O/T. The Government's handling of Covid

[Geoff Parkstone]

I think we should still retain masks for public transport too, but the reality is that such things are being more and more ignored, regardless of the legal position. Now I'm officially a train/bus pass holder I've noticed in the last month that less and less people are wearing masks on such journeys, particularly in the under 25 groups, who may well have had one or no vaccinations. To maintain the mask requirement may in reality prove to be impossible anyway - its not (cant be?) policed, the bus drivers don't impose it by kicking people off buses, so actually what is the point continuing with a requirement that isnt being enforced.

Personally I will probably still use mask when I feel appropriate, as I am sure will many rational people. And there will always be "no maskers" as there are "no vaxxers" - I dont understand their perspectives, but equally neither I nor anyone else can impose upon them to "conform"

So whilst I believe masks should remain in certain circumstances, I can understand why the requirement has been dropped for practical reasons. Mask wearing has always relied on people's willingness to conform, its no different pre or post 19-07

[swaledale]

I think we should still retain masks for public transport too, but the reality is that such things are being more and more ignored, regardless of the legal position. Now I'm officially a train/bus pass holder I've noticed in the last month that less and less people are wearing masks on such journeys, particularly in the under 25 groups, who may well have had one or no vaccinations. To maintain the mask requirement may in reality prove to be impossible anyway - its not (cant be?) policed, the bus drivers don't impose it by kicking people off buses, so actually what is the point continuing with a requirement that isnt being enforced.

Personally I will probably still use mask when I feel appropriate, as I am sure will many rational people. And there will always be "no maskers" as there are "no vaxxers" - I dont understand their perspectives, but equally neither I nor anyone else can impose upon them to "conform"

So whilst I believe masks should remain in certain circumstances, I can understand why the requirement has been dropped for practical reasons. Mask wearing has always relied on people's willingness to conform, its no different pre or post 19-07

True to an extent, but at least if mask wearing on public transport or shops etc. was a legal requirement, then action could be taken, whereas now it can't. There always be dissenters but at least it being law means more will than won't whereas now it just exacerbates the possibility of conflict and non compliance.

I can quite see why bus drivers and the like won't get involved in policing it, how many confrontations can one have in one day? Its easier for some shops as they just post a burly security guard who refuses entry.

Its a reality that we will have to learn to live with the virus, but then tbh I ceased taking any notice of the government months ago and adopted my own strategy of protecting myself and others and will continue to do so going forward. I feel sympathy for those returning to offices and the commute.

[ramAnag]

True to an extent, but at least if mask wearing on public transport or shops etc. was a legal requirement, then action could be taken, whereas now it can't. There always be dissenters but at least it being law means more will than won't whereas now it just exacerbates the possibility of conflict and non compliance.

I can quite see why bus drivers and the like won't get involved in policing it, how many confrontations can one have in one day? Its easier for some shops as they just post a burly security guard who refuses entry.

Its a reality that we will have to learn to live with the virus, but then tbh I ceased taking any notice of the government months ago and adopted my own strategy of protecting myself and others and will continue to do so going forward. I feel sympathy for those returning to offices and the commute.

Agree with every word of that...and that’s actually what I meant in the first place.

It is unfair on those who have to impose these ‘rules’ and unfair on commuters, amongst others, to have no legislation to back them up.

What next...will Johnson’s thoughtless libertarian stance allow people to determine for themselves how much they drink before they climb into the driving seat or how fast they think they can safely drive?

[Geoff Parkstone]

Most of my clients are doing a phased return to office, and maybe splitting the working week 3-2 between office and home working. No-one is being required to go back to office yet, but counter intuitively almost everyone wants to, to re-establish social relations if nothing else! 18 months of not being able to eat and drink on a company credit card has been hurting!!

Commuting thus may not be the abominable experience it used to be

[swaledale]

Most of my clients are doing a phased return to office, and maybe splitting the working week 3-2 between office and home working. No-one is being required to go back to office yet, but counter intuitively almost everyone wants to, to re-establish social relations if nothing else! 18 months of not being able to eat and drink on a company credit card has been hurting!!

Commuting thus may not be the abominable experience it used to be

Thankfully my home is now my office for the little work I choose to do, but I can see the attraction of returning to the office for some, especially those of a younger age. It seems to depend upon the firm and sector, some are insisting a full return most sensible firms (where the work doesn't require an office presence) are doing the mix you describe.

However I can see multiple cases of Covid-19 arising as people get together and travel to work resulting in many periods of having to self isolate at home.

[Andy_Faber]

If we are playing top trumps on this I’m tooling around on my laptop on one of my hobby interests being butled by a ***y blonde!

[MadAmster]

.... not seen, read, heard anything on the thousands with serious illness who have been shielding fron day 1 onwards. As far as I can see there is nothing at the moment to eprsuade them to "unshield".

[swaledale]

.... not seen, read, heard anything on the thousands with serious illness who have been shielding fron day 1 onwards. As far as I can see there is nothing at the moment to eprsuade them to "unshield".

Cases keep rising and we are not at "freedom day" yet! I would hope MA that those shielding will work out their own strategies, keep their contacts to a minimum and be cautious.

Clearly we are heading into the unknown but as more people are required to self isolate, then the impact upon everyday life will grow.

[Andy_Faber]

I just saw one of the more bizarre contradictions of the pandemic - our local COOP assistant manager has been right on the case of folk entering without a facemask ever since they were mandated. It must be her day off today, I've just seen her in the store 'in civvies' - without a facemask!

[MadAmster]

.... aand now returnees from France have to do 10 days quarantine becuse of the Beta (South African) variant which makes up for less than 10% of Fench case and is in "decline" there.

Macron said a while back that if any country took specific "anti French" measures with regard to Covid, he would reciprocate. He will.