Why do so many countries have lighter restrictions

[IrishMamaMia]

This thread and question has come up in many different threads over the past few months. I'd describe myself as well-informed, as in I regularly digest a lot of news from all outlets. I have friends across Europe and US, what I would describe as similarly affected countries? Except from Ireland (I'm Irish and am well aware of how strict the measures are there), why are our measures so long-term and so much worse than elsewhere? Why cant we meet one person indoors outside of bubbling? Why can't I book to go to a Covid secure museum like my friends in Germany? Why can't I access simple grooming at a hairdresser for a month? Why can't my children learn healthy life-saving skills like swimming?Why can't I go into a book shop? America are just getting on with it. I keep seeing media reports that countries are about to be overwhelmed and they never are.
And this week we see subtle hints in the media that relaxation of lockdown might not proceed.
The media seem obsessive about travelling abroad? I couldn't care less I want the freedom to live a bit of a life daily.
Is anyone feeling this? I basically support lockdown in an emergency situation but I can't support this anymore. Was reading Steve Baker's comments on Question Time this morning and think he's right.
I feel like we've gone through the point of no return now and this is getting permanent :(

@Oblomov21 who reported 6 months of further lockdown? Economically we coudn't do that and I think by then the vast majority would not conform
Furlough has been extended as even when lockdown is lifted bit by bit many companies will not go back to normal and many venues at best can't open until july

@ZZTopGuitarSolo, from my understanding the US AZ supply is in the US warehoused.
It’s nearing expiry so will lend it to us (approved here and in use).
Then when our delivery arrives at a later date we will give them an equal quantity back.

[quote fallfallfall]@ZZTopGuitarSolo, from my understanding the US AZ supply is in the US warehoused.
It’s nearing expiry so will lend it to us (approved here and in use).
Then when our delivery arrives at a later date we will give them an equal quantity back.[/quote]
Ah that makes sense - if it's approved in Canada then it should be there ASAP. Hopefully it's there soon.

I feel as though strong healthcare systems don’t get enough credit in countries which have managed this with fewer restrictions. This chart is quite eye opening:

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It really bothers me when people blame this on ‘British people not sticking to the rules’. People are people in every country, and while there will always be a minority of rule breakers, the vast majority have done what was required. After all, it’s pretty hard to be a super spreader at a concert when there are no concerts.

We’ve suffered due to a weak healthcare system (have you heard of any other country pushing the ‘protect the hospitals’ line?), our climate, demographics (age) and health (incl obesity) of the general population. It isn’t because some people have been sitting on park benches with their friends.

@TownTalkJewels this makes a lot of sense actually as Ireland has suffered quite a lot despite having a really strict initial lockdown, there's high compliance in general there but they have a very dysfunctional health service.

They also have the protect the hospital line. It sucks.

Last updated on Friday. For a region that covers 800,000 people (interior health) with two large and multiple smaller hospitals.
FOUR people in ICU with a Covid diagnosis.
This is not updated on the weekends but gives you an idea of why the different level of restrictions.
Sometimes details as to specific communities are made.

@yeOldeTrout

Friend in Finland says the Finns simply follow rules no matter what. So their rules look soft on paper but no one pushes beyond rules so that works for them.

T&T may work very well if prevalence is low.

This.

T & T only works if people comply (which a large percentage of the UK population haven't). Population density makes a huge difference too.