Right, the vaccine is coming - when we get our normality back?

[Whenismumhome]

Normality as in no more masks, Perspex screens, social distancing and lockdowns etc etc - just back to normal like it was in 2019.

Surely by summer we will have some sort of normality back?

By easter for most restrictions being lifted, summer complete normality. The government has said once the priority groups have been vaccinated it will be personal responsibility rather than restrictions. We have no idea when the under 50s will be vaccinated but it’s not necessary for normality, and there’s no way they will convince the majority to keep to any restrictions once the most vulnerable are vaccinated and the NHS is no longer overwhelmed. I’m definitely going back to normal as soon as that groups done and not a minute later.

Also those saying no normality for a long tome, and not next year, did you hear the news the last couple of days? Now absolute certainty we will have normality back in 2021 now we have a vaccine, not a question of if but when in 2021.

Spring as more vaccines will be rolled out too. And even if we haven’t all had it the fatalities will be down and nhs will have capacity. Plus the economic impact will be so bad we will be encouraged to get on with it. Well that last bit before spring I think.

The perspex screen break and need replacing frequently, that costs money. Once they aren't needed they will disappear even if gradually.

At least a year.
We still don't know if the vaxed person can pass on the virus if they go on to get it.
We still don't know how long immunity lasts.
At the moment there is no licensed vaccine for those under 16.

Does anyone have a link to the patient info leaflet? I've looked and cannot find it. The contras will also impact how quickly we can get back to normality.

By Easter I hope.

@BikeRunSki

JVT was in the news/Newsnight last night saying that masks, social distancing, hand washing etc should carry on for the control of respiratory illnesses regardless of vaccinations.

He and Whitty have had their moment in the spotlight Time they crawl back under their rocks They've done enough damage

I think by next summer. I'd be quite happy for people to keep wearing masks in public when they've got a nasty cough though.

On the news during the day yesterday, they said they hoped by summer we would be be to 'normal'.

I think mostly normal by april, completely normal by the summer... I'm quite happy for myself and others to continue with mask wearing when they are ill tho if out in a public area....

Once the most vulnerable in our society are vaccinated, so I think by spring.

These measures we are taking are to protect the vulnerable - not everyone. The majority of younger healthy people will be happy to live their lives and take the risk even without the vaccine. I am one of them. Once the vulnerable are vaccinated then it will be personal responsibility, it's pretty much been said that's what will happen.

@BikeRunSki

JVT was in the news/Newsnight last night saying that masks, social distancing, hand washing etc should carry on for the control of respiratory illnesses regardless of vaccinations.

During the press conference, Boris jumped on him a bit and he later corrected himself to say that these will be cultural shifts that some people will choose to continue with, but they won’t need to be compulsory.

He also said that the people included in phase 1 (all over 50’s plus the medically vulnerable) contribute 99% of Covid deaths. Now, that’s tough if you’re in the other 1% - but I think it probably means that most restrictions will be lifted once that milestone is reached.

Masks, SD and such like will be advisory, rather than compulsory.

The numbers allowed to gather will be increased, perhaps no limit. Individuals will decide for themselves whether they want to avoid crowds or not.

The vaccine will continue to be rolled out to the under 50’s.

Even if COVID does remain endemic, it will be reduced to low level circulation and sporadic outbreaks.

@tortoiseshell1985

Not if SAGE gets it way Public Health Wales are already saying social distancing masks has to stay even after vaccine

All the measures in place are to protect the hospitals from being overwhelmed.

Vaccinate the vulnerable and then a phased return to normality through 2021 while it's rolled out among the rest of us.

@Babamamananarama

I think unfortunately the vaccination programme is going to take quite a bit longer than that.

First batch of vaccine - 800k doses - will cover NHS staff (750k people) and not really make a dent on the 6 million over-80s who are first in the queue.

I'd be very surprised if the under 50s are being vacced before Easter. We will be taking Covid precautions for a long time. The disease isn't going to vanish I don't think.

We're reliant on Oxford though. If that's approved soon it'll quicken the process.

