“Together we can defeat this virus”

[IfIHadAHeart]

From Boris’s press conference.

I really don’t think this is a helpful message. A virus cannot be “defeated”. Not to mention that the strategy is completely impossible to understand due to being different across different nations/areas, and the measures themselves seem contradictory and pointless.

Somebody somewhere is gathering fascinating data on all this as a study of social compliance (not a conspiracy theorist, but I’m sure this is all useful information for future governments).

It is being spread because that's what viruses do... especially when the government does little to put public health systems in place.

I do not blame citizens for all of it, although undoubtedly some people have ignored laws, but nationally we are in a poor position due to government mishandling.

Those that admire the Swedish model forget that it relies on everyone doing the right thing, being considerate and respecting others, and more importantly following the rules

Because they have faith in their Government, as do the Japanese, Germans and other nations that have done better than the UK or the USA - the two worst performers.

I don't believe a word Johnson says, this "Be fearless but with common sense" WTF does that even mean? Does he even know? (or care)

Childish slogans don't really help.

thecat I think you will find governments around the world, including in Sweden are seeing a backlash to covid policies. Germany have seen violent anti lockdown protests for months now, France are up in arms about the unfairness that they perceive between Paris and the south. Sweden are furious with the care home disaster. No government anywhere (apart from China of course, but they don't get to express any displeasure/negativity) have come out of this smelling of roses. There is discord and anger everywhere.

You need to look beyond our borders before making sweeping statements.

Friends With one of the world's highest per capita death rates in the world and non compliance in the UK (backed up by spectacular increases in infection) i think i can make that "sweeping statement" with some accuracy.

Do you think the statement "Be fearless but with common sense" has any logic to it? do you know what it means?

The conservatives need to look at best practice from other countries, good and bad and learn from them.

It is a weird message really. Even if 100% of people abided 100% by all of the 'rules' the numbers would still be rising. And will as long as we are doing any activity which puts us in close proximity to others. No work and school oddly are not immune to this. Yes, people breaking rules could be making the numbers higher faster, but even with 100% compliance, the numbers would steadily rise over time. We could lockdown, but thats simpl a pause button. Countries with stricter lockdowns, followed by stricter mask rules, have had numbers going up too, so its not the strictness. Its just..how the virus spreads. Its unfortunate of course, but anything bar a indefinite lockdown is not going to work in reality, not now. If we acted earlier like other countries did, but that ship has sailed.

A large part of the problem I think, is how many get this asymptomatically. From what I have read, we still don;t know how much asymptomatic people contribute to the spread? Test and trace fails at the first hurdle there surely, if the majority do not show symptoms so do not test? Unless is shown asymptomatc people don't spread of course, which would be welcome news!

thecats your information is out of date, we don't have the highest per capita death rate in the world or are anywhere near the top. Spreading disinformation is far from helpful. I attach the link:

www.statista.com/statistics/1104709/coronavirus-deaths-worldwide-per-million-inhabitants/

So your sweeping statements are based on at best out of date stats, or fiction. Take your pick.

'be fearless with common sense' means live your life in a reasonable and careful way. Don't live in fear, but be mindful to take the restrictions seriously. Think of others.

I am sure you are just being facetious by pretending not to understand.

What hope does this country have if you can't even understand basic messaging?

@Treesofwood

I find all this Long Covid stuff really interesting. People with CFS, Fibromyalgia, Lymes, of which there are millions are usually treated, at least initially, as if they are crazy. It's all in the mind, etc etc. Suddenly, same symptoms, and it's immediately believable, sympathy galore, because its covid related. If it was post any other virus they'd have a very different reception.

I also agree with this. It also seems to be mainly used as a way to try and control lower risk people? I tend to only see it mentioned when someone mentions they are low risk. 'ah but longcovid, 10% chance!' etc.

It really doesn't sound too different to any other post viral fatigue to me. And yes, I have suffered from this before. Yes, its bloody awful, but it is not only covid that does this, so 'longcovid' sounds a bit..scaremongery?

I find all this Long Covid stuff really interesting. People with CFS, Fibromyalgia, Lymes, of which there are millions are usually treated, at least initially, as if they are crazy. It's all in the mind, etc etc. Suddenly, same symptoms, and it's immediately believable, sympathy galore, because its covid related. If it was post any other virus they'd have a very different reception.

Abso-fucking-lutely

What a U turn

It's generally hauled out when people aren't afraid enough (when they realise that their risk of dying from Covid based on their age/risk factors is less than the flu)

@TheKeatingFive

I find all this Long Covid stuff really interesting. People with CFS, Fibromyalgia, Lymes, of which there are millions are usually treated, at least initially, as if they are crazy. It's all in the mind, etc etc. Suddenly, same symptoms, and it's immediately believable, sympathy galore, because its covid related. If it was post any other virus they'd have a very different reception.

