Will you feel more or less confident to 'go back to normal' on the 19th July?

[User135644]

Take holidays out the equation for the purpose of the thread. It's more in terms of day-to-day life and socialising etc.

Personally, i've enjoyed going to pubs and restaurants etc recently and catching up with friends again. Any socialising will run the risk with the virus, but there's measures in place to mitigate that risk.

Now, I know we need to go back to normal and businesses need to operate properly. However, the way the government have gone about it with letting the variant run riot in the build up. Dropping masks in schools and now altogether from the 19th, an end to social distancing altogether. It's basically eat out to help out on steroids in terms of spreading Covid and could be counter productive for hospitality by autumn.

Basically, are you thinking sod it, i'm going to catch it I might as well get on with things, or 'i'm going to roll back on what i'm doing now' (pubs/restaurants etc)? . We're paying the price for just how badly this whole thing has been handled. Neither are ideal.

I think I will be just as cautious about mixing and not sitting in pubs etc and at work probably more so as everybody returns to the office. At present we are spaced out and masked but likely to be in close proximity again at end of July with no opening windows either.

@userperuser

I wonder what happened to him in the intervening years?

He set up a pharmaceutical company called Ziarco with 3 other former Pfizer employees.

Oh sure, I know that - it's in the article I linked to, too. I more meant, it sounds like he's had a complete personality change, going by what the people who knew him at Pfizer have said.

Watercoloursky

People are an unreliable source of character reference, particularly if there is some sort of former relationship. According to my ex I’m the devil who made his life a misery and he conveniently misses the parts where he was having an affair and being violent towards me and his children.

I will be, apart from still avoiding places where I have to leave my details for contact tracing. Once that goes in August I'll be going back to them as well.

Sorry for derailing earlier - to contribute to what this thread is actually meant to be about: yes, I'm looking forward to the 19th, and after a rather clammy sit through 'In the Heights' a week or so back, I wouldn't mind it if masks became optional in cinemas, etc - but I will be sensible with mixing and will still carry a mask with me for public transport/crowded indoor spaces.

I'm going back to normal. Booked in at my local night club for the first weekend too! I've been double vaccinated for 4 months and had covid twice. Work will probably have to continue with restrictions so I'll be wearing a mask there no doubt. I can't wait to live my life again!

@MrsArchchancellorRidcully

I don’t have the app. I’ve never had it. This has nothing to do with the app. I have a child in childcare. I work in a service where I come into contact with people in a small, unventilated room to advise them, I work in an office. All places DS or I are likely to be identified as a close contact and have to isolate either through his childcare provider or Test and Trace.

In terms of our holiday - in order to enter the country we wish to travel to, we have to provide a negative test beforehand. Again the app has nothing to do with it. It would be daft for any of us to go into situations where we may pick up Covid within 14ish days before we travel.

I’m not remotely concerned about Covid from a health point of view for myself or my family. But I’m concerned about the implications of isolation. Hence us ducking out of activities etc as already described.

No, we will be more cautious given cases. Didn’t plan to go on holiday and we will stick to outdoors and avoid crowds. Going to work is a risk so would let to keep that the only one where possible.

I’m just going to crack on. If I get it, I get it. I’m double vaccinated, I’m not in a high risk category, so c’est la vie.

Does anyone else care about those still at high risk and CEV? Anyone?
Is it really just about me, myself and my family...?

I am saddened by the mass ‘I’m alright Jack’ mentality out there, it is such a contrast to the feeling of the nation pulling together in 2020 to protect the vulnerable and being ‘together in this fight’ against the virus, and also protect the NHS from being overwhelmed. Dr’s and nurses are at breaking point. Cases are going up, yes death rates aren’t as high but what about severe illness, long Covid, Dr’s, nurses, NHS staff being overwhelmed again by a third wave? It wasn’t long ago we were cheering our front line workers on, in recognition of their incredible dedication and putting themselves at risk to save others. It seems people don’t care anymore as long as they are ok(?). By just continuing to take basic precautions (masks, wash hands, social distancing) we could help stop/ slow the spread and protect others who are most vulnerable to severe illness, death or long Covid.

