Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Did it seem a bit odd that the tone of today's announcement was so sombre?

595 replies

secretintrovert · 05/07/2021 21:52

Bojo should have been doing his victory dance for freedom day! Instead the three of them looked as miserable as sin. There's trouble afoot methinks. This will be very very temporary

OP posts:
tiltedtomatoes · 07/07/2021 12:57

I need non-covid hospital treatment. Not because I'm CV, so in theory (according to some people) my need is actually one that matters right now, as I've read it many times over the last year being cited as a reason why restrictions should be lifted. Actually I'll have a much better chance of getting my treatment successfully if covid rates are very low, but I'm not going to get that right now, any more than CV people are going to get relatively safer shopping. I accept that reality. It's interesting that no one's telling me to suck it up as an unavoidable risk though - quite the opposite, people often imply that fewer covid precautions will somehow help me, and in order to help people like me, the CV are the ones who need to accept reality.

tiltedtomatoes · 07/07/2021 12:59

It is possible both to accept that post vaccination a wave of infection is inevitable as the cost benefit balance shifts and to believe that there are better and worse ways of managing that.

Frezia · 07/07/2021 13:22

But what is the point of vaccines if we don't use them and continue to rely on lockdowns?
*
Vaccination policy and rates are definitely not
* in line with the restriction lifting plan. We're now lagging behind a few European countries in the uptake.
Here's a Twitter thread on a bizarre situation in which people who should be eligible and who want to get jabbed are turned away because of arbitrary policy:
twitter.com/jimwaterson/status/1411330399427563520?s=21

Wouldn't it make sense to press more for a better government management of those policies so we can open up ASAP with minimal sacrifice, rather than spend time arguing with people about how they need to learn to live with Covid.

Ifitquacks · 07/07/2021 13:23

Definitely agree they should be upping the ante on the vaccines instead of the slow down we’re seeing. I got my second Pfizer jab early last weekend (6 weeks) thankfully.

ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia · 07/07/2021 13:26

RTB says some very sensible things but also some posts overemphasise the idea that there's this mass of people who unlike her aren't accepting reality. It's not that simple. It is perfectly possible to accept the grim reality of covid in relation to society (including the inevitably of exposure for all of us and the certainty that people will die) but still disagree about how things are managed at any one point in time.

Agreed @ tiltedtomatoes

The poster Red Tooth Brush amongst many many offers do offer some food for thought but all/most lack a nuanced understanding or possibly gloss over the diversity of the population which has to all intents and purposes included polar extremist from fundamental Covidiots conspiracists anti vaxxers, anti masks libertarians to the other extreme of mentally and physically petrified perhaps owing to preexisting health anxiety or other medical complications. We have to deal with those who fall within all these extreme Covid viewpoints and understanding and yes even treat those anti vaxxers anti masks (can mask but won’t mask) brigade when their selfish stupidity puts them in ICU needing critical MASKED ventilation and INJECTION of drugs.

With corrupt in it for themselves short term politicians in charge of far smarter scientists looking at the longer end game than short sighted short political lifecycles - you have a classic clash of pandemic ideological methodology.

Of course nothing is possible without economic health as tax payer funded all inclusive all you can eat NHS is only possible if the sensible majority recognise that it is in our hands to look after ourselves and by extension especially those with a civic duty of care conscience, to do the right and sensible thing. Get tested regularly stay out of trouble but BACK AT WORK using ALL safety mitigation measures enjoying living and dying with pandemic new normal but moderating your personal potential Covid footprint and be hopefully more a part of the solution than a part of the problem.

This thing will be around long after Alexander Johnson has elevated himself and cronies to lordship. Luckily our amazing scientists will save the day so how about a senior scientists with a business/economic background in charge instead of the Johnson dynasty? I rather trust a proven peer reviewed scientists rather than a columnist journalist/comedian. Long Covid anyone?

