Normal life will not resume by May

[LemonadeFromLemons]

The article below is brilliant at explaining what the vaccine will and will not do. Unfortunately, it also makes clear that it is going to be years not months until we are able to go back to normal. I would strongly encourage every person to read it to get the clear facts in an easy format:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-b6360f40-84f9-469b-b6a3-a4568e161c4f

"I see the "more lockdown" people are now the "long term mask" people. They love it."

😂😂😂 god you're such a bore. You've been obsessed since this all started with insisting that everyone but you is enjoying this. You're so cool pics

@PicsInRed

I see the "more lockdown" people are now the "long term mask" people. They love it.

I see the “always been a selfish cunt” people are now the “nose out” people. They love it.

Just makes them easier to spot now.

I'm bored of hearing "selfish" now. It isn't selfish not to want to put absolutely everyone else ahead of your own needs at all times, but according to many on Mumsnet that's what you should do.

@Waxonwaxoff0

I'm bored of hearing "selfish" now. It isn't selfish not to want to put absolutely everyone else ahead of your own needs at all times, but according to many on Mumsnet that's what you should do.

Totally agree with you!

I do wish the "it's going to be years before you can take that mask off I'm afraid" people would just think for a minute about what they're hoping to achieve.

"I'm just trying to get people to be realistic about the future!" No you're not. Embracing the worst-case scenario is not 'being realistic'. Even the article the OP quotes here as saying that it'll be years before normal life is back ends by saying that high-income countries will get faster vaccine rollouts and see things back to normal in months.

All that doom and gloom and "it'll be masks until 2025 I'm afraid" is doing is ensuring that lots of people who are prepared to carry on with restrictions for a few more months as the vaccine rolls out, which realistically is going to be when we need people to do this, think "well if it's going to be years, fuck it I give up" right now.

No, bullshit. The vaccine is 90% effective about protecting against infection but almost 100% effective against keeping you out of the hospital and morgue.

Now see here for the joy of diminishing returns...

www.newstatesman.com/science-tech/coronavirus/2020/12/how-covid-19-vaccines-could-rapidly-reduce-uk-s-death-rate

So things might not be entirely normal by May but they will be streaks ahead of where we are now.

That article is focussed only on the Pfeizer vaccine, which is the first to be licensed but has massive logistical drawbacks. What it fails to mention is that there are eight (I think that's what I read in the Economist) other vaccines currently in the pipeline and some of them won't require the use of freezers etc. The Pfeizer one is a new development, using a different scientific approach from traditional vaccines, and I've heard medics of my acquaintance discussing whether people will end up having two jabs, spaced some time apart, which will (it's hoped) give even greater immunity.

So that BBC article might be accurate about Pfeizer but doesn't give the bigger picture. That said, I think it'll be this time next year before things really begin to feel as if they're returning to normal for most of us and for those who can't be vaccinated it will be a lot longer.

Mumsnetters using the word 'cunt'. In real life wouldn't say boo to a goose. Probably very plain looking and dowdy too.

The government won’t keep paying people’s wages beyond March and people’s patience with restrictions will run out too, regardless of numbers. SAGE need their heads examined if they think people will be SD and wearing masks this time next year. And without people complying willingly the government are fucked.

It’s a good article. People who think things will be normal by Easter are living in cloud cuckoo land. They believe it because they want to believe it. Nothing more.

I’m astonished that no one has yet commented on the amazing, considerate Japanese who all wear masks outside Covid times. Bit like this picture?

@PicsInRed

I've already decided I'm not wearing a mask after Feb and if it's required for entry to access essentials (food) I'll join the nose-out brigade. There are increasingly too many bare faces for enforcement in malls and general shops.

1st March, I'm done.

I don't love masks anymore than anyone else, but that's a bit tough on CEV who won't have, or can't be vaccinated.

@Waxonwaxoff0

I'm bored of hearing "selfish" now. It isn't selfish not to want to put absolutely everyone else ahead of your own needs at all times, but according to many on Mumsnet that's what you should do.

Exactly this

Some of the vulnerable can’t even have the vaccine as their bodies won’t manage it. There must be a lot of people like that - cancer treatments etc.

I don't love masks anymore than anyone else, but that's a bit tough on CEV who won't have, or can't be vaccinated.

It is but we don’t wear masks to stop other people getting sick from anything else.

Yep, I can't have the vaccine. I need everyone else to have it and to try their best to stop spreading the virus. It will take a long time for all that to happen.

I am not sure why masks are seen as some kind of panacea anyway. Most people that I see seem to wear them as directed, give or take the odd nose out twat, and yet cases have steadily increased since we had to wear them. Even when we were first mandated to wear them the clinical director said they were likely to have minimal impact. It’s just tokenism as far as I can see and people being seen to be doing something.

@VaTeLaverLesMains

Yep, I can't have the vaccine. I need everyone else to have it and to try their best to stop spreading the virus. It will take a long time for all that to happen.

To what extent, and for how long do you 'need' everyone else to "try their best to stop spreading the virus"? No disrespect, but there are always people more vulnerable to certain illnesses, and we don't require the population as a whole to put their lives and income on hold indefinitely for that reason.

I don't love masks anymore than anyone else, but that's a bit tough on CEV who won't have, or can't be vaccinated.

I can see what you're saying - but if we're talking about those who cannot be vaccinated, presumably not ever, what is the answer? Perpetual mask wearing for everyone, or N95 mask wearing for a small fraction of the population?

Anyone remember Jonathan Van Tam's freudian slip around long term mask wearing - for years to come?

That is why an end date is needed - the mission creep here is phenomenal

I’m not sure the government said things would be back to normal by Easter. They said restrictions could start to be lifted. Doesn’t necessarily mean normal

In the USA Dr Fauci has said its likely things will be more normal by summer or autumn with children being able to go back to school by the autumn. Seems much more realistic to me. We will be lucky if we’ve vaccinated all the vulnerable people by Easter anyway despite all the other points in the article.
What I think will be eases is tier 3 and 2 with most businesses open but still covid secure.

@Mousehole10

Well seeing as the government have said once phase 1 of the vaccination plan has been completed we will be going back to normal I don’t think they can backtrack now

++++

Given the Government"s track record on covid measures this year and what they will and won't do I think a backtrack is pretty much guaranteed.

Anyone remember Jonathan Van Tam's freudian slip around long term mask wearing - for years to come?

What makes you say that was a Freudian slip? He was asked a question and he answered it clearly and honestly. It was Boris who was embarrassed.

People need the full picture. Being given half truths and overly optimistic predictions for what’s next is not helpful.

IcedPurple
until the NHS will not be overwhelmed if people mix freely. I imagine that will be Spring or summer. Not to bring the country to a halt, but for people p to get vaccinated and to socially distance in proportion to local statistics.

I lost my job through covid lockdown before I got ill. My dcs are all affected by the uni and school problems, friends losing businesses.

Everyone should be able to access healthcare for non covid conditions in a developed country. If you or your family or friends get ill, don't you want to be able to get treatment?

I am genuinely interested in others views. I think maybe survival of the fittest is coming out in a primal way in a crisis, which is understandable, but feels slightly brutal when you find yourself on the wrong side of vulnerable all of a sudden.

I think a ‘new’ normal is quite a good thing. Covid and the lockdown have made me evaluate what really matters. It is like the noise has been stripped and I hope that once the pandemic subsided we still reevaluate how we want to live as a society. Especially in relation to other living beings and our environment

Sorry @VaTeLaverLesMains💐