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Covid

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Original poster

How do the restrictions get this over sooner?

23 replies

LeanishMachine · 10/10/2020 11:38

I'm sure this has been done before, especially early on but I still keep seeing people complaining that if people don't comply this will be with us longer.

Now, I understand, of course, that we all need to do what we can to protect each other and whilst the rules seem to have become slightly irrational, I can see that they aim to reduce the spread, which is a good thing, but how does reducing or slowing the spread mean that it ends sooner?

OP posts:

RedMarauder · 10/10/2020 11:41

Luton is your only real example to research on. They had local restrictions and cases went down.

Leicester had more restrictions and they have eased but not by loads.

Original poster

LeanishMachine · 10/10/2020 11:44

I understand that the restrictions, when followed, should reduce cases, while they are in place but how do they mean the pandemic ends sooner?

They don't make the virus disappear, so it will spread quickly again once restrictions are lifted.

OP posts:

Frazzled13 · 10/10/2020 11:47

They don’t make it end sooner, because of course once cases go down, restrictions loosen, then cases go back up.
Following the rules makes the current “round” of restrictions not last as long, and reduces the chance of restrictions being tightened further.

mrshoho · 10/10/2020 11:49

I would imagine they mean the sooner the restrictions can be lifted. I'm sure most people realise the pandemic is not going to be over but rather that the transmission and infection rates lowered to controllable levels. It's a stop/start ongoing situation until a vaccine/treatment in place.

LindaEllen · 10/10/2020 11:56

You're absolutely right, it doesn't get it over sooner, and I'm not altogether sure it was ever meant to, as much as it might be sold to us like that.

It's more to do with keeping hospitals under control while a vaccine is developed. As long as there is ONE person still with the virus it can spread completely out of control again, so it will never be eliminated even with a vaccine. But it will be that vaccine that allows us to get back to normal as it will offer immunity to vulnerable people.

PuppyMonkey · 10/10/2020 11:58

I think anyone who imagines we'll be having any kind of loosening of restrictions before the end of the normal flu season in the UK is a bit mad tbh.

pjmask · 10/10/2020 12:45

OP the number of people I have heard say "if everyone just does what they are supposed to this will all be over sooner" or "don't people realise the longer they flout the rules the longer this will last" and they are not talking about restrictions, they are talking about the virus, clearly having no understanding of how a virus works

Qasd · 10/10/2020 13:41

They don’t they were always aimed at flattening the curve ie same number of people get the virus but over a longer period of time so the nhs can cope, but this “idea” that if you are super good and behave you will get a treat and be allowed to see your family again gained traction.

If we were going for elimination then it would make sense but as we are not and never were it is a fallacy to suggest being good gets it over with, being good saves lives but doesn’t make the pandemic go away quicker it actually makes it last longer most likely.

MrsBrunch · 10/10/2020 13:47

how does reducing or slowing the spread mean that it ends sooner?

They mean the strict restrictions end sooner, not the pandemic.

So adhere to the rules, slow the spread, get the R rate back under 1 and we can all go out and about again.

Repeat as many times as necessary until a vaccine is available.

If people don't follow rules, infection spread increases and tight restrictions cannot be eased. Therefore, we live with lockdown for longer.

Does that explain it?

Flaxmeadow · 10/10/2020 14:20

The restrictions/lockdowns are to stop health services, and other services, being overwhelmed all at once. That's the reason for them

rainytreeleaves · 10/10/2020 14:23

We can't shorten the pandemic at all. All we can do is try to make each set of rules last for the shortest amount of time possible. We were always going to cycle in and out of restrictions. If we all followed the restrictions now, infection rates would go down and we'd be allowed more freedoms like summer until they start to creep up again. Rinse and repeat.

rainytreeleaves · 10/10/2020 14:24

And meant to say, the more we ignore the restrictions, the bigger the cases and longer the restrictions and worse they will become.

Thanksitsgotpockets · 10/10/2020 14:30

When we Leicester's restrictions lifted?
They never got the freedom the rest of us for in the beginning on July 4th..

