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

[secretintrovert]

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

I put a link on another thread. It was from a quote by a scientist in the field.

I just did a google and the figure comes up here too (different link) www.itv.com/news/2021-06-29/covid-wearing-masks-reduces-transmission-of-virus-by-25-according-to-research

A friend has stopped going anywhere as ,although she is double- jabbed and not had contact with the cases, the numbers are rising where she works .Also ,2 decorators started on my kitchen and utility yesterday, one was called for testing at midday today , after contact (,who’s half jabbed) from the weekend is ill . Also told to take his kids, as they were there, too . He’s half jabbed himself .
And we are out in Rural Hampshire.
Covid’s definitely out there , still .

Covid’s definitely out there , still

I don’t think anyone thought it wasn’t. We can see it’s out there from the tens of thousands of cases being reported every day.

I'm sticking to mixing outdoors with vaxxed people only. I won't be using public transport. I don't want to be part of the upcoming tsunami.

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

I agree @Bertiebiscuit - there was a documentary a couple of years ago. Laura Kuenssberg presented it and a big fat rich man was bullying Boris into pushing for Brexit. Or something like that. I couldn't believe how much power this money man had and how weak Boris came across as. He is just a puppet.

And yes - we'll be doing our own social distancing and mask wearing and not spending money like they want us to. I imagine there might be chaos at first and then everyone will choose or be forced (through illness) to do the same.

Initially I was looking forward to restrictions easing but considering my daughters class have had 4 positive covid tests and there is only 1 year group in school because all other bubbles also have positive covid cases I’m now not so sure it’s a very good idea…. But then when will it be!?

Agree, enjoy summer if you dare, next lockdown in 5 4 3 2 1…..

I agree it is going to be a difficult winter - but I dont think (unless there is a really vaccine escaping variant) that we will lockdown again.

Lockdowns are a short term solution, designed to give you time to get the things together you need to properly solve the problem. They have to be because of the longer term detrimental effects of lockdown. It suppresses rather than eliminates and I think Delta is far to difficult beast to suppress given our socio economic make up and the behavioural factors at play.

Masks is a political decision - I think the Cabinet knew there was little appetite for it in the backbenchers (the conservative ethos is very much on free enterprise and free will) so they have made it optional and allowed businesses to make their own minds up. It will be interesting to see how many people lose them, how many continue wearing all the time and how many combine social distancing with masks (so only wearing when SD is impossible)

Covid’s definitely out there , still

I don’t think anyone thought it wasn’t. We can see it’s out there from the tens of thousands of cases being reported every day.

I don’t personally think it will be gone in my lifetime (I’m in my 40’s), so we do have to learn to live with it, as normally as possible.

@TheGlassBlowersDaughter

It should be sombre. They're going against the science. They know the numbers are rising and that it's only going to get worse. They have failed the country, the vulnerable and the economy. But never mind, the paid-for shills will be along any minute telling us how delighted they are that they can act like selfish gits and that they don't care about the vulnerable, the elderly, the children

All of the above.

@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

Like Margaret Thatcher?

Wembley. Three to four weeks from today, we’ll be talking about “protecting Our NHS” 🤦‍♀️

The scientists did not recommend the full opening up and no need for face masks

I agree with redtoothbrush in that the Media are killing the message that was sent out. There is more freedom of movement, but we still have to pay attention to the situation we are in on each occasion, ie outside and spaced - fine, inside, wear masks, and I think it came across that employers can come to a decision with their employees, and shops could insist that masks are worn. However, there were confrontations when this was mandatory, and leaving things to people's common sense is senseless in itself. I suppose the economy must be playing a part in this - we can't live on credit forever.

@Leedsfan247

The scientists did not recommend the full opening up and no need for face masks

I think I agree with you - it definitely looked like a rift, didn't it?

Sir Patrick Vallance, the senior scientific advisor worked for years in pharma and was very successful, I understand.

Chris Whitty has all sorts of degrees, economics, possibly law.

If they formed a political party, I'd happily vote for them.

However, we're quite anti-intellectual in the UK. I don't know how popular that would be. People seems to want a "personality" like BJ, even if that is someone who lies and creates havoc.

Of course the dead cant come back to complain and no-one cares about those who get Covid/Long Covid as long as they're alright Jack.

@GreenWillow what on earth are you talking about? 'No alternative'?? Of course there are! There are number of precautions that could be taken to mitigate risk while still allowing more freedom.

what on earth are you talking about? 'No alternative'?? Of course there are! There are number of precautions that could be taken to mitigate risk while still allowing more freedom

Agree - but the government is trying to present this as a binary, now or never choice. Which it really should be blatant obvious is not the case.

Mr Whitty and Mr Vallance I do not blame for being sombre after all their advice has been ignored or acted upon belatedly over the last 18 months. I would not be happy in their shoes, indeed would have resigned a long time ago and made my feelings clear about Mr Johnson and his inactions.

@newnortherner111

Mr Whitty and Mr Vallance I do not blame for being sombre after all their advice has been ignored or acted upon belatedly over the last 18 months. I would not be happy in their shoes, indeed would have resigned a long time ago and made my feelings clear about Mr Johnson and his inactions.

When in Africa with Ebola Chris Whitty had to stand next to many a corrupt leader and says whatever he had to say to stay in post and get the job done.

Since our leader seems determined to "let it rip" and let British people die, then Chris Whitty is quite correct that the better time for the NHS would be the summer rather than the winter.

What GreenWillow said.

Somber because it’s an economic decision and furlow will stop , refundancies will happen and variables increase ,meanwhile my fear is the NHS is being quietly dismantled , difficulty seeing a doctor in person ,operations cancelled and getting an appointment with a dentist impossible for some! Suddenly we will be told the government have drafted in the private sector to clear the backlog and that is how the NHS will be eroded😢. Maybe I’m wrong , I hope so but it’s a real concern of mine.

@GreenWillow

The whole idea was to prevent the nhs collapsing, not ‘saving lives’, whatever we might have been told to the contrary.

The nhs is looking like it will be able to cope, but yes, there will be more deaths.

Covid is here to stay, we will just have to get used to the elderly and vulnerable dying earlier than they would have in the pre covid era.

This is why the message was sombre - out of respect to those who will lose their lives to Covid. It’s a truly awful situation, but there isn’t really any alternative.

Of course there's an alternative. Don't be daft