Coronavirus - how is it/has it affected you?

[Springveldt]

The simple fact is that 'policy' decisions are made to fit the majority and so individuals may or may not be disadvantaged.

The majority will be OK as they will not be in very close proximity to an infected person for more than a fleeting moment as so the viral load is also very low should transmission occur.

Working people and companies need to function in a stable environment- as far as that is possible. Loads of people who may be vulnerable for one reason or another manage their own lives by making decisions that fit their circumstances and risks.

At some stage we need to stop relying on the state and behave responsibly.

Seems like "policy" decisions are being made at the moment to fit a single person who is desperately trying to keep his job.

I wonder what the scientists make of his decisions lately.

I know we need to get on with our lives but this is all feeling a little bit rushed to me.

 

[Billysboots]

What difference does a question mark make to your quote, you were suggesting I would like self isolation to continue untill case rates are zero and you know it, you're using semantics to deny what your intended meaning was.

Oh! And calm down, its only a discussion on a Golf forum.

Behave, man. Do you not understand basic English? Either have the decency to accept you made a mistake, or say nothing at all. I wasn’t suggesting anything - I was asking a question.

What difference does a question mark make? It means I’m asking a question rather than making a statement. Primary school stuff.

 

[Swango1980]

Seems like "policy" decisions are being made at the moment to fit a single person who is desperately trying to keep his job.

I wonder what the scientists make of his decisions lately.

I know we need to get on with our lives but this is all feeling a little bit rushed to me.

However, surely if it is the WRONG decision, and things go badly once that decision is implemented, it is not going to help the person making that decision? It doesn't seem a very good way of proving you are good at your job. Also, is this a decision that is truly made by one person? One person may be the one to announce any decision, and be the figurehead for such decisions, but is it not ultimately a group decision?

 

[Springveldt]

However, surely if it is the WRONG decision, and things go badly once that decision is implemented, it is not going to help the person making that decision? It doesn't seem a very good way of proving you are good at your job. Also, is this a decision that is truly made by one person? One person may be the one to announce any decision, and be the figurehead for such decisions, but is it not ultimately a group decision?

Yes, but the person making the announcement is also the person trying to appease his supporters. As long as he has their support it doesn't really matter if the decision is right or wrong.

As I said, I wonder what the likes of Chris Witty really think.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

@SR has already mentioned that the measure of a civilised society is how well it cares for its poorest and most vulnerable. Strikes me that much of UK society thinks that the poor and vulnerable are going to have to sort themselves out, that ‘their‘ issues are “nothing to do with me and I want to get on with my life”. That may not be what is meant when many comment, but that is what it sounds like.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Without sounding flippant as I do appreciate your situation but do you not have confidence in the vaccine? Given that the present variant is ‘milder’ for most and your family would be triple jabbed aren’t they at a point where they have to decide to get out? It’s highly likely that they’ll contract Covid at some point and, so far, the vaccine has proved highly effective at preventing serious illness and hospitalisation amongst the vulnerable.

With regards the lifting of restrictions, even if you got your way and they were kept for the next 6 months there will still become a point where they will be lifted and, probably come winter, they will be faced with exactly the same challenges. I know it’s not an easy situation however you’re not going to be able to enforce mandatory isolation especially given that so many simply couldn’t afford to do so.

Rumours are that free tests are to end from next week so that really makes the publishing of Covid figures redundant.

So don’t stop free testing. Give an individual with symptoms the choice of paying for a test thinking they might then feel obliged to self-isolate, I fear that a lot of folks will simply not buy and take a test. Instead they will just mix as they would normally do and if they have covid they will spread it to one degree or another.

I have confidence in the vaccine but I do not know how a very vulnerable individual infected by the virus might be affected, in the immediate term the impact might well be minimal, but given there are no longitudinal studies of any great significance we have pretty obvious concerns.

 

[road2ruin]

@SR has already mentioned that the measure of a civilised society is how well it cares for its poorest and most vulnerable. Strikes me that much of UK society thinks that the poor and vulnerable are going to have to sort themselves out, that ‘their‘ issues are “nothing to do with me and I want to get on with my life”. That may not be what is meant when many comment, but that is what it sounds like.

I honestly don't think that is the case for the vast majority on here however it is a fact that at some point that will be exactly what has to happen and it will be up to the individuals to do their own thing and not be told or forced to do anything. Whether that's in the next 2 weeks or in the next 6 months that line will come.

 

[road2ruin]

So don’t stop free testing. Give an individual with symptoms the choice of paying for a test thinking they might then feel obliged to self-isolate, I fear that a lot of folks will simply not buy and take a test. Instead they will just mix as they would normally do and if they have covid they will spread it to one degree or another.

The figure I've seen quoted is £10bn being saved by stopping free testing and isolation payments. We cannot keep throwing money at this and if we're going to be losing all restrictions in Feb/Mar then there seems little point in keeping the tests free. No one is going to keep testing if they have to pay for it especially if they don't have symptoms.

