To think an announcement must be imminent

[WouldstrokeTomHardy]

Just that really. With the opposition leader calling for a national lockdown within 24 hours, cases rising, parents and school staff not knowing what's happening, people crossing tiers for legitimate activities like work in non essential retail etc. It's just not going well is it?

If BJ and his lot want to recoup ANY legitimacy and governance they need to pull their fingers out. Bloody hell, at least do a presser and tell us what they're thinking/planning.

The lack of communication is I think what irks most of us. Constantly up in the air.

Tell us you bastards 😠

What is the difference between lockdown (as in November) and Tier 4? Very little difference as far as I can see. Or do you all want a return to the days of not being allowed to sit on a park bench or eat a packet of crisps?

Maybe everyone needs to calm down:)

The last time there were predictions from Sage (including the prof who broke the rules himself with his German lover) they were proved to be exaggerated/ incorrect.

One minute everyone is saying 'do what SAGE says' then the next moment Vallance and Whitty are being pilloried for being OTT and scaremongering.

Honestly, the PM can't win!

They will be looking at the numbers again because now we are almost 10 days after Xmas any huge rise due to mixing then will be obvious.

Numbers change daily.

They are allowed to make new rules as the picture becomes clearer each day.

@Mittens030869

The problem here really is the lack of trust in BoJo and his cabinet. So none of us are likely to believe him when he tells us that schools are safe.

Well, children are safe, as they don't get seriously ill with this virus. But it isn't just about children; teachers and parents have every reason to be very nervous, especially if they're vulnerable. Particularly now, with this variant which is spreading like wildfire.

And BoJo has form for delaying too long. This happened during the first wave( he delayed and there were far more deaths than would have otherwise been the case. Then he didn't lock down soon enough in the autumn, he delayed two weeks.

As far as I know, DD2 (8) will be going back to school tomorrow. We're in tier 3 here, so it should be safe enough. For the moment. I'm speaking as a vulnerable parent (long Covid), whose DH is also vulgar (asthma). But the lack of trust in the government makes it very hard to trust that they know what they're doing, which is the reason for all the anxiety.

Boho definitely has form for delaying and causing more chaos. Every time. He has to get in front of this now, as the public will never forgive him if people die in car parks waiting for a bed. He knows this but he wants one more spin of the roulette wheel.

The fact that schools are having to go to such extreme measures shows how desperate they are.

Of course they want to be open to support the children in their care. The fact they can't open is not their fault, the government has done nothing to address safety issues in schools and staff should not be expected to sacrifice themselves for the governments inaction.

I'm honestly amazed anyone can be defending the PM.

The lack of communication to alleviate parents fears is inexcusable.

@bartymao

I would welcome the daily announcements, they help me to manage my mother's anxiety, she's nearly 90 and the last few days has said she's lost interest in doing anything and feels like she is ready for her life to end because she is sick of worrying about why her second vaccine does is delayed, of me being in school, of not knowing what is happening with her grandchildrens A levels and GCSEs and of not being able to see anybody. Added to which all her friends are dying and she hasn't felt able to go to any of their funerals.

Yes, bring back the daily announcements as she worries less then.

I am so sad for your mum.

What hobbies does she have? I had a random idea that we could be penpals. I love writing letters and learning about older people's life's. A friend lost her boss at 50 last month and it feels like we need to cherish everyone and every day we have.

@Noellodee

No, rather than be seen to back down today, Johnson will force a few additional days of the totally unnecessary mixing of millions of potential spreaders, before bowing to the inevitable.

Exactly like he did in March.

I too am scared now when before I was a lot less so.

This situation hasn’t been too brilliantly managed, we know this. We can kind of even understand this in places, but it’s the communication that’s the absolute killer.

Not at the right time, all this “We’ll fight them on the fucking beaches” BS, the moronic slogans, the one rule for them, another for everyone else, the corruption and financial shenanigans that haven’t all even come to light yet.

But now the virus is out of control, our measures aren’t working, too many are taking the piss, but the price of lockdown will be horrific in all ways possible

We have to stop going anywhere we don’t have to, and I mean have to. No meetings, no popping in to x or having a mooch round y. Not meeting the one person we’re allowed to - put it off a few weeks. Bigger picture thinking needed here.

It's cheeky. Its always decisions later do people don't know where they're up to. I reckon Wednesday announcement of stricter lockdown. Waiting for Sunday's infection and death rates.

It’s still a mild illness in most cases

Mass hysteria abounds !

We had an announcement the other day, if nothing has changed why would there be another announcement?

*I am so sad for your mum.

What hobbies does she have? I had a random idea that we could be penpals.*

It's a lovely idea but she wouldn't be able to, her eyesight isn't good enough. She can barely read a book or do jigsaws any more.

What an utter mess this has become.

It all feels very loud if that makes any sense?

Its not a question of if but when.

Fuck knows when the penny will drop with Johnson and the Cabinet and they will catch up with what the plebs already know is going to happen.

@bartymao would audio books be of use to your mum? It may help as a distraction. I am sorry she is finding this so difficult, it must be so hard for you too.

Ffs ...... no one has had to deal with a pandemic before ... everyone blaming Johnson but he is doing what the scientists advise and to keep the economy going I would hate to be in that position!! Ok for everyone else and starmer to give opinions when not having to deal with yes he has made mistakes but sure as hell starmer would have done !!!

i dont know what kind of lockdown starmer wants but bojo is never going to repeat the march one

he wont want every single place closed because then they have to pay out more to businesses-then again tier 4 is shit theres still so many people out and about

Regardless of what the PM does you can't honestly defend the complete lack of communication, even to schools.

Parents need to know if they plan on closing the schools for work commitments. A statement of any kind would be reassuring, not this inexcusable silence.

@GabsAlot

i dont know what kind of lockdown starmer wants but bojo is never going to repeat the march one

he wont want every single place closed because then they have to pay out more to businesses-then again tier 4 is shit theres still so many people out and about

Starmer is like a strict dad !

@Noellodee

No, rather than be seen to back down today, Johnson will force a few additional days of the totally unnecessary mixing of millions of potential spreaders, before bowing to the inevitable.

Spot on

Sadly. Unfortunately. Depressingly. Blood on his hands for this decision.

i dont know what the answer is but i do believe fines need to be hgher and police more visiible-theres gangs of kids hanging round our twon centre and noone to break them up

Hearing chatter of a 2pm meeting this afternoon....👀

town*

and is there something pencilled in for wednesday its ben mentioned alot on here

@CountessFrog

I’m back to musing at use of language.

So many are ‘petrified’ and ‘terrified.’

This is an infection that’s mild for most people. What on Earth will you all do if there’s ever a pandemic of something like the bubonic plague? Because so many people are already at full throttle

Maybe they are scared because they are vulnerable themselves or have a loved one who is vulnerable. It might be mild for 'most' people but it has resulted in the death of 1,847,647 people worldwide so far and we still have a long way to go.

I find it hard to understand your lack of empathy and understanding. Maybe for you/your family there is nothing to fear but for plenty of people there are good reasons to be afraid of Covid -19.

@Spiratedaway but BoJo has frequently ignored scientific advice - he was told to lock down way before March last year.

Hearing chatter of a 2pm meeting this afternoon

What's this about?