The end really is in sight

[StealthPolarBear]

This is the first time I have actually believed it

I'm always confused when the doom mongers say "this wasn't a proper lockdown" because

stating the obvious is not being a doom monger.
When you are "advised" to do something, but can safely ignore said advice and carry on nearly as normal, it's not a lockdown.

Sad for the few industries who are suffering, but for all the people who made the most of half term, it's not that bad.

You just have to read the various rules and laws applied across the world to see how it's simply not true. Not even close!

@therealteamdebbie analysis by the University of Oxford suggests otherwise:

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/02/22/britains-covid-response-ranked-one-toughest-world/

@Mittens030869

I agree that booking overseas holidays at this stage is a tad premature.

I'm extremely relieved to know I'm not alone in this thinking. Our social media page for where we go has so many in mass hysterics cos they can go on holiday. No thought on the permutations etc

I've cancelled our holiday abroad, for June. We have moved it to next year like alot of people we know have, where we go in June, have also done.

We have to book early as its a small island where 80% of visitors per year are returning visitors. To stop where you want to be booking early is part of it, do booking is always done the year before

I've simply moved our accommodation to next year and will change the flights next month when they come out. I've already spoke to the airline to confirm. I can move next month online with no charge.

That's the only reason we were booked. I think there will still be some restrictions in place re going abroad, re protocol and possible self isolating on return.

With not knowing what's going to be happening in other countries protocol wise we just don't want that stress leading up to the holiday.

If everything is going to plan might book a last minute foe a week towards the end of the season. No way we are going early on in June

Its certainly isn't in sight in Scotland. Think she'll keep us grounded for bloody ever.

When you are "advised" to do something, but can safely ignore said advice and carry on nearly as normal, it's not a lockdown.*

You're right. Better to live in a communist dictatorship where you can be forcibly removed from your home and locked up if you have covid.

can safely ignore said advice and carry on nearly as normal, it's not a lockdown

Everything’s been closed. There’s been zero possibility of carrying on nearly as normal.

Boris can get away with promising right now because we have a vaccine and the data shows it is working. He's backtracked so many times I agree and Christmas was the biggest disaster but we weren't where we are now with a working vaccine. Further, pandemics don't last forever.

@Hushhush89

I'm not getting to excited about it, numbers will jump with kids going back to school which will end up delaying the next steps... I'm hoping I'm wrong though but I won't get too excited about it till it actually happens

Numbers can jump all they like, it's the hospitalisations that count. Chris Whitty went to great lengths to explain the vaccine effect on severe illness last night.

Don't believe it, not for a second. I'd love to say I believe him but everyone will do what they want now so we'll just get pushed back in to lockdown.

Numbers can jump all they like, it's the hospitalisations that count. Chris Whitty went to great lengths to explain the vaccine effect on severe illness last night.

^Absolutely. Because it's been about protecting the NHS above all.

Some areas not doing any social distancing or mask wearing, like Hackney

Well yes, but because of cultural sensitivities they always knew that enforcement wouldn't be possible in such areas, and in some they didn't even try.
Now there's talk about vaccine deprivation because of lack of takeup among some communities, and they probably won't be able to do much about that either.

Not sure what the answer to this is TBH, but if numbers do rise again it'll be interesting to see where it's hppening

@Mittens030869

Numbers can jump all they like, it's the hospitalisations that count. Chris Whitty went to great lengths to explain the vaccine effect on severe illness last night.

^Absolutely. Because it's been about protecting the NHS above all.

Yep, absolutely this. It states this clearly in the 4 stages that have to be met - hospital rates are not rising as a result of infection rates. Nothing to do with the number of infections, just if they result in overwhelming the NHS again.

I've said all along that we need vaccine passports or some type of visa putting into our passports across the whole world, then unless you have that proof that you've been vaccinated you should be made to stay within your own country and not be crossing any borders.

The anti-vaxers would soon be lining up to be jabbed if they couldn't go on holiday without it!

From what I've read, SAGE suggested that the way to avoid another wave was to open up slowly over 9 months. Not 4. So I can't have hope yet.

I had hope before the first time this government let us down. And was still clinging to a little the second time.

But they've failed this country every single step of the way, so I'm going to need to judge on concrete results.

The thing is with SAGE though is they don't look at the bigger picture. They look at Covid only. The government has to take other things into account like the economy, education, mental heath. You can't just focus on Covid and ignore everything else.

@Waxonwaxoff0

The thing is with SAGE though is they don't look at the bigger picture. They look at Covid only. The government has to take other things into account like the economy, education, mental heath. You can't just focus on Covid and ignore everything else.

Yep they advise only and even they acknowledge other harms.

Some who haven’t seen economic hit personally might be more inclined to focus on Covid numbers alone.

Plus where have SAGE said 9 months? Is there a link?

Whitty was pretty clear on gaps for timing. Four weeks for data plus one to analyse.

The best way to protect the economy would have been, and still is, to tackle covid effectively.

We are getting nowhere following the same failed strategy as last year.

There is so much the government could do that isn't about locking down, but they have really failed to engage with the issue. Unfortunately the government have only got enough brains to think of 'lockdown' or 'do nothing'.

@PracticingPerson

The best way to protect the economy would have been, and still is, to tackle covid effectively.

We are getting nowhere following the same failed strategy as last year.

There is so much the government could do that isn't about locking down, but they have really failed to engage with the issue. Unfortunately the government have only got enough brains to think of 'lockdown' or 'do nothing'.

Yes we have the vaccine so it’s a big something. It’s not just the government it’s Whitty, Valance etc - do you feel you know more than they do? What would you do at this stage

What would your plan be

@MarshaBradyo what a funny way of questioning you have, when you say 'do you think you know better than they do' you sound like a Victorian governess chiding children who dare have an opinion.

I think the government are continuing to make the same strategic mistakes as they did all last year, yes.

Politics has always been about choices and I would prefer different choices were being made. It is easy to learn about the alternatives if you want to, just read the SAGE minutes to see their discussions, read the media analysis, read academic journals etc.

[quote PracticingPerson]@MarshaBradyo what a funny way of questioning you have, when you say 'do you think you know better than they do' you sound like a Victorian governess chiding children who dare have an opinion.

I think the government are continuing to make the same strategic mistakes as they did all last year, yes.

Politics has always been about choices and I would prefer different choices were being made. It is easy to learn about the alternatives if you want to, just read the SAGE minutes to see their discussions, read the media analysis, read academic journals etc.[/quote]
Come on don’t just be picky about words, it’s true it’s not just government do you disagree with Whitty? etc or do you only agree with SAGE minutes

What would your plan be? What is your opinion and what would your different choices be

@MarshaBradyo

Respectfully, I don't want to engage with you because I find your tone a bit odd. I appreciate people can come across differently in writing but I don't get the feeling we will have an enjoyable discussion. Have a good day

We are getting nowhere following the same failed strategy as last year.

How ridiculous. What one thing can you think of that we’re doing now that is very different to last year. Clue: almost 18 million people have had it

A shame you might have good ideas.

I see this accusation often and that SAGE have all the answers and Whitty etc do not.

But a plan isn’t easy to come up with but I’ll see someone will.