 

[Tashyboy]

Sat in specsavers with me dad. Just left hospital before that. Nigh on everyone is wearing masks. Yet the same folk go in other shops like I saw yesterday and hardly wear them.
It’s odd seeing the same folk wear glasses in some Shops but not others. It’s like they have a mask but are
Picking and choosing when they wear them.

 

[Swango1980]

@SR has already mentioned that the measure of a civilised society is how well it cares for its poorest and most vulnerable. Strikes me that much of UK society thinks that the poor and vulnerable are going to have to sort themselves out, that ‘their‘ issues are “nothing to do with me and I want to get on with my life”. That may not be what is meant when many comment, but that is what it sounds like.

I don't get this interpretation. Surely you don't really think that anybody that would like to see restrictions lifted does not care for the vulnerable?

I think we ALL agree that we should get back to normality at some point, even if Covid is still out there. It is simply a case that some think now is the right time, others do not. I don't know what your threshold is, but presumably at some point you will think there is a right time. And, based on probability, I'm sure you will come to that mindset before some others, I doubt you will be last man standing when it comes to people demanding restrictions. Therefore, when you come to that point, will you accept that people that have not got to that point when they tell you that you do not care about the vulnerable?

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

The figure I've seen quoted is £10bn being saved by stopping free testing and isolation payments. We cannot keep throwing money at this and if we're going to be losing all restrictions in Feb/Mar then there seems little point in keeping the tests free. No one is going to keep testing if they have to pay for it especially if they don't have symptoms.

Which I get…but then it’s important that tests and testing remains free for those who are vulnerable plus those caring and supporting them.

 

[D-S]

I wonder why the Northern Irish government need to create a diversion or appease their supporters as they also seem to have taken the decision to bring forward the lifting of many restrictions by over a month. I assume they are also doing this as a purely political move in the face of overwhelming medical opposition?

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I don't get this interpretation. Surely you don't really think that anybody that would like to see restrictions lifted does not care for the vulnerable?

I think we ALL agree that we should get back to normality at some point, even if Covid is still out there. It is simply a case that some think now is the right time, others do not. I don't know what your threshold is, but presumably at some point you will think there is a right time. And, based on probability, I'm sure you will come to that mindset before some others, I doubt you will be last man standing when it comes to people demanding restrictions. Therefore, when you come to that point, will you accept that people that have not got to that point when they tell you that you do not care about the vulnerable?

I can agree with most of that, but let’s be clear about the choices being made, and so let’s stop posting such as ‘we have to get on with life’ as that is a generalisation that is not the truth of the choice that the individual makes that says ‘I have to get on with my life’. Because for many that is the simple truth of it.

 

[Ethan]

I wonder why the Northern Irish government need to create a diversion or appease their supporters as they also seem to have taken the decision to bring forward the lifting of many restrictions by over a month. I assume they are also doing this as a purely political move in the face of overwhelming medical opposition?

Much the same reason as England. The ruling part in NI need to be seen to (a) keep up with England and (b) keep fighting the culture war ahead of May elections. A lot of them probably think God is a vaccine and antiviral in one.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

@SR has already mentioned that the measure of a civilised society is how well it cares for its poorest and most vulnerable. Strikes me that much of UK society thinks that the poor and vulnerable are going to have to sort themselves out, that ‘their‘ issues are “nothing to do with me and I want to get on with my life”. That may not be what is meant when many comment, but that is what it sounds like.

And you are just as guilty as tarring “them” with the same brush.

My wife and son are both disabled and very much in the vulnerable category, apart from hospital appts my wife has not left our home in the last 2 years, my son’s only trips out has been to walk the dog, our life has been on hold, I go running, play golf, but only with 1 other person and I’ve never been in the Clubhouse.

I, for the sake of my family, have put life virtually on hold for 2 years now, nobody wants life back to normal more than me, it’s not about society not caring, it’s about all of us doing our best to protect the NHS should anybody need it.

The wedding is a simple choice for you, go, knowing the risk, or, miss it as the risk is too great.

Life and in the interest of the whole of society we need to get moving again.

 

[bobmac]

So some say we should get on with our lives and some are more cautious.
To save me reading back over the last 100 posts, has anything new come up?

 

[Swango1980]

So some say we should get on with our lives and some are more cautious.
To save me reading back over the last 100 posts, has anything new come up?

Yes, is there any importance in having a "?", or does the use of a "?" not imply a question if the reader interprets the context differently.

 

[bobmac]

Yes, is there any importance in having a "?", or does the use of a "?" not imply a question if the reader interprets the context differently.

Was that a question?

Maybe this will help....... .

 

[Foxholer]

... or does the use of a "?" not imply a question if the reader interprets the context differently.

Yes! Or should that be 'No'?
Mind you, without a '?' at the end of the sentence, is it actually a question in the first place?
Why use 'does....not' when 'doesn't' achieves the the same without ambiguity?

And fwiw, the answer to your, presumed, question was.....Because it was a question!

 

[Billysboots]

Yes! Or should that be 'No'?
Mind you, without a '?' at the end of the sentence, is it actually a question in the first place?
Why use 'does....not' when 'doesn't' achieves the the same without ambiguity?

Please, don’t - you’ll confuse him.

?