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.

Also I'm fed up with being told it's my job to protect the NHS. Actually, that's the government's job and they should be properly funding the NHS.

@Waxonwaxoff0

Also I'm fed up with being told it's my job to protect the NHS. Actually, that's the government's job and they should be properly funding the NHS.

Agree

Yes, I've never had much anxiety about getting covid, especially now I'm fully vaccinated. I've stuck to all the rules but gone out whenever we've been able to, used public transport a lot, taken my toddler to indoor classes, soft play, museums, restaurants plus she attends nursery. We have lots of activities booked in the next few weeks including indoor theatre, more museums, festivals, theme parks and a few weekend UK breaks so that will be normal life for us (except going abroad, which we aren't doing mainly because it will be a headache if rules change at last minute or if we have to isolate). We will abide by any rules set by us but we won't voluntarily do anything beyond that, including wearing masks.

WaxOnWaxOff0: I do understand that, it has effected everyone [on a global scale], and especially those who’ve suffered mental ill health, job losses, long term sickness or bereavements. But can I ask, does it have to be one thing or the other? Can we not have more normal life and still practice some precautions from the 19th? There is surely scope for a sensible balance between the two approaches (Cautiousness vs total relaxation)

Ie give other people space in shops or GP surgery’s etc where possible (who wants to be up in a strangers air space anyway?) Pop on a mask indoors or on public transport, stay home if infectious, carry on washing hands regularly or using hand gel. These aren’t massive sacrifices in personal liberties, especially when you consider the alternative (letting it rip) and the harm this will do. In lockdown if I went to a swings with my DC and it was overcrowded we just went to another that was quieter, there are plenty of ways of going about normal(ish) life where we don’t have to breathe down each others necks. Winter was the hardest for doing things outside, but it’s summer now so outdoor stuff and meet ups are much more doable.

@Jellyfishnchips

WaxOnWaxOff0: I do understand that, it has effected everyone [on a global scale], and especially those who’ve suffered mental ill health, job losses, long term sickness or bereavements. But can I ask, does it have to be one thing or the other? Can we not have more normal life and still practice some precautions from the 19th? There is surely scope for a sensible balance between the two approaches (Cautiousness vs total relaxation)

Ie give other people space in shops or GP surgery’s etc where possible (who wants to be up in a strangers air space anyway?) Pop on a mask indoors or on public transport, stay home if infectious, carry on washing hands regularly or using hand gel. These aren’t massive sacrifices in personal liberties, especially when you consider the alternative (letting it rip) and the harm this will do. In lockdown if I went to a swings with my DC and it was overcrowded we just went to another that was quieter, there are plenty of ways of going about normal(ish) life where we don’t have to breathe down each others necks. Winter was the hardest for doing things outside, but it’s summer now so outdoor stuff and meet ups are much more doable.

Well, it depends. I'm happy to keep washing hands and giving people space, I'd absolutely stay home if I tested positive for Covid. But I'm not going to distance from my family and friends and I am not going to restrict my indoor activities like going to pubs, restaurants, cinemas, museums. Outdoor stuff is fine but I don't want to do that all the time.

Yes I don't think I'll worry much. The only 2 things for me are (1) I'll wear a face mask on a train or tube and (2) I don't want to go back to Pilates - it's all the loud exhaling breaths!

Honestly just a question! Those that are concerned do you actually know people that have died/been hospitalised or have long covid due to catching it or is it just because that's what you are told? Not being derogatory just curious as I know 3 people that were told they would die if they caught it, did and are fine, 15 people in total I know including myself, 3 that got it worst wear masks daily in their jobs, 1 hospital (only because ours was so quiet they were happy to have someone to treat!!) 7 mild flu, 3 heavy cold, 1 hay-fever for 24 hours! The others that we were in contact with including a pregnant woman, a toddler, a diabetic and several very elderly had nothing!! I live in a town that 80% are over 65! 0 deaths and 1 hospitalization! 15 cases until last week when our lft went mad in our school! Loads of apparent cases but no one Ill!!

Agree @Waxonwaxoff0

Waxonwaxoff0: Great that’s all it needs really, just a bit of balance. Agreed outside only activities are getting tedious, but at least the weather will be amenable for couple of months which helps. Can I ask would you be put off at all if the pubs, restaurants, cinemas etc were packed full? I just don’t think I could relax and enjoy it, at least until cases come down and the situation gets back under control. But everyone is different and has different tolerances to what feels ok I guess.

Thankfully as far as family and friend mixing goes I think it’s a safer bet than a room full of strangers as you know (generally) what their situation is, vacc’d or not and could trust them to cancel a visit if symptomatic etc.

Wishfulthinking1977> yeah, unfortunately lost an elderly relative in first wave, pre-vacc in 2020. DH has two colleagues, one lost their mother, the other lost their father. Haven’t known any long Covid sufferers but clearly there are many out there.

I don't feel I can get back to normal while Covid rates in some areas very close to me are running at over 1% of the population in the past week. Am fully vaccinated, but would like the odds of running into someone with Covid to be better than that before I go indoors in a pub or restaurant or use public transport. And I still get anxious about the risk of giving Covid to my parents who are in their eighties.

