How long will people agree to make these sacrifices for?

[DappledOliveGroves]

Inspired by another thread here.

Let's assume the vaccines don't do what they should - either because the virus mutates so rapidly or because our government can't manage to adhere to Pfizer's protocol and a lone dose does nothing to protect people.

Then what?

For all those champing at the bit for curfews, harsher lockdowns, further restrictions on civil liberties - I'm genuinely curious - how long are you willing to maintain this status quo?

Would you be happy to still be in this lockdown in a year? Two years? Five years? Even if the lockdowns are eased and clamped down again, would you be willing to accept rolling lockdowns as a fact of life with no end in sight? At what point would those wanting tougher restrictions decide they can't live like this anymore?

I'm getting really sick of it all but tbh I will continue to stick to the rules. The way things seem to work is we are terrified into compliance.

Until the young people start to rebel in large numbers....

@StealthPolarBear are you honestly telling me that if we're in this position in five years' time you will still stick by the rules? No gatherings, no weddings, no family Christmas, no meals out, no parties?

If so, then you're certainly far more altruistic than me.

No, I would not accept of rolling lockdowns. I’m prepared to do this for now until there’s a way through, whatever that ‘way through’ ends up being for the vast majority of people. People who have a fear of Covid even after vaccination can choose to restrict/shield themselves.

[quote DappledOliveGroves]@StealthPolarBear are you honestly telling me that if we're in this position in five years' time you will still stick by the rules? No gatherings, no weddings, no family Christmas, no meals out, no parties?

If so, then you're certainly far more altruistic than me.
[/quote]
I suppose I'm saying I'll be among the last to rebel.

At some point I'm going to get really furious with the government if they don't get their fucking act together

I want a vaccine before the summer and I want to be able to have it every six months/every year when I'm DUE for it

Otherwise life will be unbearably shit

I will NEVER not DO lockdown if mandated - the one thing I know is that the Tories (whom I disagree with on almost everything) is that there wouldn't be lockdown if not necessary

Me and my husband have decided end of March. Not that we can do much if everything's shut but we will have friends/family over to ours and vice versa, we need meaningful social interaction with people other than each other.

In my opinion, people will do it while hospitals are overwhelmed.
Think about the summer, everyone was a lot more relaxed. Yes there were some restrictions, but people were still going on holiday etc. I do think once the media change their tune on hospitals and start reporting more positive outlooks, things will change very quickly in terms of compliance.

@NataliaOsipova

Until the young people start to rebel in large numbers....

And I'll be bloody with them!!

I'll play along for the time being but no way am I going to live like this forever.

I had thought that the Tories were fundamentally libertarian but now, I really don't know what to think.

I just sit here, day after day, with my jaw on the floor, that people are willing to have such a fundamental right - to spend time with others - taken away from them, with no exit plan.

I was thinking not a lot you can do if everything is shut
The NHS is rolling out the vaccine and I am sure government will do all in its power to get this done. Supply is the biggest hurdle.
Nobody including the government want this lockdown to last any longer than necessary why would they ?

But what can you do, is my question to those who want to rebel. Only thing I can do at the moment is follow the rules and hope for the best. What is the alternative?

I hate this as much as anyone - but yes, I would continue to follow the guidance for as long as it was necessary to prevent unnecessary deaths and suffering.

I have an elderly father who is clinically vulnerable. He would probably die if he caught the virus. He's already survived cancer, sepsis and a heart attack. I've seen posters on MN and elsewhere refer to people like him as "on his last legs anyway" and wonder why we are bothering to make sacrifices to keep people like him alive. But to me, he's my cherished, fiercely intelligent, witty, musical, creative, endlessly loving Dad, and I would do ANYTHING to keep him alive, for however long he has. I want him to die peacefully of old age when the time comes, not alone and terrified, drowning in infected lung fluid.

It's not a great leap to extend that care and commitment to other people's loved ones as well. So I'll do whatever it takes, for however long it's necessary, and I have zero respect and zero time for anyone who bleats about the cure being worse than the disease because they can't go and sit in a coffee shop or take their toddler to soft play.

They have to come up with an exit plan regardless of the number of deaths. It’s not my fault people are dying or that the NHS can’t cope and her we are being punished as if it is.

I could probably do it for that long, but my kids are coming up to ages where they would be really impacted. I don't know. I'd also be amongst the last to 'rebel'.

No it's NOT about coffee shops and soft plays (although actually I think they're important). It's about seeing family and friends.
Why on earth don't people get that? This makes me so furious.

It's not a great leap to extend that care and commitment to other people's loved ones as well.

If this were true then there would be riots on the street about our cuts to foreign aid. We have - quite literally - snatched care and commitment from the poorest people in the world....

I don't disagree with you there Natalie.

Same as "you're being asked to sit on the sofa"
We have a new baby in the family. I have met her three times. She turns one soon.
Screw you if you don't think this stuff is important.

l think we have to remember the vast majority have a strong enough immune system to fully recover from this virus, but obviously the media are not focusing on this aspect. Faith over fear, we are all growing very weary now of lockdown, l do think the vaccines will make a difference, but if not, l think we still need to get back to some kind of normal.

@Xerochrysum

But what can you do, is my question to those who want to rebel. Only thing I can do at the moment is follow the rules and hope for the best. What is the alternative?

Frankly I'd be up for massive riots like there were against the poll tax. I'd support a massive 'fuck you' to anyone telling me who I can and can't have into my own home and who I can and cannot hug.

I haven't seen my family for a year either Stealth, why on earth would you think I don't know that? It's a sacrifice. I miss my dad terribly, especially as we've nearly lost him twice. My beloved auntie died on Christmas day and I couldn't go to the funeral. But the fact that it's painful and difficult shouldn't mean that we don't have to do it, when the stakes are so high. It's about preventing horrific deaths for our most vulnerable. Screw you if you don't get that.

sadpapercourtesan I do understand what you're saying but it's not like covid is probably any worse than how many elderly people pass anyway ie of pneumonia.

@sadpapercourtesan Exactly... I don't have elderly parents but I am sick of hearing people like your Dad simply referred to as "the elderly" in a tone that makes them sound disposable or worth less than somebody else. The older generation have a lifetime experience we can still learn from - they should be the most cherished and protected members of our society. Or at the very least afforded the same level of care!!

There are people protesting outside some hospitals saying this is not real.... how does that help.

How will rebelling help? It won't free up hospital beds... it won't magic up more doctors and nurses...it won't stop infection spreading - the opposite actually.... wo what does rebelling do....