That would be a good guide to how long we could expect each set of local restrictions to last.

Funkypolar · 10/10/2020 14:37

It comes back every time we come out of lockdown.

SexTrainGlue · 10/10/2020 14:40

I'm not sure it brings an end sooner.

But it keeps more of us alive, more of us well (all causes) and more of the economy goes no than any of the alternatives.

If NHS overwhelmed, and there is also mass sick leave, then everything collapses. And there is considerably less slack in the system in winter

KitKatastrophe · 10/10/2020 14:40

It doesn't, it's just another way for people to guilt others into following the restrictions.

If the cases go down or plateau, its evidence that restrictions work and we should carry on with them. If the cases go up, the restrictions need to be tightened. There is no scenario where they want restrictions to be lessened.

FatGirlShrinking · 10/10/2020 14:46

@RedMarauder

Luton is your only real example to research on. They had local restrictions and cases went down.

Leicester had more restrictions and they have eased but not by loads.

Unfortunately Leicester's back up, same or possibly higher than when we went into lockdown, had a big surge in the last few days.

FatGirlShrinking · 10/10/2020 14:49

@Thanksitsgotpockets

When we Leicester's restrictions lifted? They never got the freedom the rest of us for in the beginning on July 4th..

That would be a good guide to how long we could expect each set of local restrictions to last.

We've been in some form of restriction for over 100 days.

Shops opened 25th June like they did everywhere then we went into lockdown 30th June.

Non-essential shops/hairdressers opened beginning August, a couple of weeks later we had tattooists and such re-open. Leisure centres and gyms were beginning of September, 8th I think although council swimming pools didn't reopen will 22nd.

We still have the no socialising in homes gardens or any indoor setting rule so can only meet people in parks and out public outdoor spaces with social distancing in place.

FatGirlShrinking · 10/10/2020 15:00

Here we go. Leicester went into lockdown at 135 cases in 100,000

•	29 June: Local lockdown <a class="break-all" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-53229371" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">announced</a>d_
•	24 July: Schools and nurseries <a class="break-all" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-politics-53437046" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">allowed to reopen</a>n_
•	3 August: Pubs and restaurants <a class="break-all" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-53586233" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">reopen</a>n_
•	19 August: Beauty salons, spas and tattoo parlours <a class="break-all" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-53833493" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">allowed to reopen</a>n_
•	8 September: Swimming pools, gyms and sports facilities <a class="break-all" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-54030127" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">allowed to reopen</a>n_
•	15 September: Casinos, bowling alleys and soft play areas <a class="break-all" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-54122313" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">allowed to reopen</a>n_

Still have no household mixing in homes/gardens or indoors public settings like restaurants.

Latest figures are higher as per pic.

How do the restrictions get this over sooner?

Thanksitsgotpockets · 10/10/2020 20:37

What's the mid like in Leicester? Are people still generally supportive of the measures?

Thanksitsgotpockets · 10/10/2020 20:43

Sorry mood

Original poster

LeanishMachine · 10/10/2020 20:47

I didn't realise Leicester was still locked down. It seems like a very long time since they had the additional measures introduced. Are they not working or is there insufficient compliance?

OP posts:

FatGirlShrinking · 10/10/2020 20:59

Honestly lots of people have given up, me, DH and DD have been following the rules but I speak to the other mums and dads at school drop off and loads of the kids are playing out or having friends over after school, people are freely admitting they've had people round or been out with friends.

Most people I know don't bother listening to the briefings anymore or pay any attention to the news. We do feel like the forgotten city, every 2 weeks we're promised a review and it either doesn't happen like yesterday or it gets announced by Hancock on Twitter as an afterthought at 10.30pm.

There are cultural/economic issues that impact our numbers, namely that we have large amounts of deprivation in the city and we also have large areas of the city and country where multi-generational housing is the norm and some families have several houses in the same street with shared childcare, meals and work.

But from what I see the main issue at the moment is 'lockdown fatigue'.

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