As numbers go up, will you be avoiding public places?

[Twoforthree]

I will certainly be cutting back on visits when numbers rise higher, even though I’ve had it and am double vacinated. I really don’t want to be ill again. It wasn’t pleasant.
At the moment I’m taking the risk but when masks are relaxed and if/when numbers are higher, I’ll be restricting my movements. I know I’m “low risk” but I still don’t want to be ill in bed again.

Anyone else?

"I agree, since most cases aren’t people who are seriously ill I don’t see why this is a figure they keep reporting."

I suppose it matters because it makes it more likely for new variants to surface and also the higher the number of cases, the higher the number of serious cases, even if the proportion is much lower with the vaccine.

"Aren’t about 85% of adults now vaccinated"

Half vaccinated, no? And we need that percentage of all people vaccinated, not all adults, to be safe.

@Gwenhwyfar

"I agree, since most cases aren’t people who are seriously ill I don’t see why this is a figure they keep reporting."

I suppose it matters because it makes it more likely for new variants to surface and also the higher the number of cases, the higher the number of serious cases, even if the proportion is much lower with the vaccine.

But that doesn't need reporting to the public? It needs monitoring by the scientific experts and by government.

The daily number show was always about using fear of the virus to create compliance with the lockdown / regulations. It's not needed any more.

Oh don’t worry, I get it, 16 months is also long when you’re unable to come back to the UK to see family. It’s long; we are all sick of it.
I’m suggesting you wear a face mask indoors to protect others, not cower under a mattress. Live your life, but consider others too.
Nobody thinks twice about this in Thailand, and we’re made to wear them outdoors as well. And we’ve been doing it since Jan 2020.

@Thekindofwindowsfaceslookinat You only quoted part of what I said, and as such, it lost its context entirely. I said I can’t believe people are only scared of Covid, whether that’s personally, or because of the effect it might have on others. My point is that I’m incredulous that people aren’t more concerned about other things too

I went bowling with my friend last night. She invited some others that I didn’t know. They kept hugging, not wearing masks and eating food then touching the bowling balls without washing their hands. I doubt people will be sensible.

It’s a different view on sensible though? Or maybe just relaxing and not thinking Covid is a death sentence (especially if double vaccinated). I went to a party (admittedly outdoors) at the weekend and hugged loads of people. It was great.

Some people don’t want to live like this anymore. And when they legally don’t have to, why would they? Why should people not hug?

@Zig27

I went bowling with my friend last night. She invited some others that I didn’t know. They kept hugging, not wearing masks and eating food then touching the bowling balls without washing their hands. I doubt people will be sensible.

Would this have bothered you pre Covid? If not, why not? There were, and are, plenty of other contagious viruses / bugs that would have thrived in these circumstances previously, but no one looked at them with such scorn.

@Chingchok

Seems sensible to me to keep wearing masks indoors for now. Delta is super contagious. I’m not high risk but have been completely knocked out by it (I am not vaccinated). Both my parents have caught it (they are double vaccinated, since May), my dad is coughing so much. I trusted the vaccine too, and I still do, but some unlucky people are still going to get a very bad case. What’s the rush? Also, I just came from Thailand - we also thought we were through the worst, we did keep our masks, now things are getting out of control. The pandemic isn’t over. Put the vulnerable first.

It's really not your place to tell people to wear masks once they are no longer a legal requirement. By all means wear one yourself if you want, but what other people want to do is up to them.

When you wear a mask you do it to protect others. Not yourself. So if you’re wearing a mask because you are scared of becoming ill from Covid then that won’t work. You’ll need everyone around you to wear the mask. And they won’t.

"Whenever we go to socially spaced but potentially risky environments (GP surgery, hospital outpatients) we observe additional precautions ( a shower and change of clothes on return home)."

Is this warranted given that it's rarely transmitted by surfaces?

It's fine for people to express an opinion/ preference re mask wearing on here, why shouldn't they?

"I'll be going out to eat with friends and to the pub but sitting outdoors."

What if it's raining? I have a friend who won't sit inside, but she's going for two long foreign holidays...

@Chingchok seems to be suggesting that people take social responsibility, a foreign concept in the 'personal responsibility', 'I'll do my own risk assessments, thanks', me-me-me culture of UK 2021.

Why??????

There's an assumption that adults have all been double jabbed now, but that's far from true. I've only had my first one a fortnight ago.

I will be avoiding busy places, I understand why they want the peak to come now, when the NHS is relatively quiet, but it still feels, on a personal level, to be madness to stop taking any precautions at the point where numbers are spiralling. Groceries delivered for the foreseeable and online shopping. Will stick to outdoor activities for recreation.

"Genuinely curious as to why people want children vaccinated. For them it has been a serious illness. "

I don't have children, but obviously I want other people's to be vaccinated so we can reach herd immunity. If I was a parent, I might feel differently as I'm not sure the benefit to the child themselves is that great. As a society we need most people of all ages vaccinated though.

IRL I don’t know anyone who is wanting to rush back to normal life. And most people I see on the street or at work are still giving each other plenty of space. Lots of people seem visibly anxious being in public.

I’m really surprised there is such a different opinion on mumsnet . Doesn’t add up for me.

@BirdsandBeesmakinghay

No, I won’t. I’ve had enough of it all now and want to live my life normally.

Me too, but my normal life doesn't involve massive crowds anyway. I'm happy to without festivals, theatre, nightclubs, etc.

I do use public transport, go to pubs, cafes, restaurants and friends' houses inside though. I need those things to not be depressed. I will also go abroad if I can. I'm lucky that I don't live in a country that is getting rid of masks in indoor public spaces though.

I don’t know anyone in real life who wants any restrictions to continue. Only on Mumsnet....

Attheendofthedaywhenallsaid

Chris Whitty basically said the reason they want the peak now is because it will result in hospitalisations and they want that to happen now, rather than in the winter. They aren't doing this now because the virus has gone away.

Unless it's essential I'll still think twice about going to busy areas, I don't want covid if I can avoid it. If it was flu that was spreading at this rate I'd be just as reluctant to catch it. Wouldn't anyone want to take steps to reduce their chance of ending up feeling grotty in their bed for a week?

@Ohchristmastreeohchristmastree

IRL I don’t know anyone who is wanting to rush back to normal life. And most people I see on the street or at work are still giving each other plenty of space. Lots of people seem visibly anxious being in public.

I’m really surprised there is such a different opinion on mumsnet . Doesn’t add up for me.

IRL I don't know anyone who doesn't want to return to normal life.

@Delatron

I don’t know anyone in real life who wants any restrictions to continue. Only on Mumsnet....

Ditto. I'm quite surprised how many are still anxious as my own experience is that pretty much everyone I know is desperate to get back to normal and have been living as normal lives getting out as much as possible ever since the restrictions started to be lifted

Even my 77 year old mum has been going out for lunch in a pub or restaurant at least twice a week and she can't wait to ditch her mask

"To be honest I can see there being another lockdown in the winter so I want to make the most of being allowed to do stuff"

I'm also thinking of this. I want to take advantage both of it being summer and of re-opening in case it all goes shit again in the autumn.

No I won’t be avoiding anywhere