I thought vaccines were our way out??

[user2021]

Why are we introducing travel restrictions now? And why are we being told things won't be back to normal by the summer/not to book any holidays abroad?

I thought the vaccines were our way out of this mess?

What needs to happen to get us back to normal? I thought once hospitalisation numbers are greatly reduce and the NHS can cope then that's that?!! We were never perusing a zero transmission policy, we were pursuing a don't-overwhelm-the-NHS-policy, or am I missing something?

@TheKeatingFive

They’re terrified that a new variant will be introduced that will evade vaccines and undo all the good work the vaccines are primed to do.

They’re being very cautious right now. I expect they’ll relax when the vaccines are doing their thing and more and more across the world have had them.

I don’t think it’s mad to focus on opening the country up and deprioritising foreign travel for the minute.

Agree with this.

Once the hospitals can cope (and this will happen, especially in summer) I wonder what the justification for restrictions will be?

@Delatron

Once the hospitals can cope (and this will happen, especially in summer) I wonder what the justification for restrictions will be?

Probably a better understanding of what Long covid really means and the data on those who have been infected more than twice and what impacts that has on them if any.

Or hopefully restrictions are lifted until the autumn so we can rinse and repeat 2020.

@WineInTheWillows

We're quite a whiny nation, aren't we?

On what basis?

Your comments on Australia are hardly relevant to the shit show we are dealing with.

Well, if you feel wallowing in your misery and pulling others down with you (by pushing conspiracy theories like this one that makes everything feel hopeless and neverending) is helpful in any way, have at it. I'm just making an observation

Making observations? No, you're outright lieing. Please quote where I have pushed a conspiracy theory? Please quote me when I have said I am wallowing in misery?

@Delatron

Once the hospitals can cope (and this will happen, especially in summer) I wonder what the justification for restrictions will be?

Another new variant

I think the public are generally quite supportive of lockdown but if not, then I predict an increase in deaths to scare them back indoors.

I don’t think we’ll keep the economy shut for long Covid really will we?

It will be very clear very soon whether vaccines are working or not....

Once the hospitals can cope there won’t be any reason to carry in with strict restrictions.

Is anyone actually scared anymore?

What's more scary? Dying or living like this forever having lost your job, your home, your freedom?

I don’t think we’ll keep the economy shut for long Covid really will we?

Of course not. We haven't done it for any other post-viral syndrome, which is what 'Long Covid' is.

What's more scary? Dying or living like this forever having lost your job, your home, your freedom

Living like this is worse to me. To many people. There is a poster, whose name escapes me (sorry!) who says "lockdown isn't a pause button" and I think it is so very true, I want to get it printed on a bloody tshirt. We will never get this time back. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow and living like this, under the illusion of being 'safe', is no life at all.

Exactly @IcedPurple.

It’s ridiculous that people suggest we should continue to trash the economy (and lives) for this. And for the fact there ‘may be new variants’. We knew all along this would mutate! There will always be new variants. What’s the long term plan here? Other than the government spreading fear..

Are you aware that over 88% of all people over 80 in England have been vaccinated now .... it's rolling out - give it time.

Per 100 people in each country that are can be vaccinated - the stats show......
Israel - 61.7
United Arab Emirates - 38.9
UK - 16.5
US - 10.6

So as you can see some countries are moving ahead with their vaccination programmes to get people protected quicker than others....therefore who wants to allow individuals in from 'Red Zone' countries with new strains whilst we are trying to protect our own people from our own predominant strain... It all makes sense if you think about it. No conspiracy theory to see here. Give it time

@Neverlookback32

Imagine if the government ignored the significance of these new overseas strains which may have the ability to evade our vaccines. Imagine all the "should have done more" comments like they get over tougher lockdown measures from the beginning. Cant please everyone but for me im glad they're being realistic about the situation. Coronavirus tend to mutate at a rapid rate. So basically just as we've learnt about the new SA variant a new one will be brewing in the background. As it stands right this moment our NHS is overrun with covid. There should be no talk of lifting any kind of restrictions until that changes for the better. Don't forget, no one has received a 2nd vaccine dose yet, thats going to take us well into spring before the second doses start to be rolled out.

Hang in there, dont think too far ahead but be realistic and stay positive that this will come to an end eventually xx

Yes they have! Don't give out wrong information!!!

I don't like the way on here that if you disagree with restrictions, or are worried about how easily our freedoms have been removed, or point out that the goal posts keep changing then you are labelled a conspiracy theorist. Sarcastic, passive aggressive comments are made with plenty of sniggering, and then others join in. It's vile! You can't blame people for being concerned that questioning the status quo gets you verbally attacked and called a conspiracy theorist. Why is it fine to be worried about covid but not OK to be worried about the restrictions?

I always appreciate the posters that try to explain things clearly and put a positive spin on things. And put their points and opinions across without malice.

It's fine to be worried. It's not fine to a) spread misinformation or b) worry about things that aren't in fact true.

So many people who don't listen to/watch the news, or read a daily newspaper but get their 'information' from threads like this.

@rainbowdashsneeze

As of yesterday, over half a million people have had their second dose

Actually people that had the vaccine when it first came out have already had their second doses. I had my first recently and due second at beginning of April - by that time many people will have had their first... all looking promising moving forward

We have know since March we needed a good track and trace model that works.Having the vaccine does not stop this from being needed.

@ARecidivist

It's fine to be worried. It's not fine to a) spread misinformation or b) worry about things that aren't in fact true.

So many people who don't listen to/watch the news, or read a daily newspaper but get their 'information' from threads like this.

I agree - some people seem to want to bring others down and spread doom and gloom - maybe since they are fed up and depressed (understandable) but some appear to love the drama. The untruths that are spread are also worrying and the 'they want to lock us up forever' type exaggeration. 'They' whomever they might be have likely lost lots of money from this pandemic in taxation or profits or having to shell out to help the economy etc....

@JanuaryJonez

There are only travel restrictions from Red List countries and that is understandable, as the data showing our vaccines will reduce the risk of serious symptoms from foreign covid variants was only based on a very small sample of people. It's still an unknown until more people are tested.

Plus the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine only offers between 10-22% protection from the South African variant, and that's the vaccine the UK has the most of unfortunately.

Is this true? That AX only has 10-22% effect on the new variants? Is that just from catching it or from hospitalisation as well?

If that’s the case won’t everyone kick up a fuss about getting the AZ one and want the Pziser?

@ARecidivist

It's fine to be worried. It's not fine to a) spread misinformation or b) worry about things that aren't in fact true.

So many people who don't listen to/watch the news, or read a daily newspaper but get their 'information' from threads like this.

Sadly I'm not sure the British media do a better job of relaying the truth to "its people" either

I think that depends which media you're watching/listening to/reading!

No @CrackOpenTheGin it’s not true.

The Astra Zeneca vaccine is still effective against serious disease and hospitalisation. It is less effective against moderate and mild disease.

Shameful that people can just post inaccurate info about vaccines as fact.

[[Is this true? That AX only has 10-22% effect on the new variants? Is that just from catching it or from hospitalisation as well?
Here's the article about reduced efficacy ]]

Note that this is from a small-scale trial.

Ever considered that it's not that the government want everyone to go bust, but literally just that they don't care if some businesses do?

They don't care, because there are other type of businesses that are filling the revenue hole. Not hospitality etc that are failing, but other online shopping businesses that are doing well out of this. Don't care about the ones that fail if we still have the money coming in eh?