Self Isolation likely to end in March

[Overthebow]

What does everyone think about this?

I personally felt massive relief when I heard this, finally looking like the end of restrictions on our lives. I know it will be scary for some people who are more anxious but for me I am really looking forward to this happening.

@rainrainraincamedowndowndown what country is that, if you dot mind sharing? And what level of restrictions have people been living with during the past 2 years?

It's not happening today, its aiming for spring when Omicron is likely to have "fizzled out" further.

BJ wants to bring it forward. He said today he was hoping to put it vote in the Commons at an earlier date than the original End of March date, which would have been at towards the start of Spring.

I’m giving birth in April and not happy to hear this.
What does it mean for people that need hospital treatment/ need to give birth?

numbers are coming down quite steeply

Yeah, sure. Hope it's really true, nothing to do with recently changed testing rules.

@rainrainraincamedowndowndown

numbers are coming down quite steeply

Yeah, sure. Hope it's really true, nothing to do with recently changed testing rules.

ONS is coming down sharply too. That’s a random sample and testing rules have no impact on it.

So everyone in this country will be vaccinated, great.

But we are connected to the rest of the world that is not and that therefore leaves a high risk of future variants that could be more severe and evade vaccines based on the original strain.

It's not as simple as "we're sorted in this country, sod what's happening elsewhere" .

Never mind the fact that a month ago they were using their messaging to terrify everyone into getting their boosters, and now they're conveniently using their messaging to distract from the PM's rule-breaking and lying to parliament.

Taking anything they're saying at face value and trusting it would be foolish.

@Staryflight445

I’m giving birth in April and not happy to hear this. What does it mean for people that need hospital treatment/ need to give birth?

Surely it’ll be the same as before covid was a thing? Presumably you’re vaccinated?

i would normally be happy but its coming from the man whose tring to cover up all his rule breaking he doesnt care about your health

@Giveaschitt thank you for that.

Thing is, it would be great if Omicron has been indicative of the direction in which SARS-CoV-2 is going, as in, less severe illness. Another, much nastier variant could come along, though, and I really feel for the CEV individuals and families in all this.

@draramallama

So everyone in this country will be vaccinated, great.

But we are connected to the rest of the world that is not and that therefore leaves a high risk of future variants that could be more severe and evade vaccines based on the original strain.

It's not as simple as "we're sorted in this country, sod what's happening elsewhere" .

Yep

Would you be happy to get covid or your newborn end up with covid just because you went to hospital to give birth?
@Overthebow

Just because the government are happy to ignore it, it doesn’t take the risks away. Yes I am triple protected, but really don’t fancy the risk of getting covid when I know how unwell I have been after giving birth twice previously.

As an aside, I heard an interesting comment by a commentator on TV late last night - in anticipation of todays announcement - saying if the government had to supply and pay for masks, they would have been phased out months ago. Certainly made me think

Oh yeah, that's a given. It's no surprise that they like restrictions whose costs aren't borne by the state purse. Masks are a visible sign of doing something whilst also not costing central government a lot, so they're an attractive option.

@LifesABotch

Thing is, it would be great if Omicron has been indicative of the direction in which SARS-CoV-2 is going, as in, less severe illness. Another, much nastier variant could come along, though, and I really feel for the CEV individuals and families in all this.

Another completely unconnected virus could come along at any point and turn into a pandemic. Doesn’t mean we should lock ourselves away for ever.

@rainrainraincamedowndowndown yes I know what you mean. I personally think it feels too soon to advise everyone back to offices and no masks. I would prefer at least they advised this to start in March when worst of the flu season is over and covid tends to reduce as weather is sunnier too..

The winter is the worst as everyone’s indoors with windows closed and get colds which spread it further.
By March the weather will be warmer and people will be outside more so cases should have dropped.

I think they need to be clear that if cases get high again then restrictions will come back in.
I think a lot people get frustrated when rules come back in as they assume when the rules relax that means covid is over.

Another completely unconnected virus could come along at any point and turn into a pandemic. Doesn’t mean we should lock ourselves away for ever

Exactly this.

I think they need to be clear that if cases get high again then restrictions will come backin

I doubt the government are in a position to say anything like this at the moment.

@Staryflight445

Would you be happy to get covid or your newborn end up with covid just because you went to hospital to give birth? *@Overthebow*

Just because the government are happy to ignore it, it doesn’t take the risks away. Yes I am triple protected, but really don’t fancy the risk of getting covid when I know how unwell I have been after giving birth twice previously.

There’s the risk now of getting Covid, and there’s always going to be a risk. Cases in April should be lower than they are now anyway.

I think they need to be clear that if cases get high again then restrictions will come back in

But who is to say that they will? It will entirely depend on what happens in the hospitals.

@Florelei

Yes. I’m just coming up to the end of 10 days, alone with DS. Both of us positive.

My sister also isolating is now on week 3, after testing positive, because she has persistent fever and so can’t leave isolation.

Not sure who you know, but we’re certainly still following the isolation guidance.

This is what rolling lockdowns look like. They told us in March 2020 this was likely to happen.

Cant grumble though and some countries had more rules. We've had 2 relatively good summers since it began, especially last summer 2021 when it was more or less restriction free from June to the end of November. Mostly by vaccination which kept the Delta wave low and spread out

The summer 2020 before was a bit more restricted but it was OK, this was when we had the 'eat out' thingy

Here's to spring and summer and hoping for a good one again

But who is to say that they will? It will entirely depend on what happens in the hospitals.

That’s why they should say IF cases rise not WHEN - although like flu, cases do tend to rise and fall and covid will be the same.

So letting people know it may happen will prepare them in the future, it will also make sure people don’t get slack with hand washing etc.

@Wnkingawalrus

I think people will be very wary of coughs and temperatures for a while yet and think people will stir err on the side of caution.

Some people maybe. But the only reason most people care is they don’t want to have to self isolate.

I agree. The only reason anyone I know is bothered about Covid is because they don't want to have to isolate. Once that requirements gone I think many won't really be bothered at all.