@Waxonwaxoff0

Once the most vulnerable in our society are vaccinated, so I think by spring.

These measures we are taking are to protect the vulnerable - not everyone. The majority of younger healthy people will be happy to live their lives and take the risk even without the vaccine. I am one of them. Once the vulnerable are vaccinated then it will be personal responsibility, it's pretty much been said that's what will happen.

You said it better than me. I’m also in the under 50 group and more than happy to resume my life once the over 60s are vaccinated. Looking forward to personal responsibility rather than restrictions, those who want to continue to stay in can do so but I’m not!

All the measures in place are to protect the hospitals from being overwhelmed

Yes that was the idea initially, but it’s gone well beyond all that now.

Racoon me too. I'm following the rules to protect other people, not myself. I'm 30 and healthy so I don't expect the vaccine being available to me any time soon, but these lockdowns and tiers aren't going to carry on to protect people like me who are at minimal risk.

I'm happy for masks, perspex and hand san to carry on forever- its everything else that can sod off. Ie not being able to see people, hug, go to a restaurant etc. Have my kids friends over. We've always been so slack about colds, flu etc, we should take more general care about the prevention of that. And the vaccine won't protect every single person unfortunately.

@BikeRunSki

JVT was in the news/Newsnight last night saying that masks, social distancing, hand washing etc should carry on for the control of respiratory illnesses regardless of vaccinations.

That's his opinion though. It's not going to be enforced or government policy (post-vaccine roll out).

Hopefully it will improve hygiene standards and where viable sick people will work from home and not spread their germs on public transport and through open plan offices. These are things that will help the NHS in future winters.

In terms of legal restrictions that was a huge revolt by the Conservative libertarian wing the other day. Once the over 70s and the NHS staff have been vaccinated twice and the NHS is no longer at risk then legal restrictions will not be supported in Parliament. I’d guess March to coincide with end of flu season.

Masks won't carry on either, it's been enough of a struggle getting people to comply as it is. Some people might still wear them out of choice but most won't.

I personally predict that once things open up again and we don't have stuff like daily fatalities on the news, we'll return to normal pretty quickly. Maybe some people will use masks because they want to on public transport but they will be a minority.

Social distancing will continue to die off, it's already almost impossible to stick to.

To give an example. Our local buses have got loads of Covid advice up in them, seats blocked off, signage to aid social distancing etc. The other day when the bus arrived there was a teenage lad in front of me who I assumed was getting the bus. When the bus arrived he didn't get on, but didn't step back either. I didn't want to push into his space so I waited for him to get on or stand back. He didn't do either, so the bus drove away without me.

Bus drivers have presumably been given Covid training yet they still expect people to step right up to the door to indicate their wish to travel. It isn't always possible, and stepping back to give space is taken as meaning you're not getting on. Society hasn't adjusted round this.

Same with queuing. If you leave room, people will step in ahead of you.

My DM had a letter a couple of weeks ago saying she was being vaccinated shortly and they would be in touch with a date. Yes she has just turned 70, but has no heath issues and was a bit bemused why she was picked as one of the first ones?

@FindHungrySamurai

In terms of legal restrictions that was a huge revolt by the Conservative libertarian wing the other day. Once the over 70s and the NHS staff have been vaccinated twice and the NHS is no longer at risk then legal restrictions will not be supported in Parliament. I’d guess March to coincide with end of flu season.

That’s a good point I had forgotten about that. They will have a tough time getting restrictions through when they have to vote again end of January but will be pretty impossible once the priority list have been vaccinated.

When people say they’re happy to continue with masks, do you not find that they really impact on your interactions? I find it impossible to ‘read’ people’s emotions when someone has a mask on, plus I found them quite sinister in my corner of gritty south east London. I also have slight hearing issues and have found it very hard to understand some people in masks - I missed some details of an important medical appointment without realising because I couldn’t hear the nurse through her mask.

I’m 100% up for sanitising, hand washing and Perspex screens but I really hope the wearing of masks decreases :( I suppose I can get behind people wearing them when sick but tbh I’d prefer if we normalised staying at home if you possibly can when you have a cold.