Indian variant - will the roadmap be delayed?

[nonono1]

I was feeling very hopeful about the future until reading that the Indian variant is now spreading fast in some communities.

In light of this, do you think we will stick to the roadmap as planned, or will restrictions be kept in place for longer? It seems like we're still going ahead with the big opening up on Monday.

Also, what about weddings? My SIL is getting married in August and we're really hoping it will still go ahead!

@nonono1

As was explained, because the variant is more transmissible, so there's a risk of rapid spread. We will know more soon.

@picturesandpickles you missed off the first half of my sentence though, which was that the most vulnerable (who are far more likely to get seriously ill and die from Covid) have now been vaccinated. So why can’t we get back to normal now as planned? The initial aim was to prevent the NHS being overwhelmed. The goalposts keep shifting.

Because vaccination isn't 100% fix.

All of it was explained, we were told from about last autumn variants were a risk.

The goalposts really haven't moved.

Lots of the vulnerable haven't been fully vaccinated OP.

Loads of Group 6 still to get their second dose, many (most ?) 45+ too. There's also all the people with undiagnosed underlying conditions.

We need to remember Long Covid too.

@Tealightsandd

I'm British and raised here by British born and raised parents *@TruelyWonder* I agree though that I'd probably fit in more elsewhere. The stork must've had a mix-up.

London though?

Because vaccination isn't 100% fix.

All of it was explained, we were told from about last autumn variants were a risk.

The goalposts really haven't moved.

So you think we could potentially be living like this forever then, even when the whole nation is vaccinated?

Lots of the vulnerable haven't been fully vaccinated OP.

No, but they have got very significant levels of protection from their first dose.

So you think we could potentially be living like this forever then, even when the whole nation is vaccinated?

I think over time we'll develop anti-virals, and kids will be vaccinated as well as adults, and then we'll be in a better place.

Variants will stay a risk. I don't really think this is news. I think the word 'forever' is not meaningful.

Vaccine-led Herd Immunity will make a big difference.

But allowing a more transmissible variant to seed itself all over the country then opening up to help it spread and flourish, risks raising the R and pushing the herd immunity threshold farther away.

Variants will stay a risk. I don't really think this is news. I think the word 'forever' is not meaningful.

I should have known that starting this thread would attract the doom-mongers and those who never want restrictions to end. Bowing out now for my own sanity.

Bowing out now for my own sanity.

I’m getting to the stage of being amused by the total delusion 😆

I know exactly what you mean missfelipe. I'm not in GM but my parents are, we're 200 miles away. Going in 2 weeks hopefully, and it will be the first time 2 of my children have seen them since last July. There have been 3 weeks so far during the whole pandemic when it hasn't been illegal to go in my parents' house. If they lock down GM again I really think I will ignore it this time. It's so hard watching all the mixing of people who live closer to their families, increasing the case numbers just in time to prevent those of us who have to stay over to see family, from being able to do it. I'm not going along with it this time. My DF is 87 and my DM had a major stroke just before the first lockdown and I'm missing months on end not knowing how much time we've got left.

I think over time we'll develop anti-virals, and kids will be vaccinated as well as adults, and then we'll be in a better place. Don't get how this is doom-y

@nonono1

Variants will stay a risk. I don't really think this is news. I think the word 'forever' is not meaningful.

I should have known that starting this thread would attract the doom-mongers and those who never want restrictions to end. Bowing out now for my own sanity.

I do want restrictions to end btw. But nothing that is happening at the mo is different to what scientists said, so I don't feel surprised at the timeframes.

Obviously sorry if you're finding it all hard to deal with, I do think on bad news days sometimes better just to avoid the topic.

@nonono1

Do you think our holiday to Cornwall in July will be cancelled?

If the government is continuing to allow people to fly here from other countries, then I don’t see how they can justify banning UK residents from holidaying in the UK.

