Anybody else feeling very conflicted about today’s announcement?

[Wherediditgo]

I (as many are) have been waiting for this day since March last year. I remember believing Boris when he said ‘12 weeks to turn the tide’
I remember thinking how great it would be when we could go back to our old lives.

Ive never really worried about catching Covid. I’ve seen the stats. I’m 3 weeks post 1st jab. I don’t necessarily think that masks make much difference (not the ones most of us wear) and I’ve always thought that lockdown measures have been overly harsh in some instances and have worried about the state of people’s MH and financial positions.

Now, all of a sudden, I feel afraid. I read that they’re scrapping almost everything on 19th July and I can’t get my head around it. I all of a sudden feel anxious about going back to ‘normality’

Does anyone else feel this way?

I feel a bit like you OP. I'm not at all anxious at the moment or worried about catching covid but suddenly feel apprehensive. I'm not really sure why. However I think most people will adjust quite quickly.

I can't wait to get back to normal but it won't last very long come September onwards will will be back tl square one. I'm not afraid of covid,im afraid of the goverment.

Not conflicted -delighted even tho I think the whole thing was unnecessary to begin wit we should simply have been told about the relative risks and left to make our own decisions about it-definitely should not have been compulsory lockdown or masks etc.
I do think it is natural that you feel conflicted OP as the roolz have normalised this ridiculous situation. Humans habituate and adapt to prevailing conditions so the old normality now seems scary to you. Will not take long for rational people to re-adapt.

I wonder if all the people saying they don't they're happy to see all the restrictions removed have the benefit of being double jabbed?

@musicalfrog

What makes you think hospitalisations will go through the roof? Bit perplexed by that.

Hospitalizations are rising much faster than they were. Depends on what you define as through the roof. They will certainly get much higher than they are now. There is no doubt about that. But we don't know at what level they are expecting the peak unless I missed them talking about that? We also don't know at what level they will take action to protect NHS? Unless I missed that too. The general idea I got from the announcement was it was better to have this peak now and for people to go to hospital now. Otherwise if we delay it, winter will give covid advantages and a peak then would be a catastrophe.

@TeddingtonTrashbag how do you think it would have panned out without any lockdown etc? Exactly how would NHS have coped?

No.

I can't wait for 19th July, when covid will magically disappear because two stupid politicians have said that it has.

I bet India and Brazil can't wait for the dictats of Johnson and Javid to hit them, too.

Nope. Feel delighted. Finally.

I think (just my thoughts and not thinking I know it all) we will all get it soon and that’s what they want. That’s the better immunity rather than vaccines. I am double jabbed and so is my DH and we have recently had it and we were quite ill. The most vulnerable are now protected enough to keep hospital admissions manageable (this is all this has been about) so it’s take your chances time and let’s get some money back into the economy. Personally I’ll wear my mask still to protect others. I feel quite ready now I’ve had covid, but I do feel concerned for those who may think it’s more or less gone and end up very poorly. They did say numbers will go up though, which at least is a warning as to what to expect.

I actually have been thinking I actually don't know how I feel.

Work in education so not being protected at work has just become the norm.

Don't use public transport nor have the need to.

Feel safer wearing mask in shops - really conflicted on how ill feel being unmasked.

Don't often go to pubs and have been for few meals and seated in booth or by open window.

Do spend hours poolside unmasked and have never felt unsafe doing this except the first time last December it felt odd for first half hour.

Yes I'm conflicted, I think I'd feel better with a phased end to restrictions because not everyone has had their two doses. Like millions I'm waiting for surgery (in my case two years) but the hospital is still not doing non emergency cases and don't (or won't say) when they will restart. The problem is we'll soon role round to winter when the hospital I'm under stop surgery from November - March because of winter pressures.When will all these people waiting get surgery? In the mean time waiting lists are increasing. Hospital outpatients are only just seeing some people in person, these vulnerable people need to protect themselves but how? Many of these people have had little to no health care during the last 18 months they may now be offered it but have a choice risk their health to get the health care they've been waiting 18 months +for. It's all well and good for the healthy among us to be saying we need to open up but we maybe need to consider the vulnerable who may not be able to be vaccinated or may not have got the required immunity before we do a free for all.

