All this has to stop. We can’t live like this!

[SweetsMum3]

We need to learn to live with covid like we do with all other viruses, illnesses and diseases. The elderly and high risk are vaccinated… that was the goal, remember?! Like Hancock said, we will cry freedom when the over 70s are vaccinated!

There is no reason for mass testing when the young and healthy get covid mildly. My child is in tears yet again because she isn’t allowed to go to school for 10 days. A few students in her year group tested positive and all students are forced to be locked in their homes… again.

Are the sick?! No. Half have no symptoms. The others have a slight fever and feel a little tired.

This isn’t fair. This isn’t healthy. This isn’t sane. This is harmful and destructive to children. An entire generation has been betrayed. For what exactly? Over a virus which does not affect them. Over fear. Over people being immensely risk-averse. Over loss of control and people can’t take it.

It is time we live our lives and get back to normal before it’s too late. If our children hold us accountable and never forgive us, I will completely understand. We have not stood-up for them. Instead, we cowered in fear not giving a hoot about the collateral damage all these restrictions have caused. Shame on us.

@frumpety

I know you’re joking around here but some really do not think about the impact of isolation on others

I do though, I tend to see the other end of the age range, people who are in their 80's/90's who haven't been able to see hardly anyone at all, don't have family living with them, haven't been able to access the social groups that they rely on, don't have the confidence to access the interent ( although some are better than me ! ) Some have deteriorated considerably over the last year or so and don't have their whole lives ahead of them to catch up. But a pandemic isn't a competition in pity is it ?

Yes that was devastating and the rest of society put in hard yards to help alleviate as much as they could - whole terms at home, lockdowns, businesses impacted.

Now they are double vaccinated and more of the benefit should go to children.

It’s a shame that this vaccination stage and some loosening of link between hospitalisation and cases didn’t bring about some benefit to school age first. And yes I mean not having children stuck at home repeatedly.

I couldn't agree more.

@newnortherner111

I disagree with the notion that an entire generation has been betrayed.

The United Kingdom has been betrayed, young and old, women and men, poor or not, by the worst Prime Minister this country has ever had. A Prime Minister who missed five meetings about the virus, who acted late in March 2020, September 2020, December 2020 and in April 2021.

• Children have had to manage with six weeks more home schooling than would have happened with prompt action in March and December 2020.
• Non-essential shops were shut for eight or nine weeks longer than under prompt action, and would have been open for eight weeks pre-Christmas not three.
• Tomorrow almost all if not all restrictions for Uk life would have been lifted had India been on the red list at the same time as Pakistan and Bangladesh.

At least 10,000 people fewer would have died with a competent attentive decisive Prime Minister, regardless of whether they were Tory, Labour, Lib Dem or any other party.

Couldn't agree more! And this lax response will be the delta variants pass into the rest of Europe again, just like the previous UK variant!

Concern for children? Let's start by focusing on getting CEV and CV children vaccinated when it's possible. It's only approved for 12+ for now but that's at least a start.

^^
This! I don’t get why we aren’t vaccinating clinically vulnerable 12+ child as first priority now, ahead of health 16-30 year olds. 16+ CV had it ages ago.

Hardly any cev children have died

Fact

These posts aren't vacant due to lack of funding - these are vacant funded posts. They are vacant because we don't have enough staff to fill them.

Where do you suggest all these extra staff are magically found?

@ChequerBoard And why do you think there aren’t enough staff to fill them? Because the pay isn’t enough. Increase nurses’ salaries to a level that befits the job and the applicants may just “magically appear”.

@lllllllllll

These posts aren't vacant due to lack of funding - these are vacant funded posts. They are vacant because we don't have enough staff to fill them.

Where do you suggest all these extra staff are magically found?

@ChequerBoard And why do you think there aren’t enough staff to fill them? Because the pay isn’t enough. Increase nurses’ salaries to a level that befits the job and the applicants may just “magically appear”.

It's not that simple. We just haven't been planning to recruit and train the right number of nursing and allied professionals for many years. You can't fix that overnight, no matter how much money you throw at the problem. Add in the barriers to brining in staff from overseas - Brexit and the pandemic and we have a real problem in our hands.

Yes it would be nice if some of those that had left the profession came back but that won't close the 10% gap. I don't think money alone is the issue there either. Better salaries are definitely needed but there are many other factors that lead to nurses, (who let's not forget wouldn't have embarked on their training without a sense of vocation) leaving the profession.

@Watapalava

Hardly any cev children have died

Fact

They were shielding along with many of their household where possible. They also benefited from case numbers being brought down to low levels making it possible to return to school and go back out in the community for some.

Now restrictions are lifting and obviously cases are rising. The risks to these cev/vulnerable children increases.

And why do you think there aren’t enough staff to fill them? Because the pay isn’t enough. Increase nurses’ salaries to a level that befits the job and the applicants may just “magically appear”.

It's going to get a whole lot worse if Dido Harding gets put in charge of the NHS with her wanting to reduce our reliance on foreign staff. The NHS would collapse. I know the department I work in would be unable to function.

How did we manage to elect such a bunch of out and out racists?

@Watapalava

Hardly any cev children have died

Fact

Because they've been shielding at home. Doesn't take Sherlock to figure out why.

They were shielding along with many of their household where possible. They also benefited from case numbers being brought down to low levels making it possible to return to school and go back out in the community for some. Now restrictions are lifting and obviously cases are rising. The risks to these cev/vulnerable children increases

So we’re vulnerable people of all ages, and yet they still managed to contract covid and die. Why are people like you so determined to pretend that covid is dangerous to children? Show me data from anywhere in the world that supports such a view.

