Social distancing could last for years

[Donotfeedthebears]

www.bbc.com/news/amp/uk-56475807

So much for removing restrictions on 21st June then!

I'm not sure the naivety is all in one direction 🤔

@RichardMarxisinnocent

As far as I'm aware, not hugging, and having to stay 2m apart is not a law.... although shops/businesses enforce it to remain 'covid secure'. Imagine the uproar if someone was fined for hugging a friend. You're right it's not law, but it is what social distancing means. But when people say they are happy to SD for the long term seem to forget that. Personally I don't think there's any point in social distancing from just strangers, either SD from everyone, or SD from nobody.

They also seem to forget that social distancing means no comforting a relative at a funeral, no hugging a friend who has suffered a miscarriage... I could go on.

Personally I think the social distancing and mask wearing will be within offices, cinemas, mass events, public transport and shops.

I dont think they will enforced it withing families, especially as people will be allowed to meet indoors before June 21st.

Mask wearing especially could be enforced in public spaces to help cut transmission.

@Donotfeedthebears

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/amp/uk-56158405

“ The fourth step from 21 June will potentially see all legal limits on social contact removed, with the final closed sectors of the economy reopened - such as nightclubs.”

Would you be willing to follow social distancing and mask wearing for years? Interested to see where people will draw the line.

Mask wearing on public transport ought to continue for at least another year until the problem has subsided worldwide. As for social distancing, I'm sure that most commuters will agree that being wedged under another passenger's armpit wasn't ideal even before anyone had heard of Wuhan.

Several countries in the Far East have a long-standing expectation that anyone with a sniffle puts a mask on. That should continue, it's not pleasant for everyone else to have to put up with your coughing and sneezing.

@Donotfeedthebears

Would people really not hug family because the government tells them not to? Or have a one night stand? People are doing all those things now. I hugged my parents last time I saw them. They’ll be in my childcare bubble when my baby is born and we will all be hugging and they’ll be looking after the baby.

The only person I've touched in a year is my DP and I'm very ready for that to end. I cannot deal with the no hugging rule indefinitely. Every time I see my grandparents (which isn't much as obviously I have to stand on the doorstep - and they'll be cold with the door open) it strikes me how old they are and how our time together is already limited. I just want to hold them close and take them for a nice day out somewhere!

"As for social distancing, I'm sure that most commuters will agree that being wedged under another passenger's armpit wasn't ideal even before anyone had heard of Wuhan."

Yes but how long is it going to be practical for?

The thought of having to sit in my office with a mask on for years makes me feel awful. It’s bad enough now, but no way can I do this for years.

I really dislike how mere opinions - however expert the person giving the opinion may be - are discussed as though they were fact. I'm sure Mary Ramsay is very qualified in her field, but she does not make policy. And that's a good thing. The fact is, social distancing means that whole swathes of the economy - hospitality, the arts, leisure, beauty, entertainment, tourism, transport etc - simply cannot function at a profit. That means the loss of millions of jobs and billions of £ in tax revenue.

So it's all very well for academics to say this or that 'could' happen, but in the real world, other considerations also have to be taken into account.

Ffs why do people listen to one scientist and why are they allowed to give interview !!!! This is not good for mental health !

I really like the lack of colds, chest infections and general illness. That has been a huge improvement to my life.

Maybe, but in the long run, lack of exposure to germs and viruses is a very bad thing. Especially for kids. Our immune systems won't work as well if we continue with these measures and could result in people getting even more sick from common illnesses

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/01/12/covid-shutdowns-viruses/

As for social distancing, I'm sure that most commuters will agree that being wedged under another passenger's armpit wasn't ideal even before anyone had heard of Wuhan.

It's not 'ideal', no.

But buses - and much else besides - require a certain number of paying customers, at least some of the time, in order to stay profitable. Your wish not to be "wedged under another passenger's armpit", while all well and good, could lead to services being cut or fares increased.

