To ask if we’re heading for another lockdown?

[TreeLine6]

So covid cases are rising and like clockwork, the likes of independent sage are back in the media calling for ‘protections’ like masks, isolation and social distancing to “avoid full lockdown”.

Is it time to reintroduce some measures like the rule of 6, a cap on large events numbers and maybe distancing and early closure for hospitality as independent sage are calling for?

Personally I feel that with vaccines and treatments, we are now in the best position we’re going to get with covid and would be very reluctant to comply with further measures, that themselves cause enormous harm.

Anyway, perhaps those eligible should get their boosters - had mine last week and the nurse told me take up was low, they have rolled out to 50+ and vulnerable already, they are thinking of offering to younger to use up the vaccine stock they were sent.

So are you suggesting that the evidence of billlions of doses worldwide is somehow flawed because one elderly woman had a mild case of covid?

Is this what passes for science on here?

Independent Sage seem hell bent on putting our economy in an even worse position than it is now

"Independent" Sage are subversives. The to have no connection to the original SAGE, but chose their name to give themselves standing, and to confuse the public inr to thinking they were official Susan Michie is a Communist for starters,and most of them are either resentful past appointees if Govt,or on the Left, + would love to see the UK weakened even further They are no friends to this country.

Cosplay Sage have got far too used to being on the telly.

That’s interesting I am 63, and the NHS site still says they are only available to those who are over 65.

Have we gone back to 2020?????

I'm (just!) 50 and vulnerable and had mine a few weeks ago. DH is 38, DD is 25 and they've had theirs on account of thee fact they live with me.

Even if you're not vulnerable, if you're over 50 you're eligible to book.

Nope! And I don’t think anyone would listen regardless those who are vulnerable can make that choice,

I know flu can be serious, so this isn't said to minimise. For those saying covid is like cold or flu - covid has killed more people than flu and pneumonia in any year since 1929.

www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/articles/howcoronaviruscovid19compareswithfluasacauseofdeath/2022-05-23

*I know flu can be serious, so this isn't said to minimise. For those saying covid is like cold or flu - covid has killed more people than flu and pneumonia in any year since 1929.

www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/articles/howcoronaviruscovid19compareswithfluasacauseofdeath/2022-05-23*

But hasn't killed more than 1929 so your point is.

And in 2020 from a freedom of information request " the ONS "Deaths involving Influenza and Pneumonia (underlying or secondary cause): 133,294"

That's pretty similar to covid on 2020.

the likes of independent sage are back in the media

Well, that sort of answers the question. Back in the media getting people to listen to them and being invited onto TV to tell everyone we're all gonna die unless we listen to the likes of them and shove the country back into purdah. Bet they've really missed people running after them for their opinion the last year.

If I saved just one person from getting Covid by wearing a mask it will be worth it

How will you know?

Covid doesn't care that it's 2022! 😄

I do wear a mask at work (supermarket) as when I stopped I got covid and was hospitalised for over a month and nearly died. Masks clearly do something as flu was basically non exsistant for the past 2 years and the majority of covid cases where from households. I absolutely agree it should be personal choice just like vaccines but I speak to 100s of people a day and several people want to wear masks but are made to feel uncomfortable by anti maskers. However I still don't understand why the majority of people can't wear masks for 30mins inside shops and on public transport. I nearly died from covid and have no choice but to go to work so I would appreciate it if more people where a bit more mindful about coughing in my face or licking their fingers before passing their money to Me. Being in hospital alone with covid not knowing whether your going to die is absolutely terrifying and is an experience I would rather not repeat and to add to that I now have long covid and its significantly impacted my life. So yes wear a mask don't wear a mask but do think about the consequences of the decisions you make

Covid is nothing more than a mild illness for the vast majority of the population.

I genuinely cannot understand people still shouting for lockdowns. Like…… look around, see what they’ve done?????

Good for you but not everyone with hearing loss finds it as easy as you. DH really struggles to understand people when they are wearing a mask as hearing aids don't help him. Last year I had to take him to A&E and he couldn't understand half of what was said despite informing them he's deaf. Due to the stupid rules I wasn't able to go with him. Luckily he was ok but if people are expected to wear masks then hospitals need to make reasonable adjustments.

Someone very close to me who had been struggling with their mental health for decades, but managed to stay on a fairly even keel, had a terrifying MH crisis at the end of 2020. Around the same time, I was prescribed antidepressants for the first time since my mother died almost 20 years ago. I was absolutely terrified to leave the house; I'm CEV and was convinced I would die if I caught it (I know how ridiculous that seems now, especially given as I was 99.99% sure I had it in March 2020 before testing).

My local high street has lost three out of its four pubs and every other shop is closed permanently. Both independent coffee shops have gone. How many jobs lost does that translate to? How can anyone advocate for that again, at a time when people can't afford basic things like heating?

Thank god we have vaccines and antivirals now. But lockdowns? No. Never again.

Someone passed it on to me, someone who was infectious and refused to wear a mask. Very selfish

How on Earth can you know this, @greenhousegal?

I genuinely cannot understand people still shouting for lockdowns. Like…… look around, see what they’ve done?????

It is a pretty niche position at the moment I think, albeit there are a few people who think 'circuit breakers' might be warranted and we all know what that turned into. Most people wouldn't want another one. What's more common is people still deluding themselves that reintroducing more minor restrictions like masks and social distancing might be both possible and beneficial.

Whilst not an advocate of lockouts at this point, the evidence is clear that early hard lockdowns worked. Wearing masks, increased handwahing and limiting crowds are effective anti-viral measures.

Our problem in the UK is that the government delayed with things like Cheltenham going ahead and crony contracts wasting billions.

We also are foregetting that many of the businesses collapsing are not due to restrictions but due to Brexit.

Whilst not an advocate of lockouts at this point, the evidence is clear that early hard lockdowns worked.

Worked a treat for China with Omicron, has to be said.

The pubs and coffee shops on my high street closed because they hadn't been open for the best part of a year. Brexit had nothing to do with it.

Lockdowns were an extreme measure until vaccines were developed. Vaccines (and antivirals

If I saved just one person from getting Covid by wearing a mask it will be worth it. I have Covid right now and am freezing and shivering despite a house full of heat. I am miserable and now cannot have the booster until a certain time has passed from testing negative. Someone passed it on to me, someone who was infectious and refused to wear a mask. Very selfish

god, what drama. Have you never had an infectious illness before?