October Becomes November Lockdown

[BlueThursday]

New thread

I suspect this will be the second of many

I've said before that I can't wear masks, lip read through masks or social distance. I have multiple disabilities. It looks like masks and SD are here to stay. I saw my doctor this morning and was in tears with the stress of it all. He was very sympathetic and offered support but he (obviously) cannot control covid or the restrictions.

I zoned out towards the end too, especially when she did her usual of politic-ing and say that if she had the borrowing power she would be doing x, y and z and it would all be SOOO much better.

However at the end of the BBC programme they had that Linda woman on, the professor of epidemiology with the hybrid scottish/american accent. She made some very positive comments about the vaccines, a couple of which are in the challenge stage which means, as i understand it, that they have established that the vaccine is safe, and now are giving it to people and deliberately exposing them to covid to see what happens.

If those results are positive then that's fantastic news. It's totally unrealistic to expect a vaccine which will stop anyone getting it, ever. But if they can prove that we have a vaccine which drastically cuts the severity of the illness in most cases that's amazing. Give it to everyone over 65 and under 65 with medical conditions, and we're sorted.

She said the areas would be split by local authority rather than health boards. She also states that in theory there could be different tiers within the same local authorities.

In larger authorities that makes a lot of sense. Highland is huge and it would be nuts to restrict Wick because there's a few cases in Fort William. In smaller areas like Glasgow City, East Ren, Dundee - makes less sense.

So maybe local councils or maybe not?

Surely they can just decide what the areas are and then base it on level per 100k per 7 days and set each tier for a level and bob's your uncle. Too simple?

@WaxOnFeckOff too sensible. We must sustain the narrative that only politicians can manage us out of this horror. Please don’t try and simplify the strategy.

@Dollybagwash

So just watching this, places like soft play etc can't open until we are level zero? That will be the end of those businesses.

Oddly, it seems they have to close at level 2, but there is no information I can see that says when they can open. It implies they can open at level 1, though that wasn't the case in August! Hopefully it'll be clarified... though I assume none of the country will actually be put into level 0 or 1 initially, so it may all be hypothetical.

Wish they gave more information about how they decided which level each part of the country would be. (they'll only do that once approved in parliament, assuming it is, which again doesn't give much hope for hospitality in the central belt knowing whether they can order in food, alcohol etc). Though it is reassuring that it will be done by councils and not health board areas.

[quote Bytheloch]@WaxOnFeckOff too sensible. We must sustain the narrative that only politicians can manage us out of this horror. Please don’t try and simplify the strategy. [/quote]
Oops sorry, I think I must have shown some independent thought there, won't let it happen again...

I can't believe you have to get to tier 1 for kids to be able to have a friend round. Before I hunt for the arsenic, I remember that the oxford vaccine is nearly there. I'm ignoring the rest of it, it's too depressing and if the vaccine rolls out hopefully we won't need to pay attention for much longer to the daily nonsense.

@Ecosse

Restaurants would be allowed to open indoors in tier 3 but with no alcohol served on the premises. Tier 2 would allow indoor dining with alcohol served and bars allowed to open indoors.

Alcohol could not be served indoors without a meal until tier 1.

Glad they've realised the whole cafe/ restaurant thing is a totally worthless distinction! Possibly even bars could open without alcohol but to serve food, though many may not want to.

The borrowing comments - in this counter factual world she'd be massively in the red for iScotland startup costs plus the serious deficit Scotland has, but she'd be able, this far into a pandemic to borrow on the global market to a greater degree than the Bank of England thinks is prudent. Yep, likely...

@Y0uCann0tBeSer10us

I started listening, but realised I'd completely zoned out so gave up. Is there really no possibility of 'normal life' built into this framework that is to run indefinitely? Or rather, no normal life until we get a vaccine (which will probably only reduce symptoms and is unlikely to give herd immunity according to experts)? I can kiss goodbye to seeing the whole of my family at once for the foreseeable? How thoroughly depressing. Seriously.

