What is reasonable for the government to impose on people in the fight against coronavirus.

[Treesofwood]

Most people seem to agree it is reasonable to

1. Prevent people from seeing people they love.
2. Prevent people from going to school.
3. Prevent people from going to the theatre.
4. Force people to wear cloth over most of their face even if they don't want to in public.
5. Stop people from hugging.
6. Stop people from working.
7. Stop children from playing with their friends in the park.
8. Force people who are well into self isolation for two weeks.
9. Ban people from having sex with people they don't live with.

10. Stop (just) adult children from going back to their family home from university.

I would have never believed someone who told me a year ago that these laws/"guidance" would be in place.

There are some things that it is not seen as reasonable for the government to do, despite the fact it would save lives.

But I would argue that most of the things above would have been laughed off as ridiculous in 2019. After all we don't live in a police state.

Where will it end? How much further down the line will we go. How many more things will we lose? Bodily autonomy? It will definitely head that way if some MPs have their way.

@larrygrylls

Hamster,

I did not know that we excluded the older section of the population when calculating the IFR. That is a new definition! Most virologists believe the IFR of Covid to be similar or higher to Spanish flu.

No they don’t.

Are you actually trying to say that Covid-19 is more deadly than Spanish Flu?

[quote Stradivari]@hamstersarse ok, boomer[/quote]
Don’t even know what that means

But presuming it’s just an insult and not any form of debate

'And actually you sound like a proper snowflake. If people like you want to hide behind the sofa then do so by all means. Let the rest of us crack on or there will be be no economy or NHS to help anyone.'

I'm not hiding anywhere. Kids all at school/college. Carrying on as normal albeit with the immense hardship of wearing a face cover when shopping, socially distancing and not having parties. What a dictatorship!

The NHS is open for business did you not see the press conference? they’re practically begging people to get checked out if they have any illnesses.

Hamster,

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.livescience.com/amp/1918-flu-covid-19-comparison.html

Well here is one article that thinks it is. I can find more if you like.

'Quite frankly I don't think you have any understanding of the importance of civil liberties and the potential power of governments with that comment.'

Well 'quite frankly' I do have an understanding and if, say, they were saying 'parties are forbidden and no one must socialise ever for no good reason just because we are dictators' I'd get your point.

The thing is you see an infection is contagious, thus to limits its ability to infect others social distancing measures are needed. It's OK honestly you mustn't fret, I predict by next spring Spoons will be full of shit faced people scrapping again. Time will heal.

GetOffYourHighHorse - did we see the press conference? Are you having a laugh? Do you actually believe they accurately represent the reality of what is happening? Surely you realise now that what they say and what they do are two very different things.

NHS wasn't open for business a few short weeks ago when my uncle died from cancer after being sent home from hospital.

Also, carrying on 'as normal' is a big stretch - this is nothing like normal. Socially distancing, avoiding people and wearing masks is not normal to the vast majority of society as is clearly demonstrated in the sharp increase of mental health issues.

I'm with you OP. People are just so incredibly naive. These "temporary" laws might not be so temporary - they might end up becoming a way of life if people continue to acquiesce.

'Also, carrying on 'as normal' is a big stretch - this is nothing like normal. Socially distancing, avoiding people and wearing masks is not normal to the vast majority of society as is clearly demonstrated in the sharp increase of mental health issues.'

The context of my carrying on as normal comment was in response to a pp suggesting I was hiding behind the sofa. No I'm not, I'm doing what I can to carry on and not to over dramatise every new inconvenience.

Well 'quite frankly' I do have an understanding and if, say, they were saying 'parties are forbidden and no one must socialise ever for no good reason just because we are dictators' I'd get your point

That’s what they are saying.

COVID is 24th in the cause of deaths in the UK. Flu / pneumonia are killing 10x as many people per week compared to Covid.

Just exactly what is the good reason to cancel parties because of Covid?

Hamster,

It is not killing many people BECAUSE we are changing our behaviour. You are confusing cause and effect.

Really?
Provide the evidence that masks and curfews have made any difference

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.usatoday.com/amp/3378208001

Hamster,

Here is another one for you saying that they are at least comparable.

I hear you, OP. Many people have no conception of paternalistic governments and seem only too willing to give up their personal autonomy and civil liberties under the guise of ‘keeping people safe’.

'COVID is 24th in the cause of deaths in the UK. Flu / pneumonia are killing 10x as many people per week compared to Covid. Just exactly what is the good reason to cancel parties because of Covid?'

It is more infectious and if measures werent in place there would be more deaths.

'Parties'. How pathetic that is all some people care about.

I watched the Handmaid's tale last year and was shocked how quickly rules could he brought in eg contraception only available if approved by your spouse, sending women home from work as only men could work, cancelling their bank accounts. Passports becoming void.

It is scary how much we are controlled.

Celebrations are an important part of human life... weddings, graduations, birthdays, they bring us joy. Human beings have ‘partied’ since time began and always will.

'Celebrations are an important part of human life... weddings, graduations, birthdays, they bring us joy.'

Of course they are. It is a temporary arrangement not permanent. You need a bit of resilience and the ability to compromise. I'd rather my parents were here this time next year than sulk because we can't have a houseful on Sunday.

I’m just really fucking tired with the endlessness of it. It’s just unfortunate that the things that have been taken away happen to be the things that help to keep me feeling mentally well. I know I’m not alone in that.

What do you think is the alternative?

Stop me and my children from visiting a dentist.
Stop my children from visiting a library.

It's madness. I resent the above, wearing a mask, and giving my phone number if I want to buy a cup of tea in a cafe.

@minnimiss

What do you think is the alternative?

Facing up to the fact we have this virus and it’s not going away, even with a vaccine. Bumping up the NHS so it’s able to cope with more cases, protect the extremely vulnerable and let everybody else get on with it. Stop taking away peoples freedom!

Totally agree OP

Raccoon,

How do you ‘protect’ the vulnerable?

Do you mean lock them away in their houses (or flats) by any chance?

is it reasonable to fine a takeaway £1,000 for serving someone at 10.04pm?

Redbridge Police obviously think so

mobile.twitter.com/MPSRedbridge/status/1311948499345342464/photo/1