Will you continue to wear a mask?

You'd get hunted down and shot in Victoria if you went on public transport or in a shopping centre without a mask. Fined, anyway. Not so much in the open though many still do but it is hot here now and they are not too comfortable in 35C + heat.

What's this, if not melodramatic?

We are going to drive ourselves mad with this, looking at the slightest change in the data and convincing ourselves its Armageddon.

On public transport and in taxis, in small local shops but not in large shops.

And Ireland Alegrias.

France. Netherlands.

Sorry, I'd explain more but I would hate to be thought melodramatic

''Countries all over Europe are starting to lift restrictions ''

which countries? Only one has been mentionned, Danemark.

Alegrias1

Parsley3

We certainly can’t be complacent. My granddaughter is being home schooled this week as the staff and children have Covid. We are back to square one.

We are not back to square one.

Sorry, I know people think I'm pedantic and argumentative but I do get a bit activated by comments based on thin air.
We're not back to square one. Countries all over Europe are starting to lift restrictions despite much higher case numbers than they have had before. We are going to drive ourselves mad with this, looking at the slightest change in the data and convincing ourselves its Armageddon.

Apologies to anybody like Marydoll who are obviously more affected by this than others.

You can all have a go now, I've got it out of my system.

No, we're not all quite so melodramatic.

Parsley3

I am not as stupid as you think. My comment was not based on thin air. My granddaughter is back to square one in terms of being home schooled because of Covid. Give me some credit.

I do give you some credit and think you're absolutely right about schoolchildren Parsley. Infection is rife in under 9 year olds and parents are having to take time off work to care for them. Child infection is probably also driving the infection rate in middle-aged people. I'm tired of saying that almost nothing has been done to mitigate risk in schools.

There's also a pattern, which has been evident for some time, that infection rates are highest in families where there is little space to isolate and where adults can't easily afford to take time off work. On top of that, there's a correlation between poverty and poor underlying health, which is a risk factor for severe illness.

We're not back to Square 1 for most people, but some have never really emerged from Square 1 in the first place.

Overall cases may be flat lining or falling but if someone lives in an area where cases are increasing they may be worried.

I just checked our MSOA and generally cases are gradually falling but in two areas which include DGD'S schools they are increasing again. An adjoining area has had a larger increase and children criss-cross the border for school.
They had a lot of cases in the Autumn term in schools, only one-fifth of DGD's class were in school. That was probably Delta, but perhaps some are now infected with Omicron.

Additional vaccinations, fast tracking for PCR testing and results, also immediate access to anti virals has put me in a much stronger place than previously.

Reading that is very positive Marydoll, thank you for posting it.

I don't think you're stupid Parsley3, not at all.

But what are people expected to think when they read "We're back to square one" when you are talking about how many people are affected by Covid? When the start of the paragraph is that we can't be complacent?

They're going to think we're back to square one.

I could get into a long discussion about how people misunderstand how things are communicated, especially on the news, but I'll just be digging myself a hole...

Apologies that I gave the impression that I thought you were stupid. That was not my intention.

No need to apologise Alegrias, I'm not offended at all, just frustrated.
We are in a much better place than when I first had to shield.
Keeping abreast of the science and staying well informed keeps me sane, well almost!
Additional vaccinations, fast tracking for PCR testing and results, also immediate access to anti virals has put me in a much stronger place than previously. I consider myself quite fortunate!

I'm definitely not locking myself away, just continuing to be careful and limiting contact with people. It is my responsibility to keep myself safe, I don't expect anyone else to do so.
However, a little compassion and understanding from certain posters wouldn't go amiss.

I am not as stupid as you think. My comment was not based on thin air. My granddaughter is back to square one in terms of being home schooled because of Covid. Give me some credit.

I was talking about home schooling.

Parsley3

We certainly can’t be complacent. My granddaughter is being home schooled this week as the staff and children have Covid. We are back to square one.

We are not back to square one.

Sorry, I know people think I'm pedantic and argumentative but I do get a bit activated by comments based on thin air.
We're not back to square one. Countries all over Europe are starting to lift restrictions despite much higher case numbers than they have had before. We are going to drive ourselves mad with this, looking at the slightest change in the data and convincing ourselves its Armageddon.

Apologies to anybody like Marydoll who are obviously more affected by this than others.

You can all have a go now, I've got it out of my system.

No need to apologise, Kali

Just setting the record straight. It's all a bit ridiculous as we went to a GP surgery in England this week. Masks requested and, of course, everyone complied.

Callistemon21

Kalu

Kali2

Of course I will, in all public places (not outdoors where distances can be kept) and the UK seems to be the only country in Europe which is currently giving up on masks and other restrictions.
A massive gamble!

As I mentioned upthread ‘Kali’, mask wearing is still mandatory in Scotland.

And Wales, Kalu

The rules or relaxation of them are not UK-wide, Kali2.

Perhaps you did not realise that different countries in the UK have had different rules throughout, perhaps because it is England that you return to.

Yes, I have apologised already.

As for Denmark, I believe the only other one lifting restrictions apart from England.

We certainly can’t be complacent. My granddaughter is being home schooled this week as the staff and children have Covid. We are back to square one.

The point I was trying to make was that we shouldn't be complacent Alegrias.

That disclaimer has been there since Day One Marydoll. It's always been the case.

This is from Dr John Campbell's update today. I know many on here follow him.

I think wording on the top line on the graph is very interesting.

Due to limited testing, the number of confirmed cases is lower than the true number of infections.

Sorry, repeating myself.

Denmark.

Five times as many cases as us per million, all domestic restrictions being lifted next week.

Kalu

Kali2

Of course I will, in all public places (not outdoors where distances can be kept) and the UK seems to be the only country in Europe which is currently giving up on masks and other restrictions.
A massive gamble!

As I mentioned upthread ‘Kali’, mask wearing is still mandatory in Scotland.

And Wales, Kalu

The rules or relaxation of them are not UK-wide, Kali2.

Perhaps you did not realise that different countries in the UK have had different rules throughout, perhaps because it is England that you return to.

LilacChaser

I remember last time this restriction was eased - 19th July last year - etched in my mind. At first, it seemed as if nobody had noticed, everybody kept on wearing them, but then, very gradually, people stopped wearing them, which was lovely to see.

I think the same will happen this time (until such times as another variant appears and the panic resumes).

Has it ever occurred to you that people wearing masks in crowded environments may not actually be panicked but simply taking sensible precautions - as much as is possible under the circumstances - particularly those that are medically vulnerable?

Kali2

Of course I will, in all public places (not outdoors where distances can be kept) and the UK seems to be the only country in Europe which is currently giving up on masks and other restrictions.
A massive gamble!

As I mentioned upthread ‘Kali’, mask wearing is still mandatory in Scotland.