No masks after 19th July - Hoo-blardy-Ray!!!!!

[TeddingtonTrashbag]

As reported in the DM.
So happy if it’s true.

@Blinky21

It's incredibly foolish given the data that came from Australia re the spreading of Delta in a shopping mall with no masks. I don't think for most people wearing a mask to walk into a pub or round the shops is a big sacrifice. We can look forward to higher infection rates and an autumn/winter lockdown. Problem is, even though the govt claims to have broken the chain between infection and death with the vaccine, letting a virus run unchecked in a population leads to new mutations that may not respond to current vaccines and then we are back to March 2020

Exactly this.

@icedpurple infection rates currently highest in 5 months and not likely to go down if all restrictions are removed...

[quote Blinky21]@icedpurple infection rates currently highest in 5 months and not likely to go down if all restrictions are removed...[/quote]
Yes, and still pretty low, certainly way lower than some here were rubbing their hands over. And due to vaccination, deaths and hospitalisations are lower still. And with every day that passes, thousands more are getting vaccinated.

There's always the risk of new variants, so your scenario - where high vaccination rates and low rates of severe illness don't seem to count - neccessitates indefinite 'restrictions'.

Yes, and not for the first time.

Up to you, not the first on mn to claim to know more than the CMO.

I appreciate his take and time to realise hospitalisation is low.

@MarshaBradyo

Yes, and not for the first time.

Up to you, not the first on mn to claim to know more than the CMO.

I appreciate his take and time to realise hospitalisation is low.

Yes it is up to me, i don't claim any different.

His track record along with - importantly - how the UK government act or do not act based on his advice is sketchy at best.

[quote Blinky21]@icedpurple infection rates currently highest in 5 months and not likely to go down if all restrictions are removed...[/quote]
We only know that because we’re constantly testing everyone with a pulse. If people are asymptotic or mildly ill it doesn’t matter how many cases there are.

It's not balance, it's sticking your head in the stand, assuming it's all about hospital numbers and nothing else.

Except it’s not just this poster. The advice you disagree with is close to this and same effect. So you’ll stay annoyed as you are, but who cares really, the majority will be appreciating the change.

@MarshaBradyo

It's not balance, it's sticking your head in the stand, assuming it's all about hospital numbers and nothing else.

Except it’s not just this poster. The advice you disagree with is close to this and same effect. So you’ll stay annoyed as you are, but who cares really, the majority will be appreciating the change.

Thanks, good to know you accept other people have opinions. Well done you.

laughing so spikey. Well done you.

"We only know that because we’re constantly testing everyone with a pulse. If people are asymptotic or mildly ill it doesn’t matter how many cases there are."

Ignoring the fact that the % of tests with a positive result is increasing dramatically as well, of course.

It's not balance, it's sticking your head in the stand, assuming it's all about hospital numbers and nothing else

Shame you didn’t bother reading the post then, because that’s the complete opposite of what I said.

Unfortunately viruses will mutate whatever we do. That's why there's a different, dominant flu strain every year.

Everyone wearing masks last September didn't stop the Alpha mutation from happening, and lockdown didn't stop it spreading. Viruses are designed to do what viruses do and Covid is a very successful virus.

It's also worth remembering that viruses usually mutate to become more transmissible but less deadly, because it's not in their interest to kill available hosts.

@Blossomtoes

It's not balance, it's sticking your head in the stand, assuming it's all about hospital numbers and nothing else

Shame you didn’t bother reading the post then, because that’s the complete opposite of what I said.

I've read it 3 times and it's EXACTLY what you said.

Maybe re-read it yourself.

@TheVampiresWife

Unfortunately viruses will mutate whatever we do. That's why there's a different, dominant flu strain every year.

Everyone wearing masks last September didn't stop the Alpha mutation from happening, and lockdown didn't stop it spreading. Viruses are designed to do what viruses do and Covid is a very successful virus.

It's also worth remembering that viruses usually mutate to become more transmissible but less deadly, because it's not in their interest to kill available hosts.

Well, no, they mutate in reaction to circumstance.