If nothing else, if we don’t care about the fate of our health care system, we won’t have one.

If nothing else, if we don’t care about the fate of our health care system, we won’t have one.

You must be getting dizzy up there on your pedestal. The question was do you feel confident going back to normal, why wouldn't healthy people feel confident getting back to normal, are you really expecting people to hold back on returning to normal despite it being acceptable in law and guidance, what do you expect of us? We need to- Don't you care about the economy, hospitality, people's livelihoods and children's education?

For some reason I've never been worried about catching Covid and I'm not worried now, maybe because I've never had flu or norovirus or any of the other common viruses when they were doing the rounds.

As soon as things are legally allowed, I'll be carrying on as pre pandemic normal

Getting on with things.
Had covid in March last year. No underlying health conditions.
Bit more to the story than that, but am not putting my life on hold.

People need to do what is right for them.
Covid is here to stay. For centuries, is my best guess.

Yes and No. Am starting to meet up with larger groups, socialising outdoors, travelling more but kids activities this week curtailed as staff are isolating, 2 bubbles closed at child’s school, work face to face activities planned for the autumn are now under review, we’re still in a global pandemic, so although we’re being told it’s freedom day, it’s really not. Except all the support can now be withdrawn as people “can get back to normal”.

@namechange90832

If nothing else, if we don’t care about the fate of our health care system, we won’t have one.

You must be getting dizzy up there on your pedestal. The question was do you feel confident going back to normal, why wouldn't healthy people feel confident getting back to normal, are you really expecting people to hold back on returning to normal despite it being acceptable in law and guidance, what do you expect of us? We need to- Don't you care about the economy, hospitality, people's livelihoods and children's education?

No pedestal here, I just strongly believe in having a duty of care to the vulnerable population who are being thrown to the wolves by the Gov. decision to ditch every protective measure instituted in one fell swoop. These things were put in place to stop the spread, save lives and protect the NHS. It doesn’t make sense to throw it all out now, especially with a third wave rising at a high rate.

Healthy people can feel confident going back to normal if they aren’t bothered about catching it, but spreading it around is a different matter. This is where actions negatively affecting others comes in, and is a moral choice. I’d like to hope that no-one knowingly would mingle closely with others if they knew they were contagious of a deadly disease. The problem is that healthy people don’t KNOW if they are transmitting it and making others ill. Non-essential activities that fuel the spread are IMO, pretty reckless and selfish, as it affects everyone and especially the clinically vulnerable. Stopping / slowing the spread is totally doable if we carry on taking a few basic precautions.

School summer holidays are starting, so carrying on with measures now surely won’t impact schools if they are empty(?), if anything would mean come Sept the cases would not be as high. As far as economy and businesses go they can be supported with opening up with some measures still in place, why do all measures have to be scrapped at once for the economy to recover?

I'm going to go back to normal. I cannot wait.

I hope it goes well and doesn't fuck up DD's Prom or start of 6th form in September.

That aside I'm fairly OK with things, having been double jabbed for a while now (pfizer/group 6).

The biggest difference for me is that I'm not so terrified of bringing it back to my elderly parents as I was pre-vaccination. Dad, who was declining with severe frailty for 18 months sadly passed away a couple of months ago, and mum is double vaccinated and a pretty indomitable old bird.

I'm not a massive social butterfly, don't often use public transport and will continue to wear a mask anywhere I feel more comfortable doing so.

I'm back to work in a secondary school in September after a year's sabbatical so that will be a leap of faith but it's been well-handled so far.

I hope there is some news on vaccination of older teens soon.

I'm afraid of offending or upsetting other people, that's my only worry.

Tbh my workplace (school) is probably higher risk than anything I'd be doing in daily life, restrictions or no restrictions, and I don't feel unsafe there. So it really won't feel much different once everything's lifted. I'm undecided on whether to continue wearing a mask, and will probably look at what others are doing and go with the majority.

@Jellyfishnchips

Does anyone else care about those still at high risk and CEV? Anyone? Is it really just about me, myself and my family...?

