Current Affairs Coronavirus Thread - Serious stuff !!!

[Tipp blue]

I could cope with a targeted 2 week circuit breaker in January no problem its a miserable dark wet month.

My only real concern is 2 weeks turning into 4, then 2 months and so on.

However, it's the uncertainty that's the killer.

The 2 week circuit breakers are just an introduction to lockdown, announce 2 weeks and people get annoyed but like you say I could cope with that, then people get into a routine and accept it, once that happens lockdown can continue for much longer without protests.

 

[JoeLovell]

Correct, if a 2 week circuit breaker is announced your talking at least March before things are allowed to open up properly again.

Hopefully enough MP’s will vote against it to bring down the Government

 

[grandjoeblue]

Hopefully enough MP’s will vote against it to bring down the Government

Unlikely that, it's likely that Labour would support a lockdown at this stage.

 

[Neiler]

It’s in no ones interests to lock down really. The way people talk, it’s this desirable choice for governments, that they are waiting to spring on people for some kind of benefit at the cost of people. Governments are borrowing billions, that will have to be paid back and bazooking the economy, all things that quickly get you out of power. Governments to my mind would hate another lockdown, zero incentive for them to have one, bar to save a health service.

Its brutal for everyone. Well except for me as the traffic is great!

 

[efcfanwirral]

Correct, if a 2 week circuit breaker is announced your talking at least March before things are allowed to open up properly again.

It shows my defeated frame of mind when I'm thinking ok a lockdown of that level is inevitable, but at least can we open up properly after instead of a phased roadmap

 

[Kurt.]

Good friend of mine has just lost his partner this morning to covid… young girl in her early 30’s with all her life ahead of her.

RIP Ellen x

 

[tsubaki]

It’s in no ones interests to lock down really. The way people talk, it’s this desirable choice for governments, that they are waiting to spring on people for some kind of benefit at the cost of people. Governments are borrowing billions, that will have to be paid back and bazooking the economy, all things that quickly get you out of power. Governments to my mind would hate another lockdown, zero incentive for them to have one, bar to save a health service.

Its brutal for everyone. Well except for me as the traffic is great!

You are right that governments hate lockdowns, I just wish they'd (especially ours) wake up to the fact that they have left themselves with lockdowns as the only option they have.

 

[NorthernBlue]

I don’t actually know anyone who is “pro-lockdown”. Even my sister who is an ICU nurse is vehemently anti-lockdown.

My wife is a nurse and she was out last night on the drink with 5 of her nurse mates. Zero appetite for it and they couldn't care less anymore. They got an email this week from the trust or whatever it is spelling out to them there’s an expectation that they will all pick up extra shifts over winter. Again no appetite for that either.

 

[ToffeeTim]

Based on what exactly?

2 main reasons..

1... I dont see covid going anywhere any time soon. I think the more likely scenario is it remains in some form for the rest of our lives. So I dont see situation being much different this time next year or the one after that. So if the argument is used this year that we need lockdown to help the health service, then I expect exactly the same next year. I see this as a play to normalise winter restrictions as a moral duty to help the health service.

2.... The goal posts have been moved continuously throughout the pandemic. Things that we expected to be short term or last only a few weeks have lasted months or have been brought back regularly. When restrictions have been introduced they have always been at the longer term end of the scale than the short term.

I dont believe there is anyone out there at the minute Speaking out on behalf of these badly effected by lockdowns in whatever manner. Nor do I believe that there is anyone out there at the minute representing the views of younger people who have missed out on education, had their social lives impacted a lot, and they will inevitably have to pay increased taxes for the foreseeable to help pay for all the government debt.

 

[Tipp blue]

It’s in no ones interests to lock down really. The way people talk, it’s like this desirable choice for governments, that they are waiting to spring in people for some kind of benefit at the cost of people.

Its brutal for everyone. Well except for me as the traffic is great!

There is absolutely zero reason for the Irish government to be reintroducing restrictions right now.. we are currently doing better than the optimistic model for December.

 

[Neiler]

You are right that governments hate lockdowns, I just wish they'd 9especially ours) wake up to the fact that they have left themselves with lockdowns as the only option they have.

Think the rising exponential case numbers in the U.K. has shown how loose mitigation has been mate, same thing will happen everywhere else, it’s being slowed with mitigation measures elsewhere, but it’s inevitable all over Europe really.

If a lockdown is going to happen it will be after Xmas as damage control, politically they will loose people of it happened before then mate. The U.K. might try and bring in some extra restrictions just before Xmas in terms of socialising, but the horse has bolted unfortunately.

 

[Neiler]

There is absolutely zero reason for the Irish government to be reintroducing restrictions right now.. we are currently doing better than the optimistic model for December.

I didnt say restrictions I said lock down mate. It’s a cautious approach alright, they are sending a warning shot in terms of risk, it’s up to us if we decide to take it or not, so we do get to exert a measure of agency.

 

[mill]

I didnt say restrictions I said lock down mate. It’s a cautious approach alright, they are sending a warning shot in terms of risk, it’s up to us if we decide to take it or not, so we do get to exert a measure of agency.

It’s funny but the reaction to that warning shot is usually ‘let’s go out more before we can’t!’

 

[Neiler]

It’s funny but the reaction to that warning shot is usually ‘let’s go out more before we can’t!’

Ha I’m on my way to Belfast....

Personally, after yesterday, I’d listen to the advice, I’d be out a few nights over Xmas in the pub, but now I’m just going to invite people round the house for drinks, why take the risk like. That’s my own personal reaction.

 

[tsubaki]

Think the rising exponential case numbers in the U.K. has shown how loose mitigation has been mate, same thing will happen everywhere else, it’s being slowed with mitigation measures elsewhere, but it’s inevitable all over Europe really.

If a lockdown is going to happen it will be after Xmas as damage control, politically they will loose people of it happened before then mate. The U.K. might try and bring in some extra restrictions just before Xmas in terms of socialising, but the horse has bolted unfortunately.

There hasn't been any mitigation - we've proved once again that there still aren't any effective defence measures put in place against new variants or to contain / slow the spread of such things, which nearly two years in should be a lot bigger scandal than it is (certainly a bigger scandal than them having parties whilst everyone else was locked down).