@Jellyfishnchips

Waxonwaxoff0: Great that’s all it needs really, just a bit of balance. Agreed outside only activities are getting tedious, but at least the weather will be amenable for couple of months which helps. Can I ask would you be put off at all if the pubs, restaurants, cinemas etc were packed full? I just don’t think I could relax and enjoy it, at least until cases come down and the situation gets back under control. But everyone is different and has different tolerances to what feels ok I guess.

Thankfully as far as family and friend mixing goes I think it’s a safer bet than a room full of strangers as you know (generally) what their situation is, vacc’d or not and could trust them to cancel a visit if symptomatic etc.

I wouldn't be put off, no. I'm really not scared of Covid and the only reason I followed the rules was for other people, not for myself.

Family of 6 bond of us had covid.
2 adults 40_50 only 1 jab so far.
1 15 year old with asthma no vaccine for her.
A 3 year old whos never been nursery so worry how good her immune system is.

We away next week uk self catered.
Birthday next weekend booking 1 meal out before restrictions lift Monday 19th.
We will be cautious after 19th
So more outdoor activities or meeting out doors.
Going to shops at quieter times with masks on and trying to keep distance.
Some bulk food shopping as want to ensure don't have go to supermarket often.
Regular lateral flow tests .

@Wishfulthinking1977 I used to work back office NHS and we had an outbreak in January - one person was hospitalised and has suffered some long term (diagnosed) organ damage, he is also significantly traumatised from his time on a covid ward, two others were hospitalised for short periods and seem to have recovered well, two more still battling symptoms of long covid and still have adjustments in place. There were approximately a further eight cases who have recovered well and were back at work full time after their isolation period. For context this was within a large department with about thirty staff. There were two members of staff elsewhere in the hospital that died that I’m aware of. It’s not a particularly big hospital and regularly refers patients to the nearest cities for specialist treatments.

Thankfully, no one I know outside of work has been badly affected by covid and of those I do know of they have recovered well.

The town I live in seems to have avoided a large outbreaks throughout although I like a nosy through Rightmove regularly and there have been a noticeable amount of houses that are clearly estate sales although this will also have been driven by places opening up in care homes and other factors as well.

Ive had both jabs. Ill stay cautious during this wave while the rates are high, but might relax if / when the numbers locally go down again.

I am the least confident that I have ever felt. It is currently everywhere, I have all 3 DC at home due to covid reasons. I just want to be able to go away on my holiday.

@Twokitstwokats

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.

100% this !

I'm in Scotland so I will not be allowed to go back to normal because Queen Nicola says no.

I have had two vaccines, so has DH, my 18 year old has had his first. We are more than happy to get back to everything we did before without the constant rigmarole of masks, sanitising, social distancing.

Time to get back to normal!

Eat out to help out was ridiculous. Go to Mcdonalds and eat in pay half the safer takeaway price. Totally ridiculous.
I am actually quite glad the changes were delayed as I have had 3 lovely weekends away with the family where I felt super safe.
We will take precautions as we don't know how effective the jab will be for DH but we will still be going on holiday etc.

I used to be so nervous about all this and now am totally over. Life your lives, this isn't going anywhere- ever!! so we can't hide indefinitely.

I'm being more cautious. There are some things over summer I really want to do, so I'm reducing my other exposure to maximise the chances that I can do them. I'm mainly doing outdoor activities (although I do eat inside cafes and pubs if the weather is bad or there is no outside seating) and sticking to WFH rather than going into the office (we have a choice, and as i'm working my notice at the moment I'm not too bothered about face time - but equally I'm expecting a solid stint in the office once I start the new job so I can meet people - that matters more to me so it's worth the risk).

@Jellyfishnchips and @Cornettonija I am truly sorry for you losses, and of course for people like you it is completely understandable for your caution. My concern is really for those who aren't really at any risk and or double vaccinated and are terrified of a return to normal life purely through the constant media doom and gloom. It really isn't a way for them to live and how that's going to be tackled I have no idea! X

Thanks @Wishfulthinking1977, the people I mentioned who died weren’t known to me personally, it definitely affected all of the staff but it wasn’t an acute loss to me personally.

I can only speak for myself obviously, but I am still cautious despite vaccination but if I had to analyse it it’s because I feel the government that have swung high and low on caution seemingly without consistency. I simply don’t trust them and am wary of ‘gambles’ because they’re not been made with any mitigation’s. We’re being asked to trust them based on not much more than a hunch. I think most people were expecting to see more of an effect on transmission from the vaccines by now (I was). Delta hasn’t helped in this respect.

If it all comes off well, great, and I think you’ll find people gradually become less anxious as/if they see things are actually okay. They just don’t trust it will be off this cabinet telling them that because their track record has been appalling.

Waiting until 3 weeks after my second vaccine before risking going to see my elderly (vulnerable) parents. That's the only thing I will change. Still WFH, still mask wearing, avoiding public transport and indoor public places. Doing playdates for DC but only after grown ups have done lat flow tests (in hot spot, hospitals code black). I also know someone with long Covid and it can be life changing - in a really bad way. Don't trust Johnson and co as far as I can throw them. So - totally fed up, but continuing to be cautious.