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Original poster

Is another lockdown inevitable?

257 replies

Flowersandjellybeans · 12/12/2021 06:52

I just can’t work out whether it’s more likely than not we’ll end up in another lockdown (and when that might be)…

There are multiple articles in all the newspapers, often contradicting each other… I honestly can’t work out what is likely to happen or really even on the table and when it would actually happen?

YANBU = yes, we’ll end up in another lockdown
YABU = no, we won’t have another lockdown

OP posts:
rrhuth · 12/12/2021 08:07

I couldn't answer as I neither think it is inevitable or impossible.

It is decidedly possible. Apparently 60% of the British public now expect (this is not the same as want!) a lockdown in the next three months.

MatildaIThink · 12/12/2021 08:08

Do we want to protect the unvaccinated? I thought natural immunity works getter than the vaccine. They need to catch Covid don’t they?
The viral load is likely to be light now and Omicron isn’t a nasty one.
That depends, those who genuinely cannot have the vaccine I do wish to protect, but they are vanishingly small in number. Those who are refusing the vaccine despite no medical reason not to have it, I am not bothered about protecting them, they have made their choices and should have to live (or die) with them.

StealthPolarBear · 12/12/2021 08:09

I have supported and complied with lockdowns so far but i am scared by how far we've come in accepting tbe inevitable restrictions to our civil liberties. Back in feb 2020 it seemed unthinkable. Now it's routine.

rrhuth · 12/12/2021 08:09

All this talk about 'protecting the unvaccinated' - if the NHS gets overwhelmed it will primarily be the vaccinated who die, from all the other things that won't be treated.

Also we have an issue because vaccine passes look pretty futile if Omicron escapes the vaccine.

Quartz2208 · 12/12/2021 08:12

A lockdown no. I dont think we will go back to everything shut - there is no appetite and it simply wouldnt get through Parliament.

The modelling yesterday shows I think that somewhere between Step 2 and 3 of the unlocking we went through would bring it down to a manageable level. That definitely could happen

MarshaBradyo · 12/12/2021 08:12

@MatildaIThink

I think Johnson will do a 4-8 week lockdown starting either straight after Christmas or in early January. I don't think this will happen because it needs to, I think it will certainly be ignoring the harms a lockdown does, but I think thr current panic, combined with a need for distraction from the continuing sleaze issues will lead to a lockdown.
I don’t think this would be the reason

Some of his party are already annoyed re plan B and that is very light in comparison

rrhuth · 12/12/2021 08:12

@StealthPolarBear

I have supported and complied with lockdowns so far but i am scared by how far we've come in accepting tbe inevitable restrictions to our civil liberties. Back in feb 2020 it seemed unthinkable. Now it's routine.
This is because humans are pragmatic and rational - all restrictions on liberty depend on context.
SirChenjins · 12/12/2021 08:13

I think there will be severe restrictions and once people realise how serious this is their right to have a night out won’t seem quite so important. Not sure about a total lockdown though.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 12/12/2021 08:15

@SirChenjins

I think there will be severe restrictions and once people realise how serious this is their right to have a night out won’t seem quite so important. Not sure about a total lockdown though.
Still pushing that narrative? People are worried about their jobs, their kids education, their mental health. Not a night out. Stop pretending that it's so black and white.
Sunshine1235 · 12/12/2021 08:15

I didn’t think so but seeing the BBC headline yesterday about a major wave in January I think they’re testing the water for one in January. I don’t think they will cancel Christmas but a lockdown straight after or maybe a lockdown of the unvaccinated will follow.

SpringRainbow · 12/12/2021 08:15

how long is a piece of string?

Popcornriver · 12/12/2021 08:15

Jazzyjeffery

Alternatively, why is it OK for my son to attend school on the 22nd and but not OK for him to see family members just 3 days later?

If the government wants to bring in more restrictions they need to actually make sense and be consistent.

Charles11 · 12/12/2021 08:15

This is because humans are pragmatic and rational - all restrictions on liberty depend on context.

The context is very weak now so be careful what you’re giving up.

MatildaIThink · 12/12/2021 08:16

@rrhuth

All this talk about 'protecting the unvaccinated' - if the NHS gets overwhelmed it will primarily be the vaccinated who die, from all the other things that won't be treated.