The circumstance we have at the moment is a virus that is rapidly spreading in younger, unvaccinated people, a large number of whom live with older, partially or fully vaccinated people. It's essentially giving the virus a free hit at mutating, and the more unchecked it goes the better the chances it has.

And also, the idea that viruses mutate to become less deadly is to a very large degree a myth. We've seen no evidence that covid has mutated in this way yet and given how successful it is, there is no reason to think it will do so.

I've read it 3 times and it's EXACTLY what you said.Maybe re-read it yourself

Comprehension skills 0/10. Must try harder.

@Blossomtoes

I've read it 3 times and it's EXACTLY what you said.Maybe re-read it yourself

Comprehension skills 0/10. Must try harder.

Ok hun.

@Blossomtoes

My point is there’s low hospital admissions, low death rates, relatively low infection rates and the majority of the adult population is vaccinated, to the point where we’re virtually at herd immunity.

You’re the one ignoring every single problem except fucking covid. Trashed economy, businesses closing, thousands of kids not being educated, a mental health tsunami, debt rising.

,That’s not smugness, chum, it’s balance.

Totally agree with you.

There are so many other issues affecting us all because of these restrictions and there's a far bigger picture than just Covid cases.

It's also worth remembering that viruses usually mutate to become more transmissible but less deadly, because it's not in their interest to kill available hosts

That’s not strictly true. Viruses just need cells to replicate, there’s no conscious evolution process going on and no forward planning trying to conserve its line if un-infected cells become scarce. The chances are it’ll become milder over time simply because most viruses do, largely due to previous exposure in the population taking out the most vulnerable and our own biological evolution (although not a virus malaria and sickle cell is an interesting one).

If we’re talking purely about containment it’s equally advantageous for us if the virus evolves into a deadlier quicker version as it is for it to be slowed down and milder. Slowed down and deadlier is the worst scenario. Ebola is unlikely to be a global threat unless it mutates because it spreads and kills fast, there simply isn’t time for it to get through a huge international population. Even with that in mind it makes leaders nervous if they have a case within their borders.

Why all the venom on here, we all want to go back to normal but it's not possible as yet.

@puppeteer - the theme of the thread being ‘no more masks after 19th July’ - I’d be in favour for the mask restriction to stay in shops, and perhaps other establishments that I need to access for essential items?? To a certain extent, I just would avoid a pub/restaurant if I need to care for Mum in the not too distant future. However, a pharmacy or shop - I’d like to know I can pick up nappies etc without a potential risk…

Sorry! I forgot to name change! It’s me…
I’n addition I’d hope that people would need see ‘ditch the mask’ as - less as I’ve got my freedom back - but more - it may still be a good idea to wear one if I could potentially be mixing with other vulnerable people.

@Hornbill123456789

Sorry! I forgot to name change! It’s me… I’n addition I’d hope that people would need see ‘ditch the mask’ as - less as I’ve got my freedom back - but more - it may still be a good idea to wear one if I could potentially be mixing with other vulnerable people.

I think that’s a difficult argument to sustain while it’s not a personal judgement, but rather a mandate in law.

But actually if it were made advice, then I’d certainly applaud a discussion.

We’ve arguably gotten quite blasé about how we can pass infection to others. Covid is arguably more acute, but not alone in affecting the vulnerable. If the result of the pandemic is a lasting consideration transmission in general, that’s a good thing.

Yes - I can see I’m very swayed by personal experience @puppeteer. I’ve tried to picture myself 10 years ago, with no family with particular risk factors. Would I be so pro lockdown etc.

I’ve always been mindful of the phrase ‘there is no such thing as a selfish act’ - so even my assertion that we should all behave altruistically, is that ultimately for selfish reasons?

I do wonder what will happen. I would hospitals might still insist on masks - but then where do you draw the line? Will some businesses still insist on a mask, and will that be lawful?

Yes, I think it will make us more health aware. @puppeteer - thinking back to a time when DS was a newborn. A friend visited with a cold sore, and whereas I didn’t say anything at the time - I would now.

I also think my DD is showing a great awareness of the needs of others - I’m really proud of her, and they way her school have focussed on mental health.

Im still wearing mine, if companies allow it