If life isn’t relatively ‘normal’ from 21 June. What happens next?

[Eeeniemeanieminie]

21 June seems to be the date that everyone is pinning their hopes on. But to me it still seems a bit vague. Stadiums can open inside and out, can larger weddings take place?, christenings? 21st parties etc, parties at home, music festivals? Are venues taking bookings from that date.
If, come 21 June, there are still restrictions on meeting in groups and events are still banned. Then what? I really will find it difficult to continue having any hope given we will be in summer which is supposed to be when virus’s are reduced. With over 50% of adults vaccinated, what more are we supposed to do?
How will the government manage it?

I think Boris oversold June 21st to boost national morale.

If all adults will have received the their vaccine by July and the lockdown measures are still in place, clearly the value and efficacy of the vaccine is vastly overestimated. Otherwise they wouldn't be so neurotic about new strains. Of course, I think that they're locking everyone up for the summer to boost British businesses and get one over Europe.

there are a massive amount of people somewhere in the middle that just accept we have to do what we have to do, and try and get on with it all as best we can

I would agree with this. Nobody I know likes the current restrictions. Nobody I know believes that 21st June will see total freedom a la 2019. Everyone I know hopes that the conditions (infections, cases, hospitalisations, deaths, variants, vaccination, knowledge about transmission) will be such that by June a very significant degree of normality can be restored within the UK, and that the procedures for activities that remain risky, including international travel, are predictable and robust. Predictability is important - in the people I know, it is the level of constant uncertainty that is the greatest cause of stress.

@Moomin12345 The problem is, they've invested everything into the vaccines. That's the only worthwhile strategy they've had to get us through this. Therefore, it's the mere risk of a variant that may evade the vaccines that keep them cautious.

@cantkeepawayforever

there are a massive amount of people somewhere in the middle that just accept we have to do what we have to do, and try and get on with it all as best we can

I would agree with this. Nobody I know likes the current restrictions. Nobody I know believes that 21st June will see total freedom a la 2019. Everyone I know hopes that the conditions (infections, cases, hospitalisations, deaths, variants, vaccination, knowledge about transmission) will be such that by June a very significant degree of normality can be restored within the UK, and that the procedures for activities that remain risky, including international travel, are predictable and robust. Predictability is important - in the people I know, it is the level of constant uncertainty that is the greatest cause of stress.

A lot of people are predominantly rule followers and obey the law. Therefore, for the most part will follow the rules. They may bend or break a rule here and there, but they'll do their best. They know if everyone just did what the fuck they want then it just makes things worse.

Others will just do as they please, but that's a minority.

Completely agree, User. I know that it is the more high profile heroes of this past year that we mainly think of - the medical staff in particular - but I do think that he level of quiet, undemonstrative stoicism and public spiritedness in the vast majority is in many ways equally admirable.

@TooManyPlatesInMotion @StrawberryLipstickStateOfMind

@Elderberry84 Im so sorry to hear about your situation. You do what you need to do

No idea but I won't be complying with anymore fucking lockdowns over this.

Just seen a thread in AIBU about WFH causing more obesity. Bit fucking late to be worried about that one year in.

Agree but I think it's more than just WFH, it's about sports being cancelled, museums being closed, no travel. There has been fuck all to do, other than stay home, eat, drink and watch tv.

Our hobby is hiking but it involves driving to get some hills in. We are fatter and less fit than we were a year ago.

@Dugee

Just seen a thread in AIBU about WFH causing more obesity. Bit fucking late to be worried about that one year in.

Agree but I think it's more than just WFH, it's about sports being cancelled, museums being closed, no travel. There has been fuck all to do, other than stay home, eat, drink and watch tv.

Our hobby is hiking but it involves driving to get some hills in. We are fatter and less fit than we were a year ago.

Yep. I used to go out with a cycling club and do group exercise classes. Gone. Did the occasional half marathon as something to aim for. Gone. Sport for kids - gone. Even long solo walks hard as nowhere where you can stop to go to the loo. Am now unable to get into my clothes and scared to get on the scales. I loved feeling and being fit. Now I just feel angry and fucking depressed.

@Moomin12345 I think you’re right - they want to keep people spending their money in the UK to give the economy all the boost they can and to have one up on Europe. Although saying that, what would it mean for our travel industry? They can’t prop it up but perhaps they will...

All this stuff on variants - wasn’t on our radar at all last year so I do wonder why they’re so worried about it now. I think it’s bigged up to keep us compliant. South Africa isn’t locked down and isn’t seeing the deaths we are seeing.

Also those who have had enough and are seeing friends/family, I don’t agree they’re saying ‘fuck it’ they’re saying I just can’t take it anymore and have made a decision to put their mental health first.

@TooManyPlatesInMotion

It's not just the stay at home that stops us from driving to the hills, it's also comfort eating - if you'd asked me a year ago if I was a comfort eater, I'd have said no but after a year of this I've developed a cake habit (it's self soothing) and DP drinks way more cider than he used to.

I think what happens with P1 variant from Brazil and new vaccine production might be key.

We want to be watching what happens next in British Columbia, Canada and the USA for clues. And how quickly we can start rolling out top up vaccines in the Autumn.

@duggee I have developed a sweet tooth having never had one before. Endless sweet "treats" as there is just sod all else. Cake, bits of chocolate. Endlessly.

All this stuff on variants - wasn’t on our radar at all last year so I do wonder why they’re so worried about it now. I think it’s bigged up to keep us compliant

The variants have only become big news since the approval of vaccinations because they were designed for the variants (of which there were quite a few) at the time. The existence of vaccines and threat to their efficacy is what has made them relevant.

On your second point about SA; I would be careful about holding any one country up as an example without being aware of both the positive and negative views about their data collection reliability. As annual excess mortality rates are being scrutinised questions are being raised about a lot of countries covid figures.

twitter.com/talkRADIO/status/1375414542583402497?s=20

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick: "Only a fool would suggest" there is "no absolute guarantee" we will not enter another lockdown.

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1415896/climate-fear-handling-pandemic-experts-jobs-lost-families-threats

It's so up in the air, I've booked a venue for a party for 25-30 people in august so god knows if it will go ahead? I'm booking and arranging all the same.