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Original poster

Start of third wave - what will this actually mean?

407 replies

Moonme · 31/05/2021 08:58

With so many of the population vaccinated what do you think a third wave means? Will we need another lockdown? 😩

Covid-19: UK in early stages of third wave - scientist www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57304515

OP posts:
Pengwyn · 31/05/2021 09:03

Right now it comes down to hospitalisations and deaths rather than cases imo.

The reason for lockdown is to avoid overwhelming the NHS. If that isn't happening, no lockdown needed.

MonsterMash2210 · 31/05/2021 09:03

I think at the moment it is too early to say really. It all depends on what happens with hospitalisations and deaths.

Hopefully the link between cases rising and hospitalisations/ deaths rising being inevitable has been broken by the vaccine.

However, there is a chance that the vaccines won’t break this link. If that is the case then really I don’t know what the answer is.

I guess that would depend on why the link wasn’t broken.

If it’s because not enough of the population is vaccinated then that wouldn’t be too much of a problem.

However, if it’s because the vaccines are not effective enough against the virus then I have no idea what the answer to that would be. I am glad that it wouldn’t be my decision to make.

OwlTwitterings · 31/05/2021 09:05

I am hoping it will mean an small increased number of cases but few deaths. Vaccines work, we just need to ensure everyone has had both and enough time for them to work before we start assuming we can act like normal again.

Donitta · 31/05/2021 09:12

Honestly I’m at the point now where as long as it’s not me dying I don’t really care. I suspect many others feel the same, and it will fuel the next wave because people won’t stay at home any more.

OverTheRubicon · 31/05/2021 09:21

If there are people with meaningful life expectancies getting very ill or dying then I'd sadly but totally understand locking back down.

If it's rising cases but few deaths or serious illness, and those centred among those who are already very frail or who can chosen not to get vaccinated despite the option - then I'd absolutely not be in favour. It's been too long.

In lockdown my ex had a breakdown, I lost my job and I've not been able to see my parents, who live overseas and in my dad's case has a life expectancy of 1-2 years max. I'm done.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 31/05/2021 09:48

@Donitta

Honestly I’m at the point now where as long as it’s not me dying I don’t really care. I suspect many others feel the same, and it will fuel the next wave because people won’t stay at home any more.
Same here. Not a chance will I social distance any more, they can close businesses again but nothing will stop me from going in people's houses. I suspect many others will feel the same.
murbblurb · 31/05/2021 09:51

Yep, fuck it., Spread it around. Who needs functioning infrastructure anyway? And that lovable buffoon Boris, isn't he fun? Oh no, won't chance a vaccine,so dangerous...

We get what we deserve.

Peppapeg · 31/05/2021 09:52

Nah they won't lockdown again, cases rising in itself isn't overly problematic as long as hospitalizations and deaths don't. A large percentage of adults have now been offered jab.

Reallybadidea · 31/05/2021 09:55

I work in ICU. We're just starting to see quite young people being admitted with covid again for the first time in months. It's quite upsetting, I'm not sure how any of us can bear to go through another surge again. I hope that won't happen, but also quite upsetting to see people say that they don't care Sad

southeastdweller · 31/05/2021 10:00

Third wave? No, it's more hysteria from a scientist who wants some attention. I can't imagine ever seeing huge numbers of people being hospitalised again when we have vaccines that work.

Peppapeg · 31/05/2021 10:02

@Reallybadidea

I work in ICU. We're just starting to see quite young people being admitted with covid again for the first time in months. It's quite upsetting, I'm not sure how any of us can bear to go through another surge again. I hope that won't happen, but also quite upsetting to see people say that they don't care Sad
Shows the vaccines are working though if it's mainly the group who haven't had them yet, hopefully the roll out carries on at pace and they can get jabbed.
Waxonwaxoff0 · 31/05/2021 10:07

@Reallybadidea

I work in ICU. We're just starting to see quite young people being admitted with covid again for the first time in months. It's quite upsetting, I'm not sure how any of us can bear to go through another surge again. I hope that won't happen, but also quite upsetting to see people say that they don't care Sad
Well, lockdown was never to protect young people. It was to protect the elderly and vulnerable. I'm 30, only had my first jab 2 days ago and to be quite frank I'm not going to stay at home to protect young healthy people, and I wouldn't expect anyone to do it for me either.
Wherediditgo · 31/05/2021 10:10

