Easing the lockdown

I’m not really sure why those of you who are very concerned about your health and of the consequences of contracting CV19 don’t just ignore the new rules. You aren’t compelled to socialise.

If you are keeping yourself to yourself and maintain your safeguarding practices you will stay safe.

My sister and her DH will be visiting us on Monday. They have, like us, been observing the restrictions and the chances of getting the virus from them out in our garden for a couple of hours is incredibly remote.

Yes, there will be idiots but they are already out there.

We went into lockdown too late, now coming out too early!
Wait a month and see what's happened!
It's up to everyone to make and keep their own rules, & precautions because imo sadly we are definitely heading for a second peak!!
I add I would more than be delighted to be wrong ..

We're both over 70 (like a lot of people on GN) so we will continue to be very cautious.

It does look as though this announcement has been made ahead of a comprehensive test, track and trace system being in place.

You have to wonder why...

I think it’s pressure from big business that is driving this rush to ease lock down! and I agree that it’s much too soon!
We have the second highest mortality rate in the world, and our daily deaths are still in 3 figures!
We risk a second wave and I don’t think most of the population really appreciate how awful this illness can be
I for one won’t be meeting family in gardens for BBQ‘S etc, this is because there are 6 children In the family who are aged from 1 to 10, and I can’t see how they will cope not hugging or kissing, especially the 3 youngest (1,3 and 6) and we (3 DD and I) figured that seeing each other in these circumstances would be more distressing for them Than carrying on as we are

And Brexit

Just feel I need to comment on herd immunity...

As of Friday, Sweden had a Covid-19 death rate of 35.64 deaths per 100,000 people. Norway is a similar country and had a rate of 4.32 deaths per 100,000 people, and Finland had a rate of 5.2. Ok, Norway and Finland are less densely populated but the lifestyle is comparable and the death rates are vastly different.

Even the architect of the herd immunity plan in Sweden, Tegnel, said recently he didn’t think it was working as he expected.

Apparently it would take 4-5 years for “herd immunity” to kick in at these rates. Sweden is now, in effect, shielding nursing homes because of this. They have put huge amounts of cash into them recently.

Herd immunity is likely to come only when there is a vaccine.

I think we are being treated like children but I need to go further afield to check my eyesight.

I think the easing has come in now to deflect from the whole Dominic Cummings saga. It seems that a lot of people (certainly in South London) gave up, in increasing numbers, on the lockdown and social distancing at least a couple of weeks ago. I've noticed parks packed with people in groups of varying sizes and very little, if any, social distancing going on. Neighbours have been having people round for barbecues, etc for a couple of weeks. Perhaps it will make no difference to the spread of the virus but I do have the fear of a second wave.

Sadly I think it may well be. It's sad that someone who is supposed to represent us is at best so unworthy of the job. To be honest I dont think the media is helping,there seems to be a feeling of celebration. On the news last night a first time mum was delighted her parents could see their grandchild in person. Lovely. The mum then added that she would be so relieved to have her mum there to support her and help out.! I may be wrong but this implied something other than social distancing. ☹. Even I'm finding the contradictions exhausting now. The government stress that social distancing and hygiene must be adhered to. If you go to Gov.Uk the advice for high risk/ vulnerable groups has been updated and slightly changed. It's to stay home as much as possible and to avoid mixing with those outside your immediate household as much as possible.
For me,as a working age diabetic that's quite useful as I dont think 12hours on a poorly ventilated care home where a third of the residents have died meets the criteria. That said this morning I have to phone my GP for proof it's not safe to work,even though my manager admits ,after a lot of emails it is not safe to do my job!
I hope there isn't a second wave,but I think there will be. I dont blame people for wanting life to be normal.Some will only hear what they want to hear.

PamelaJ Yes, I will continue to ignore the easing and I will stay at home until, at least, the second wave has passed.

However, it's annoying that if we had had proper lockdown with strict enforcement, we could actually be in a situation now where it would be reasonably safe for everybody to venture out. Unfortunately, a few selfish people who seem to think their needs are exceptional, have meant that the vulnerable have to stay isolated for longer.

Uneasy yes, scared still a little, concerned very.

Will I be rushing out and meeting all and sundry, no chance

Yes, I do. One minute we cannot go anywhere and now we can meet up to 6 people, keeping the distance apart. No, I’m a lot worried.

