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Original poster

Get rid of all restrictions

528 replies

AnEpisodeOfEastenders · 29/12/2021 12:22

I think it's time for all restrictions to be removed. There has been plenty of time for people to be vaccinated / boosted that want to, those that can't or don't should take their own precautions.

If we test positive then we shouldn't need to isolate, shouldn't need to declare it and should just treat it as a normal cough / cold / illness. If you feel up to going to work, out to the pub, seeing friends or family then do so. Everyone I know who have had it say they feel fine.

Life has been disrupted for far too long, the costs associated are astronomical and will be a crippling debt for generations to come.

OP posts:
IcedPurple · 29/12/2021 13:54

@MaxNormal

The honest, but worrying, answer is because a lot of people are genuinely quite stupid

I've found one of the least helpful parts of this debate is the categorisation of anyone in disagreement as stupid, thick etc.
It's also quite rude really.

And don't forget 'selfish'.
fluffi · 29/12/2021 13:56

Disagree. Just because covid is mild for some people, doesn't mean people who feel "ok" or are asymptomatic should be able to give it to others who may not be as fortunate even after triple jabs. Long covid and the organ damage caused by covid are horrid to live with (fortunately you don't risk those as a result of the common cold.)

rrhuth · 29/12/2021 13:56

@MaxNormal

The honest, but worrying, answer is because a lot of people are genuinely quite stupid

I've found one of the least helpful parts of this debate is the categorisation of anyone in disagreement as stupid, thick etc.
It's also quite rude really.

It is not about disagreeing - it is about not even accepting the basic scientific facts.

It is true that quite a few people are quite poorly educated and more importantly don't recognise that in themselves. There are loads of things I don't know about but genuine stupidity also has something to do with not even trying.

Blubells · 29/12/2021 13:56

I will be very happy when measures are not needed but that point will only come when it comes, you can't just decide.

But as a society we have to decide. We have to make a decision by looking at the overall costs and benefits to society of each course of action.

littlepeas · 29/12/2021 13:56

@MaxNormal

The honest, but worrying, answer is because a lot of people are genuinely quite stupid

I've found one of the least helpful parts of this debate is the categorisation of anyone in disagreement as stupid, thick etc.
It's also quite rude really.

It's incredibly lazy.
IcedPurple · 29/12/2021 13:58

@fluffi

Disagree. Just because covid is mild for some people, doesn't mean people who feel "ok" or are asymptomatic should be able to give it to others who may not be as fortunate even after triple jabs. Long covid and the organ damage caused by covid are horrid to live with (fortunately you don't risk those as a result of the common cold.)
So are you proposing restrictions indefinitely?
doublemonkey · 29/12/2021 13:58

Absolutely. Let's put the efforts to supporting and protecting vulnerable people.

At the same time I'd like to see a proper nationwide investigation into natural immunity.

And we could also start using treatments that are proven to work, like Ivermectin and monoclonal antibodies, for people who have severe Covid, thereby preventing them needing hospitalization by treating them at home.

britneyisfree · 29/12/2021 13:58

@BeLessMe

those that can't or don't should take their own precautions

DH is vaccinated but hasn’t developed a full immune response, he likely won’t survive if he catches Covid. I work in a public facing role. What is your suggestion on how I keep a roof over my, & DC, heads please?

We can't all stay home for him. Sorry!!
rrhuth · 29/12/2021 13:59

[quote GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat]@rrhuth why is it? Confused[/quote]
Statistically the chance of every person catching it one after another in that spaced out way must be minute.

Unless there is some reason you have an extended isolation period which I have misunderstood, I think the chance of it happening is so low as to be not worth worrying about at all. I would think you would be more likely to be hospitalised from Covid than for that to happen to five people in a house!

Tidyhousefornow · 29/12/2021 13:59

I too think it will head this way soon anyway

rrhuth · 29/12/2021 14:00

@Blubells

I will be very happy when measures are not needed but that point will only come when it comes, you can't just decide.

But as a society we have to decide. We have to make a decision by looking at the overall costs and benefits to society of each course of action.

Confused

Yes but you are starting with 'what do I want to happen' rather than looking at all the info and saying 'what is the best balance'

You clearly don't have all the relevant info.

containsnuts · 29/12/2021 14:01

Just to add that not all CEV people are curled in a ball at home waiting to die. Many are the ones holding the country together - teachers, social workers, volunteers etc etc who might not be able to work if covid runs totally uncontrolled. If opening a window and giving people space at the supermarket keeps the country going them I'm all for it.

BambinaJAS · 29/12/2021 14:04

@AnEpisodeOfEastenders

I think it's time for all restrictions to be removed. There has been plenty of time for people to be vaccinated / boosted that want to, those that can't or don't should take their own precautions.

