O/T. The Government's handling of Covid

[MadAmster]

So, tomorrow we get relaxation part 1. All shops open like they used to be. Hospitality may open till 1PM. Indoor places housing less than 500 guests no longer need to have a Covid pass check at the point of entry.

From Friday Feb 25th it's almost back to pre Covid. The only measure is that indoor events with more than 500 people and no fixed seating plan have to have a negative test policy, whether you're vaccinated or not. Stops folk screaming discrimination. Outdoor events like festivals or football games and other sporting events are open to all with a ticket.

The basic advice of handwashing, don't shake hands remains in place. Masks still on public transport.

[swaledale]

Well at least now the UK government is transparent in that the PM is following the advice of the right wing nutters in his party. I.e. lift Covid restrictions or there will be a vote of no confidence!

Always reassuring that major policy decisions are being made on the basis of political survival rather than a well thought out measured approach that is in the interests of the country!

[MadAmster]

So, todaywe get relaxation part 1. All shops open like they used to be. Hospitality may open till 1AM. Indoor places housing less than 500 guests no longer need to have a Covid pass check at the point of entry.

From Friday Feb 25th it's almost back to pre Covid. The only measure is that indoor events with more than 500 people and no fixed seating plan have to have a negative test policy, whether you're vaccinated or not. Stops folk screaming discrimination. Outdoor events like festivals or football games and other sporting events are open to all with a ticket.

The basic advice of handwashing, don't shake hands remains in place. Masks still on public transport.

[ramAnag]

Well at least now the UK government is transparent in that the PM is following the advice of the right wing nutters in his party. I.e. lift Covid restrictions or there will be a vote of no confidence!

Always reassuring that major policy decisions are being made on the basis of political survival rather than a well thought out measured approach that is in the interests of the country!

Been very noticeable for a while, imo, Swale. Throughout the last 23 months of the pandemic whenever there’s been bad news to deliver Johnson has been flanked by scientists such as Chris Whitty or Valance amongst others. Now the news is, hopefully, better it’s back to the politicians and no mention of being ‘led by the science’. No prizes for guessing why.

[swaledale]

Been very noticeable for a while, imo, Swale. Throughout the last 23 months of the pandemic whenever there’s been bad news to deliver Johnson has been flanked by scientists such as Chris Whitty or Valance amongst others. Now the news is, hopefully, better it’s back to the politicians and no mention of being ‘led by the science’. No prizes for guessing why.

I've no issue with returning to "normal" just wish it was based on a sensible well thought out approach that recognised the actual risk and was clearly communicated to people in a way they understood. Seems to me the Scandinavian countries, which of course have a higher cooperative, health approach have done better and Sweden's approach seems to have worked.

[ramAnag]

I've no issue with returning to "normal" just wish it was based on a sensible well thought out approach that recognised the actual risk and was clearly communicated to people in a way they understood. Seems to me the Scandinavian countries, which of course have a higher cooperative, health approach have done better and Sweden's approach seems to have worked.

Me neither. I truly welcome it...but common sense says that, at the very least, we should continue to wear masks in shops, cinemas, theatres, at gigs and on public transport etc. We also need to show respect, via rules because too many folk are selfishly stupid, for those who work in hospitals and schools etc. I know eight people who’ve gone done with Covid, to varying degrees, in the last six weeks. We’re getting there but this isn’t over.

[swaledale]

Make that 9, I tested positive last Saturday despite being triple jabbed, mask wearing etc. I 'm of the view that its pretty much inevitable that most will get it at some stage, unless you cut yourself off from mainstream life completely. Symptoms lasted about 4 days, basically flu; headaches, fatigue, lots of mucus and aches in all joints. But now just a sniffle, must test myself today actually.

[Geoff Parkstone]

Did you die, Swale?

[Geoff Parkstone]

Me neither. I truly welcome it...but common sense says that, at the very least, we should continue to wear masks in shops, cinemas, theatres, at gigs and on public transport etc. We also need to show respect, via rules because too many folk are selfishly stupid, for those who work in hospitals and schools etc. I know eight people who’ve gone done with Covid, to varying degrees, in the last six weeks. We’re getting there but this isn’t over.

I would suggest that said respect should not just be limited to hospitals and schools, but to all public facing situations eg including transport and retail

I was on a train coming home from London about 9-30 last night, it was fairly busy as there had been storm related cancellations - not that they need an excuse to do this. Announcements and signs reinforced the "please wear a mask unless exempt" mantra.

I maybe saw 200 people on my journey to East Croydon to change train. Of this cohort perhaps 50% were black/mixed race. Not one person in this grouping wore a mask - male or female, old or young, or even had a mask dangling around their neck. This reminded me of our early days covid debates about why BAME people seemed to suffer unduly high incidents of COVID: the solution to this question would appear to lie not so much in poverty or lack of information as had been suggested, nor in any natural extra susceptibility to the virus, but more a simple disinclination to conform to best practice and/or rules.

Of the remaining 50% sample, I'd say there was about 65% mask compliance, the highest compliance being amongst asian individuals. All really rather depressing, but I assume that all of the maskless were indeed exempt, suggesting a massive asthma rate amongst the BAME community - or more specifically the B thereof.

Seems like lots of people think its inevitable they are going to get it, and they have mostly been vaxxed, so may as well get it over with. But with the degrees of non compliance I saw yesterday, there really isn't any point continuing the requirement. Its being ignored and is not / cannot be policed. Sure, it shows fundamental disrespect for your fellow human beings, but sadly that is now a fact of 21st century life

[Andy_Faber]

I would suggest that said respect should not just be limited to hospitals and schools, but to all public facing situations eg including transport and retail

I was on a train coming home from London about 9-30 last night, it was fairly busy as there had been storm related cancellations - not that they need an excuse to do this. Announcements and signs reinforced the "please wear a mask unless exempt" mantra.

I maybe saw 200 people on my journey to East Croydon to change train. Of this cohort perhaps 50% were black/mixed race. Not one person in this grouping wore a mask - male or female, old or young, or even had a mask dangling around their neck. This reminded me of our early days covid debates about why BAME people seemed to suffer unduly high incidents of COVID: the solution to this question would appear to lie not so much in poverty or lack of information as had been suggested, nor in any natural extra susceptibility to the virus, but more a simple disinclination to conform to best practice and/or rules.

Of the remaining 50% sample, I'd say there was about 65% mask compliance, the highest compliance being amongst asian individuals. All really rather depressing, but I assume that all of the maskless were indeed exempt, suggesting a massive asthma rate amongst the BAME community - or more specifically the B thereof.

Seems like lots of people think its inevitable they are going to get it, and they have mostly been vaxxed, so may as well get it over with. But with the degrees of non compliance I saw yesterday, there really isn't any point continuing the requirement. Its being ignored and is not / cannot be policed. Sure, it shows fundamental disrespect for your fellow human beings, but sadly that is now a fact of 21st century life

has anyone pm'd you accusing you of being a xenophobic racist bigot gammon yet?