Originally Posted by
Baggiemadguern
A very sensible post Prando
Lockdown lockdown. I live in a small community of circa 65,000. In March we went into lock down, we were a little slow to close our borders, it should have been done mid February, the reasoning it was not, was to allow students to return from university’s and school skiing trips etc. Alas, cases rose and we had a small number of deaths, particularly in homes for the elderly. Once cases started to rise the borders were shut and the usual lock down rules were implemented i.e. only one household member was allowed to shop, queuing at supermarkets and only two hours of exercise a day. Nearly every business closed. We were particularly lucky back in March that we had an exceptionally warm spring as we are having a really warm Autumn at the moment.
Track and trace was introduced early on and though it was never the intention to eradicate the virus eradicate it it did. Come May we started to bubble with families and in a June all restrictions were gone, other than travel. Borders opened in July with voluntary isolation and testing etc on return.
We have had two positive cases since then as some selfish idiots thought they would holiday etc. At least they seem to have caught them in the net as they returned. We are small island but quite heavily populated so a success story all the same. The UK, France and Spain are a few of the countries that caved in to those that wanted to open businesses and start to travel on holiday all in order to kick start their economy’s You are still allowed to travel around much of the UK, yet the virus numbers is climbing uncontrollably. What stupidity.
Lookdown will work and will be a large factor in eradicating this virus, unfortunately as winter approaches there will be much to regret insomuch countries did not deal effectively with this virus at the outset. Standing in a supermarket queue in the middle of winter will be the least of ones worries. It might be the last chance to get things it in place, albeit is probably to late now, before what might be a winter of nightmare proportions starts.
The Isle of Man Government have done the same as with the same success. We do have an air corridor with the IOM at present with no testing required, which, on a side note, has led to some good sporting contests.
I also noted very, very few people locally wore masks during our short period of lockdown but I have to say nearly everyone complied with the rules and hand hygiene etc.
About five people have been arrested for breaking isolation rules, the maximum fine is £10,000 for each offence. One UK worker was fined £9,000 for three offences, he could not pay so is serving the alternative of 9 months.
We are so, so lucky here, life is back to normal, everything is open, yes some businesses are suffering, travel firms and local airlines but we are free to go where we want when we want.
The UK is it’s own worst enemy sometimes, no more so than with the handling of this virus.