What peppa said

Overthebow · 31/05/2021 10:10

@Donitta

Honestly I’m at the point now where as long as it’s not me dying I don’t really care. I suspect many others feel the same, and it will fuel the next wave because people won’t stay at home any more.
Yes same here. There’s no way I’ll stop seeing family and friends again, or distance from them.
Wherediditgo · 31/05/2021 10:11

Young people are far more likely to be adversely affected by lockdown than Covid so another lockdown to protect the young makes no sense.

Watermelon222 · 31/05/2021 10:13

How young is young @Reallybadidea?

And I presume they don’t have other health conditions or they’d have already been vaccinated?

I think personally we should continue to open things up carefully, but keep with distancing and masks until everyone 16+ has been offered a vaccine.

I definitely don’t want another lockdown, but cases round here are rising quite a bit.

I’d like to know more about the hospital admissions and if they have refused or not been offered the vaccine. If they’ve refused it, I think that is their risk to take and we shouldn’t shut down to protect them.

TheWomanInTheIronedMask · 31/05/2021 10:22

I think there are implications to be considered in addition to hospital admissions and deaths, if the cases increase a significant amount.

The current requirements for self isolation surely would have a large effect on workplaces due to staff absences - everything from the Royal Mail sorting sites, supermarket workers, carers, NHS staff, teachers - the list goes on and if a high proportion of workers are absent, this has an effect on the whole population surely? Education, healthcare, food chain supplies, home deliveries, post....

I also strongly believe self isolation has a huge effect on family incomes and this needs addressing. If it's a choice between receiving your wages on Friday and buying your DC food, or alternatively self isolating and not receiving your wages, or losing your job - people won't self isolate and I fully understand that POV.

(I know about the £500 payment scheme, it's insufficient for lots of reasons but I don't want to derail the thread!)

OliveTree75 · 31/05/2021 10:22

@Donitta

Honestly I’m at the point now where as long as it’s not me dying I don’t really care. I suspect many others feel the same, and it will fuel the next wave because people won’t stay at home any more.
This is how I feel now too
KatChocolate · 31/05/2021 10:26

I really hope we’re not heading towards a third wave, only time will tell.

I will adhere to further lockdowns if it means the NHS aren’t overwhelmed. My FIL has just been diagnosed with cancer and if his upcoming surgery and treatment is postponed then it could make a difference.

For those saying they don’t give a damn and won’t be following any further restrictions, well let’s just hope you don’t get caught up with having to watch a loved one’s urgent treatment being delayed all because you need felt your needs were far more important!

If the hospital admissions increase rapidly then it will have a huge knock on affect again, the NHS are already tirelessly working through the backlog. Let’s just all be sensible and try and follow social distancing.

awishes · 31/05/2021 10:26

The Indian variant particularly hits young people hard so that's why the hospitals will fill up as they have yet to be vaccinated.

Iloveasda1000 · 31/05/2021 10:28

There won't be a third wave. But none of the Sage lot predicting it will admit they we're wrong because they never do!!

SausageFrog · 31/05/2021 10:31

The problem is that lots of us haven’t had the first vaccine let alone the second. All the double vaccinated people keep forgetting that we’re not there YET.

The statistics are looking good and the vaccine rollout is going well but we’re still 3-4 months away from everyone being double vaccinated. It’s not over yet.

Wherediditgo · 31/05/2021 10:39

@awishes

The Indian variant particularly hits young people hard so that's why the hospitals will fill up as they have yet to be vaccinated.
Does it? Do you have a source for this please?
MarshaBradyo · 31/05/2021 10:39

@awishes

The Indian variant particularly hits young people hard so that's why the hospitals will fill up as they have yet to be vaccinated.
What age do you mean and how do you know?
OliveTree75 · 31/05/2021 10:41

@awishes

The Indian variant particularly hits young people hard so that's why the hospitals will fill up as they have yet to be vaccinated.
Another person wondering how you know this