To just want a normal summer?

[User89044]

I always supported the previous lockdowns imposed by the government and disagreed with the viewpoint of some people that we should just lock up the vulnerable - probably biased as I was a shielder. But I've now reached my breaking point. It all felt so positive and I've spent all afternoon reading posts of people wanting Monday not to go ahead and to lockdown again now. I just feel if we lockdown now we won't be unlocking until May 2022? Because I feel like there will be problems again all through autumn and winter due to the nature of the virus during those seasons. Is there no way we can have a normal summer before another year of lockdowns?!

I initially felt so anxious about the virus and was warned at my vaccinations that they may not be as effective for me (though I am 32 I am immune-suppressed). But I just feel like I've been vaccinated now and soon all those at risk of serious consequences who can and want to be vaccinated will be too. Is it unreasonable to want some normality before another winter of hell?

YANBU, but we’re clearly not going to get any. If I didn’t have so many responsibilities I’d have killed myself by now, there’s nothing to look forward to and nothing is any fun. Only Covid matters.

It just feels like we've been locked up for so long, I don't even know what enjoyment feels like anymore. I don't know how much more I can take.

Most in hospitality agree with you. I think autumn and winter are going to be tough, but the industry (and most people) needs some normality and a summer season.

But surely we are only going to lock down,if hospital admissions go up ,and they might not because of the vaccine program? I live in Bolton,the hospital hasent seen an increase in admissions,yet and they may not .

@x2boys

But surely we are only going to lock down,if hospital admissions go up ,and they might not because of the vaccine program? I live in Bolton,the hospital hasent seen an increase in admissions,yet and they may not .

I really hope they won't! It just feels so doom and gloom on here and in the press!

I hear you OP. Desperately hoping Monday goes ahead as planned!

You need to get off here then op or take what people have said as a pinch of salt . So many made up bullshit on here which annoys me because people like you believe it .
I only go for what Is happening on Monday the lockdown is relaxing further no if or buts it’s happening.
The Indian variant areas has increased the vaccine today so hopefully that will help .
Unless people get seriously ill and the nhs gets risk of being overwhelmed only then will restrictions tightened and that’s not likely at the minute. So stop worrying and plan things to do this summer or good god what’s the point to life listening to people saying we need to lockdown is not doing you any good because those people are either over worriers or are enjoying gettinv the worriers worked up .

OP, real life couldn’t be more different to Mumsnet. Everyone I know is feeling positive & looking forwards to Monday. I’ve got indoor social events coming my ears from now until August, mostly centred round the kids & our friends. No-one is cancelling or worrying. Since April, we’ve been meeting up at farms & outdoor kids activities .. we don’t SD, I don’t see anyone doing so around me either. It feels normal out there (bar the eating a meal in a coat in freezing cold May 😩😂). We sit on picnic benches in groups of 6 (sometimes more if you count our babies & toddlers) as normal. When you go out to eat, you sit in a group of 6 as normal. It’ll be the same indoors. Get out there & enjoy every minute. I know I am!

I do not understand this blind panic. Cases are still flat. There has been no increase week on week. They hover in the 2,000’s every day & have for weeks. Deaths are extremely low. Hospitals are fine. There is no evidence at all to suggest the Indian variant is running out of control nor that it’s causing deaths or serious illness. Caution yes, but mass panic, no. Get surge testing, get surge vaccinating (which they are doing). We are in a very different place to December. Our most vulnerable are double vaccinated. Our vulnerable have had at least one shot. We are now vaccinating the 30’s, a very low risk group. Those below 30 & children are lower risk still..

Thanks everyone! I have been enjoying life since being vaccinated and met with multiple friends outside and vaccinated family members inside already. I just can't face going backwards, I allowed myself to hope and the news has been pretty relentless! Thank you for the positivity xxx

@User89044
I'm similar to you op, shielding, vaccinated etc.
I'm concerned about moving forward that if the spread of the Indian variant isn't stopped, that we will end up in this forecasted outlook of even worst third wave, that is in the broad sheets.
I do think that opening up for indoor eating etc is wrong and a politically driven decision. And I wouldn't be surprised if these shut again in 3 weeks. Given that Boris was on about reviewing in that timescale.
However, I, like you, now have cabin fever after doing nothing for 15 months, so am still planning on going away, but will be cautious and not eating inside etc. I am less confident though that our summer holiday will happen.

I so cannot understand why we've continued to let people in and out of the country. Surely if we'd totally locked down this situation could have been prevented?

I agree @NotBot

There are a few MN posters who've really hated all the positive news over the past several weeks and have really missed being able to have a go at the govt (not that they don't deserve it much of the time). They've been on the 'Indian variant' like flies on sh1t and are hanging onto it like a dog with a bone.

New variants keep popping up every 3 months or so. It feels like at some point we need to say we have done all we can do - the vulnerable can be part of society as safely as we can make possible with annual vaccinations - and then try and live with it, or otherwise I really can't see when the restrictions/lockdowns can end.

@User89044

New variants keep popping up every 3 months or so. It feels like at some point we need to say we have done all we can do - the vulnerable can be part of society as safely as we can make possible with annual vaccinations - and then try and live with it, or otherwise I really can't see when the restrictions/lockdowns can end.

