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Original poster

Three options on the table - a guessing game

173 replies

Fivemoreminutes1 · 20/12/2021 08:06

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?

OP posts:
GoodPrincessWenceslas · 20/12/2021 11:12

@AvocadoAndToast

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.

What a surprise. He wants to be able to say he was following the rules, if not the guidance, when he goes to his various Christmas piss-ups.
Leftbutcameback · 20/12/2021 11:16

I’m pretty sure the people who would follow the guidance (option 1) are already being cautious, especially after Chris Whitty articulated the risk so well. So not really much point in any option.

LadyIckenham · 20/12/2021 11:17

@worriedatthemoment I'm in the lucky position that it wouldn't affect us financially as DH can WFH and I WFH usually. I am self employed, however, and am not sure I can cope with everyone at home as it made it nigh impossible to work. I really don't want to give up my job but can't see much alternative as I cannot manage this again: I can only imagine how others who don't have that choice feel. And can't believe, after all the outpouring over the recent, tragic children's deaths that people feel no consideration should be given to other options. This is a difficult time of year for DV anyway. Add in financial pressures, isolation and inability to see relatives and it's an absolute pressure cooker.

I hope your son is ok. I feel so, so sorry for our young people.

2reefsin30knots · 20/12/2021 11:19

Bozo the clown could be replaced with Pennywise.

@Thewiseoneincognito best analogy ever Grin

HardbackWriter · 20/12/2021 11:21

I was quite against another lockdown but now that I know that it's perfectly legal to have 17 people round for a garden party at the height of lockdown I'm feeling ok about it! If only I hadn't been so silly and misread the rules last time - I only went and actually followed what they said rather than doing what was obviously fine and reasonable, silly me!

worriedatthemoment · 20/12/2021 11:24

@LadyIckenham yes he is ok thanks on a gap year and working to save to go to uni as we can't afford it otherwise, will be the first person in our immediate family to go
He's been good with lockdowns and sticking to them and having his vaccinations as he thought it would help others etc so will be a blow if no money and as a temp he won't be compensated
But yes lockdowns are not always the simple answer some think they are

Lovemusic33 · 20/12/2021 11:26

I don’t see why closing hospitality at 8pm will help, does covid not spread before 8pm? I’m guessing it’s to stop people getting so drunk that they don’t socially distance?

I think most people are already doing option one? Our family have cancelled our plans which would involve several households mixing. I’m already wearing a mask and keeping my distance from people whilst out. I’m not visiting family indoors other than my mother.

Kate3150 · 20/12/2021 11:32

Do we think there will be a press conference today or tomorrow?

Diana8 · 20/12/2021 11:32

@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.

This
MarshaBradyo · 20/12/2021 11:36

It’s a mixed picture obviously people are changing behaviour as demand has plummeted in various sectors

Others feel like not complying is the way to go - what proportion is hard to say media fear campaigns have big impacts

Maybe the votes won’t pass it or would trigger leadership issue

AchillesLastStand · 20/12/2021 11:37

@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.

This. Anyone who thinks otherwise is deluded.
Justcannotbearsed · 20/12/2021 11:38

They'll do the middle one , that's why it's being leaked and framed the way it is.

MarshaBradyo · 20/12/2021 11:39

This. Anyone who thinks otherwise is deluded.

Out of interest is it something you want to happen?

There is a lot of pressure against it too.

chocolatesaltyballs22 · 20/12/2021 11:39

@Lovemusic33

I don’t see why closing hospitality at 8pm will help, does covid not spread before 8pm? I’m guessing it’s to stop people getting so drunk that they don’t socially distance?

I think most people are already doing option one? Our family have cancelled our plans which would involve several households mixing. I’m already wearing a mask and keeping my distance from people whilst out. I’m not visiting family indoors other than my mother.

