What do we all think about 21st June date?

[ensete]

As it comes closer, my excitement for this date of lifted restrictions has started to turn into a big question mark - how can we go from the rule of six no no restrictions on meeting?
Is it realistic? I know no one can know, but what do people think? I have so many lovely dates pencilled into my calendar including children's birthdays and family weddings - will any of my pals have their big white July wedding?!

@CarrieAntoinette

What is it about the government announcing a date in June that ends covid?

What are they doing that's going to stop the next wave hitting much like the last two?

Almost half the country's had no vaccine at all yet,

On June 21st it'll be about 40% (?) of the country that has had no vaccine at all

In most workplaces, and most schools, very few people will have had both doses.

The B16172 variant has been able to seed itself in 48 separate locations around the country in about 3 weeks during a lockdown so I'm sure we're all looking forward to seeing what it can do when we open everything up.

The daily summary states that almost 67% of the adult population has had one dose.

coronavirus.data.gov.uk

@CarrieAntoinette

I appreciate children haven't, but even so is it really likely to be 40% by June 21st?

I’m not sure how normal things really will be on 21st June. I’ve seen several articles today saying SAGE will be advising for wfh to continue indefinitely. I just hope we can be a lot more sociable with friends and family.

@CarrieAntoinette

Also it's being reported that the plan is to increase rollout by 20% this month.

inews.co.uk/news/uks-vaccine-rollout-speed-up-despite-change-advice-jab-give-under-40s-991194

@Wherediditgo

Just look at the figures. Deaths have dropped so low now. And we aren’t going for zero Covid. We were only supposed to stop the NHS from being overwhelmed, not stopping anyone from getting ill ever.

This is exactly it. The remaining groups to be vaccinated don't (on the whole) become seriously ill. No (or rare) need for help from the NHS = no need for restrictions.

I think they’ll let us have our summer so that when winter hits and rates go up lockdown doesn’t leave us all completely devastated

Bring it on. I don’t socialise much in big groups anyway but I’m hoping this will be the point at which I’m finally allowed to start working from the office again.

Can't wait.

@PottyTrainingissues but if the vaccine works, it works. Not only in the summer?

[quote BlueBlancmange]@CarrieAntoinette

I appreciate children haven't, but even so is it really likely to be 40% by June 21st?[/quote]
Herd immunity is calculated as a % of the whole population isn't it?

So the adult population number is of limited use.

The 40% still unvaccinated by June number is a guess based on this chart:

www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/21/covid-uk-coronavirus-cases-deaths-and-vaccinations-today

@PuppyMonkey

But Carrie, the people who are most vulnerable to the virus have had the vaccine. The cases may increase when we open but the people at risk are protected so they won’t be turning up at hospitals etc this time?

This is from the Warwick University modelling for the next few months. The blue sections under "Hospital Admissions" and "Deaths" are vaccinated people. The Red, unvaccinated.

My feeling about June 21st is that some restrictions may remain, but not those that stop travel within the UK. Some on large events, perhaps face coverings in shops, and the list of 'green' countries will be small for a while.

[quote ringboobs]@PottyTrainingissues but if the vaccine works, it works. Not only in the summer?[/quote]
I hope it does but I suppose we will only know in a few months time. Last summer was ‘ok ‘ and there was no vaccine then so I’m wary. Will be happy to be proven wrong but for now I’m going to enjoy the summer and see what happens

Can't fucking wait. Going to Butlins the first weekend after (booked last June) so lots of eating and drinking INDOORS. Got a family wedding in July (postponed from July 2020) so again lots of drinking INDOORs. Plus I'm sure there will be plenty of meals out with friends and family. Again IN-FUCKING-DOORS (although BBQs and some other meals are better outside, but that has nothing to do with covid)

The only thing I think that will annoyingly stay is masks. I don't mind wearing one myself (although would really rather not), but I hate seeing faces all covered up like that. It's just not normal. Even after all this time. I rarely look at people anymore.