You are right. However, we have sort of known the Indian variant wasn't good news for a whole. So slightly different to other variants.

And yes we do have to live with it, but as a mother and CEV, I also acknowledge that there is still the chance that my catching it could lead to my child becoming an orphan. I suppose a sobering thought or for some that haven't faced this prospect, especially if the vaccine is less effective for their health condition, and so not afforded such high protection.

Likelihood is that we shall be risk assessing for the foreseeable. For you it's an acceptable risk to now eat inside. For me it isn't, at this time. And though I always appreciate my sisters giving me alternative perspectives, you don't seem of the same mindset, so maybe you need to just tell her that you're not finding such statements useful.

I’m so bored of people thinking that eating indoors is risky . If you go to work / school / supermarket then eating somewhere is so less risky and those that haven’t eaten out for over a year can’t comment. You are sat distanced you wear masks and you stay away from others so please tell me why it’s risky it’s not. If it worries you don’t go but many want to and do .

@BusyLizzie61 I understand how you feel and I felt it the entire time too while shielding. It's only since getting my second vaccine mid April that my perspective has changed. I guess I figured I'm as protected as I can be so now I need to decide what risks I'm happy to take. And I decided I do want to integrate back into society, see friends and family. I am not a mother though so don't perhaps have the same feeling of responsibility. Perhaps I have some sort of false sense of security with the vaccine, but I just feel protected now? I would say all the variants have been bad news, particularly the South African variant where there for a long time was a question of vaccine efficacy.

@Imnothereforthedrama

I’m so bored of people thinking that eating indoors is risky . If you go to work / school / supermarket then eating somewhere is so less risky and those that haven’t eaten out for over a year can’t comment. You are sat distanced you wear masks and you stay away from others so please tell me why it’s risky it’s not. If it worries you don’t go but many want to and do .

Eating inside IS MORE RISKY. It is fairly obvious to anyone with any basic understanding that the chances of increased spread are higher. The arrangements for layout are just window dressing in effect . That's fine for those choosing this risk is appropriate. But it does mean that there are more people mixing with others in ways they wouldn't be which inevitably means that all of these indoor venues, be they restaurants, pubs, cinemas etc will be contributing to higher rates of infection. Especially given that so many of the age demographics likely to be attending are not vaccinated. And this becomes the new issue.

Maybe it would be better to wait until all adults have been offered the vaccine...

I'd like one, but that means many people who have different ideas and expectations of their summer holiday going abroad. Which either will not be an option, or not one they take up because of the fear of quarantine requirements being changed at short notice.

@newnortherner111

I'd like one, but that means many people who have different ideas and expectations of their summer holiday going abroad. Which either will not be an option, or not one they take up because of the fear of quarantine requirements being changed at short notice.

Tbh I'm shocked that there are so many people who think that in these circumstances their wishes for foreign climes should even remotely factor in our decision making.

I'm here for the drama.

I had five experiences last year in the eat out scheme and only one time was there ventilation.

People were not spaced out, no windows open, masks off the second people sit, naturally, we can't eat and talk (which spreads covid) with our masks on but stuffy rooms and no masks, and no windows open.

I personally feel, we need some windows open!

I was shot down for mentioning this ealrier and how people don't want to be cold.

• and why not keep indoor eating with the caveat to have an window open or simply air the place now and then.

But this is agaisnt civil liberties apparently? I just see it as a way to get back to normal ish and do what we want, with small mitigation measures.
Not enough for some people.

@BusyLizzie61 have you actually ate inside this last year If so you’d agree it isn’t more risky unless we have eaten in different places . Everywhere I’ve gone is book in track and trace no where near anyone order at the app no contact with anyone so no risk at all . So unless you’ve experienced different you can’t comment .

Also to add I work in the drink industry and thankfully none of the mumsnet are customers as ordering has gone through the roof so no I suspect most normal people aren’t too worried . Stay home if you want but most want to live

[quote Imnothereforthedrama]@BusyLizzie61 have you actually ate inside this last year If so you’d agree it isn’t more risky unless we have eaten in different places . Everywhere I’ve gone is book in track and trace no where near anyone order at the app no contact with anyone so no risk at all . So unless you’ve experienced different you can’t comment .[/quote]
I'm glad that given you're employed by the industry you're trying to promote it.
But you'd have to be incredibly dense to not see that regardless of how your establishment is running that by having people inside together with masks off absolutely increases the risk of transmission.
It is an unnecessary risk. And I would think at this time a political game and will no doubt result in these establishments closing for indoor customers not long after opening as the spikes will inevitably increase in the scenario we face today with the Indian variant.
I understand this is impacting on your work, but surely opening inside for 3 weeks and then closing again would have more of a detrimental impact?

I agree with pp

Summer could be good and winter may not be as bad as you say

Step away from doom posters / threads as they’ll always dominate when they see news that attracts them

Why does everyone assume autumn and winter will be ‘so bad’? Do they not remember we will have vaccinated almost everyone, plus boosters which we didn’t do last year?

And if this Indian variant shows us anything then the seasonality of if it cannot be predicted.