Easing the lockdown

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.

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.

Uneasy yes, scared still a little, concerned very.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

And Brexit

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

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...

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 ..

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.

Yes I think so too, I was waiting for the ‘dead cat’ story to take over the news. Also Emily Maitlis deserves a medal!

I think the impetus driving the easing of lockdown is more financial. It didn’t occur to me to consider the Cummings situation was a factor.

Whether it is safe/appropriate I just don’t know, there are so many conflicting views amongst the ‘experts’. I think all you can do is adopt your own risk assessment, and behave accordingly. Being retired, I do at least have the choice whether to go out or mot.

There are quite a few people local to me who have taken absolutely no notice of the restrictions from the outset. I think there is also an element of accepting that people will generally just not stick to it much longer. Many can’t afford to.

I think most sensible people will do what they think is right for themselves.My husband is shielded so we definitely won’t suddenly start socialising with loads of people,don’t think our life will change much until they find a vaccine . Can’t see what it’s got to do with Mr Cummings though,all the countries in Europe have started to lift lockdown,think Boris & the government are just following what other the other countries are doing.....very carefully.Sick of all the vitriol & nasty comments about the government & Mr Cummings.......it’s time we moved on & everyone got behind our government instead of constant sniping & political point scoring Things are tough & may get worse but I don’t think Corbin or anyone else could have done any better.......this is an unprecedented time & several politicians on all sides broke lockdown.We have to do what’s right for ourselves & our families.....

Countries like Sweden, South Korea, and Iceland have not enacted lockdowns. Yet somehow, the spread of coronavirus in these countries has not been considerably worse or better than other countries.

Iceland's total population is smaller than the population of Bristol, so no problem with social distancing there, and no need for lockdown.

Sadly, I'm one of the suckers. (In more ways than one, I think!)

The whole world - including BoJo et al - are trying to deal with something that has never been experienced before. There is bound to be a bit of ‘suck it and see’

We aren’t easing. End of.
My husband is shielding and my mother is 99. Lockdown continues

Hapgran The virus didn't need to be still out there, if every had stuck to a 100% lockdown - not the half-hearted effort we had from some people.

Parky Herd immunity is a myth and would, in any case, mean about half a million deaths. Would you be happy with that?

Those who are vulnerable and care about their health will be forced to continue self-isolating because others are still spreading it in the community. The reported infection rate in my area is continuing to rise, according the the KCL Covid-19 tracker.

If the UK had had 100% lockdown with strict enforcement, as other countries have had, the virus would have had nowhere to go and would have died out by now. Everyone, including the vulnerable, would feel much safer about returning to a normal life now.

I think it is right to ease restrictions. Looking at the statistics younger, fit and healthy people seem to have minor symptoms if infected. People who are older, obese with health problems should take care. No one is being forced to go out. We are over 70 although fit and healthy, we go walking everyday, shop in our area (not supermarket) and see our daughter and family, which is allowed here.

Do what is right for your situation and leave others to make their own decisions. Maybe the herd immunity will kick in.

No. And glad that finally dental surgeries can open from 8 June.