Three options on the table - a guessing game

Fivemoreminutes1 · 2021-12-20T08:06:17+00:00

It's the question we're all asking - are new restrictions going to be imposed in England to control Omicron, and if so, when? Quote from the BBC: “Our chief political correspondent Adam Fleming tells us that civil servants have prepared a "menu of three options" that range in stringency, according to a Whitehall source. Ministers are yet to make a choice.” Anyone want to guess what they are?

AvocadoAndToast · 20/12/2021 08:13

I’ve read they are:

Guidance, but not law, to reduce contacts.

Limits on mixing, return to social distancing and hospitality to close at 8pm.

Full lockdown.

Johnson is currently supposed to be favouring option 1.

xxxGirlCrushxxx · 20/12/2021 08:19

I think 2

There's no furlough for full lockdown

Whammyyammy · 20/12/2021 08:24

Regardless if whats said. Option 1 in my home.
We've complied and had 3 vaccines each, if lockdown is the decision, what's the point of a vaccine programme, may as well scrap it altogether.

Ridcully82 · 20/12/2021 08:25

I think he'll go for option 1... For now.

DeclareThePenniesOnYourEyes · 20/12/2021 08:29

@Whammyyammy

Regardless if whats said. Option 1 in my home. We've complied and had 3 vaccines each, if lockdown is the decision, what's the point of a vaccine programme, may as well scrap it altogether.

What’s the point of a vaccine programme @Whammyyammy? It’s so you don’t die or end up seriously ill. Restrictions won’t be (and never were) put in place to stop people catching Covid…. They’re implemented to stop the NHS toppling over. Listen to this very point being made clearly and articulately by Wes Streeting.

htfdth · 20/12/2021 08:32

Do as you please and take your chances. That's what will happen anyway.

The sensible ones will limit contact with others over the festive season and the rest will have all caught Covid if they haven't already by the new year! It will all be done and dusted by mid Jan.

gogohm · 20/12/2021 08:32

Guidance, strongly worded but we can make our own decisions, 2. shut down, probably not shops, outdoor hospitality only (in winter ) 3. In between - covid passports are required for all hospitality etc as in many countries.

Siameasy · 20/12/2021 08:34

I had been pondering what he might do anyway and I had thought he would “advise” something like limited household mixing. Three households perhaps. I don’t think he will make it enforceable but he will put on a stern voice.

Whammyyammy · 20/12/2021 08:35

@DeclareThePenniesOnYourEyes
What’s the point of a vaccine programme @Whammyyammy? It’s so you don’t die or end up seriously ill. Restrictions won’t be (and never were) put in place to stop people catching Covid…. They’re implemented to stop the NHS toppling over. Listen to this very point being made clearly and articulately by Wes Streeting.

And how does the vaccine stop me from dying or being ill? By improving immunity from the virus, so if vaccinated, why have lockdiwns, just common sense and social distancing will suffice.

Giving everyone a vaccine, then closing work places, hospitality and schools makes no sense at all

MissPeregrine · 20/12/2021 08:37

I think 1.

Chris Whitty was favouring the ‘prioritise what’s important to you’ approach.

So if you want to go out and mix with others then that’s your decision but it might then mean other plans don’t go ahead.

I don’t believe we’ll have a full lockdown. I think numbers will start to fall as people stop testing as much/school’s closed, then we might see an increase again in early January when schools reopen and people return to work, but depending on hospital admissions, depends on whether option 2 might be implemented.

Just my Monday morning musings and probably a load of BS

DeclareThePenniesOnYourEyes · 20/12/2021 08:45

But not everyone can be vaccinated @Whammyyammy. So closing places means that all of those people without vaccinations don’t overwhelm the NHS. And yes, before you say it, everyone eligible should be having the vaccine, but a significant chunk of the population just can’t have it because of allergies and kids under 12 currently can’t either. So those people (and the people not having it because they don’t want it) will be spreading in around and catching the uncushioned version. Some of those people will end up hospitalised. It’s a significant enough number of people in this situation that it risks overwhelming hospital services. That’s why we might need further restrictions.

And it’s not like you lose in any way here- your vaccinations haven’t been a waste of time… they still make you less likely to die or become very ill.

quiteathome · 20/12/2021 08:49

Whatever it is. I wish they would tell us. I would quite like to be able to plan.

Whichjab · 20/12/2021 08:52

I also just want to know. I have this sicky before exams/waiting for results feeling. Tbh it has put quite a dampner on Christmas preparations.

