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Original poster

What do you think should happen?

158 replies

Jourdain11 · 23/10/2021 14:19

Rather than, "we're going to lockdown again, aren't we?" I'm interested to know what people think should happen.

I think we should avoid lockdown at all costs. I'm also not in favour of restrictions being brought in, unless they are ones where it is clear that the benefits broadly outweigh the negatives.

If we need to have mandatory mask-wearing in public settings, proper masks should be provided at a set rate or free of charge. This would be expensive, but IMO would be a better use of funds than endless asymptomatic testing.

I do think that ultimately, asymptomatic testing needs to stop at some point. I'm not sure cases are such a useful way of measuring the impact of Covid any more and it creates a lot of public anxiety.

I also think that Covid has exposed a lot of health inequalities and these need to be addressed, so that the population can generally be in better health. Social prescribing is a good idea, but it isn't used widely or effectively enough.

I am against lockdown, closing school and work from home orders.

I am also against weird, pointless and ill-thought-out measures, like substantial meals, etc.!

I would be on board with localised restrictions if they were necessary.

OP posts:
Waxonwaxoff0 · 23/10/2021 15:12

I agree with you.

yomellamoHelly · 23/10/2021 15:25

If they're going to do anything they should do everything all together for a set amount of time. I found it really hard to take it seriously last year when the schools were open as usual, yet everything was closed (and the kids certainly didn't).

Autumntwilights · 23/10/2021 15:25

Nothing.

GoodnightGrandma · 23/10/2021 15:29

I’d like to say nothing, but as cases are rising I think something needs to be done now to slow it down rather than having to go into a lockdown type situation in several weeks.

CarlaH · 23/10/2021 15:33

Localised restrictions are pointless. People will just travel to where there aren't any and socialise there.

lljkk · 23/10/2021 15:34

I think we should hold our nerve for a few more days.
Although cases are up they seem to up in the very lowest risk groups (for LC or being hospitalised).
Hospitality should close before schools do, is my other contribution.

The ONS heat maps (by age, date) are not looking scary to me.

OP sounds like they think masking is as effective as both WFH and closing schools. OP didn't comment on hospitality or other non-essential businesses.

Original poster
Jourdain11 · 23/10/2021 15:36

But in that case, aren't any restrictions pointless? There's literally no way to prevent people from socialising in private. I don't think I knew anyone who wasn't doing it in the winter/spring lockdown this year.

OP posts:
GingerAndTheBiscuits · 23/10/2021 15:39

I don’t think anything should close, or will close, because the govt will not want to bring furlough back.

Masks back in shops and public places maybe. Wfh if you can (there’s never been a WFh “order” in England has there? Always been “if you can”). Perhaps back to table service and rule of 6/ social distancing in bars and restaurants, cinemas etc. But that’s about as much as I think people would put up with.

Original poster
Jourdain11 · 23/10/2021 15:41

@lljkk

I think we should hold our nerve for a few more days. Although cases are up they seem to up in the very lowest risk groups (for LC or being hospitalised). Hospitality should close before schools do, is my other contribution.

The ONS heat maps (by age, date) are not looking scary to me.

OP sounds like they think masking is as effective as both WFH and closing schools. OP didn't comment on hospitality or other non-essential businesses.

I think that, like schools and wfh, closing businesses and hospitality should only be done if it can be demonstrated that the benefits outweigh the negatives considerably. I am not personally convinced that they do. I think any closures should be for a clearly defined period (ie, two weeks) as it's better for planning, psychologically, and in terms of compliance.

I accept that wearing of proper masks in enclosed public transport reduces spread, but I believe that half-hearted wearing of grubby cloth masks is barely effective and not worth enforcing.

OP posts:
Remmy123 · 23/10/2021 15:43

Nothing.

And never ever close schools again.

Original poster
Jourdain11 · 23/10/2021 15:45

@GingerAndTheBiscuits

I don’t think anything should close, or will close, because the govt will not want to bring furlough back.

Masks back in shops and public places maybe. Wfh if you can (there’s never been a WFh “order” in England has there? Always been “if you can”). Perhaps back to table service and rule of 6/ social distancing in bars and restaurants, cinemas etc. But that’s about as much as I think people would put up with.

