQs but the disaster hasn't happened yet.

I think it's probably all part of the plan. The PM gets to be the guy who gave everyone what they wanted and then Whitty in the background appeals for caution, which enough people will follow that the others don't matter.

In which case Whitty should have said something.

About what Helena? He did "say something" about the BBQs and my guess is it had enough effect so that whilst it was "allowed" because the PM said so, the majority followed the CW advice so no disaster came.

There was that time when he said he didnt want to get involved with politics.

Van Tam had no such reservations.

Whitty is brilliant, but he's a 'yes' man, and whilst he states his facts and advice carefully and clearly, I get the impression he won't rock Boris's boat.
Van Tam doesn't care about Boris and his boat!

It would be great if Van Tam did a regular, weekly update on a news channel - 10 minutes of him would be far more informative than all the last few weeks briefings put together.

Boris is a people pleaser - he rocks up to deliver the good stuff - have a bbq - have a pint - see your friends - stay over! Boris is like an over-excited puppy, and needs reigning in. So, Whitty then has to quietly add the proviso that you must still be careful etc., but the problem is many will have heard Boris tell them what they want to hear, and then tune out to the Whitty warning.