I think I will be wearing masks longer term when in crowded places and when I have a cold or cough etc..... I will be wearing one when in work for the foreseeable as well. This is my personal choice though.

Exactly @IcedPurple. The comment is just left hanging there with no further explanation.

Reminds me of the link Sky News had last year to some scientists advising that we should really be social distancing and wearing masks in our own homes. From our own families. Even in non pandemic times. I kid you not! Something about how we can avoid getting ill from our small children who are prone to picking up bugs from nurseries etc. I'm sure this is technically true. But no one was addressing how, if we're all social distancing, how these children will be born.

Get out of the lab sometimes please scientists!

It won't happen.
Think of all the businesses that will go under if social distancing continues for much longer.
I haven't time to read the article just now but I am guessing it's more a case of wearing masks on public transport, being careful about large groups such as big events etc. Restrictions of some kind may be in force then but nobody is going to continue social distancing for the next couple of years. It's ridiculous.

Things that I think might stay.
Masks on public transport.
People not going to work or school when ill.
Reduced visitors in medical settings.

@ItsSnowJokes

I think I will be wearing masks longer term when in crowded places and when I have a cold or cough etc..... I will be wearing one when in work for the foreseeable as well. This is my personal choice though.

Of course that's fine if it's your personal choice.

@Dolciedolly

Ffs why do people listen to one scientist and why are they allowed to give interview !!!! This is not good for mental health !

The scientist concerned is head of immunisation at Public Health England, so she is someone who will have an active say in advising the government.

Good, personal space shouldn’t have to be enforced. Should mean less normal bugs as well and get rid of the need to shake hands etc,

As for masks, lots of other countries have always worn them with colds etc as it’s courteous to do so.

We may be ahead in the vaccine game but unless we close the borders to all then we still need to be careful because of travel and new variants etc.

@tobee

Exactly *@IcedPurple*. The comment is just left hanging there with no further explanation.

Reminds me of the link Sky News had last year to some scientists advising that we should really be social distancing and wearing masks in our own homes. From our own families. Even in non pandemic times. I kid you not! Something about how we can avoid getting ill from our small children who are prone to picking up bugs from nurseries etc. I'm sure this is technically true. But no one was addressing how, if we're all social distancing, how these children will be born.

Get out of the lab sometimes please scientists!

I remember that story. I was told on here that if I really loved DH I would wear a mask in the house any social distance from him (difficult in a 1 bed flat!)!

I'm sure the virus will take great note of the dates and play along... all those fuckwit demonstrators yelling this weekend seem to think so.

yes, it is shit. So is the alternative. At least there is now hope that it will all get less shit.

@IceCreamAndCandyfloss

Good, personal space shouldn’t have to be enforced. Should mean less normal bugs as well and get rid of the need to shake hands etc,

As for masks, lots of other countries have always worn them with colds etc as it’s courteous to do so.

We may be ahead in the vaccine game but unless we close the borders to all then we still need to be careful because of travel and new variants etc.

Social distancing isn't the same thing as 'personal space'.

@IcedPurple

I really dislike how mere opinions - however expert the person giving the opinion may be - are discussed as though they were fact. I'm sure Mary Ramsay is very qualified in her field, but she does not make policy. And that's a good thing. The fact is, social distancing means that whole swathes of the economy - hospitality, the arts, leisure, beauty, entertainment, tourism, transport etc - simply cannot function at a profit. That means the loss of millions of jobs and billions of £ in tax revenue.

So it's all very well for academics to say this or that 'could' happen, but in the real world, other considerations also have to be taken into account.

Yep.

I'm hugging my adult DD the moment I see her in a few weeks time, there is no way I'm going to wait another year before I do that.

@tobee

I'm not sure the naivety is all in one direction 🤔

🤨 this isn’t the ‘ if we don’t acknowledge it everything should be wonderful good news’ thread

The link in the op's post is a month old! Why are they posting it now?