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Original poster

What do you think will happen over winter?

253 replies

brideyb · 29/07/2021 19:47

Restriction wise. I'm feeling very gloomy / anxious about it! My sister is getting married and I desperately hope it can go ahead.

OP posts:
GoldenOmber · 29/07/2021 23:06

@SexTrainGlue

or

c) much if life will return to normal-ish, but high risk activities, such as yelling at the rugby for a couple of hours in a crowded pub, will be inadvusabke even if not banned

It's the 'open up but be sensible' approach, isn't it?

That’s life returning to normal with a few people not wanting to join in. Which is their right. He might not be willing to go firm to the pub and yell at the rugby, but plenty are.
LiannasBlueCoat · 29/07/2021 23:10

@PigeonPink I’m praying for restrictions to let me enjoy a second Christmas away from MIL!

Same boat here but with my DM. I loved last year so so much and "to be careful" we didn't have anyone at all round at all. Even my DC said how much they loved it being just us and chilled out. I wasnt cleaning/cooking for 10 like usual.

I suspect, if things are fairly normal this year I may get some christmas eve symptoms and be isolating with DH and DC.

herecomesthsun · 29/07/2021 23:15

@Wizzbangfizz

I think the NHS will get overwhelmed every year like it does every year
I think that it may well be a bit worse than "like...every year". JVT sats it is likely to be "bumpy" and Chris Whitty has intimated a "very difficult" winter.
Motorina · 29/07/2021 23:26

@breadwidow

Just read an article in the guardian with the most depressing quote ever from a professor of intensive care medicine

Montgomery, 58, said he did not believe life would return to normal in his lifetime and that people would remain cautious, adding that mask wearing should continue while hopefully people will try to live more of their lives outside.

[[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/29/uk-covid-cases-rise-second-day-running-amid-drop-testing?CMP=Share]]iOSAppp_Other

So now I'm feeling more depressed re winter than I was

That Guardian article's a bit crap, though. It's saying cases are up at 31k, compared with 27k yesterday. Whilst that's true, cases run on a weekly cycle. Cases the previous thursday were 39k, so the trend is downwards.

I'm not sure if they're being misleading out of ignorance (really inexcusable after 18 months of numbers) or deliberately spinning the figures to fit their narrative. Either way, it's poor.

RhonaRed · 29/07/2021 23:30

NHS misery.
I'll be seeing friends and family. But avoiding carol concerts.

PigeonPink · 29/07/2021 23:34

But its never been safe to go to the pub has it? You could fall over and crack your head open.
Yes but it didn’t happen to 130k people a year who subsequently died horribly, and god knows how many more who suffered long term effects. I could live with the small risk of freak accidents but Covid is massively more likely.

Excess deaths from seasonal flu are common in winter months
But not among young healthy people. I always regarded myself as not being at risk of death unless it was a freak accident. But now I’m seeing people like me dying of Covid.

I think most people who don’t give a shit will go back to “normal”. But it won’t be safe and some of them will die. If you don’t want to be one of the dead then you need to make your own decision about not returning to “normal” even if it’s technically allowed. So while it may be permitted to live normally, it won’t be safe to do so.

NannyAndJohn · 29/07/2021 23:38

Restrictions are inevitable, what's currently unclear is 1) whether we'll need a full lockdown, and 2) whether the government will actually implement one at the right time.

My inkling is 1) yes and 2) no.

TheKeatingFive · 29/07/2021 23:39

But now I’m seeing people like me dying of Covid.

What’s your actual risk of covid based on age/health status?

What is it now assuming you’re doubled jabbed?

Mine’s always been very low and now that I’m double jabbed I’m almost certainly at more risk crossing the road. It’s not that I don’t give a shit, it’s that the risk is tiny.

Cancer/RTAs/Heart disease/stroke are probably all much more likely to send me packing.

TheKeatingFive · 29/07/2021 23:40

My inkling is 1) yes and 2) no

Gosh, I nearly died of shock reading this.

Oh wait …

MercyBooth · 29/07/2021 23:47
NannyAndJohn · 30/07/2021 00:00

@breadwidow

Just read an article in the guardian with the most depressing quote ever from a professor of intensive care medicine

Montgomery, 58, said he did not believe life would return to normal in his lifetime and that people would remain cautious, adding that mask wearing should continue while hopefully people will try to live more of their lives outside.

[[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/29/uk-covid-cases-rise-second-day-running-amid-drop-testing?CMP=Share]]iOSAppp_Other

So now I'm feeling more depressed re winter than I was

Not particularly depressing, we'll just have to adapt to a new kind of normal.