Cool, I'll just go to the pub early then. FFS does no one else see that this whole fucking thing is ridiculous? Am done with it all now.
Dghgcotcitc · 20/12/2021 11:46

I don’t see what full lockdown will achieve numbers will go up when it ends like they have for all lockdowns worldwide others than those aimed at complete elimination (and we are well passed that!). It will only work if we stayed lockdown indefinitely and I actually think even the most pro lockdowners get that isn’t really an option without considering how we change society substantially- how do we get a future generation of doctors and nurses with no education system? How do we manage the deluge of need for paid adult social care when we break ties within families and friends that provide so much informal and unpaid for help at present etc. pro lockdowners need to explain their long term plan for how the human race survives without social interaction on which so much of our survival is premised (we actually cannot procrate from two meters apart) but of course they will scream your all selfish toddlers instead, for not going with their ill thought out, completely unworkable long term plan.

the80sweregreat · 20/12/2021 11:55

I'm going out for lunch today with one other person and I was thinking of not going , but then I thought I've had the jabs, I've got a booster this week , I've had covid already in November and I wear a mask at work and in shops, wash my hands etc
Why shouldn't I get out while I still can.
I've hidden away in the past , but I'm hoping I have some natural immunity now and I need to crack on with life and see a friend for a while.
Covid was horrible, but I recovered from it and I'm not young. Glad I've had the vaccines though!
People will risk assess Christmas I think and decide what is best / test first etc
It's not ideal , but neither is staying indoors all the time. I also followed the rules during the lockdowns, my work place is quite strict.

antisocialsocialclub · 20/12/2021 11:57

I think why will happen is option 1 but people will just mix and do why they want o by the beginning of Jan it will be option 1, if not 3

antisocialsocialclub · 20/12/2021 11:58

Option 2, if not 3*

Whichjab · 20/12/2021 11:58

@MarshaBradyo

This. Anyone who thinks otherwise is deluded.

Out of interest is it something you want to happen?

There is a lot of pressure against it too.

Lockdown is better for where I work than what is happening now. Customers have been scared off but we are still open hemorrhaging money.
TooManyPlatesInMotion · 20/12/2021 12:01

He's committed to going back to parliament I'd he wants to introduce further restrictions. At this stage, I don't think his cabinet or his party would support option 2. Option 1 for now I would guess.

Also.... Is it not too late to have an impact? If he wanted restrictions to actually influence what is happening then he should have made this decisions a couple of weeks ago.

CrispsnDips · 20/12/2021 12:09

Eenie meanie minie mo 🤔

Nellodee · 20/12/2021 12:10

Option three, lockdown probably only works if that time is spent vaccinating. Ironically, the only way we're likely to persuade antivaxxers to vax is if they see what happens if omicron is as virulent as delta and we don't lockdown. Option two may work to slow the spread, but is probably only going to be followed by the people who would behave similarly with option one anyway. Option one probably isn't enough.
In other words, we either get really lucky, or we're screwed.

the80sweregreat · 20/12/2021 12:18

The anti vaxxers will just say ' it's a cold'
The people I know who are against having it will not be swayed by anything at all. I know a few like this.
I keep quite, because what is the point of trying to argue with them , plus they wouldn't listen anyway.

Whammyyammy · 20/12/2021 12:19

Why are people so keen on restrictions on our lives being brought in? Are their lives so sad and unfilled, that they want everyone to experience the same miserable existence?

Covid rates are high, because we are heavily testing for them. If we tested for flu or other viruses in such depth any year at this time we would find high numbers.

Get fully vaccinated and get on with your lives. If you can't or won't be vaccinated then live carefully, but don't expect others to be locked away or compensate for your lack of vaccine compliance.

Lockdown will bring misery and nothing else, plus many, including myself will not comply, so whats the point

changed12344 · 20/12/2021 12:24

I think 2

Three times jabbed. Had covid in oct. Going to what I want. Went to theatre Friday and had a great time, one of our group was too scared. One person tested positive yesterday but had prob caught it before as she had tested negative on fri. So there's no safeguard, boosters won't stop everyone catching it. I'm not prepared to hid Away. Let's hope it's 2 rather than 3 and it's 1 then yipeee! So fed up of the doom and gloom