I am saddened by the mass ‘I’m alright Jack’ mentality out there, it is such a contrast to the feeling of the nation pulling together in 2020 to protect the vulnerable and being ‘together in this fight’ against the virus, and also protect the NHS from being overwhelmed. Dr’s and nurses are at breaking point. Cases are going up, yes death rates aren’t as high but what about severe illness, long Covid, Dr’s, nurses, NHS staff being overwhelmed again by a third wave? It wasn’t long ago we were cheering our front line workers on, in recognition of their incredible dedication and putting themselves at risk to save others. It seems people don’t care anymore as long as they are ok(?). By just continuing to take basic precautions (masks, wash hands, social distancing) we could help stop/ slow the spread and protect others who are most vulnerable to severe illness, death or long Covid.

If nothing else, if we don’t care about the fate of our health care system, we won’t have one.

What about people losing business and committing suicide /kids in poverty I have done 16 months Saving everyone else I am suffering mentally so yes I am alright Jack and I don't care if I am judged bring it on

@SonnetForSpring

This is a very risky time. Last summer cases were much lower so I wasn't as fussed. Right now, it is very prevalent.

Were they? Or were we just not picking them up because we weren’t testing as much?

It has always been the restrictions that make me feel uneasy. I hate feeling watched, controlled, accountable. It will be a relief to be allowed to do normal things. I have massively struggled with wearing a mask and a culture of guilt.
I have never feared the virus. Of course I don't want people to die or suffer, but my children have put up with enough now. I am not at all worried about the easing of restrictions, though I do fear more self isolations. Hopefully they are a temporary measure.

@Jellyfishnchips

Does anyone else care about those still at high risk and CEV? Anyone? Is it really just about me, myself and my family...?

I am saddened by the mass ‘I’m alright Jack’ mentality out there, it is such a contrast to the feeling of the nation pulling together in 2020 to protect the vulnerable and being ‘together in this fight’ against the virus, and also protect the NHS from being overwhelmed. Dr’s and nurses are at breaking point. Cases are going up, yes death rates aren’t as high but what about severe illness, long Covid, Dr’s, nurses, NHS staff being overwhelmed again by a third wave? It wasn’t long ago we were cheering our front line workers on, in recognition of their incredible dedication and putting themselves at risk to save others. It seems people don’t care anymore as long as they are ok(?). By just continuing to take basic precautions (masks, wash hands, social distancing) we could help stop/ slow the spread and protect others who are most vulnerable to severe illness, death or long Covid.

If nothing else, if we don’t care about the fate of our health care system, we won’t have one.

Agree

Will be continuing to keep things to a minimum. Just essential shops, no sitting in eating or cinema.

I've recovered from my 4th covid infection, not jabbed due to vascular complications from the 1st infection. On steroids for one immune disorder and have 4 others.

For all those saying they don't care if they catch it, I can tell you Long Covid is not nice to live with at all.

@Jellyfishnchips

Does anyone else care about those still at high risk and CEV? Anyone? Is it really just about me, myself and my family...?

I am saddened by the mass ‘I’m alright Jack’ mentality out there, it is such a contrast to the feeling of the nation pulling together in 2020 to protect the vulnerable and being ‘together in this fight’ against the virus, and also protect the NHS from being overwhelmed. Dr’s and nurses are at breaking point. Cases are going up, yes death rates aren’t as high but what about severe illness, long Covid, Dr’s, nurses, NHS staff being overwhelmed again by a third wave? It wasn’t long ago we were cheering our front line workers on, in recognition of their incredible dedication and putting themselves at risk to save others. It seems people don’t care anymore as long as they are ok(?). By just continuing to take basic precautions (masks, wash hands, social distancing) we could help stop/ slow the spread and protect others who are most vulnerable to severe illness, death or long Covid.

If nothing else, if we don’t care about the fate of our health care system, we won’t have one.

I've put my life and DS's life on hold for too long. I was stuck in a flat, single parent, no contact with other adults, put on furlough on my minimum wage job, with a 6 year old who cried every day with loneliness (only child) so yes, it is just about me and my family from now on, thanks. I'm done with making sacrifices for strangers.