Time to "let it rip"?

[Warhertisuff]

Firstly, let me say that I've been in broadly in favour of restrictions put in place since March 2020, but surely, once we get to 19 July, and we have widespread vaccination coverage (not to mention non-vaccine immunity), we should just go back to normal, completely, and treat Covid like the flu, as effectively that's what we've tamed to be akin to.

No more masks, no more isolation, no more testing and tracing....

Yes, they'll be a spike in cases, and many will get ill, but as long as hospitals aren't overwhelmed and people aren't dying in droves, so be it.

I appreciate that there are those who remain vulnerable even after being double-jabbed, but I'd have thought it would be far better for them to shield themselves for a short period as it rips through and burns out like past epidemics, rather than keeping it simmering and retaining a moderate level of risk over a much longer period as we neither do enough to suppress it completely, nor allow things to open up fully enough for it to rip through in a few weeks.

Then as and when variants do arrive (which they probably will) we'll have an even more comprehensive base level of population immunity.

@PastMyBestBeforeDate

The CEV may choose to shield over this period sounds good but in practice that's not possible for many families. Plenty of CEV people live with other people who are expected to go to work or school.

I agree. Do I just not send my 5 year old to school. Does my Mother nolonger have carers.

OP you are describing a scenario that is wishful thinking and has very little basis in science. There is a reason no government is taking this strategy and it is because 'herd immunity and a return to normality' is not what would happen. You are advocating for a fantasy land.

Perhaps for me, having dealt with the blow of a cancer diagnosis, it is easier than it is for others to grasp that we aren't going 'back to normal'.
I really really really wish it were different. I have spent a lifetime building a career in theatre and festivals which is of course one of the worst hit industries and the hardest hit if we don't return to 'normal'. But I have to accept that we are not going back to the past. We can't return to previous levels of freedom without very severe public health consequences yet. In the medium term we are going to have to develop new ways of living that take account of covid being a long-term endemic illness that will threaten the vulnerable and unvaccinated. We have a number of tools to help us, vaccination being the main one. We no longer have to live in lockdown, we can already see our loved ones and enjoy lots of the pleasures that were denied to us for a while, but there are still going to be restrictions that come and go for public health reasons for a while to come in order to protect public health.

Can I also point out that 'choosing to shield' is a moot point. From September when furlough ends there are no financial protections whatsoever if you are CEV and cannot return to work as you once did. 'Choosing' to shield is the preserve of the very wealthy. The rest of us have to live with reduced income and risk.

This is effectively government strategy though, isn't it? My family are all booked to go to Latitude Festival in 34 weks time with 36,000 folk enjoying themselves camped and moshed up and then returning to their communities with no masks or sd required. The implicit assumption I take from that is you manage your own risk with your own resources.

4 weeks

Bollihigh as I understand it Latitude is another test event though isn't it? The other god knows how many other festivals that would normally be the bread and butter of our industry aren't on this year. Although a lot of that is because they can't get cancellation insurance.

There needs to be a test full return to Parliament event.

Well OP, looks like the new health secretary agrees. 19th is it.

@MargosKaftan

Well OP, looks like the new health secretary agrees. 19th is it.

Yes the plan worked. It's the real reason why Hancock was got rid of.

Dates, not data it seems.

Meanwhile all over Europe and beyond, doors slam shut to visitors from high risk UK.

It’s looking very hopeful 😊

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57643694

Now, when will Parliament return in full?

Convenient that they're due their summer recess when it starts to rip through, isn't it?

Of course, like with their planned catch up for schools, there really ought to be similar for Parliament. Summer sessions. Leading by example.

As a cautious person with respect to covid, I will agree to ending restrictions on 19.7 if everyone must vaccinate by 19.7 - no exceptions except clinical. A fair compromise I reckon.

@Babamamananarama

Can I also point out that 'choosing to shield' is a moot point. From September when furlough ends there are no financial protections whatsoever if you are CEV and cannot return to work as you once did. 'Choosing' to shield is the preserve of the very wealthy. The rest of us have to live with reduced income and risk.

I think that if we are to let it rip, those deemed extremely vulnerable groups that have a poor vaccination response should be facilitated to shield whilst case numbers are very high.

If government wants to drop all restrictions, the best way to install confidence in people is to lead by example.

They need to hold full sessions in Parliament after the 19th.

I will agree to ending restrictions on 19.7 if everyone must vaccinate by 19.7 - no exceptions except clinical. A fair compromise I reckon.

You do understand you don’t have this power?

I don’t care what parliament are doing, I will be happy to leave all restrictions in the past 😊

"Test events" are just the government's way of allowing stuff to happen without hindrance. Lloyd-Webber was instantly allowed to have a full capacity Cinderella when he kicked off but he declined unless it was offered to all. Melvin Benn has plowed on regardless taken the gamble that it would pay off. But he has deep pockets and sharp elbows as you say lesser mortals can't get the cancellation insurance to commit to the build weeks in advance so have had to cancel.

As to covid security - understandable but very soon to be a moot point. Evidence from Australia as to the infectivity of the delta variant where a 100 cases have been traced back to a limo driver to the quarantine facilities - have identified picked up a couple of positives that had merely 10 seconds fleeting passing contact maskless in a shopping mall. It is that infectious, but the very good news is double jabbed is holding up remarkably well. The implicit policy of SAGE now is I think to 'let it rip' because the consequences of opening up with delta are just that.

www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-22/covid19-cctv-footage-worrying-nsw-health-authorities/100231832

You might not care, bit as they're taxpayer funded, I very much do care what Parliament does.

It is that infectious, but the very good news is double jabbed is holding up remarkably well.

I don't see how nearly 50% of Delta deaths being in double jabbed translates as holding up well. It bodes badly in fact.

What we need to know now is a vaccine breakdown for those who've sadly died. If one is more effective than the other, than we need to give boozers to those who've had the less effective.

Meanwhile we await the tsunami of Long Covid...

www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jun/28/health-systems-should-be-prepared-doctors-brace-for-tsunami-of-long-covid

I won’t let what parliament are doing stop me living my life, not that it does at the moment anyway. I think most people will happily carry on and get back to normal whether parliament are back or not.

I don’t think the threat of long Covid will stop people happily getting back to normal.

Ah I see. The plebs risk their life and long term health living their lives whilst Other People die or end up unable to work disabled but MPs get to protect themselves.

Safe to lift restrictions (for the general public) but not safe to lift them for Parliament.

Speaks volumes.

Well the plebs will get on with their lives, everyone else can shield at home. I don’t think you can stop it, it’s already happening.

@Baileysforchristmas

I don’t think the threat of long Covid will stop people happily getting back to normal.

Agreed.

It's been massively downplayed and continued to be.

Fast forward one, two years. Then people will realise the mistake. Too late.

Act in haste, repent at leisure.

Meanwhile all around the world, doors slam shut to high risk UK. There's a reason why everywhere else is keeping us out.

Oh and, bodies piling up, many facing long term disability, and yet more pressure on an already at breaking point NHS isn't getting back to normal.

Nor is being a high risk country that others restrict entry from.

Very far from normal.