Heckythump1 · 20/12/2021 08:55

What's the point of option 2?! Are we more likely to catch covid after 8pm?! :P what a joke!

At this point, I think a full lockdown would be the only way to get any compliance, but I don't want that as I don't want my daughter to miss anymore bloody school!

colourfulpuddles · 20/12/2021 08:56

He can do whatever he wants. I’m not changing my plans.

bellamountain · 20/12/2021 08:57

Hopefully option 1. If enough of the population restrict their contacts then it will hopefully allow others to live with more freedom. By that I mean retired people in their 70s and 80s can have a quiet month along with young couples both working from home and families with young children can continue to take them swimming lessons or whatever. I really don't think children should be sacrificing anymore.

Booklover3 · 20/12/2021 08:57

I think with the leaks about parties… and probably more yet to come he will struggle now. It’ll be option one

Thewiseoneincognito · 20/12/2021 09:05

We’ll be in full lockdown by January.

I know it’s hard for some on here to comprehend but Omicron has walked us back several steps, granted we’re not back at square one yet but we’re certainly nowhere near being able to put faith in the public to follow guidance by their own free will if cases need to come down rapidly. You only have to look at the toddlers on the won’t comply threads to see many folks can not be relied upon to do their bit for the greater good.

Whammyyammy · 20/12/2021 09:08

@DeclareThePenniesOnYourEyes

But not everyone can be vaccinated *@Whammyyammy*. So closing places means that all of those people without vaccinations don’t overwhelm the NHS. And yes, before you say it, everyone eligible should be having the vaccine, but a significant chunk of the population just can’t have it because of allergies and kids under 12 currently can’t either. So those people (and the people not having it because they don’t want it) will be spreading in around and catching the uncushioned version. Some of those people will end up hospitalised. It’s a significant enough number of people in this situation that it risks overwhelming hospital services. That’s why we might need further restrictions.

And it’s not like you lose in any way here- your vaccinations haven’t been a waste of time… they still make you less likely to die or become very ill.

Yes, I appreciate that not everyone can or wants to be vaccinated. So why close places to people that have been vaccinated? That's madness. No point locking us all up is there? And I know I haven't lost out..of the many reasons I chose to be vaccinated, my own health was top priority, along with freedom to the workd such as international travel, and socialising.

Your point, and mine leads to one option... vaccine passports. Allow the ones that have had the vaccine and less of a burden on the nhs freedom of movement.

PuzzledObserver · 20/12/2021 09:08

If it’s option 1…. surely a lot of people are doing that anyway? I’m swerving choir practice this evening precisely to reduce the risk of picking it up, so that I have several days clear before I head off to visit my elderly Mum for Christmas. LFTing, and if I get a positive I won’t go, and I’ll be gutted. But I will have had time since last major mingling for that to show, so reduce the risk I am incubating/carrying it when I go to hers.

When are schools breaking up? Would it make sense to close non-essential shops and hospitality for the duration of the school holidays, accompanied by rule of six/2 households indoors?

Whichjab · 20/12/2021 09:08

@Booklover3

I think with the leaks about parties… and probably more yet to come he will struggle now. It’ll be option one

Agree, political point scoring at the expense of public health. I don't want a lockdown but if it is necessary then it should happen, not be delayed by political infighting

TenoringBehind · 20/12/2021 09:08

2

1 won’t do enough
Country can’t afford 3 and people won’t comply

SpiderinaWingMirror · 20/12/2021 09:12

1 til boxing day
2 from then
Hospitality is shafted anyway and January they struggle at the best of times.

bellamountain · 20/12/2021 09:14

@Thewiseoneincognito

We’ll be in full lockdown by January.

I know it’s hard for some on here to comprehend but Omicron has walked us back several steps, granted we’re not back at square one yet but we’re certainly nowhere near being able to put faith in the public to follow guidance by their own free will if cases need to come down rapidly. You only have to look at the toddlers on the won’t comply threads to see many folks can not be relied upon to do their bit for the greater good.

Well you can stay in.....

Thewiseoneincognito · 20/12/2021 09:16

As for those leaked pictures, people need to be asking themselves Who would benefit from undermining BJ just as lockdown looms. Only Someone devoid of concern for the health and well-being of us all would take an opportunity to release those images. It kinda smells like the Matt Hancock cctv leak would you not agree?

He is an utter idiot and completely incompetent but there’ll be far worse waiting in the wings to take his job. Truly an extremely dangerous time for the stability of the country when Omicron risks overwhelming the NHS and function of services across the nation.