It is all about balance and being realistic with competing needs of health and wealth and there are no nice and cheerful New Zealand style options as our numbers are already challenging despite good vaccination. We need to protect the next generation as they will be the brains to fix this mess in years to come! As much as you can’t under estimate the extent of foolish unique English exemptionism entitlement - also don’t under estimate the tenacity of some smarter people within our communities. We don’t need to listen to idiots in charge anymore as evidently they have already quasi admitted defeat and now installed a banker (despite helping themselves to billions!) to systematically streamline the over stretched NHS, with I am assuming possibly semi private options?

Stay safe as hopefully this pandemic will burn up in a few years time. We will treat this as other viral diseases even if this one is super contagious or leaving a long Covid legacy. At least it’s not super deadly Ebola!

ChardonnaysPetDragon · 07/07/2021 13:37

Bloody hell, not New Zealand again....

RedToothBrush · 07/07/2021 13:37

The poster Red Tooth Brush

Ok... then....

Steps back slowly.

ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia · 07/07/2021 13:45

No keep going! It’s good to get your viewpoints as the more we share the more we can better understand the dynamics of this once in a lifetime pandemic challenge. All views are valuable whether it is to your liking or not. I agree with the thrust of your posts as you evidently raise many sensible points. This is refreshing from the antagonistic dumbing down nonsensical stuff also splashed liberally perhaps for entertainment or to vent than seriously. Keep going Red Tooth Brush! We need all brains cracking on this as amongst us may be we can agree a more pragmatic way forward. Or at least start a fruitful inclusive discussion.

UsedUpUsername · 07/07/2021 14:22

yes even treat those anti vaxxers anti masks (can mask but won’t mask) brigade when their selfish stupidity puts them in ICU needing critical MASKED ventilation and INJECTION of drugs

Loool a vaccine can keep you out of ICU; a mask does nothing. It’s just a simple, visible way for politicians to say ‘we’re doing something!’

so how about a senior scientists with a business/economic background in charge instead of the Johnson dynasty?

Well that would be someone from the pharma industry...don’t think that would work out too well either

herecomesthsun · 07/07/2021 14:23

We do need to lift restrictions.

But we aren't in lockdown now, we have freedom of movement - the most important restrictions have already been lifted.

We can for example keep masks on public transport, that vulnerable people might have to use (as Andy Burnham has suggested).

And we are going to have to keep masks in many ? most health care settings anyway.

It was never going to be an all or nothing thing.

I can see that Boris Johnson might like to make political capital out of Freedom Day but we still have covid to deal with.

We might as well face up to that. Yes we can get rid of many restrictions, yes we have to live with some risk long term, but also yes, we would sensible to have some intelligent measures still in place.

herecomesthsun · 07/07/2021 14:24

@UsedUpUsername

yes even treat those anti vaxxers anti masks (can mask but won’t mask) brigade when their selfish stupidity puts them in ICU needing critical MASKED ventilation and INJECTION of drugs

Loool a vaccine can keep you out of ICU; a mask does nothing. It’s just a simple, visible way for politicians to say ‘we’re doing something!’

so how about a senior scientists with a business/economic background in charge instead of the Johnson dynasty?

Well that would be someone from the pharma industry...don’t think that would work out too well either

Masks are thought to decrease spread by about 25%. Just saying. That could indeed keep some people out of ICU.

Hugh Montgomery (Prof in ICU medicine) would certainly think so.

Lockdownbear · 07/07/2021 14:28

Masks are thought to decrease spread by about 25%. Just saying. That could indeed keep some people out of ICU.

Is that proper surgical masks that are disposed of after every use?
Or is that cloth masks that are stuffed in pockets, used day after day and washed very occasionally.

herecomesthsun · 07/07/2021 14:33

@Lockdownbear

Masks are thought to decrease spread by about 25%. Just saying. That could indeed keep some people out of ICU.

Is that proper surgical masks that are disposed of after every use?
Or is that cloth masks that are stuffed in pockets, used day after day and washed very occasionally.

The best surgical masks apparently decrease risk to healthcare staff by getting on for 100% - I posted an article on the Good New thread about it somewhere.

So good surgical masks could potentially have even more of an effect on spread.

Lemonmelonsun · 07/07/2021 14:43

@ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia

FABULOUS post and yes re red tooth brush, I also really enjoy your posts albeit lengthy sometimes (which I skim or skip)Blush Smile beautiful writer and very convincing too.

