Good News 14: Keeping our spirits up, just a bit longer.

[hugoagogo]

The good news is that WFH reduces the overall number of contacts for the whole country, reduces the size of the wave and reduces infection risk for everybody.

Because of the large numbers involved it can significantly alter the trajectory of the pandemic.

🤐

It’s gone crazy. Not even a pretence of balance 🙁

Wfh has significantly impacted my mental health, and wfh while also trying to home school two children left me on the edge of a breakdown in February this year. My risk of serious ill health from Covid was, and is, tiny.

I agree @bellamountain I also think some people have just totally lost all perspective and have got so used to the restrictions they’re in genuine panic at the thought of it ending.

I’ve wfh since the pandemic started, only been to the office a handful of times for specific reasons.

I don’t like the isolation of working at home and miss chatting to people in the office. It was ok as a temporary thing but has gone on so long now.

I know a lot of people don’t want to go back as they hate the office and commute, but for me my commute was never that bad and I miss having company. Being around people made the job more fun!

@PomRuns

It’s gone crazy. Not even a pretence of balance 🙁

We need edit rights on posts, including other people's.

While we wait for that, here's a nice baby story:
www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-57484076.amp

@SaveWaterDrinkGin

I agree *@bellamountain* I also think some people have just totally lost all perspective and have got so used to the restrictions they’re in genuine panic at the thought of it ending.

A place I go often had a huge perspex screen between customers and servers, which wasn't as useful as it might be as there was hole cut out at each till to pass things through. Because of masks and the barrier and background noise a lot of people stuck their heads up to or nearly through the hole in order to communicate.

Today the screen had gone. One staff member I spoke to was delighted, another said she didn't feel safe any more. Certainly it felt very 'naked', but I think after a few days everyone will get used to it again.

I think each measure going will take a little getting used to and feel strange to the most confident and nerve-wracking to the nervous, so some will be apprehensive.

25.1% of the world have now had at least one jab: ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations

@bellamountain

I'm convinced so much of the negativity isn't through fear (I do sympathise with the genuinely fearful even if there are a 100,000 other ways to get ill) but from people enjoying the rewards of working from home and the huge savings they are making on travel etc. I've had a friend openly admit she knows she's selfish but it wouldn't bother her going into another lockdown due the money she has saved. Every single person who I have witnessed saying restrictions should not end are coming from a place of privilege. The restrictions do not impact their lives in anyway whatsoever.

well the people I know who are most concerned have clinical vulnerabilities, I don't know anyone whose sole focus is saving on their travel

@PomRuns

It’s gone crazy. Not even a pretence of balance 🙁

we can agree on that, perhaps from different vantage points

Good news for people who play the stock market, apparently www.telegraph.co.uk/investing/shares/freedom-day-coming-now-watch-british-stocks-soar/

Was there actually any need for you to reply to me @herecomesthsun when I’d already said I was struggling? I’m very aware already that we have different views.

[quote herecomesthsun]Good news for people who play the stock market, apparently www.telegraph.co.uk/investing/shares/freedom-day-coming-now-watch-british-stocks-soar/[/quote]
That includes anyone who has a pension. It also means additional investment opportunities for companies looking to expand, which creates employment too. So yes, that's good news.

@PomRuns

Was there actually any need for you to reply to me *@herecomesthsun* when I’d already said I was struggling? I’m very aware already that we have different views.

I was agreeing with you

Not strictly good news, but a measured, balanced thread from James Ward about 19 July.

mobile.twitter.com/JamesWard73/status/1413834989209272321

Yes a very pragmatic view and one that I share. Its going to be shit but this is the less shit way.

I do agree that we need to get ages 12+ jabbed it should be available to those that want it.

Probably good news

"Brits to be told they're 'expected to wear face masks indoors' in shift in advice"

www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/breaking-brits-told-theyre-expected-24508710

Guardian:

Vaccines minister Nadim Zahawi is doing the rounds this morning.

Speaking on Sky News this morning ... despite the expected lifting of all restrictions on July 19 Zahawi said the public would be “expected to wear masks indoors in enclosed spaces.”

Zahawi said he is “confident” that the country will move to the next stage of lifting coronavirus restrictions next week.

He told Trevor Phillips On Sunday that Boris Johnson would make an announcement on Monday.

...he said:

We’re seeing a rise in infection rates in this country, but also in Europe and elsewhere. The difference for us is that the vaccination programme has been so successful.

He added:

I think it’s important that we remain cautious and careful and the guidelines that we’ll set out tomorrow will demonstrate that, including guidelines that people are expected to wear masks in indoor enclosed spaces.

I took a Uber yesterday and spoke with the driver. Apparently Uber are asking the drivers how are they feeling about the mask policy as they’re considering still imposing them

Hope you don't mind me just checking in to get this back on TIO

[quote CornishYarg]Not strictly good news, but a measured, balanced thread from James Ward about 19 July.

mobile.twitter.com/JamesWard73/status/1413834989209272321[/quote]
Interesting article thanks. I think that's what Chris whitty aluded to as in we are following the least worst option
I will take that, nervously

@Bordois

Todays rate of growth has dropped again to 34.9. So cases still rising, but not as rapidly as they were

Another drop to 30.7 today.

Now 27.3

This is giving me hope.

Anecdata, fleet of ambulances present outside the hospital with paramedics chatting together. We paused to chat and one commented they're "nice and quiet this week". (A minor miracle with football, never mind Covid!)