We have to find a way..

[TheNumbersDontAddUp]

.. To allow those who need or want to shield to do so safely, and with support, and allow those who wish to accept the inherent risk to do so, and continue to work, go out etc because quite simply the economy cannot afford for us to do anything else?

£300 million a month it is mooted that Richie Sunaks new measures will cost.

How can we possibly afford this without irretrievably imploding the entire economy, which will ultimately destroy us all, shielding and non shielding.

I say this as a vulnerable person, at risk.

SheepandCow how much do you think it would cost and how long would it take do you think?

I thought you could see how anxious RS was about unemployment yesterday.
He looked horribly concerned amid talk of his new scheme.
And he actually mentioned, for the first time I think ‘living with this virus.’

@EarlGreywithLemon

I am vulnerable because of a heart defect. We haven’t seen anyone since March, or gone anywhere except for quiet walks with our daughter. We’ve had everything delivered etc. But now I have to have my flu jab. My daughter has to go to nursery in December. I can’t keep her at home forever. I’m scared stiff because the virus is everywhere again. So what do you suggest I do? How do you propose to keep the vulnerable isolated, in practical terms? And their families?

Re the flu jab, I had mine yesterday, all as socially distanced as possible, nurses in PPE etc.

re nursery, if you aren't going back to work yet, (and it sounds as though you aren't) could she start nursery in March or April instead? I'm also ECV and this is how I would be thinking. This would get you past the main season for respiratory infections.

There is also no law that all little children have to go to nursery. My generation didn't, we all just stayed at home with mum until school, which came slightly later at 5 rather than 4. We did cooking with our mums and went to far far fewer toddler groups (if any) and we were just fine. So keeping her at home just a little bit longer would also be fine, if of course, this is now looking more appealing to you.

I think the winter might be a bit challenging but there is hope - there may indeed be a vaccine, possibly in a few months time and in any case pandemics tend to last only a year or 2, and this pandemic is relatively much less of a threat than others have been historically. It will pass!

What I never understand with this argument is how people think the economy would fare better if we just let it rip through the ‘not vulnerable.’ Eventually too many teachers, shop workers, doctors etc would have it and be off sick that everything would grind to a halt anyway.
Also current restrictions allow most things to be open? What would be open that currently isn’t in this alternative method?!

All four governments (UK, NI, Scotland and Wales) have today issued joint statement saying will continue with a suppression strategy:

The ongoing fight against Covid-19 will continue to require much from us all, wherever we live. We ask that everybody endeavours to adhere to the rules and advice designed for our safety, as this is the only way to keep the virus suppressed, and make further progress on the path back to normality. Failing to do so will put everyone else at risk. So in the weeks and months ahead we must carry on pulling together to protect and care for those most at risk, and keep the virus under control.

herecomesthesun thank you for the reassurance about the flu jab. That’s very good to hear, and it’ll stop me breaking into a cold sweat about it!
Absolutely makes sense about nursery and I’d very happily keep her at home! Unfortunately I’ve already started work, though I’ll be WFH until at least early next year. My husband is doing shared parental leave and looking after her until 1 December. Hopefully his office would also let him continue WFH at that point, though they might not. If things are looking bad, I’m sure we’d find a way of looking after her while working, or I’d go part time. A nanny share would be an option too - less risk that way. I’d love to give up work altogether for a few years and look after her, but that would make things pretty tight financially. Especially as we’d really like a second child.
Hope you are doing well and getting the support you need. Being ECV must be even more stressful (I’m only vulnerable so not as high risk as you). You’re absolutely right in what you are saying though- this too will pass. It may pass like a kidney stone, but it will pass!

That only a tiny # of countries in world have successfully implemented "Eradication" strategy tells me that that is almost always impossible. That tiny # have many features in common which don't apply to UK (we DO have a land border with another sovereign country, for instance).

In my mind, The 2nd loosest strategy is Suppression which most European countries are going for. Germany & Italy succeed (so they are also on the travel corridor/airbridge list UK keeps). Many European countries are currently struggling with 'Suppression' (eg., France). Suppression seems to also be hard to achieve. Holds out for vaccine as only possible exit gate.

My next looser level is 'Control' - what you could call the Swedish strategy. I suspect quite a few countries are going to slip from Suppression to Control as their strategy going forward. Limit spread, shelter the most vulnerable.

Beyond 'Control' there could be 'Please try to limit' and finally 'Rip Loose' I suppose. India is in 'Please try' mode.

Slovakia is interesting.. they nearly hit eradication, and now they are even off the airbidge list so failing at Suppression. I wonder why.