To be hopefully that things will be back to normal by April

[Tellmelies65]

I’m convinced things will be mostly back to normal by April. Am in denial?

God I hope so. I've been wrong so many times throughout this pandemic though.

I'd go for August. Which is when the immunisation programme is likely to be spanned out to non vulnerable, non high risk, individuals (June to Sept according to, I think the BBC ...).

I don't think there is any possibility of things being "normal" by April, sorry. I fail to understand why you're convinced it will be.

Things should be back to normal as the vaccination of vulnerable people should be at such a point where the death rate is reduced to a level which is manageable even for our shit NHS

BUT, seeing as we are no longer just about ‘protecting the NHS’ and we now seem intent on a zero risk society, no doubt this shite will still be hanging around pissing up the lives of the majority of healthy people

I think it will be summer/autumn at the earliest- and that’s if the vaccine can cope with the new strains of the virus.

Well the DM is now reckoning the most vulnerable 15m vaccinated and no more lockdowns after February! I think that’s very unlikely unless they know something surprising about the Oxford vaccine. But I’m hopeful for summer, via a fairly bleak Jan-Apr period. I think some aspects of normal (far flung international travel, no masks in certain places like hospitals) are a lot further off though.

Agree will be more normal by end Summer/September, but also hopeful that worst of the virus death toll will have passed by end April with vaccination of the vulnerable

I hope by Spring there will be some lifting of restrictions and outdoor socialising will be more pleasant

Never in my entire life have I wanted the DM to be right about something so much

@Theotherrudolph

Well the DM is now reckoning the most vulnerable 15m vaccinated and no more lockdowns after February! I think that’s very unlikely unless they know something surprising about the Oxford vaccine. But I’m hopeful for summer, via a fairly bleak Jan-Apr period. I think some aspects of normal (far flung international travel, no masks in certain places like hospitals) are a lot further off though.

The Times is running a a story tomorrow where the CEO of Astra Zeneca is quoted as saying the latest data shows the Oxford vaccine to be as effective as Pfizer and moderna and 100% effective at preventing severe disease. Maybe it’s based on that!! Which if it comes to pass is pretty bloody amazing and should really help!

Nothing unreasonable about hoping. Hope is all we have sometimes!

I thought I was an eternal optimist and I'm hoping for some sort of normal the second half of 2021. I'm in Scotland and we're locked down for at least 3 weeks, likely to be many more I suspect. Spring might be possible if the Oxford vaccine approved and the armed forces deployed to vaccinate us all.

Hope is good. I think many people deny themselves hope because they can't handle the disappointment when it doesn't happen. Others really do relish in doom and never want things to be 'normal' because that would involve people enjoying themselves.

I think we'll definitely be on our way out of this by April.

One of the online calculators had me being vaccinated at easter (group 6) so I was really hoping.

However I dont think weve been vaccinating at that rate.... 🤞for the Oxford one.

@Honeyroar

I think it will be summer/autumn at the earliest- and that’s if the vaccine can cope with the new strains of the virus.

It’s a new variant not a new strain

Very different things

Ok, wrong word - if it can cope with other variants then.

We had these sort of conversations way back in March and look where we are now.
Nobody can predict anything , certainly not with new strains appearing now.

Variants / strains / whatever !!!

“The Times is running a a story tomorrow where the CEO of Astra Zeneca is quoted as saying the latest data shows the Oxford vaccine to be as effective as Pfizer and moderna and 100% effective at preventing severe disease. Maybe it’s based on that!! Which if it comes to pass is pretty bloody amazing and should really help!“

I’ve read it and am very encouraged by it, although I am very curious about the details. Perhaps even slightly sceptical, but I trust the MHRA. Nonetheless, even if you think govt will lift lockdown after the first 15m are protected (I have serious doubts we will return to normal at that point but hopefully combined with the seasons we can lift some restrictions), using 2 doses of Oxford 28 days apart means getting all 15m given the first dose by end of Jan. In fact perhaps even earlier because presumably it takes time to build immunity after the second dose. The Telegraph reckons they’re not even starting Oxford until Jan 4th. Ok, a million or so might have Pfizer by then too and presumably they’ll keep giving people that too. But unless there’s something surprising about the Oxford rollout (1 dose or protection after the first and a second much later) I’m not convinced end of February is realistic, albeit it’s an excellent aspiration.

@onedayinthefuture

Hope is good. I think many people deny themselves hope because they can't handle the disappointment when it doesn't happen. Others really do relish in doom and never want things to be 'normal' because that would involve people enjoying themselves.

I think we'll definitely be on our way out of this by April.

This is such a good post. It pisses me off when some people seem to rub their hands with glee at the thought that others might not be able to get on with having a fun life. I can't wait to see photos of people crowded together at festivals or packed into clubs again, not because I'm missing it, but I want young people to get on with enjoying life.

I can't wait to see photos of people crowded together at festivals or packed into clubs again, not because I'm missing it, but I want young people to get on with enjoying life.

This.

I don't think it will be back to normal, but I think it will be better. I don't think big group activities like concerts/weddings will be happening by then.

I'm pinning my hopes on getting good weather for spring, which would make current restrictions so much more liveable. I'm going to take my toddler for a walk with my mum today but I know it'll be miserable and we'll all want to go to our respective homes and warm up after about 45 mins. Come May/June I'm hoping that even if that's still the only way I'm supposed to have social contact it'll be a good deal more pleasant!

Yes I think so. 2021 is going to be a great year

I hesitate to use the word normal, but I certainly hope that the worst will be over by April.

@hamstersarse

Things should be back to normal as the vaccination of vulnerable people should be at such a point where the death rate is reduced to a level which is manageable even for our shit NHS

BUT, seeing as we are no longer just about ‘protecting the NHS’ and we now seem intent on a zero risk society, no doubt this shite will still be hanging around pissing up the lives of the majority of healthy people

This!