To be honest, I think even wfh recommendation is really difficult without furlough. It has a huge impact on many businesses' ability to make profit, and what do those businesses do if there's no support packet or furlough?
OP posts:
Aposterhasnoname · 23/10/2021 15:45

Keep plugging the vaccination programme, but apart from that, nothing.

jesusmaryjosephandtheweedonkey · 23/10/2021 15:49

I think nothing should be done.
It is what it is now.
Roll out the vaccine boosters and get them done quickly.
But we can't lockdown again.
I will definitely not abide by any restrictions this time around.

bellamountain · 23/10/2021 15:49

The elderly to shield (as much as possible) and their family members to carry out twice weekly LFTs.

almaonao · 23/10/2021 15:49

I smell journalists or other marketing professionals trying to cook up appetite for a 'circuit breaker' Hmm

Go away.

Original poster
Jourdain11 · 23/10/2021 15:52

I'm def not a journalist and I really don't want a circuit breaker.

And you're not the boss of me, so, no - I will not go away 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
Jourdain11 · 23/10/2021 15:53

I actually deliberately put my own opinions in the OP to demonstrate my non-journalist-ness.

OP posts:
PicsInRed · 23/10/2021 15:56

I think we should get the fuck on with vaccinating everyone 5 years+.

No school closures ever again. Never.

news.sky.com/story/covid-19-benefits-of-giving-pfizer-jab-to-5-11-year-olds-outweigh-the-risks-says-us-food-and-drug-administration-12441937

vickyc90 · 23/10/2021 15:56

Honestly I think it's time the vulnerable we're asked to shield for the winter. It's not just covid putting stress on the NHS it's all the other winter viruses and we know who is most likely to end up in hospital with those. I don't think those who are highly unlikely to end up seriously ill with the virus (and by that I mean hospital, if you can manage at home it's a self limiting illness) should face restrictions whilst the vulnerable are out and about.

I could live with vaccine passports for events but that is the limit for me. At the end of the day I could be hit by a bus tomorrow why do I want to waste more of my life when the vulnerable in our family have just had COViD post vaccination and had a self limiting flu illness.

Suchi1 · 23/10/2021 15:57

Having tested positive with the rest of my family I would actually change the perception that LFT will help pick this up. Between us we took over 10 and none picked this up until the PCR did. We must have been infectious for days before we knew we were positive.

MrsFezziwig · 23/10/2021 16:01

@almaonao

I smell journalists or other marketing professionals trying to cook up appetite for a 'circuit breaker' Hmm

Go away.

@almaonao I quite often don’t agree with what Jourdain11 has to say, but if they’re a journalist they’ve been playing a very long game….
Tigerblue · 23/10/2021 16:06

I think we're getting to the stage that we really should do something. I know case numbers will go up and down throughout the year depending on what's happening, but we need to find a way that we can manage whatever is thrown at us, so I'm almost thinking a few restrictions that are proven to keep numbers more under control permanently. That way, we all know where we stand and we won't have uncertainty of not knowing if we can get together at xmas, go on holiday, whether our DC will have a teacher on any day and especially the fact we'll all need medical treatment at some time.

Watapalava · 23/10/2021 16:11

Nothing

Stop testing - esp in kids. Isolate whilst unwell otherwise go about your business- yes even if covid positive
Treat like any other illness

Those at risk task extra measures

Treblebass · 23/10/2021 16:12

My strategy would be …..

Nothing.

HesterShaw1 · 23/10/2021 16:14

I think another lockdown would be a monstrous failure and betrayal. What would the endgame be? Lock down every time the NHS struggles?

I think long term health issues in this country need to be addressed, and the NHS should be remodelled in the style of one of the other European countries, France, Germany or Ireland for example. Those long term health issues need a commitment from the bottom to the top, and this means taking on food industry giants head on. Once someone is obese it's often too late - obesity should be stopped in its tracks from babyhood. Active lifestyles need to be strongly encouraged.

Too many people have got used to the idea that the NHS will pick up the pieces when their choices bite them on the backside.

It won't happen of course and it does nothing to address your question of what should happen now .