Coronavirus - how is it/has it affected you?

[D-S]

One reason I think it’s not ‘just the flu’ is that I and most if not everyone I know has had minimum 2 and almost all 3 vaccines in the past year, using the latest technology against flu. There are also antivirals introduced in hospitals. Fortunately, everyone I know who has contracted it has had very mild symptoms, none as bad as a dose of the flu.
I realise that it is a threat to the vulnerable and we will need to continue boosting and inventing new drugs as well as speed up vaccinations worldwide. We also need to skill up the NHS both in terms of infrastructure and manpower to cope in future (we should never have accepted suffering annual flu ‘crises’) and our ratios of doctors and nurses to population should be far closer to our economic equals, this will take time and a deal of money but let’s start now.
However, we do need to manage our way out of this and just saying keep restrictions until ‘the time is right’ is not a good enough answer given the current trajectory of the pandemic.

 

[Foxholer]

...
If it stays as a notifiable disease then there is a starting point.

Agreed.
Continue Vax development - as subsequent variants could well be resistant.
Somehow keep it away from kids!
The really important part continues to be...Protect hospitals from getting swamped with cases!

 

[Tashyboy]

And I’ve said I agree with the winding down, just not stopping and “learning to live with it” or “getting back to normal” as some appear to be advocating, we don’t know what the new normal is, its not even about the vulnerable either, they probably take precautions for their illness’s as a matter of fact, it’s about protecting the healthy that think they are invincible.

The new normal could be exactly as you’ve put for the notifiable diseases, but you could bet some would not be happy with that.

Totally agree. With all of the above. If anyone thinks the new normal is the same as the old normal they need to give there heads a good shake. We are taught that we are to live with COVID . It’s not going away. But in what guise will it return. As weak as chip shop vinegar or as infectious as Omicron and as deadly as Delta or worse. Who knows. If the new norm means wearing a mask at times on public transport, Planes etc. is that really a great hardship. All I do know is that if the new norm is the same as the old then mine and Missis Ts parents are going to catch Covid. and I don’t fancy there chances.

 

[Hobbit]

And I’ve said I agree with the winding down, just not stopping and “learning to live with it” or “getting back to normal” as some appear to be advocating, we don’t know what the new normal is, its not even about the vulnerable either, they probably take precautions for their illness’s as a matter of fact, it’s about protecting the healthy that think they are invincible.

The new normal could be exactly as you’ve put for the notifiable diseases, but you could bet some would not be happy with that.

Aren’t several of us actually guilty of splitting hairs here? You agree with winding down but not learning to live with it. Aren’t they the same thing? Or it could be argued that winding down is heading towards the old normal?

Gut feel, we’re all just arguing about the angle of the line through the ‘t,” or the distance of the dot above the ”i.”

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Aren’t several of us actually guilty of splitting hairs here? You agree with winding down but not learning to live with it. Aren’t they the same thing? Or it could be argued that winding down is heading towards the old normal?

Gut feel, we’re all just arguing about the angle of the line through the ‘t,” or the distance of the dot above the ”i.”

Not sure tbh Bri, some seem to be advocating a “stop” point, some of us are suggesting caution and not race to the “stop” point.

Strange how some never considered or mentioned a dual approach or protecting everyone until you commented on it.

 

[ColchesterFC]

I can't believe we're almost two years into this and there are some people that don't understand mask use. Those saying that the vulnerable should wear masks seem to not understand that the primary advantage of a mask is to protect other people rather than the person wearing it, unless it's an FFP3 mask or better. Is it really such a hardship to be asked to wear a mask for 20 minutes while shopping in a supermarket or for 5 minutes when popping in to a shop?

 

[SocketRocket]

And what if they have decided they believe that end of March is the right time for all restrictions and next week is the right time for removing mandatory masks ?

Do you think that’s what they have done “plucked out of the air”

Is there not just the slight chance they have spoken to the medical experts and that’s the end date they are working towards ?

millions have made a lot of sacrifices to protect the vunerable people in the UK for the last two years - at some point they need to allowed to live their lives again

When I say the times right I mean it's right from a medical point of view and the NHS are not left to face the consequences of political shenanigans.

I repeat: we are giving up hardly anything at the moment and it's a real hardship to no one, we are simply using some sensible precautions in helping to minimise the pressure on clinicians and the vulnerable.