Also we have an issue because vaccine passes look pretty futile if Omicron escapes the vaccine.

The solution in that situation is to prioritise the vaccinated for all treatment, with those who have chosen to refuse the vaccine only treated if there is spare capacity.
MarshaBradyo · 12/12/2021 08:16

@SirChenjins

I think there will be severe restrictions and once people realise how serious this is their right to have a night out won’t seem quite so important. Not sure about a total lockdown though.
People might not feel the same about a night out but furlough to replace closed businesses is less likely.

Any restrictions that target non business are harder to enforce and obviously if you can still go out it makes less sense to say no to homes

Waxonwaxoff0 · 12/12/2021 08:17

@Popcornriver

Jazzyjeffery

Alternatively, why is it OK for my son to attend school on the 22nd and but not OK for him to see family members just 3 days later?

If the government wants to bring in more restrictions they need to actually make sense and be consistent.

Education is essential, seeing family isn't. That's the reasoning.
jgw1 · 12/12/2021 08:18

@Flowersandjellybeans

I just can’t work out whether it’s more likely than not we’ll end up in another lockdown (and when that might be)…

There are multiple articles in all the newspapers, often contradicting each other… I honestly can’t work out what is likely to happen or really even on the table and when it would actually happen?

YANBU = yes, we’ll end up in another lockdown
YABU = no, we won’t have another lockdown

Nope. Since freedom day in the summer you are and will continue to be free to do whatever you please. It was made quite clear by our fine leader the right honourable Boris Johnson that the relaxing of restrictions were irreversible. You should by now have all gone out and burnt their masks, no need to keep them, that time has gone. Enjoy the freedom to party and have quizzes to your hearts content, follow the example of our inspirational leader.
MatildaIThink · 12/12/2021 08:19

@rrhuth
This is because humans are pragmatic and rational - all restrictions on liberty depend on context.
Humans are not pragmatic and rational, in thr context of this thread anti-vax loons demonstrate that perfectly.

Some humans are pragmatic and rational, many are not.

SirChenjins · 12/12/2021 08:21

People might not feel the same about a night out but furlough to replace closed businesses is less likely*

I rule nothing out. The money will be found for furlough if/when needed.

Onthedowns · 12/12/2021 08:21

Exactly this. People are very quick to point the finger at schools when in reality certainly where I am it's small pockets, certainly not spreading across year groups etc.

Interestingly our headteacher stated it appears the adults are passing to children not vice versa.

Children have suffered enough severe disruption, mine have mild anxiety issues. You can't close schools either for the economy but you can restrict hospitality.

Our school is freezing kids taking in blankets etc. Yet our local restaurant is packed sweaty no ventilation, no masks. I understand the economic impact but really?

Limiting care home visitors when the majority should be fully protected and visitors tested but free for all pubs bars etc?

It's got to be a balance the government is so contradictory its unreal

Iheartmysmart · 12/12/2021 08:21

Use the bloody Covid board! But in answer to your question yes we are all going to be sealed in our homes for all eternity. Those who have letterboxes will have a slice of bread posted through a couple of times a day, those without will probably starve.

Charles11 · 12/12/2021 08:22

Don’t be surprised when the authoritarian ways of previously free and liberal countries come here.

yellowgreysocks · 12/12/2021 08:23

The NHS being overwhelmed comes in so many forms.

I'm worried about how I'm going to staff my service if omicron is very widespread regardless of severity because currently in the NHS all covid positives and all household contacts still have to isolate for 10 days.

They would have to lift this rule to stop a major staffing crisis if cases went up a lot.

The other thing we need is better social care and more carers. We need to stop visitors as they have been traced to all the covid positive cases on green wards which cause mass ward closures and outbreaks we can't deal with.

Motheroftigers · 12/12/2021 08:24

I voted YABU because I dont want any more restrictions.

South Africa are saying their is NO evidence that the new variant is more harmful that the others in fact its the opposite. I think this is the natural end of the virus as its proving very contagious but weak with zero deaths.

If we go in to another lock down it will be utterly un forgivable and unnecessary and will wreak the economy again

Motheroftigers · 12/12/2021 08:24

there**