They can OP, with local lockdowns. As I've pointed out before, during the life of this pandemic it's been more possible for local friends of mine to go and stay with their families abroad, and more regularly, than it has for me to stay with mine in Greater Manchester

We are going to have to live with this virus - we can't keep up with these restrictions indefinitely - the cost of other physical illnesses and strain on mental health is too much. Life must get back to normal asap

@eastegg

I know exactly what you mean missfelipe. I'm not in GM but my parents are, we're 200 miles away. Going in 2 weeks hopefully, and it will be the first time 2 of my children have seen them since last July. There have been 3 weeks so far during the whole pandemic when it hasn't been illegal to go in my parents' house. If they lock down GM again I really think I will ignore it this time. It's so hard watching all the mixing of people who live closer to their families, increasing the case numbers just in time to prevent those of us who have to stay over to see family, from being able to do it. I'm not going along with it this time. My DF is 87 and my DM had a major stroke just before the first lockdown and I'm missing months on end not knowing how much time we've got left.

I completely agree

@Tealightsandd

Wrt 'we can't'. Admittedly, I'm going off MN. Which probably isn't representative of the whole country. Tbf outside of MN, I saw a lot more support for my preference of border restrictions and proper quarantine, whereas on MM it seemed quite unpopular - with lots of 'we can'ts'.

I’ve been banging on about this too for months, I’m like a stuck record but to me it’s obvious too.

[quote Tealightsandd]@SonnetForSpring

The main issue for the UK is attitude. It's a very individualistic very Thatcherite 'no such thing as society' one here. Other countries are more civic minded. Less defeatist too. 'We can't' is a popular UK phrase.[/quote]
I don’t think it’s the whole uk, I think most have been very compliant and seen the bigger picture and generally been supportive of the lockdowns.

I think the problem is with the small pockets of people who refuse to comply - which then frustrates the ones who are. The ones who are then feel their efforts are in vain and ion and on it goes...

I feel that the government has implied “we can’t” in relation to border closures almost implying we’re different in some special way to other countries who have managed to enforce it. I mean, how hard can it be?

@TheKeatingFive

If we had a Korean strength track and trace.

GDPR and data privacy laws mean this isn’t possible. We need to be realistic about what’s achievable.

But why do they stop it? Surely if numbers are lower we can properly get on top of this and this would allow everything to continue to open up?

This and enforcing quarantine and isolation more strictly (with support packages in place to ensure compliance) ?

@TheKeatingFive

but really the majority of the British public are quite compliant and want to do what's best.

Can’t you see the tide turning, even on here? Gosh.

I think the tide on here is dependant on a vocal few 🤫😉 who openly belittle and mock anyone who doesn’t share their anti lockdown, anti guidelines, open-everything-up-yesterday sentiment.

The majority of the public are compliant, but the narrative on here is very black and white unfortunately.

@ClimbDad do you have any good news for us?

@picturesandpickles

I think over time we'll develop anti-virals, and kids will be vaccinated as well as adults, and then we'll be in a better place. Don't get how this is doom-y

I think it's similar to the he who doth protest principle.

Those moaning the loudest above every and any measures that could contain the spread, must secretly want all this to continue. It's the failure to mitigate and contain that has prolonged this.

I don’t think it’s the whole uk, I think most have been very compliant and seen the bigger picture and generally been supportive of the lockdowns.

I think the problem is with the small pockets of people who refuse to comply - which then frustrates the ones who are. The ones who are then feel their efforts are in vain

@changednameforthispost11

I think you're right.

Here in Scotland the next stage has been postponed in the two areas where the incidence is high namely Moray and City of Glasgow This is the advantage of having proper leadership and an adult conversation with the public Boris is not capable of making the right decisions and doing what is needed

I think Wales is also delaying next stage.

I think the tide on here is dependant on a vocal few

Lol. You might want to check this out

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/4245103-Will-the-new-variant-affect-your-socialising-plans