Should we treat covid like flu now and just get on with life?

[947EliseChalotte]

Is it time to accept covid as another flu and just get on with life and back to normality. The whole point of lockdown was to flatten the curve.

Dr Mike Ryan at WHO sums it up for me

“The best and safest way to reopen schools is in the context of low community transmission, that has been effectively suppressed by a broad-based, comprehensive strategy.”

@Quartz2208 So the sensible thing to do would be one to two months strict lockdown now, with closed borders excepting compassionate/emergency travel (to be quarantined at selected hotels). Then we could safely reopen schools in mid September-October.

I am starting to think @SheepandCow that another full lockdown and aiming for zero Covid is the only sensible approach now. Obviously it has its problems but can it be any worse than what’s going now and what will go on in winter potentially.

@SheepandCow personally for me no a full scale national lockdown doesnt make sense

Localised lockdown in areas where it is creeping up yes but my area has kept to 5-10 cases a day so I dont see a lockdown as being required here. For my area proper track and trace and testing, SD, mask wearing and people dealing with symptoms properly is sufficient.

One reason we are in this mess is because we did a national lockdown before it was actually needed in some places and we are seeing the effects of that now.

Closing borders - yes I can see that would be helpful

I think there has to be a dose of realism that the people who need to work and who are trying to work are going to have a huge problem looking after ill people and meeting their needs. Some of whom smoke, drink too much and are overweight and have diabetes. We know with a reduced tax take this will not be possible. So your dc and my dc will pay for the borrowing which has no end because veryone wants more and more and more from society.”

That’s pretty offensive.

Some people don’t seem to realise that many vulnerable people have been working throughout.
My as it happens very vulnerable husband has been at his desk at home before 6am every weekday during lockdown and beyond, monitoring 4 screens and doing his job. His expertise has saved countless public sector jobs, protected budgets and the pensions of thousands. He pays a great deal of tax (quite happily, as it happens).

Please do not make the mistake of thinking that vulnerable people do not contribute and rely on others to pick up their tab.

That was addressed to MyoMy

national lockdown before it was actually needed in some places and we are seeing the effects of that now.

How would you have identified which areas didn't need lockdown in a timely fashion with the testing resources available?

@Jihhery well of course you would not have been able to back then. Which is why a national lockdown occurred out of necessity THEN because it was unclear so of course you couldnt. But with hindsight I think it is why we are seeing what is happening NOW. It is also why now in my opinion we shouldnt be doing a one size fits all lockdown and going with what the data shows us. And quickly as and when necessary

Is that clear enough for you or would you like me to further explain my point. I hope that is not being too reckless

Then we didn't lockdown too quickly-we did the only thing that was possible at the time. In the real world, an earlier national lockdown would have been preferable.

Still in the real world (because obviously localised lockdowns would always be theoretically preferable but one has to work within the available resources), we don't have the test and trace capacity to zero in on outbreaks and squash them in the way you're suggesting.

@jihhery what is your problem with me. Why do you feel the need to drill down into what I say so when I answer someone with what I would ideally like to happen you pick it apart
What viewpoint do you think I have that you feel the need to personally respond to me each time

I would have said yes until I actually tested positive back at the beginning of May. Although it was what you might call mild, my sense of taste and smell is not back properly and I get horrid tastes in my mouth, I smell certain things differently now and it’s really unpleasant I can tell you that. I have headaches, confusion, I notice i have to try and focus harder on everyday tasks. I’ve touched hot oven pans, forgetting they’d just come out of the oven. I’m 44, healthy and fit. The above symptoms show that it has a huge neurological effect that I think isn’t yet understood.

@Thatsnotsnowy I find myself regularly getting confused, don't take in what people are saying and feel disoriented. This virus really appears to mess with your head. The viral symptoms seem to have mostly gone finally, 5 months on, but I'm starting to fear that I won't get my pre Covid self back.

Some people are struggling despite having had more mild symptoms than I've had. Please, for your own sake if you're not bothered about others, don't dismiss this virus.