The end really is in sight

[StealthPolarBear]

This is the first time I have actually believed it

I understand people not wanting to get their hopes up but this time there are vaccines and they are really, truly working. They are working better than anyone expected not just at preventing serious illness but on the spread too. There are some many reasons why we should be hopeful this will actually happen.

21st June- Liberation Day.

All social restrictions lifted - was not expecting that!

Even this house loving, people averse introvert hopes it is so!

Do you remember when we didn't have any vaccines at Christmas, when 17m people, including the most vulnerable in society, weren't protected from illness and death in a way they are now, and when 2m people weren't being jabbed every single week?

Yeah, that was shit.

I bloody hope they get rid of masks soon then!

@PinkSpring

I bloody hope they get rid of masks soon then!

Ugh, same. We have to wear them at work and everyone is getting so weary of it.

DD starts Uni in September (having deferred a year). It's certainly looking more optimistic for a better year at Uni by September. I also was strangely excited by the thought of night clubs opening, although I haven't been to one on 25 years! Ironically I've just got a job as a key worker and DS goes back to school tomorrow.

I’m really pleased. I know normality is a way off and for the economy and businesses it’s a long road back.
That said school for my DD’s mental health and hopes of meeting family again for a garden picnic in the spring/summer they are small pleasures I’ll take thank you.

@extentioncord

I'm not even in England (Scot) but I actually cried when he mentioned 21st June being a date where we may have actual normality.

Sadly, nothing like that has been announced for Scotland. We are no further forward than the next 2 weeks.

I hope we are not in Lockdown 4 in the autumn but I'm not optimistic.

June 21st, massive national party day I reckon!

@Donoteatthekittens there’s always one

I don't know how to feel tbh, I hope it goes to plan. I'm not quite able to put my faith in it! The vaccinations have been great to watch.

If this timetable is able to be met, then good. As per usual, once any detail is mentioned Mr Johnson is unable to respond if it is not on the speech he has read out.

Still need to have proper support for anyone who has to self-isolate, still need to have decisions on the possibility of international travel (though of course you might not be able to be let into your destination), and still need decisions on furlough extension (or not). Also whilst the various stages are still here, they should be enforced and no 'one rule for the government and the famous, one rule for everyone else'.

Sorry, but he's a proven optimistic liar. I'm not getting my hopes up based on what Johnson says. (And I don't enjoy lockdown, wfh lone parent with two stroppy teens and no family).

@Donoteatthekittens some people love a lockdown 😂

I’m ridiculously excited at the prospect of getting my hair and nails done and sitting outside a pub with my friends!

But why would we be in Lockdown 4/3 (depending on where you are) if the vaccine is working? The news today from Scotland shows that both the Pfizer and AZ vaccines have an extremely high success rate for avoiding hospitalisation and death, which is what we were aiming for. What does it matter if we have cases if no one is getting properly ill from it or requiring treatment?

I've already seen some dim witted freaks celebrating from two households chucking back ciders and basically acting like the extent of intelligence we have come to expect around here. How on earth will it work now? Cases will be rising before they go back to school at this rate!

Another lockdown before the end of the year thanks to the "leadership" we have come to expect and the "considered" public response. Fuck. In. Hell. Never going to end.

@Donoteatthekittens

And back into lockdown for autumn / winter. 👍🏻

I was just going to say it’s nice to see a positive thread without the usual doom mongers spreading negativity without any basis in fact.....

PracticingPerson I don't normally believe anything Johnson says, but the one fact in all this is that the vaccination programme is looking as though it really is a game changer.

I hope it goes to plan. I'm not quite able to put my faith in it!

As a teacher, I don't believe that a return to school will be smooth and I do think we will end up with schools and bubbles closing on and off for a few months yet. I also think there will be many more children with more serious illness and that will become more apparent as everything else dies down. Given Boris's track record - lockdown for a few weeks, 12 weeks, normal at Xmas.....I think it's way too soon to get our hopes up. Faces of Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance at briefing will be interesting (although they're both masters of hiding 'what the actual fuck' expressions by now!)

OMG I might have to go back to THE OFFICE! Well, I’ll be on maternity leave but you get my point. Here’s to hoping our working culture has changed forever.

One of my friends works in non-essential retail, on furlough and is crying that she has to go back to work soon. Think a lot of people are going to be disappointed they’ll have to go back!

@Ostryga

Not to piss on anyone’s cornflakes, but this is Boris we’re talking about The well known over-promiser and under-achiever.

Although with the vaccine rollout things are looking up.

I'm no Boris fan but he's hardly responsible for people who refuse to follow the guidelines or have the vaccine or who have to take the piss out of any sensible restriction

My first reaction is to doubt it.

I'm glad Scotland and Wales have the good sense to have a phased return to school and I'm not expecting anything like normality by June as I doubt I'll have even been vaccinated by then.

Just feels like more bullshit.