the new rules from Monday - what will it mean?

[changingstages]

I suppose I should start by saying that I'm, I don't quite know how to describe it - Covid cautious? Still wearing a mask, avoiding lots of crowded situations but at the same time, definitely doing more and making plans, and preparing to go back to my office in a few weeks (three days a week). I've had both jabs.

I was very worried around 'Freedom day' and I'm still a bit concerned but really glad that things seem fairly stable.

I feel quite conflicted and confused about the idea of fully vaccinated/those aged under 18 who are close contacts of a positive case now not having to isolate, and instead being advised to take a PCR test. This advise, it seems, is non-binding. It feels a bit foolhardy. Is it? Is it another big gamble they're hoping will pay off, or is it the sensible thing to do? I know we have to end restrictions at some point, and god knows I will be happy to leave behind the possibility of having to cancel everything all the time because we're all getting pinged. But it does feel quite nerve-wracking. What will it mean for the numbers? Will more or less people be testing?

I realise nobody has a crystal ball but I know there are those who are a bit more 'up' on the data and what it means and I'd be really interested to hear what people think.

Unless you're going to tell me to get some help for my anxiety about Covid or something, in which case do please fuck off, it's not bothering me that much, but I have lost people who are close to me so it makes me a bit nervous, definitely.

Wher to live the restrictions were lifted 6 weeks ago. No masks social distancing etc. anyone in close contact or has a person living in their home with covid doesn’t need to isolate. However they should do a lateral flow test for 7 days

Covid is spreading slowly - September when schools are back will be a different story

We’ve been told we are responsible for our own choices - except we aren’t really when it comes to being at work

That said all three of my teens have been close contacts - so have I and my husband

One DD had around 20 contacts with in 10 days and did the LFT - she’s never tested positive - full vaccinated

Hospital is close to being full which is a worry and there’s been a few deaths

The biggest issue at the moment is care home closing to visitors and aren’t accepting any more residence which leaves the hospital with bed blockers which in turn create issues for other patients.

It’s a no win situation really

Also businesses weren’t given as much notice about the changes and we are beginning to see some business out their own covid practices in place - DH for example can not go to work if there are positive cases at home - even if that’s the government ‘rules’. Teens are encouraged by school to do LFT are will be give x2 a week
My place of work is slowly having lots of absenteeism due to covid and we are struggling to stay open. We’ll see what next week brings.

@BluebellsGreenbells

Also businesses weren’t given as much notice about the changes and we are beginning to see some business out their own covid practices in place - DH for example can not go to work if there are positive cases at home - even if that’s the government ‘rules’. Teens are encouraged by school to do LFT are will be give x2 a week My place of work is slowly having lots of absenteeism due to covid and we are struggling to stay open. We’ll see what next week brings.

that's very interesting - I had a call with a client in a different country today (in the Middle East) who was working from home because of a potential positive case in the office, and it was all put in place by her workplace rather than the official guidance from the government, I think. I suspect my workplace might do something similar - about 40% of our employees were back and then they all went down like skittles with Covid so they're a bit nervous now, I think!

Yes! I also think LFT will come out of the businesses budget as the government stop paying for them. I also think they may have to pay for covid PCR tests as well - worth stocking up!

There been other issues for example pubs have closed because they don’t have the staff, as have some shops.

Those who’ve been honest and said due to staff shortages and those who’ve advertised their covid policies are doing better than the normally rammed pubs and clubs who don’t appear to care for their customers health and safety. My daughter works in a club theta closed early due to lack of customers

I also think the children have been thrown under a bus, as it rips through schools, the impact will be on parents needing time off to care for them or isolate with them. Some could be off for weeks as each child develops covid.

It’ll get worse before it get better.

Agree it's quite daunting. Here in Scotland DD is due to start P1 next week. It's still deemed too dangerous for me to view the school and meet the teachers even if double vaccinated, tested negative, masked, outdoor and distanced, but if the whole family tested positive it would be perfectly acceptable to send her into school! No obligation to test or isolate and with government not updating symptoms for Delta, I could actually send her in with a sore throat, runny nose and sneezing. My concern is not for the children but for teachers, vulnerable friends and elderly relatives who will be exlosed to the virus as it inevitably does laps around the schools.

I have been fairly pragmatic about the whole situation, but I am a little uncomfortable in regards to the ending of SI and how my work will deal with it. At the moment it looks like we will be following whatever the government says, but I would not feel it right to come from a covid +ve house and then go out to see elderly, health vulnerable, people. They have a zero sickness tolerance policy, so we will be back to everyone just coming in with colds etc.

I didn't isolate from my DH when he got covid with symptoms this year but despite staying in the same house and rooms for the mandatory 10 days I tested negative twice and never caught covid.

This is why the new rule is actually good in my opinion because it would mean that I could have left the house as long as I didn't start with symptoms etc. Keeping healthy people locked away for 10 days when they also have been vaccinated is over the top and needs to stop imo.