And you can't blame Prof. Montgomery for being cautious as he lost his son this year.

TableFlowerss · 30/07/2021 00:24

Nothing. Nothing will happen over winter. That’s the end of restrictions thankfully. The numbers just aren’t justified to do it now.

TableFlowerss · 30/07/2021 00:25

the number of deaths

Biffsboys · 30/07/2021 00:31

@PigeonPink

Just read an article in the guardian with the most depressing quote ever from a professor of intensive care medicine I’m afraid I agree. I can’t foresee a time when I’ll feel safe in a pub or busy place. Maybe in 20 years time.

In winter I think masks and distancing will return. Nightclubs may close. There won’t be any more furlough so other places will have to remain open. Schools will remain open too.

I was in a pub on Sunday and felt perfectly safe . They had COVID restrictions in place . I also don’t see COVID as the grim reaper waiting in the pub to pounce on me ..
MrsRLynde · 30/07/2021 00:46

[quote RosaMoline]@PigeonPink - TWENTY YEARS?!
f**k that!
I genuinely don’t understand the pessimism on this forum. We have the vaccines, things are looking up hopefully? Why should we back to square one in a few months?[/quote]
Because letting the virus rip through a half vaccinated population will encourage vaccine-resistant mutations.

newnortherner111 · 30/07/2021 06:52

On the specifics of weddings, I don't think restrictions on numbers will be re-introduced. The government seems to be wanting to target students and people travelling as its main strategy other than vaccination.

Roselilly36 · 30/07/2021 06:56

@StealthPolarBear

There's aliens coming in 2022 apparently. So that'll be something to look forward to.
🤣 that will be a doodle after all this corona shit! Bring on the aliens 👽
Pootle40 · 30/07/2021 07:01

@PigeonPink

But its never been safe to go to the pub has it? You could fall over and crack your head open. Yes but it didn’t happen to 130k people a year who subsequently died horribly, and god knows how many more who suffered long term effects. I could live with the small risk of freak accidents but Covid is massively more likely.

Excess deaths from seasonal flu are common in winter months
But not among young healthy people. I always regarded myself as not being at risk of death unless it was a freak accident. But now I’m seeing people like me dying of Covid.

I think most people who don’t give a shit will go back to “normal”. But it won’t be safe and some of them will die. If you don’t want to be one of the dead then you need to make your own decision about not returning to “normal” even if it’s technically allowed. So while it may be permitted to live normally, it won’t be safe to do so.

That'll be me then. I'm going back to normal so I mustnt give a shit. More like I'll live my life instead of living no life thanks. Hope my two vaccinations stop me from dying!
RosaMoline · 30/07/2021 07:07

The pessimism on this thread is overwhelming.
From those that honestly believe we’re going to spend (pretty much) the rest of our lives like this, to those that believe they’ll die (assume they’re young and healthy)
I believe (rightly or wrongly) that the end is in sight, and this time next year, it’ll largely be forgotten.

VanillaIce1 · 30/07/2021 07:08

It's norovirus I'm worried about as my kids never caught anything last year. Really hoping they don't get it this winter. There was recent cases of it this year already and PHE said it was unusual for this time of the year. It actually scares me!

RosaMoline · 30/07/2021 07:11

@PigeonPink - you say you’re seeing ‘people like me dying’
You personally know young ish/fit people that have died of Covid?

MrsRLynde · 30/07/2021 07:15

Hope you're right, Rosa. Of course the irony is, if we could engage with the reality of the situation and act accordingly, rather than behave as though the world was already how we'd like it to be, we'd all stand a better chance of getting out of this sooner.

MarshaBradyo · 30/07/2021 07:24

@MrsRLynde

Hope you're right, Rosa. Of course the irony is, if we could engage with the reality of the situation and act accordingly, rather than behave as though the world was already how we'd like it to be, we'd all stand a better chance of getting out of this sooner.
How would you get out of it sooner? Do you mean worldwide
lifehappened · 30/07/2021 07:27

My life feels normal now, I do feel sadness for those who are still frightened, I hope that can ease soon

Lottie4 · 30/07/2021 07:45

I think we'll carry on as we are, masks could come back in though. Could be a tough first term for schools, given covid will spread easier amongst those that aren't vaccinated - Some who haven't been vaccinated for health reason will continue to be careful, outside mixing/SD/wearing masks, but children won't have this option.