Is that too much to ask?

 

[Foxholer]

Why not say both things? I don’t want to see anymore “you must do’s…” but I’d be happy with “should consider,” or “we advise…” Equally, make it a notifiable disease with a mandatory isolation requirement.
...

Only issue I can see with the above is the very large number of drongos who will ignore sensible precautions and not get vaccinated, especially as symptoms are frequently not obvious, so covers 'normal' folk too. The transmission potential is such that significant numbers could be infected, even those vaccinated as has often happened up till now.
I'm not sure going totally back to normal in March is a great idea, though I'd love to see it work.

 

[Foxholer]

...
millions have made a lot of sacrifices to protect the vunerable people in the UK for the last two years - at some point they need to allowed to live their lives again

The consequences of getting it wrong could well mean those sacrifices have to be extended for significantly longer. I'm very dubious bout the timing of the announcement. Nothing about this scourge has been announced so far ahead, at least that I can remember!

 

[Deleted member 15344]

When I say the times right I mean it's right from a medical point of view and the NHS are not left to face the consequences of political shenanigans.

I repeat: we are giving up hardly anything at the moment and it's a real hardship to no one, we are simply using some sensible precautions in helping to minimise the pressure on clinicians and the vulnerable.


Is that too much to ask?

Surely the experts will have been consulted

If it’s “hardly” anything the removal of it isn’t too much to worry about then ?

And it’s hardly anything from your point of view - that doesn’t mean it’s “hardly anything” from everyone else

There will still be some level of isolation still in place - the country isnt jumping back to pre Covid next week
If people want to keep on with their own precautions then they can but this will hopefully allow all areas to make the choice and allow the hospitality area to open back up fully to get going

There isn’t going to be a mass stampede and a big burning of masks - people are still going to use their common sense whilst they go about their day

 

[HomerJSimpson]

people are still going to use their common sense whilst they go about their day

Really. Same people that panic bought toilet rolls and petrol

 

[SocketRocket]

Surely the experts will have been consulted

If it’s “hardly” anything the removal of it isn’t too much to worry about then ?

And it’s hardly anything from your point of view - that doesn’t mean it’s “hardly anything” from everyone else

There will still be some level of isolation still in place - the country isnt jumping back to pre Covid next week
If people want to keep on with their own precautions then they can but this will hopefully allow all areas to make the choice and allow the hospitality area to open back up fully to get going

There isn’t going to be a mass stampede and a big burning of masks - people are still going to use their common sense whilst they go about their day

When I say it's hardly anything I mean it's not putting people out a lot to do it, not that it's pointless so scrap it.

At this point in time we are not out of this in any shape or form and neither is the NHS, you seem to be ignoring that fact in your considerations.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

When I say it's hardly anything I mean it's not putting people out a lot to do it, not that it's pointless so scrap it.

In your opinion it’s not putting people out. That doesn’t mean that’s true for everyone else in the country

At this point in time we are not out of this in any shape or form and neither is the NHS, you seem to be ignoring that fact in your considerations.

Fact or opinion ?

The first thought has always been the NHS in the government’s thoughts so I have no doubt they are getting all the data from the actual people that matter in the NHS and seeing what the impact is and making their judgments from that

It’s just as likely that we could well be through the worst ( and the levels of people passing away are still dropping) and on the way to a new normal life.

 

[Foxholer]

...
It’s just as likely that we could well be through the worst ( and the levels of people passing away are still dropping) and on the way to a new normal life.

At around 300 per day, that's still high!

New patient count is dropping, but at around 2000/day, it's still an enormous load on hospitals! The count of those in ventilated beds is coming down slowly too, but still around 700, which is a huge drag on NHS resources. As is the 18.5K 'normal' Covid cases!

 

[D-S]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1484275814468407296

 

[SocketRocket]

In your opinion it’s not putting people out. That doesn’t mean that’s true for everyone else in the country

Fact or opinion ?

The first thought has always been the NHS in the government’s thoughts so I have no doubt they are getting all the data from the actual people that matter in the NHS and seeing what the impact is and making their judgments from that

It’s just as likely that we could well be through the worst ( and the levels of people passing away are still dropping) and on the way to a new normal life.