If we test positive then we shouldn't need to isolate, shouldn't need to declare it and should just treat it as a normal cough / cold / illness. If you feel up to going to work, out to the pub, seeing friends or family then do so. Everyone I know who have had it say they feel fine.

Life has been disrupted for far too long, the costs associated are astronomical and will be a crippling debt for generations to come.

I would seem we need to take out the sock puppet for this one.

Basic example:

1% hospitalisation rate, R = 2 Exponential Distribution

2 * 1% Point A
4 * 1% Point B
8 * 1%
16 * 1% Point C
32 * 1% Point D

As the number of infected grows EXPONENTIALLY, you are going to get a rise in hospitalisations that is not linear. You will get a small rise initially which then ramps up faster.

Also, there will be a lag as the distribution grows in a cumulative fashion. The hospitalisations you are seeing now come from Points A & B.

We are now transitioning betwern Points C & D in infections.

The wave size between [A,B] & [C,D] is 8x larger.

Now, using simple logic:

Do you seriously think having 8x more people being infected is going to result in no increase in hospitalisations for a disease that is 70% less severe?

This is only a simple example and that 8x is actually higher right now due to the uncontrolled community transmission of Omicron right now in the UK.

What you are "seeing" right now in the UK is the calm before the storm, which will be further exacerbated by the current NHS staffing problems (which will also get worse).

rrhuth · 29/12/2021 14:05

But as a society we have to decide.

Also this idea is horrific.

The idea that 'society' is qualified to decide on this.

We have a representative democracy (of sorts). Parliament has to decide on this. That is correct.

Blubells · 29/12/2021 14:06

*Yes but you are starting with 'what do I want to happen' rather than looking at all the info and saying 'what is the best balance'

You clearly don't have all the relevant info.*

I don't understand your point, sorry.

I'm trying to say that as a society we need to make decisions on what is in society's best interest by measuring the overall costs and benefits - obviously given the information we have.

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 29/12/2021 14:07

And we could also start using treatments that are proven to work, like Ivermectin and monoclonal antibodies, for people who have severe Covid, thereby preventing them needing hospitalization by treating them at home.

We are already using monoclonal antibodies and antivirals to prevent admission. Ivermectin, not so much, because it doesn't work. YouTube videos =/= RCTs

KurtWildesChristmasNamechange · 29/12/2021 14:08

Completely agree with you OP.

rrhuth · 29/12/2021 14:08

Do you seriously think having 8x more people being infected is going to result in no increase in hospitalisations for a disease that is 70% less severe?

Yes, some people seem to seriously believe this. The argument seems to be that if we just get rid of isolation for asymptomatic cases, no one will need hospital treatment Confused.

BooksAndGin · 29/12/2021 14:08

Completely agree.

Nobody would know what covid even was, if the media didn't bang on about it 24/7.

Blubells · 29/12/2021 14:09

The idea that 'society' is qualified to decide on this.

Sorry if that concept offends you, I genuinely didn't want that.

By society I mean us all, so yes our elected government.

rrhuth · 29/12/2021 14:09

@Blubells

*Yes but you are starting with 'what do I want to happen' rather than looking at all the info and saying 'what is the best balance'

You clearly don't have all the relevant info.*

I don't understand your point, sorry.

I'm trying to say that as a society we need to make decisions on what is in society's best interest by measuring the overall costs and benefits - obviously given the information we have.

Who do you mean by 'we'?

The government is doing exactly what you are suggesting, but you seem to be complaining that they are coming to the wrong conclusions because they are looking at information you yourself haven't bothered to look at?

rrhuth · 29/12/2021 14:10

@Blubells

The idea that 'society' is qualified to decide on this.

Sorry if that concept offends you, I genuinely didn't want that.

By society I mean us all, so yes our elected government.

Well they are doing that, I must have misunderstood as it sounded like you wanted something different to what is currently happening.

In each of the four nations, an elected body is making decisions.

Blubells · 29/12/2021 14:11

The government is doing exactly what you are suggesting, but you seem to be complaining that they are coming to the wrong conclusions because they are looking at information you yourself haven't bothered to look at?

Sorry, I'm not actually wanting to complain about the current Governments decisions regarding Covid.

I'm actually supportive of the current lack of restrictions.

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 29/12/2021 14:12

Yes you have misunderstood @rrhuth

luckylavender · 29/12/2021 14:18

@littlepeas @southeastdweller - you need to look to Asia to see how effective mask wearing is. And it's such a small thing. As for testing and isolation. Many cases are asymptomatic so you're protecting others if that isn't too much of a hardship for you. No one likes this really, but it's a global health emergency, and restrictions are pretty light compared to most places. We all want it to go away.