Will next winter be any better?

[botoxbetty]

I really really want us to be leading a relatively normal life by then but I wonder how long it will take for everyone to believe it's largely over.

I think that when restrictions are eased I will always worry in the back of my mind that they will come back.

Sorry I have requested this is moved to the Coronavirus section

OP, I do believe things will be so much better by Winter. I think they are hoping to peddle us backwards into tiers from March, so life will slowly get back to normal. There is a good news thread on the Coronavirus topic, which is a really positive read.

@Tinkywinkydipsylalapofaced thank you - will have a look!

I can’t promise next winter will be completely normal, but I do think it’s is going to be vastly better.

For example - I think there could still be mask wearing in shops, and if pantos happen then numbers may be limited (and masks worn), but I’m sure you will be able to have a family Christmas.

I think we may still have to wear masks and large scale events may not happen but I absolutely believe things will be much better.

@PuzzledObserver fingers crossed. I'm getting married on New Year's Eve so I'm hoping so much that can go ahead as planned!

@Waxonwaxoff0 when you say large scale, numbers of 50-100 or thousands?

I believe it will be so much better. There may be some minor restrictions e.g. no events of thousands of people mixing but I think most of life will be normal.

We are in the hardest part now.

Yeah, I think we'll be running things relatively normal by then. I'm not sure it'll look like Christmas 2019 but it won't be like this shit show.

Some BBC article referred to going back through the "gears of tiers".

[quote botoxbetty]@Waxonwaxoff0 when you say large scale, numbers of 50-100 or thousands?[/quote]
Thousands. I'm thinking smaller numbers will be allowed (hoping!)

Hopefully vaccines will be in place, testing will remain and isolation still apply to stamp out cases so things may go back to a little normality albeit with masks and some distancing. I imagine nhs pressure will determine how things are as to how many can mix indoors during winter. That will depend on reinfections, vaccines having an impact, number of non vaxers etc. I think winter 2022 will be more normal that 2021.

@Waxonwaxoff0 thank you! Me too. Better days are coming 🤞🏻

I am optimistic, but we should know the answer in the next couple of months

the positives

a) covid-19 does not mutate as rapidly as other viruses
b) looks like there are multiple vaccines on the way, which look efficacious in trials
c) vaccines can be adapted to new variants easily
d) treatment is getting better with more drugs
e) testing is getting better

Unknowns

1. don't know how long the immunity provided by vaccines lasts
2. there may be more variants
3. still a long way to go before the rest of the world is vaccinated
4. take up of the vaccine

I think the next couple of months would be key if death rates are down rapidly (90%) since 90% of the people at risk are vaccinated, it would mean the vaccines are effective not just in trials but in a wider setting. We would also know how effective vaccines are in stopping infection and how long it lasts.