How much are the current restrictions putting people out, wearing a mask in a shop isn't asking much of you, if you are put out by it then you must be overtly sensitive and that's a fact not opinion.

I can't debate the politics of it with you on here but if you believe the only consideration being used to remove restrictions are for the NHS then you must be rather naive.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

If you took Covid out of the equation you might find your BiL would have to isolate/be extra careful anyway. Covid isn’t the only issue with those who are vulnerable. Good luck and best wishes.

Indeed. But as we are going to be responsible for aspects of his care for some months, the prospect of me simply going to the supermarket; filling up with fuel, or going with my Mrs to a restaurant, when there will be many others, perhaps all, about unmasked and not bothering with social distancing does concern me. It seems that with all restrictions lifted the chance of me picking it up becomes significant - especially with potentially so many being infectious - and then I pass it to my BiL. Or maybe me and my Mrs have to become housebound with my BiL and MiL also...is that it? So that others don't have to wear a mask or keep a bit apart?

With common viruses we know so much more about them; we know the risk they present to individuals with different vulnerabilities; we know how to treat and manage them - and with that body of knowledge built up over many decades individuals with vulnerabilities are advised and understand what they need to do to manage their lives.

I just feel and fear that at the moment there are too many unknowns about coronavirus, covid and long covid, and it's impact on the vulnerable, for ALL measures aimed at controlling the virus within the community to be lifted in the timescales outlined. Of course in time, and maybe a relatively short time, they will all be lifted, but why ALL and why right now?

It is not a pleasant prospect. Never mind the severely stretched NHS and all the knackered staff.

 

[D-S]

Indeed. But as we are going to be responsible for aspects of his care for some months, the prospect of me simply going to the supermarket or indeed filling up with fuel when there will be others about unmasked and not bothering with social distancing does concern me. It seems that with all restrictions lifted the chance of me picking it up becomes significant - especially with potentially so many being infectious.

With common viruses we know so much more about them; we know the risk they present to individuals with different vulnerabilities; we know how to treat and manage them - and with that body of knowledge built up over many decades individuals with vulnerabilities are advised and understand what they need to do to manage their lives.

I just feel and fear that at the moment there are too many unknowns about coronavirus, covid and long covid, and it's impact on the vulnerable, for ALL measures aimed at controlling the virus within the community to be lifted in the timescales outlined. Of course in time, and maybe a relatively short time, they will all be lifted, but why ALL and why right now?

It is not a pleasant prospect.

It is not all measures right now, isolation for example is only scheduled to stop in over two months time.

 

[larmen]

It is not all measures right now, isolation for example is only scheduled to stop in over two months time.

That’s the one thing that worries me. There will be plenty of people knowingly positive stepping onto full trains and tubes, sitting in cinemas and pubs, … .

Mask in shops, …, they are all wide enough and can be ventilated. But trains? We all got stuck in mucky trains in the summer before and swear doesn’t affect us long term, covid might.

 

[Hobbit]

Indeed. But as we are going to be responsible for aspects of his care for some months, the prospect of me simply going to the supermarket; filling up with fuel, or going with my Mrs to a restaurant, when there will be many others, perhaps all, about unmasked and not bothering with social distancing does concern me. It seems that with all restrictions lifted the chance of me picking it up becomes significant - especially with potentially so many being infectious - and then I pass it to my BiL. Or maybe me and my Mrs have to become housebound with my BiL and MiL also...is that it? So that others don't have to wear a mask or keep a bit apart?

With common viruses we know so much more about them; we know the risk they present to individuals with different vulnerabilities; we know how to treat and manage them - and with that body of knowledge built up over many decades individuals with vulnerabilities are advised and understand what they need to do to manage their lives.

I just feel and fear that at the moment there are too many unknowns about coronavirus, covid and long covid, and it's impact on the vulnerable, for ALL measures aimed at controlling the virus within the community to be lifted in the timescales outlined. Of course in time, and maybe a relatively short time, they will all be lifted, but why ALL and why right now?

It is not a pleasant prospect. Never mind the severely stretched NHS and all the knackered staff.

Your BiL is eligible for a 4th jab now. Below is a link well worth a read.

https://bloodcancer.org.uk/support-for-you/coronavirus-covid-19/