Well thanks to Cummings a lot of people will ignore lockdown anyway and that brings legal complications so Bozzy just says what the hec and releases it. A total mess. In Croatia they locked down very fast and very strict and are over it - they have only had one new case in 4 days. Germany only locked down in one state but when Angela Merkel says stay in everyone does, when she says wear a mask everyone does, so Germany has been ok. It looks quite scary to me in UK as if no one is in charge.

I feel it's honestly too early and suspect we'll see the second surge - hope I'm wrong, but we won't know till we try.

Some were ignoring lockdown long before the Cummings story.

I think it’s only natural for us to feel uneasy. The rules are clear enough if you read them properly, but there will always be those who bend them to suit themselves. Self preservation is the code.

Dorsetcupcake I'm a working age diabetic with heart problems and I'm extremely glad that I no longer work for an employer (school). I was actually forced out of work as a result of medical problems, so I can't see that I would have been given any special consideration, if I'd been forced back to work without adequate safeguards.

I'm now self-employed and lost over half my income overnight when lockdown was announced. Some people have tried to get me to continue working, but I declined the business because my own health and safety is more important. Unfortunately, that does mean that I'm having to live even more frugally than I normally do and my finances are challenging (to say the least). I'm having to rebuild my business, so it can be done online, but it's difficult.

I miss not seeing friends and family as much as anybody else. I also miss my two charity jobs, but it would be sheer stupidity on my part to resume normal life.

I do think the messaging from the government is unclear and people will use it as an excuse to ignore any kind of restrictions, which will prolong the situation for all of us.

Yes, they were Anniebach, but now they've been given a green light to ignore lockdown. It's not even as though it was the same kind of full lockdown that other countries imposed.

Yet again no really clear advice from the bumbling man at the top. Other countries have stipulated that masks must be worn in certain places, what do we get" er well mumble mumble
perhaps in enclosed places "etc .
Even yesterday at the briefing the suggestion of having barbecues put a look of horror on one of the scientists faces.
The problem is instead of direct this is what to do we are given vague suggestions from someone who doesn't stop to think before he speaks.

Seefah It's not "as if". Booze ups and breweries come to mind.

Yes, I too feel we have eased the lockdown too soon. I suppose it is easy for we oldies to say this, and it is different for those who need to get back to work, but speaking yesterday evening to two of my young neighbours they agreed that it would have been better to wait until, say, the end of June, and he is a self employed builder who is obviously losing a lot of money at present.

On the other side of the argument the government has already spent/borrowed an incredible amount of money on trying to keep the economy on hold and at some time there would have had to be at least a partial resumption of business and there is the dilemma. Shall we all be rushing out to spend, or shall we resurrect the war-time advice to make do and mend?

I have a notice on the door of my wardrobe given to me years ago by my daughter
Use it up
Wear it out
Make it do
Or do without

For me one of the pleasures of lockdown has been sitting in my garden in the evening without the smell of burnt food and smoke drifting across as someone possibly several doors away has a barbecue. Horrible!

We shall carry on as we have been, DD delivering some doorstep groceries and online shopping. Hoping to see DD and DS after next weekend in the garden. I feel they thought they had no choice after Nicola in Scotland suddenly announced families could mix, I think its up to eight at a time. Surely the best thing for the over 70's is to carry on as they have been plus an occasional garden visit. I can't say much about DC as I am speechless.

I felt quite angry with BJ yesterday, not allowing Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance to answer questions from journalists about his spad Dominic Cummings' trips to Durham. However, I don't think the easing of the lockdown is to do with Cummings, it's about gradually getting the economy moving. It has to happen, though I hope for the sake of the planet that it will not be business as usual in all sectors.
For my DH and myself, we shall continue to avoid shops if possible and we shall not be travelling to see our ACs yet.

growstuff, I agree with you on the tardy lockdown, but we have to take this step at some point.

We have to hope that the decision to make this decision was the correct one. With this bunch (couple) it’s difficult to have faith but I for one am trying.
I think that they are expecting a second surge but feel that the NHS can cope.
Let those of us who are not at as much risk as others take the first few steps. It is our choice, I’m talking personally here I can’t speak for anyone else.

No!