@TheGenealogist

I'm conflicted - because I live in fecking Scotland and Queen Nicola has been waiting to see what Boris does so she can do the opposite.

Social distancing, masks and hundreds of kids isolating in Scotland until 2039 then?

Don't disagree with why you think this but she's also between a rock and hard place now as Scotland is covid hotspot of Europe.

Actually makes it a valid question if too many restrictions (Scotland have been stricter) can have a detrimental effect down the road.

Nope, bring it on!

@Shelby10

I think (just my thoughts and not thinking I know it all) we will all get it soon and that’s what they want. That’s the better immunity rather than vaccines. I am double jabbed and so is my DH and we have recently had it and we were quite ill. The most vulnerable are now protected enough to keep hospital admissions manageable (this is all this has been about) so it’s take your chances time and let’s get some money back into the economy. Personally I’ll wear my mask still to protect others. I feel quite ready now I’ve had covid, but I do feel concerned for those who may think it’s more or less gone and end up very poorly. They did say numbers will go up though, which at least is a warning as to what to expect.

Getting covid does not give you better immunity than the vaccines.

I agree with @jumpbounce. My DH is CEV and due to his illness it’s possible the vaccine won’t work as well. I will still be wearing a mask but I can guarantee at work, people will not and will stop social distancing.

I’m happy to go to places where entry is controlled like hairdressers/beauticians. I used to commute into London a few years ago and the thought of being on trains like that would terrify me now.

@MyCreateIsUsernamed

Tories always use the phrase "common sense approach" for matters they cba to take responsibility for and to ensure that anyone badly impacted by them has as little recourse as possible.

So it's consistent at least.

This

I wouldn’t be concerned if it wasn’t for the Delta variant. Data from Israel shows significantly reduced efficacy (at catching the virus and having moderate illness), so you can be double jabbed and still get pretty sick.

@SonnetForSpring ‘winter will be grim’

In the guardian article you linked, Christ Whitty said he would be very surprised if this winter is any near bad as last

Well I’ve had both the vaccines and covid. I think we’ll all just get it. I did think getting it would be better immunity than the vaccines. Maybe not then

Not conflicted. He wants any spike there is to be in the summer for many reasons. Seems sound.

I don't get what you are having a problem with.

@SonnetForSpring

I didn't understand why they would scrap all the restrictions. However, its clear now that they want the peak to be as soon as possible to avoid clashing with the winter surge of respiratory cases. I also think they know there will have to be some more restrictions in winter so they are giving everyone a couple of months off now while they can. The risk is lower at the moment due to the weather and schools closing soon. So it does make sense actually. Spreading the cases and deaths rather than having a massive surge in winter.

I would go with this viewpoint too SFS.

As cynical as it might appear, given the government's track record it makes sense.

The pp who mentioned people taking their own approach to managing risk has it right. My dad who I help care for has stage 4 lung cancer and he’ll continue to go out minimally. I’m conscious that I’ve not had even a sniffle in 16m so will maintain a distance whenever I can - I definitely won’t be going anywhere where you have to squeeze past people. Hated that anyway but avoiding it is sensible in my case I think. I do think some bars and restaurants will continue with a cautious approach to space and capacity

They know the vaccines don't work quite as well on the delta variant and are risking it for the sake of the economy, tourism and hospitality will get a much needed boost this way. If all goes wrong Boris can blame the public for not using "common sense" and/or his new Health Secretary. I've got an opp coming up which won't happen if I test positive so will have to be cautious for the bext few weeks.

I'm bloody delighted. Can't wait to go to the theatre again.

I'm very conflicted. I completely understand that we need to get things going, but I'm concerned as a vulnerable person, even though I've been double vaccinated.

If this happens, I will continue to wear a mask and forgo anywhere where I can't socially distance from others e.g. pubs, theatres, public transport etc. If I can't rely on others socially distancing or taking care, then I really have no choice.