Given the optimistic press conference tonight - when will we be back to normal?

[Teenageromance]

So v optimistic press conference tonight. Predicted first groups vaccinated next month and then rapidly thrift the age groups in the New Year.
So could we be back to normal end Jan/Feb?

I think things will incrementally get better from January, so long as the vaccines are approved.

That doesn't mean we'll be able to ditch the masks and give up on social distancing for a good time after that but if the most exposed and vulnerable are immunised by Easter then that would be fantastic.

I'm really not sure how pessimistic you have to be to be on the cusp of a 90% effective vaccine for a virus that was unknown a year ago and still carry on like all progress is doomed to failure.

@Figmentofmyimagination

Won’t the refrigerated lorries of vaccines have the lorry park formerly known as Kent to navigate first?

Let’s be realistic here.

Honestly the determination of some people to be pessimistic knows no bounds.

The RAF are standing by to fly the vaccine in if necessary.

www.forces.net/news/coronavirus-raf-will-bring-vaccines-uk-if-necessary

The main thing is that we don’t all stop being careful too early. It’s gong to like in the films where the hero calls “Hold it. Hold it” until exactly the right moment.

I think things will be a lot better by spring and close to normal by summer in terms of restrictions. The effects on the economy and social inequalities will last for years.

I had thought that it will be back to normal by summer, but actually the vaccines seem to be happening sooner than I thought and with the plan to vaccinate the vulnerable in early 2021 I think it’s now likely we will be much closer to normal by Easter. There will probably be some restrictions until summer but much less intrusive on our lives.

If the Oxford one gets through and if effective, I think that this will be the game changer for this country, it's already being produced here so less worrys about importing.

I think it's amazing news, I could cry with happiness. Just to have light at the end of the tunnel, just to know it is happening, and to have things START to improve is enough. My dad is 82 and my mother is CEV, if they could be vaccinated in the next couple of months I'd be elated.
Also I'm due a baby at the end of January and love the thought that people may be able to meet her, and relatives can have a cuddle. Even if a few months down the line.
This is a good day.

I’m thinking Easter.....and improvements from January to Easter.

I think Easter is realistic. Many will have been hopefully vaccinated by then. The pressure on the NHS will be reduced. We’ll be through cold and flu season. Testing will be quicker. Our (private) school is talking about having 30 minute tests available soon so hopefully this will be available across the board. Less quarantining. Less distruptio .

I think be Feb/March we will be seeing improvements. I feel very optimistic about Spring and Summer.

The pessimists can do one! Explain why things won’t be better by next summer?

I have found the dribs and drabs of good news across this lockdown have generally already made me feel “improved” in myself...but I feel things will generally improve across the board from January, and that the situation will be a fair bit better by Easter.

It’s what is to come before January that scares me, but I suppose we are only 6 weeks away from the end of the year.

@Littleposh

At this point the vaccine hasn't been approved and it actually needs to be produced. That time scale is the ability for the NHS to administer it. Which is completely useless without any actual vaccine

The vaccine has been in production for months.

Before the current lockdown, my area was still in Tier 1. Which they have now announced does bugger all to contain the spread.

Here’s what I think:

On 3rd December England will emerge from lockdown, with a lot of areas in tier 3 and the rest of the country in tier 2. The following week, the first phase of vaccinations (care home residents and staff, then over 80’s and NHS and care staff) will start.

Come January, vaccination will start on the over 75’s. All over 50’s and medically at risk who want it will have had at least their first jab by Easter. From January onwards - because those most vulnerable to the virus will have been vaccinated - the rate of hospitalisations and deaths will fall rapidly pretty much everywhere. It will continue to reduce as more people are vaccinated. We shouldn’t be complacent, however, because long Covid is still a threat.

As hospitalisations and deaths fall, areas will move from tier 3 to tier 2 and then to tier 1, and I think all of England will be in tier 1 by May/June.

In order for mass participation events to resume, I think the vaccine will have to have reached all over 18’s who will have it, and I think that could be by September. I think masks, sanitising and track and trace will be with us much longer. But we will be able to mix with who we want and they’ll stop telling you not to hug your granny.

@PuzzledObserver

Before the current lockdown, my area was still in Tier 1. Which they have now announced does bugger all to contain the spread.

Here’s what I think:

On 3rd December England will emerge from lockdown, with a lot of areas in tier 3 and the rest of the country in tier 2. The following week, the first phase of vaccinations (care home residents and staff, then over 80’s and NHS and care staff) will start.

Come January, vaccination will start on the over 75’s. All over 50’s and medically at risk who want it will have had at least their first jab by Easter. From January onwards - because those most vulnerable to the virus will have been vaccinated - the rate of hospitalisations and deaths will fall rapidly pretty much everywhere. It will continue to reduce as more people are vaccinated. We shouldn’t be complacent, however, because long Covid is still a threat.

As hospitalisations and deaths fall, areas will move from tier 3 to tier 2 and then to tier 1, and I think all of England will be in tier 1 by May/June.

In order for mass participation events to resume, I think the vaccine will have to have reached all over 18’s who will have it, and I think that could be by September. I think masks, sanitising and track and trace will be with us much longer. But we will be able to mix with who we want and they’ll stop telling you not to hug your granny.

I think mass events will happen far sooner with just testing alone. If hospitalisations are way down and stay down, there is no need at all even for Tier 1, social distancing and masks. The hospitals will be able to cope should any poor bugger in the non vaccinated group take ill. Not everyone needs the vaccination.

I can't even get a flu vaccine.

I’m very happy that there is a light st the end of the tunnel now - imagine the parties snd celebrations we will be having next summer! It will be the roaring twenties all over again

I think mass events will happen far sooner with just testing alone. If hospitalisations are way down and stay down, there is no need at all even for Tier 1, social distancing and masks. The hospitals will be able to cope should any poor bugger in the non vaccinated group take ill. Not everyone needs the vaccination

Good points all.

Pandemic is basically over now, so hopefully not too much longer

Oh imagine it’s like the roaring 20s! Can’t wait for the parties and actually hugging people!

Pandemic is basically over now, so hopefully not too much longer
Are you in the uk?
There are still over 20k cases (tested and reported, so probably many more) a day here.

I'm so optimistic it's a lovely feeling, we just have to keep our heads and continue being sensible for a few months more