The only reason I'm not off away is cos I couldn't get the time off work otherwise I'd be hoping France would be doable end of August.

If anyone thinks things are going to get worse or that they don't want to then fair enough, that's up to them, but personally I'm going to enjoy it while I can. Just like I did with Eat out to help out last year.

Optimistic based on what they're saying but doubtful based on what they're doing (trialling testing for events, distanced festivals in August, boosters & antivirals for autumn. Hard to believe it will be 'normal' by June 21st but looking forward to things being 'better'.

BRING. IT.ON!

@PuppyMonkey

But surely even if we DO run off and eat out to help out this summer, it won’t be like last year because we’ve been vaccinated this year?

Some people don’t seem to grasp this though. I often see last summers EOTO blamed for the December rise in cases. I don’t know how that’s possible seeing as EOTO was August/September.

I can’t wait til June - roll on eating out properly again!!!!

I get Eat out to help out probably pushed more people to go out on those days at least. But I went for meals on weekends..places were packed! People were just happy to be out again.

Ready for more things to open up...even if June is pushed back least if the May unlocking happens be good. This weather isn't really sitting in a pub garden weather at the moment even with shelters!

I don't believe anything they say. Even if it's not safe then I presume they will open as tye economy is going to collapse.

Don't understand the rule if 6 outside as apparently you cant catch it outside.

Yes please! I’m being “good” and avoiding non-essential shopping and eating out in May/early June in the hope that things can return to normal on 21st June. These places are staffed mainly by younger unvaccinated people. Plus it’s a pain with queues, no fittings rooms, sanitizer, one way systems, masks ... If enough people do the same it should make a difference shouldn’t it? I can’t be the only one?

@RaisinsRuinEverything

Yes please! I’m being “good” and avoiding non-essential shopping and eating out in May/early June in the hope that things can return to normal on 21st June. These places are staffed mainly by younger unvaccinated people. Plus it’s a pain with queues, no fittings rooms, sanitizer, one way systems, masks ... If enough people do the same it should make a difference shouldn’t it? I can’t be the only one?

But you can shop for what you please now and eat outdoors if you want to - why would you make it difficult for yourself and keep avoiding everything?

There’s no one- way systems anymore. Hasn’t been for a long time.

Why do you expect us all to do what you’re doing?!?!

@newnortherner111

My feeling about June 21st is that some restrictions may remain, but not those that stop travel within the UK. Some on large events, perhaps face coverings in shops, and the list of 'green' countries will be small for a while.

I think this too, although we will have to see the effect of the May 17th re-opening - and the longer period of schools being open alongside this, as Easter was a good 'circuit breaker' after the first few weeks - to see what happens with the June 21st date.

As very few children will have been vaccinated (and younger teachers may also be in the group that is not vaccinated by June) , it is possible that close contacts in school will still have to isolate in response to positive cases, which will be restrictive to families if the cases rise. The possibility of rapid spread if cases DO get into schools has been well-documented over the last couple of weeks.

@RaisinsRuinEverything

Yes please! I’m being “good” and avoiding non-essential shopping and eating out in May/early June in the hope that things can return to normal on 21st June. These places are staffed mainly by younger unvaccinated people. Plus it’s a pain with queues, no fittings rooms, sanitizer, one way systems, masks ... If enough people do the same it should make a difference shouldn’t it? I can’t be the only one?

You realise that if everyone did that then these businesses you only want to return to later down the line might not be there. These businesses are no longer getting the financial help to stay afloat so someone has to put some money back into the economy to keep it going. Baffles me that people can't see beyond covid and there's other factors at risk here.....like people's jobs and livelihoods.

Can't bloody wait. I might be able to get Ds1 to engage in life away from his favourite armchair, again.

I just want to stay in. I preferred lockdown. Sick of people asking me to do things and whether they can come over.