Two week circuit breaker - who's in favour?

[zafferana]

Keir Starmer is in favour - so are you?

If they did it over the next two weeks I actually wouldn't mind that much, as it's half term.

@The80sweregreat

I can see all sides to these arguments and I've always argued that we need an economy to work well to run the NHS and our schools etc etc but Starmer doing a u turn here has surprised me. I'm not a fan of the Conservative at all but it's been the only time EVER I had to give a bit of a nod to Boris when he said to him ' what's changed? ' it feels as if his only just started to read the sage reports and they have been around for weeks now. It does feel an opportunist moment and he knows it'll only screw the economy even more too. It's lives v the economy and an impossible situation, but they should be trying to work together not all these arguments and posturing and division. I'm shocked that a poll shows people supporting this ' mini lockdown ' really as they are not around here! That was an LBC one though. I know mumsnetters are generally for another shut down , but I can't see it working really and the effects to the economy is also very worrying. Starmer hasn't thought this through. Boris Johnson knows he can't u turn again. It's a disaster in my book and I hope the tier system works or at least give it a go first.

We should be following the science.

The information that the Government rejected scientific advice only came out on Monday and this was Keir Starmer's response.

That was what changed.

We can't have a successful economy if we have uncontrolled infection and death from covid raging. People are just not going to be able to go Christmas shopping and spend money on pubs and parties with all that carnage going on.

We have to prioritise health in order, in fact, to protect the economy. The economy is vitally important but health comes first.

Starmer really has thought this through and Johnson is on a very sticky wicket.

@herecomesthsun

The two are not separate you know. The economy has an enormous impact on health.

Agreed, but as I pointed out, we can't ignore the pandemic and just get on with the economy. If we want to do both, we have to get numbers down,

I think they want more money (Manchester) as in with the original lockdown 80% wages were paid but this time with tier 3 it is less? (2/3 pay I think) so i think that is what the problem is. Maybe could be solved with more money (perhaps)

I don't want a circuit break. Better to have as many work from home as possible, sort out track and trace, and if need be part-time school.

Definitely in agreement with this. Sage experts told radio 4 that it would enable them to get things in place.

[quote Ecosse]@herecomesthsun

The two are not separate you know. The economy has an enormous impact on health.[/quote]
The health of the nation has an enormous impact on the economy.

What I don't understand is why about 70% of people in polls are in favour of a harsh lockdown, but more than 70% of people can't be bothered to wear masks! Yes, ok, they shove them over their mouth in a shop if they have to, but out and about, hope.

Countries that don't have high excess deaths like Czech Republic had mask wearing from March outside and inside, basically as soon as you stepped out of your house.

I think masks are not a panacea and they are often worn ineffectively, but they do help lower risk of an aerosol transmitted virus, and I just can't get my head around why people in the UK can't be bothered with this fairly simple risk reduction (like hand washing, it all adds up), but they can accept harsh lockdowns! If we had all worn masks everywhere from day one as they do in many Asian countries, and schools had been spaced out, wearing masks and part-time, trialed for two weeks then reviewed, we may not be in this position...(I won't go into have a working track and trace system as that's only really effective when you have much lower numbers and aren't chasing your tail and have enough tests none of which is realistic).

I have worn a mask since March (well, a face covering).

But there is no need to wear one outside unless you are in a confined space with a lot of other people.

I'm not sure how the anti-vac brigade is causing anything, given there's no vaccine to be anti at the moment.

I'm not in favour of a circuit breaker, I fail to see the point when we'll be back in the same place a few week afterwards.

We're definitely going to have a lockdown so at least this way Boris would look like he was vaguely in control. I suspect he'll just let it go though and end up having to lock down much longer.

Well it’s pretty much guaranteed to be happening now folks as there’s no other choice so you better stop whinging and get preparing!

I fail to see the point when we'll be back in the same place a few week afterwards

could cut deaths by up to a half, but yeah, what's the point

2 week circuit breaker then secondaries go to blended learning until Christmas then reevaluate. Whatever restrictions are placed on shops/hospitality/hairdressers etc community spread will continue unchanged until something is done about reducing transmission/outbreaks in schools.

@Worriedmum999

Well it’s pretty much guaranteed to be happening now folks as there’s no other choice so you better stop whinging and get preparing!

You sound delighted at the thought

@Worriedmum999

Well it’s pretty much guaranteed to be happening now folks as there’s no other choice so you better stop whinging and get preparing!

You do sound happy but what makes you think it will be national lockdown not tier 3 for NW?

Yes BUT: not sure it would be effective because of:

The problems with sweatshops where workers kept going in anyway.

The problems with covid-deniers who socialise at home.

The above two are where most cases emerged.

@Sweetiecorn

I'm not in favour of a circuit breaker, I fail to see the point when we'll be back in the same place a few week afterwards.

But it's not... we have already reduced the deaths significantly by our previous lockdown.

You do realise that our economy would also not survive a horrendous outbreak?

no, i'm not in favour.

I think we have to do everything we can to keep as many non-essential face to face businesses open as possible.

But in a sensible and safe way.

Yes, half arsed measures aren’t working.

But it's not... we have already reduced the deaths significantly by our previous lockdown

No we haven't. We've just postponed the problem.

I'm in favour of it but my work and my husbands work is flexible. It wouldn't make much difference to our life but I sympathise to so many people out there already struggling. If they're going to do it we need some notice so that people can plan accordingly - especially the key workers. I think it will happen.

@Anotherpointofview1

If you think a "two week" circuit breaker would last two weeks I have some magic beans to sell you. We are currently half a year into a three week "flatten the curve" circuit breaker with no end in sight so the chances of any of the retrictictions being removed after 2 weeks are zero.

Quite.

@RonaLisa

But it's not... we have already reduced the deaths significantly by our previous lockdown

No we haven't. We've just postponed the problem.

This is said so often as if it is not an achievement. People who would otherwise have died, have not yet - probably about 200,000. Hospitals that would otherwise have collapsed have not. We are 6 months closer to a vaccine.

This has been a terrible, terrible year and likely will be a worse winter - but people are alive who would not otherwise be. Too many who could have been aren't - but that doesn't mean nothing has been achieved.