Have people's opinions changed?

[MassiveOverthinker]

Just wondering really, if the last few months have changed people's opinion on how we managed covid in this country.

Anyone wondering if maybe fewer restrictions would've been better and if more draconian ones (often called for) were unnecessary. Anyone wondering if we needed to close schools, swab and isolate our kids, test and trace etc etc.

Or do people generally feel we did what was necessary at the time and are only okayish now because of weaker variants and higher vaccination levels?

Anyone feel less angry at the rule breakers, those who don't want to be vaccinated etc?

If it all happened again, do you think your response to restrictions would be the same, or would you be a bit more inclined to think "sod that for a laugh".

(Asking for a friend).

The initial all precautions were too slow to be implemented but we're proportionate because we didn't know what we were dealing with. I think the exercise limits and closed benches were a bit much but it was all very unknown.

A large proportion of the population are now vaccinated, the more recent variants seem to be less risky, even with the unvaccinated and CEV. This summer and 2020 are in no way comparable.

It's also hard to know what is going on as they closed test centres and are charging for LFTs.

I'm enjoying the warm weather and the return to normality but I'm interested to see what winter brings.

Also in 2020 Greece locked down when covid hit Italy and by the end of the summer their death toll was in the region of 190 people.

I'd say lockdown was proportionate, we just did it too late. The issue is getting people vaccinated and retuning to normal, without getting trapped in the lockdown circle/
zero covid plan that NZ had been caught in

I wish I'd let my parents meet my newborn daughter as I'll never get that time back. Even when they were allowed in the garden they still didn't hold her as we stuck to the rules.

@SexyLittleNosferatu YES!!!!! saw a report on the news just before i left my parents, about monkey pox and sexual health clinics.
www.itv.com/news/2022-05-21/monkeypox-could-have-massive-impact-on-sexual-health-services-doctor-warns

I work with a woman who still wears a mask literally ALL the time. In the office 9-5, on the trains and public transport. In restaurants unless she's eating. It wasn't even that long ago (a couple months maybe) that we went to a pub for a team lunch and she sat at a neighbouring table. She only takes her mask off to eat or drink. And then when she gets home.

I look at her now and think she's bat shit crazy for thinking the mask will protect her against everyone else surrounding her who's not wearing one. It doesn't even fit her face that well 🙄

And how does that affect you @IEatChocolateForBreakfast

It doesn't really. I don't care what other people do. I guess I should have clarified to say I was one of the people before who had severe anxiety around covid and even had an anxiety attack at a family gathering about 6 months ago the first time we were all allowed to get together again. I had to leave. Covid and the fear put into me form the government really did a number on my mental health. Now I think it's all fucking madness. So yes, my opinion has changed. I still respect peoples decisions (don't necessarily agree with them though) with however they want to operate around covid. But for me personally I've had enough and look back and think I was bloody mental for acting the way I did sometimes

Honestly you could shut down 99% of threads of MN by saying that. It doesn't wash!

And you could try to shut down conversation by giving arsey comments when someone asks a relevant question, although the person it was aimed at (clue: not you) was happy to answer it.

@suzyscat we did have a very good idea what we were dealing with. We also had a vaccine candidate before lockdown. The restrictions were proportional for the vulnerable not the general population. What's sad is we didn't have the guts to say if you fall into XYZ stay home including all your household, the rest of you get in with it.

I've just had it for a 2nd time it's not pleasant but as a fit and healthy 32yr old it's a 3 day self limiting viral infection like the other plagues DS brings home from school.

Science is a debate with evidence (evidence base) which I think the government and general population found hard to understand

And you could try to shut down conversation by giving arsey comments when someone asks a relevant question, although the person it was aimed at (clue: not you) was happy to answer it

If you want a private conversation send a private message. Otherwise people (clue: any people) will respond to posts.

Much of this is very misleading. We really didn't have a clear picture pre lockdown. The WHO was discussing 3-4% mortality. There was no certainty of a vaccine being developed in a timely way. Having restrictions only for vulnerable and not for the general population wasn't the way to go.

You give a very good example (yourself) of not understanding science much.

I think actually mask wearing does affect others. For some, it gives horrible flashbacks to how awful it all was. For others it raises their blood pressure at the sight of someone so infected by the fucking fear the government spread. For children and babies it gives the impression that covering your face with a bit of cloth when anywhere near others and maybe even in the car on your own, or outside in the breeze, is a normal and rational thing to do, when it isn't.

Whitty said from the absolute outset that for the overwhelming majority of people, this was not a dangerous illness

Thank you for articulating this so eloquently

@HesterShaw1 Whitty actually said "Depending on how high the peak is, this could be anywhere from a rather bad winter—but in spring or summer—for the NHS, through to huge numbers way overtopping the ability of the NHS.” He did indeed say that most people over 80 would survive it, but there were indeed a great many unknowns.

Re mask wearing, this is a practice which in the East is seen as a courtesy and a kindness to others. Some people need to get over themselves.

@HesterShaw1 What an astoundingly nasty thing to say when many of those still wearing masks are the most seriously at risk - something we have no choice about and no control over.

Doesn't surprise me coming from you, but you should be ashamed to say this in public.

www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/4553246-monkeypox?

I agree with you @HesterShaw1 and very well put.

@mmmmmmghturep aaaaaargh!!!

@WouldBeGood You agree that fomenting hatred against those who are still substantially vulnerable to Covid is an appropriate activity on Mumsnet?

There’s no “fomenting hatred” 🤣

@WouldBeGood That's exactly what Hester was doing. I suppose my eyes must have deceived me when I thought I saw a comment from you saying that you agreed...!

I don’t think some people still wearing masks really affects others and that if they want to wear them then they should be able to. But it’s the glares and comments from some people wearing masks that gets me.

For example when I’m in a supermarket and I happen to venture what they deem is too close to them, or I’m not wearing a mask and I happen to be in the same aisle as them and reaching for the same food they are. No I don’t wear a mask anymore as we don’t have to, and no I don’t continuously think about covid and have many other things on my mind so don’t have the time to be consciously thinking about how close I am to someone when we don’t have rules about distance anymore. Wear a mask all you want but don’t moan about what others are doing when you’ve chosen to go into a busy place.

I agree with @HesterShaw1. She was not fomenting hatred 🙄

@Overthebow

You seem to be very unfortunate in your experiences. Mine is nothing like yours. I sometimes wear a mask, I sometimes don't, and I've never a) given dirty looks to anyone when I am wearing one, or b) received dirty looks when I'm not.