Abso-fucking-lutely

What a U turn

It's generally hauled out when people aren't afraid enough (when they realise that their risk of dying from Covid based on their age/risk factors is less than the flu)

Yes. It’s the answer for people who want lockdown but have to accept that death from Covid is unlikely

I completely agree. They wheel out the Long Covid line to generate more fear now we know who's most at risk.

I read an article about one woman's experience, it was on the BBC. The article had said that she'd spoken to a doctor who suggested anit-anxiety medication. Just reading the article you could tell the poor woman was very ill, but imo, not physically.

That's not to say that some aren't experiencing long term effects, I honestly believe it's a thing but as others have said, it can happen after any nasty virus.

Boris is exactly the same as he's always been, all of his speeches have always been bumbling nonsense. I'm not rabidly anti tory but I've always thought he is a complete waste of space and his personal life is an embarrassing mess.
Despite every precaution I've taken (I work in the NHS in a "safe" area) I think I have covid, I am by coincidence on a weeks annual leave and since this morning have been trying to get tested and even for me its proving a bloody nightmare.
I didn't catch it the first time round even though I was working with covid patients everyday but I'm sure I have it now, no idea how. I live like a hermit, wear masks everywhere and wash my hands until they are raw. There is nothing on my track and trace.

Oh I could not agree more about the long Covid business. I know people who have really struggled with post-viral symptoms, had long periods off work and have been treated with suspicion. But because we’re talking Covid it must be worthy of concern.

And now, Boris is "urging" us to go to the cinema (BBC News), just like he "urged" us to eat out to help out, and then blamed us. It's his fault that people are too scared to go to the cinema in the first place; after all, he told us to "show discipline", "present a united front", "stay home". Does he think we've forgotten that? He has no subtlety.

FGS is he fucking thick or has he decided lockdown is inevitable at this point so we should just run into it headfirst.

I keep expecting an announcement for further lockdown after they wheeled the scientists out the other week.

No a command to go out into enclosed spaces with other people!?

be fearless with common sense made me laugh out loud, it's pure 'The Thick of It' stuff.

I get what he's trying to say, but he does sound like he's pissed.

And now, Boris is "urging" us to go to the cinema (BBC News), just like he "urged" us to eat out to help out, and then blamed us

Fucks sake, they have already demonized those who did what they were told and went out to restaurants (and they were basically PAID to do so) now he wants us to go to the cinema, so he can whinge about us doing so in a few weeks time? No wonder the 'rules' are so confusing sometimes, it almost seems specifically so he can then blame the public, regardless. The 'go to work but dont go to work, but use public transport but try not to unless you have to' announcement was a prime example of this.

The Matt Lucas clip just never gets old for me, because it was absolutely on the money.

Sadly for us!

It is a shame how sad and bitter some people are. Really sad.

Not sure I see much bitterness, plenty of people are sad and angry.

I don't really think it is surprising many people feel let down.

They need to get over themselves, and stop being so toxic. It is a bloody pandemic not a picnic, it is going to be very very shit for a long time yet. Turning everything into a gov bashing/brexit bashing exercise is just moronic.

Any chance to try and wreck revenge - I truly feel some people should get professional help. It is not healthy.

Do you not find it a little problematic that Boris is simultaneously telling us to avoid social situations, whilst advocating we go to the cinema?

Similar to encouraging us to eat out to help out, but then blaming those who did as they were asked for the rising levels and saying they should basically have ignored the advice and stayed in.

He and his cohorts are the biggest gaslighters in the country.

@Friendsoftheearth

They need to get over themselves, and stop being so toxic. It is a bloody pandemic not a picnic, it is going to be very very shit for a long time yet. Turning everything into a gov bashing/brexit bashing exercise is just moronic.

Any chance to try and wreck revenge - I truly feel some people should get professional help. It is not healthy.

I wish you no ill will but you do seem to get very personally upset that people are not happy with the government, and I'm not sure it is healthy to take politics too personally.

If it was the Black Death or something, I'd be locked in my house and not coming out. But it's not the Black Death. It just isn't. The survival rate is high. Of course every death is a tragedy but death is part of life.

So I'll criticise the government and will continue to do so, while restrictions run rough shod over all our lives. I was supportive of the full lockdown to a point, although I did cry for days. I knew it'd be long and ultimately futile. I've largely done my grieving already.

But now we know more about the virus and if there was another full lockdown I'd be out on the streets protesting.

And the government really hasn't help themselves--arbitrary and senseless restrictions, no scientific back up. Now test and trace fiasco. I'm normally a Boris fan, not now.