Do you think they will extend the lockdown or stick with 21st June As Freedom day?

[ihatebindweed]

I hope they don't extend, because it moves the goalposts and then could lead to another extension. As it optional to go to certain places like clubs, when they open, then people vaccinated or not can make their choice.

I sadly think they will extend it and ruin my party planned for the end of June.

I disagree @HazeyJaneII. I think we can go ‘0h rightio, that’s done with let’s crack on’ because vulnerable people are protected and now we know all about covid as a disease, we now know that 99% of people will survive it. As less people survive annual flu and we ‘crack on’ then I can’t see any difference now.

Will things like sporting events, concerts, festivals not be able to go ahead if they extend the date?

@Girlmama3

Being pregnant and only having had one jab, I hope they extend it.

They need to see if the rise in cases result in more hospitalisations. If it they find this to be true after unlocking, they'll never go back.

I am sure you didn’t mean it to, but this sounds like you want to see hospitalisations rise because it would extend restrictions and suit your own situation better

Deffo they will extend it.
Lookout for the Foxtrot variant in the next week or so!

I am sure you didn’t mean it to, but this sounds like you want to see hospitalisations rise because it would extend restrictions and suit your own situation better.

It only reads like that if you want it to.

@Pyewackect

But the numbers are low, as in hospitalisations. I don't get it, has it changed from protect the NHS to eradicate Covid ?? Or are there only 4 intensive care bed in the whole UK? I know it's less ICU beds than you'd think in each hospital.

Half our ICU beds are occupied with Covid patients, all are under 40 !.

@Pyewackect

For goodness sake, if you're going to write this kind of nonsense post a source!

PurpleDaisies I don’t want to read it that way any more than she wants hospitalisations to increase

my daughter can't swim anywhere locally due to kids not being allowed

I can't go to a sauna/ spa as none open

There is no live music and that there is dancing is banned - and leaving your table

no clubs or big venues open

you can't leave your table in a pub without a mask.

All my daughters school trips are cancelled

festivals are mainly cancelled

we still cant go on our abroad holidays

I don’t know where you are in the country @tearsandtiaras but you’re quite unlucky.

These things are fine around here (South West England)
my daughter can't swim anywhere locally due to kids not being allowed
I can't go to a sauna/ spa as none open
All my daughters school trips are cancelled
Our local pub had an outdoor live music gig last weekend. There was certainly a lot of dancing.

I think they'll delay it by 2 weeks, and keep some of the easier restrictions. So keep masks and social distancing in public, but end social restrictions in private homes, have a higher limit on weddings and other private events. Allow the remaining industries to re-open but with some restrictions.

I'm in London. Rule abiding is strict here

www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/current-r-rate-england-covid-5492484

If people in the south west and followed the rules like we are and didn't think we were still in lockdown maybe we wouldn't be looking at extended restrictions

"we weren't"

I think they'll extend 2 weeks to give all over 50's a chance to have the second vaccine.

@PurpleDaisies

Oh ok, fair enough. It must vary hugely by area, then. I don't think I know anyone in that age bracket who won't have been second jabbed by 21 June, with the exception of a couple of people who have declined to have it.

In England booking was only opened up to people in their forties about a month ago. DH and I had our first jabs three weeks ago with most of our friends. We’re all due second vaccines in august.

Same here - and I booked my first one as soon as I was able to on the nhs website. Same for DH and all my/our friends. London-based.

The problem is that there’s just no logic to most of the restrictions - that’s why people are getting so fed up.

For example, where I work I can sit with my colleagues in our work space (usually 7 of us) knee to knee for hours and it’s fine. Yet when it comes to our lunch breaks in the staff room (which is the same size as our main working area) we are only allowed to go two at a time because of social distancing.

As a result, the 6 of us tend to go to the cafe next door, sit on a table, and be surrounded by strangers, eat our lunch together and then go back into work. And that’s fine, our Managers don’t bat an eyelid. But God Forbid two of us sit together in the staff room....

It’s insane.

I think they'll extend and then probably extend again.

I also really hate the phrase 'Freedom Day' - makes me cringe badly.

I hope they move it back by a few weeks to allow more people to get vaccinated. Many people have not yet been offered vaccinations. My DH doesn’t get his 2nd till July. Personally we’ll be very very cautious until he’s 2 weeks post 2nd vaccine as he is still at high risk of the indian strain.

@tearsandtiaras

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/current-r-rate-england-covid-5492484

If people in the south west and followed the rules like we are and didn't think we were still in lockdown maybe we wouldn't be looking at extended restrictions

Were you following the rules in December when you had the highest rates in the country? Stop talking rubbish.

@tearsandtiaras

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/current-r-rate-england-covid-5492484

If people in the south west and followed the rules like we are and didn't think we were still in lockdown maybe we wouldn't be looking at extended restrictions

I haven’t done anything that’s not within the current rules.

And when I was in London recently, lots of people without masks on in shops and on the tube. Far more than around here.

Have you actually read that article @tearsandtiaras? I just have.
Direct quote:
The ONS said the percentage of people testing positive for Covid-19 is estimated to have increased in north-west England, the East Midlands and south-west England.

There are also signs of a possible increase in the West Midlands and London while the trend is uncertain for other regions, the ONS said.

Possible increase in London as well. It’s not exactly yay London, boo south west.

@Malteser71
I don’t actually believe you. DH is an ITU consultant in a major city. He has ONE patient with covid aged 64 who refused the vaccine.
How rude not to believe the other poster just because it’s different in your area! The rates of infection are very different in some parts of the country. My relative is an ITU Charge Nurse in Lancashire, their local ITU beds are virtually at full capacity, mainly with younger patients.

Lady

That’s rubbish

I have friends who work at Bolton and other local hospitals and they are not full

Most only have 5 itu beds so full isn’t exactly ‘bursting at seams’

Those in hospital are not seriously il