@Bizawit Parents generally follow the advice from their children's medical professionals who have a better idea of the individual risk than people like you do.

[quote mrshoho]@Bizawit Parents generally follow the advice from their children's medical professionals who have a better idea of the individual risk than people like you do.[/quote]
like I said, show me data from anywhere in the world that indicates covid is dangerous to children. A child becoming seriously sick/ dying from covid is incredibly incredibly rare. Much more rare than plenty of other diseases that didn’t have us locking up children before. Show me any evidence that contradicts this.

There’s a thread on here with dc repeatedly isolating and it made me think who else had the no exercise rule this often

Not adults in lockdown, we could exercise, but children who need it most

If people are ok with that it’s shameful and a failing

'I am not in the least bit privileged , what can't we do that you want to be able to do and that you have to be privileged to do ?'

'Anybody ?'

'I'd like to fly to another country to watch a game of football without having to bother about quarantine. Or even have a fortnight in the sun but I can't because I can't take the risk that the country will go to.amber or red while I'm away'

Ah yes. Wouldn't we all like to fly to another country to watch essential footie or have a fortnight in the sun. It is just not on, you're quite right. For a reason though you must keep reminding yourself to help you get through.

'Hardly any cev children have died Fact'

Erm, because they've been shielding perhaps?!

And again it isn't the point that 'hardly any dc have died', they usually all have parents and loved ones though so surely, surely some of you must grasp the chain reaction effect of massively high community transmission that we had at the peaks?!

What can't we do that we were able to do before? I would say seeing your gp is a big one (unless you're one of the lucky ones whose gp is seeing people).

But remember folks, protect the NHS by not getting receiving health care unless it's extremely urgent. YAY

‘Protect the NHS’ is a misleading message. Surely we can all see that the best way to kill it stone dead is by ruining businesses and impoverishing tax payers. There simply won’t be the money to fund it in future.

'would say seeing your gp is a big one '

You can. They are triaging via phone or econsult. I guarantee if you say you have a lump or unexplained bleeding for example, you will be seen. If you say you have a mild issue you may be told to take painkillers. Which this what you'd be told anyway if seen face to face.

@JaniieJones

'would say seeing your gp is a big one '

You can. They are triaging via phone or econsult. I guarantee if you say you have a lump or unexplained bleeding for example, you will be seen. If you say you have a mild issue you may be told to take painkillers. Which this what you'd be told anyway if seen face to face.

OK then, how about other services that used to be provided by GP surgeries?

My OH used to be able to get his regular blood tests done by the practice nurse (for his cancer and chemo treatments). "Due to covid", the practice say they're no longer doing blood tests and he has to drive several miles to the hospital plebotomy dept.

I've not had any of the usual 6 monthly diabetic check ups usually done at the GP surgery. They usually do blood pressure and physical foot checks. They're not doing any of that. Nor have I had my usual annual diabetic eye test. Instead of 6 monthly blood tests, I've had one!

I'm sure they're still happily claiming the funding from the NHS for the services they're not providing!

@Flyonawalk

‘Protect the NHS’ is a misleading message. Surely we can all see that the best way to kill it stone dead is by ruining businesses and impoverishing tax payers. There simply won’t be the money to fund it in future.

You would think so, but when lockdown lovers are asked how they expect the NHS to continue if there is no money to fund it, they never have an answer

@JaniieJones

'would say seeing your gp is a big one '

You can. They are triaging via phone or econsult. I guarantee if you say you have a lump or unexplained bleeding for example, you will be seen. If you say you have a mild issue you may be told to take painkillers. Which this what you'd be told anyway if seen face to face.

I needed a blood test done in the last year, they told me they're not doing any

@JaniieJones

'would say seeing your gp is a big one '

You can. They are triaging via phone or econsult. I guarantee if you say you have a lump or unexplained bleeding for example, you will be seen. If you say you have a mild issue you may be told to take painkillers. Which this what you'd be told anyway if seen face to face.

You can't guarantee any such thing. Someone very close to me hasn't been able to see a GP in person despite a very worrying health issue.

And I'll say it again - many of us with severe chronic illnesses are living with daily pain and all that goes with it (including long term damage untreated autoimmune conditions do, in cases like mine) because we can't see our consultants. If you're lucky enough to be able to afford private care, none of this is an issue. Dental care is another one - my NHS dentist has a six month wait for appointments.

Regarding DC - those with access to the internet/tutors/outside space in which to play/healthy parents/parents who have not been severely financially impacted by restrictions are obviously going to be better off and will suffer fewer lasting negative effects than DC from less privileged backgrounds.

It's utterly incredible to me that people can't see that those who are privileged/comfortably off are not experiencing the same hardships as a result of continuing restrictions as those who aren't.

My last post is also for @frumpety, who also believes that if you're privileged your pandemic has been the same as that of people who live on UC in a tenth floor flat with DC and health issues.

'needed a blood test done in the last year, they told me they're not doing any'

Well of course you must report this negligent gp practice asap.

We've all had blood checks as required as my df, dm, friend's family, anecdotal of course. I just cannot believe a gp practice has stopped checked bloods.

'You can't guarantee any such thing. Someone very close to me hasn't been able to see a GP in person despite a very worrying health issue.'

Ohh did they have a new lump or unexplained bleeding? Because that is what I said would be seen. A 'worrying health issue' is a bit vague tbh.