I know of loads of cases here, both in young people and double vaxxed. This is not indicated in local figures. It seems more common now to just recognise the symptoms and deal with it rather than getting a test to confirm.

Quite a few people I know who had positive PCRs continued to test negative on LFT so I have no faith in their accuracy at all. It’s going to be a tricky winter.

I really don't know what the impact of close contacts, particularly household members not isolating will be. I work in a nursery and we haven't had a single positive case either with the staff or the children, it's strange to think that a staff members partner could have covid but they themselves will still come in to work or that children will be brought in by the other parent when their mum/dad has covid. But then again, all three of my household members have had covid and I didn't catch it, so who knows.

Personally, I'm selfishly very glad of the change. My 2 year old has had 4 isolation periods due to cases in his nursery bubble. It's impossible to work full time and care for a toddler - the burn-out has been intense, and it's not sustainable this often. We need nursery!

We've done regular LFTs, daily in isolation, and he's never caught it. And 2 year olds can't social distance, and are regularly covered in dribble and snot.
After Monday, we'll just do a PCR instead, and send him back if he's well.

I really don't know what the national/epidemic impact is likely to be, and I think we won't really see it, till a few weeks after schools go back.

My DH is self employed and cant wfh. I can do limited wfh but I would need to know in advance to get set up for it so I've been àlmost as fearful about having to isolate (although I acknowledge we are in a privileged position that we have a reasonable size house and garden) and what that would mean financially as I am about actually getting covid.
To add although I travel to work on public transport (which is now much busier due to cutting the service) I am also still quite cautious - weve rarely been out to eat and mostly sat outside, I still wear a mask in shops , I wouldnt be in a rush to book the theatre or a concert for example.

From what I can see the actual plan seems to be to let it spread amongst the young.
More impact on schools in September no doubt. Like all kids, dd has lost 26 weeks of education in 2 years with no actual outlined plan as to his this is going to be made up. She is Year 9 this year and is yet to do a complete school year at Secondary.

I suppose this is when we have to trust each other's judgement and assume someone from a covid + household won't, for example, go visiting relatives in a nursing home or transplant ward.

@AfternoonToffee

I have been fairly pragmatic about the whole situation, but I am a little uncomfortable in regards to the ending of SI and how my work will deal with it. At the moment it looks like we will be following whatever the government says, but I would not feel it right to come from a covid +ve house and then go out to see elderly, health vulnerable, people. They have a zero sickness tolerance policy, so we will be back to everyone just coming in with colds etc.

@AfternoonToffee

Do you work in health and social care? I believe professionals will be expected to do a PCR test before attending work with vulnerable individuals.

@Mickarooni I am a HCP but work outwith a health and social care setting, I think I will approach my professional body for advice.

I think a large percentage of the population aren’t testing or self isolating at the moment anyway. So come Monday it will be more of a level playing field. I would however like the “3 symptoms” changed. So if you are feeling under the weather you can get a PCR test.

@SpiderinaWingMirror

From what I can see the actual plan seems to be to let it spread amongst the young. More impact on schools in September no doubt. Like all kids, dd has lost 26 weeks of education in 2 years with no actual outlined plan as to his this is going to be made up. She is Year 9 this year and is yet to do a complete school year at Secondary.

Did your dd not bother to do any school work at home? I think you probably meant to say ‘….has lost 26 weeks in the school building….’ which is not the same as losing ‘26 weeks of education’.

@QueefofSheena but maybe they don't have it , I developed a bad cough just a cough nothing else but pcr just confirmed as negative so not covid , but i have a covid symptom and if not tested could of assumed I have had it
Why not test if you think you do its not hatd

@GeekCardigan what makes you say that?
I went for a test this week and plenty of people there and I know lots who have had pcr tests and many not actually been covid but could of possibly been so they tested anyway and isolated until the result

[quote worriedatthemoment]@QueefofSheena but maybe they don't have it , I developed a bad cough just a cough nothing else but pcr just confirmed as negative so not covid , but i have a covid symptom and if not tested could of assumed I have had it
Why not test if you think you do its not hatd [/quote]
They did have it though, that’s my point. Symptoms, confirmed by PCR but the LFTs showed as negative.

Health and social care will have their own protections, locally you can not visit any health care setting including options or dentists if you’re been anywhere abroad 10 days prior.

Care homes are limited visitors to 15 mins prebooked with negative LFT. And one one person at a time.

Government offices have been put on a split week - so they’re are working from home where possible.

The government HAVE put in place their mitigation’s for their staff - the expectation being that businesses will do the same - without any support.

It won’t be long before LFT and PCR tests will have to be paid for by the workforce unless you are having an operation.

They will make it impossible for your average person to be tested.

Those traveling will be expected to pay for tests, and I think insurance companies will insist that you are vaccinated and tested poor to travel. All paid for by the customer.