I'm happy to live with long covid but I cannot fathom why simple measures such as masks in enclosed places, at the bar ordering, banks, shops can't stay, I really can't, along with regular testing.

Lemonmelonsun · 07/07/2021 14:46

Re masks.

We wear masks to protect others from our covid breath.

It doesn't matter if my mask has been scrunched up my pocket and not washed to you.
What matters to you is that my covid breath is being partly held back in my mask, the particles that do escape... Are slowed down so hopefully won't reach you when we speak and those that also escape that don't fall to the ground because they can't be "propelled without obstruction", will be dispersed and diverted away from your oreafces.

If however some of my covid breath does hit you, due to my mask, hopefully.... You'll get less of a covid hit from me and a milder infection.

IcedPurple · 07/07/2021 14:48

[quote Lemonmelonsun]@ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia

FABULOUS post and yes re red tooth brush, I also really enjoy your posts albeit lengthy sometimes (which I skim or skip)Blush Smile beautiful writer and very convincing too.

I'm happy to live with long covid but I cannot fathom why simple measures such as masks in enclosed places, at the bar ordering, banks, shops can't stay, I really can't, along with regular testing.[/quote]
But masks can 'stay'. Nobody is forbidden from wearing one, and many places will likely make them compulsory. They are just no longer legally mandated.

If surveys are correct and many people intend to continue wearing masks (I have my doubts) then there really shouldn't be such a huge change after the 19th. We'll see.

Lemonmelonsun · 07/07/2021 14:51

Ice, going from personal data where I work, there are high up people who don't agree with them and others are too worried to go against that and wear masks.

RedToothBrush · 07/07/2021 14:52

[quote Lemonmelonsun]@ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia

FABULOUS post and yes re red tooth brush, I also really enjoy your posts albeit lengthy sometimes (which I skim or skip)Blush Smile beautiful writer and very convincing too.

I'm happy to live with long covid but I cannot fathom why simple measures such as masks in enclosed places, at the bar ordering, banks, shops can't stay, I really can't, along with regular testing.[/quote]
I'm with you.

Only thing relevant about masks is maybe they want to hit a certain R number within a short time frame for a reason?

Dunno.

Possible.

IcedPurple · 07/07/2021 14:57

@Lemonmelonsun

Ice, going from personal data where I work, there are high up people who don't agree with them and others are too worried to go against that and wear masks.
On the other hand there are places, such as where I work, where masks will likely be compulsory beyond the 19th, so even those of us who'd prefer not to wear them will have to.
Frezia · 07/07/2021 16:52

Any mask is more effective than no mask. The debate about community masks potentially doing more harm than good was closed in the established scientific community sometime before summer last year.

Bertiebiscuit · 07/07/2021 17:28

This isn't going to go well, that's why, and he knows it, but the money people are on his back - usual Tory money before people callousness - I'm going to carry on with social distancing and mask wearing and will probably avoid public transport - far too many people didn't wear masks when it was supposed to be compulsory so it will be carnage now - ditto supermarkets

CookL · 07/07/2021 17:28

What people fail to realise is we will not stop catching covid nor will people stop dying from it. The difference now is if you need an intensive care bed, one will probably be available. That was not the case last year which is why they locked down.

user1472151176 · 07/07/2021 17:29

I'll continue with my mask, it makes me feel safer. I think masks should stay mandatory in some inside spaces. Busy times on buses and trains etc. Also in supermarkets. These places are inside and busy. There is still a large amount of adult population who have only had 1 jab and they need to be kept safe too. I'm glad things are opening up. Mental health and the economy need things to return to normal but I think we are in for another difficult winter. I'm not sure we'll be looking at big lockdowns again but I dont think it's over yet. We need to focus on the world being vaccinated to avoid new strains developing and passing around.

AlecTrevelyan006 · 07/07/2021 17:30

there is no way masks reduce the spread of coronavirus by 25%.

MarshaBradyo · 07/07/2021 17:31

Is there a link to the 25% info