Is it really worth all this?

[Dustballs]

What are we shutting down for? What are we trying to save?

I don't understand what the purpose of this is anymore.

@EnglishGirlApproximately @ValancyRedfern
Totally agree with everything you both say

Can't seriously see what the issue is. Most things are open. Just lots of restrictions in place like masks and reduced capacity. Does that really make things an issue?. Yes, some local lockdowns but they are short lived inconveniences. Bars and restaurants shutting at 10, so what? People can just go out earlier and still have a good time. I've been to McDonald's today and to an ice rink. Also shopping. Plenty of roads being dug up as usual, so where is all this shutting down everything, issue?

And what industries have shut down entirely? Even aviation is still going, although massively reduced @HelloMissus

No schools have sent kids home. Roads are busy. Yet we are still protecting the most vulnerable with the measures we are using. This is much better than a lockdown

torn huge swathes of the entertainment and arts sectors that keep millions of people employed.

Filming has only just got up and running again with most productions that were halted desperately trying to get back up again. And then only under very stringent measures. And the TV industry is huge in the UK. And most people are highly skilled freelancers.

Totally agree with the OP.

And what industries have shut down entirely?
Theatre
Opera
Ballet
Nightclubs
Music Festivals
Air Shows
Boat Shows
Science Festivals
Book Festivals

and then
Restaurants running at 30% capacity
Cinemas running at 20% capacity
Airlines running at 10% capacity
Gyms and health clubs running at 50% capacity
Hairdressers at 50%

and
Retail running at double costs
Dentists still clearing backlogs
the NHS still clearing backlogs
Education running at weird versions
Local Government not operating face to face
Child protection not running properly

only the rich and blinkered think that we are anywhere near normal

It will all have been pointless if it turns out that there isn’t no effective virus. Then people will be so angry at the needless destruction of their jobs and livelihoods.

listening and until very recently the film and TV industry.
We’ve literally just got into production again with very stringent measures that have put paid to many projects.

Also sport.
Most sports venues are closed.

Hello
Oh gosh, yes, sport

• Wimbledon staffers
• Twickenham staffers
• staffers at every sports ground in the country

and then shall we start on community halls

• day care for the elderly and vulnerable
• activities for the elderly and vulnerable
• activities that go into care homes
• preschool activities
• after school activities (dancing, music, drama, brownies, scouts)

FFS
Only those in a merchant banker bubble can think that Lockdown has ended

listening yup.
Plus all the ancillary businesses, often in some of the most deprived areas wholly reliant on match day money coming into the area.

Ah OK, ancilliary businesses

• burger vans
• cafe trucks
• marquee hire
• photographers
• prop suppliers
• security staff scratch that, they are cleaning trolleys
• caterers
• florists
• costumiers
• concession staff
• ticket office staff
• ushers
• event bar staff

Oh but silly me, we are dealing with the everybody I know earns over £100k brigade

who forget that even petrol pump attendants were put out of work by Lockdown

The ‘experts’ don’t actually agree though do they?

There’s a lot of agreement amongst the actual experts. People think there isn’t because they’re listening to people who claim to be experts. Of which there are many.

And to add
-many opticians still not working at capacity / clearing backlogs
libraries not open (or with lots of restrictions)
GPs still not seeing people face-to-face.
Social work affected - still limits and restrictions
Lots of routine health care not being delivered
Limited community support or offered remotely rather than face-to-face

Probably not OP no

experts
Sage includes everybody from Virologists to Behavioural modellers
and they will each have their blinkers on.

SAGE and iSAGE should be providing a range of 3 scientific options each week for how to proceed
the responsible adults in Government should then choose which one to follow

sadly this country did not elect responsible adults in December

Listening what would your approach have been?

There’s a lot of agreement amongst the actual experts. People think there isn’t because they’re listening to people who claim to be experts. Of which there are many.

That quite simply is not true

Is it nonsense though? Research suggests that only18% of people fully quarantine after developing symptoms and only 11% after being told by track and trace that they have been in contact with a confirmed case. DCs bubble were told to isolate due to a confirmed case, one girl has been out and about going shopping with her mum and another has just been to have her nails done. Yep a nation of totally responsible people......I'll jog on.

People rise or lower themselves to expectations. If they are constantly told they are shit they will behave as such.

Presumably that stat includes people going into a shop once for essential supplies or walking round the block because their dog is going up the wall (while feeling fine). But yeah, criticise they are all cos they are English 🙄. I’m sure you will be 100% perfect when it’s your turn.

And ignore the 95% of people who really are trying their best to social distance. Yep keep jogging (unless you are told to self isolate)

@ListeningQuietly I think the government need a clear strategy that is backed up and reviewed by data/ science and experts.

I for one have no idea at all what they are actually aiming for with covid, saving the NHS/elimination/suppression? 🤷🏻‍♀️. I’d be a lot easier to get on board if I did and they stopped weaving between them randomly.

I think they are trying to "cope" and pinning hopes on a vaccine.

If they were aiming for elimination they would be enforcing restrictions. As it is it is clear that is not on the agenda.

@WokesFromHome - you are, I think, typical of most ‘normal’ regular folks. However , mumsnet seems to attract the extremists and polarised opinions

I have been against the legislation from day 1 although obeying it. We should move it to a voluntary basis come what may

God help us all

@ListeningQuietly

experts Sage includes everybody from Virologists to Behavioural modellers and they will each have their blinkers on.

SAGE and iSAGE should be providing a range of 3 scientific options each week for how to proceed
the responsible adults in Government should then choose which one to follow

sadly this country did not elect responsible adults in December

What do you mean? What if there are not three distinct scientific opinions? What if all three are basically the same with some slight nuance? What a bizarre misunderstanding of the scientific process

I think the government handling of all this is just a PR exercise. They’re doing certain things to make it look like they’re doing something whilst actually not doing a lot (to slow it). That’s why I’m losing faith. They’re putting these extra restrictions in but people are still freely travelling. Where I am pubs and restaurants are shut, I can go to one in the next town though. Problem with that is 3 weeks later their numbers are now going up. The cost of this is imo too high, people are dying of other things because of the cut back in services which is neglect. All I want is to see my family and some we haven’t seen since February

*@ListeningQuietly I think the government need a clear strategy that is backed up and reviewed by data/ science and experts.

I for one have no idea at all what they are actually aiming for with covid, saving the NHS/elimination/suppression? 🤷🏻‍♀️. I’d be a lot easier to get on board if I did and they stopped weaving between them randomly.*

All of this. This. Is the reason I started this thread.