I know. That is really quite depressing. Max of 8 people (adults?) inside for the foreseeable. Also, no gatherings of more than 50 in level 0, so places of worship, weddings etc can't go back to normal. There seems to be some allowance for seated indoor events, though, so maybe concerts/ theatre could be allowed?

so maybe concerts/ theatre could be allowed?so maybe concerts/ theatre could be allowed?*

DD got tickets to see Harry Styles at the Hydro in April 2020 for Christmas last year. Obviously didn't happen. Concert rescheduled for 16th March 2021. I'm not holding out much hope. She'll be absolutely gutted as she worships the guy. (So much so that we had an enforced detour to St Abbs, in the rain, as apparently that's where he filmed a video).

Oh, that's awful for her raspberry. Horrible to have such a big event potentially at risk. And even if it does go ahead there'll be the worry beforehand that it won't.

So the framework says this re: stadia/ events
Level 0
Outdoor events permitted.
Indoor events – seated and ambulatory permitted (restricted numbers)
Indoor grouped standing not permitted
Stadia – open with restricted numbers

Level 1
Outdoor events seated and open space permitted (restricted numbers)
Outdoor grouped standing events not permitted
Small seated indoor events permitted
Stadia – open with restricted numbers

Level 2
Events not permitted/closed
Drive in events permitted
Stadia closed to spectators

Level 3/4
Not permitted/ Closed to spectators

So I suppose it depends what "restricted numbers" are for the hydro. I doubt it will be all ticket holders. And no standing...

It’s pointless opening restaurants with no alcohol allowed. People want a glass of wine with their meal and it’s like being treated like a child to say it’s not allowed.

Looks like gyms ok though...?

@WouldBeGood

Looks like gyms ok though...?

It seems so. Closed at level 4, and no classes at level 3 but otherwise open, as long as its not an "indoor contact sport". So no competitive tig, presumably (unless at professional level).

I agree with you on the alcohol. It seems a bit Presbyterian, and I'm not sure what benefit it serves. It's not the people having a glass of wine with lunch that are going to forget about social distancing and end up round each others house. Though it looks like wine with a meal (indoors and outdoors) will still be allowed in level 2, which I don't think is the case at the moment? I've lost track...

@WouldBeGood

It’s pointless opening restaurants with no alcohol allowed. People want a glass of wine with their meal and it’s like being treated like a child to say it’s not allowed.

Yes, but don't you know we all get wildly drunk on a glass of wine or a pint and disobey the roolz?

We had a lovely meal in the Lake District last night, almost exactly the same rate per 100k as we are here. Sat inside after 6pm and with a pint/cider (except DH who was driving but under english drink driving law he could have probably have had a half or a small bottle of beer and been fine). Very civilised, all table service except for 1 person being allowed at the bar at a time if required. Absolutely no reason that couldn't still be allowed up here.

Most folk going for a meal are not looking to get rat arsed.

@WaxOnFeckOff exactly.

Glad you having a nice time in the Lake District. I found I really appreciated those things too after the lunacy up here. I shall go again if they don’t sort this restaurant thing.

Though I was slightly tempted by the Canary Islands immediately 😃

@NotAnActualSheep is level 4 the pure radge lockdown level?

Home now unfortunately, - we had to be out our accommodation by 9am so we were home before half 11. Torrential rain all the way, thought DS2 who remained at Uni in Aberdeen was about to inherit the family jewels.

Big shout out to folk in grey cars - when it's pishing rain/dull/overcast/dark and you are driving on a grey road, can you switch on your lights!!!?

[quote WouldBeGood]@NotAnActualSheep is level 4 the pure radge lockdown level?[/quote]
Yup, that's the one. won't admit I had to look that one up

😃 thanks, @NotAnActualSheep

Someone said to me the other day they were doing play dates with friends by using the “childcare” loop hole. Is this something lots of people are doing ?

@WaxOnFeckOff I’m convinced it always rains on that road.

Glad you made it back safely

I cannot believe our Welsh cousins are being banned from buying clothes, shoes, blankets, kettles and toys in Tesco.

Because some jumped up little idiot has decided they're not essential.