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Coronavirus - how is it/has it affected you?

Reports this morning that they are looking at delaying the 21st June date by two weeks. It wouldn't be great if this happens but personally I'd rather they wait two weeks and then open up rather than open up and then have to shut down again.
 
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ColchesterFC said:
Reports this morning that they are looking at delaying the 21st June date by two weeks. It wouldn't be great if this happens but personally I'd rather they wait two weeks and then open up rather than open up and then have to shut down again.
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These dates were never fixed in stone

The press have created this situation by referring to it as "freedom" day for ages

What we have right now whilst not amazing is good .. we can meet outside up to 30 people

Inside up to 6 or two families

Eat in restaurants again

People are eager to get back to normal which is understandable but if it causes another lockdown what's the actual point
 
I seem to recall that the government and their advisors said that the various dates/milestones were 'not before' dates i.e. x and y restrictions would be lifted not before May 17th. Also they often repeated the mantra 'we will be driven by data not dates'.
The media seem to have conveniently forgotten this and now the dates are 'set in stone' and any deviation will now be decried as a U-turn. A 2 week delay would certainly be acceptable and would fit into the government narrative but won't be tolerated by the 'damned if you do, damned if you don't' media.
 
D-S said:
I seem to recall that the government and their advisors said that the various dates/milestones were 'not before' dates i.e. x and y restrictions would be lifted not before May 17th. Also they often repeated the mantra 'we will be driven by data not dates'.
The media seem to have conveniently forgotten this and now the dates are 'set in stone' and any deviation will now be decried as a U-turn. A 2 week delay would certainly be acceptable and would fit into the government narrative but won't be tolerated by the 'damned if you do, damned if you don't' media.
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The media have been disgusting throughout this pandemic (and in general)

I actually tuned into as many briefings as I could to hear what actually was said and not the spin put on by the press ...
 
AmandaJR said:
Ah ha I see. I did wonder why the Kent version hadn't had a rename when the world (ok most of Europe) were blaming the UK for the 2nd wave! Makes sense to now be consistent at least.
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Ave always said that sometimes it’s not what is said, it is how it is said. President Trumps insistence on reminding people that the original Virus came from Chiiiiiiiiiiiina. With the emphasis on putting his finger and thumb together in an ok sign to emphasise the point for me pointed hatred towards the Chinese. I could never understand why no one ever pulled him up on the fact that the Spanish flu originated in America and would he like to rename that The American Flu.
 
Tashyboy said:
Ave always said that sometimes it’s not what is said, it is how it is said. President Trumps insistence on reminding people that the original Virus came from Chiiiiiiiiiiiina. With the emphasis on putting his finger and thumb together in an ok sign to emphasise the point for me pointed hatred towards the Chinese. I could never understand why no one ever pulled him up on the fact that the Spanish flu originated in America and would he like to rename that The American Flu.
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It not how it’s said it’s who said it…when Trump said it came from a Chinese lab there was general uproar from the Media, now Stairlift Joe says the same thing it’s taken seriously…

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-57268111.amp
 
SocketRocket said:
Surely these conditions are where we get closer to each other again.

As I said previously, my main concern is that if the virus is not contained we create the conditions for the virus to mutate and it appears to do that very easily where numbers are high. Imagine a new variety that is immune to current vaccines then the logistics of creating a new vaccination and it being available worldwide.

IMO the current trend with the exponential growth of infections is very concerning.
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I agree with your last sentence completely. All I'm saying is that the reasons for the growth you describe are the lack of SD practice and lack of vaccination , more than which variant it is.
As with any variant of Covid, the more it proliferates the easier it is (for mutations too) for it to defeat a populace. Until we get to the situation Ethan describes as community immunity. That's why we must demand SD practice and vaccinations.
 
Swinglowandslow said:
I agree with your last sentence completely. All I'm saying is that the reasons for the growth you describe are the lack of SD practice and lack of vaccination , more than which variant it is.
As with any variant of Covid, the more it proliferates the easier it is (for mutations too) for it to defeat a populace. Until we get to the situation Ethan describes as community immunity. That's why we must demand SD practice and vaccinations.
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I agree, it is definitely the case that variants will be encouraged by long term low-grade rates.

I would point out that by community immunity, I mean something more than herd immunity. I mean the accumulated effect of multiple exposures allowing immune systems to fill in a few blanks.
 
Who said…..

"It is time to distinguish for the purposes of freedom from restriction between the vaccinated and unvaccinated, both for citizens here for domestic purposes; but also for our citizens and those from other countries in respect of travel on the basis that being vaccinated substantially reduces risk."

It’s only Tony Blair!!

He acknowledged this would involve discriminating between the vaccinated and unvaccinated, adding: "Other than for medical reasons, people should be vaccinated."

Can’t believe me and Tone are so in step! ?
 
Fade and Die said:
Who said…..

"It is time to distinguish for the purposes of freedom from restriction between the vaccinated and unvaccinated, both for citizens here for domestic purposes; but also for our citizens and those from other countries in respect of travel on the basis that being vaccinated substantially reduces risk."

It’s only Tony Blair!!

He acknowledged this would involve discriminating between the vaccinated and unvaccinated, adding: "Other than for medical reasons, people should be vaccinated."

Can’t believe me and Tone are so in step! ?
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Nor me, but there you are. Can't disagree.
 
Fade and Die said:
Who said…..

"It is time to distinguish for the purposes of freedom from restriction between the vaccinated and unvaccinated, both for citizens here for domestic purposes; but also for our citizens and those from other countries in respect of travel on the basis that being vaccinated substantially reduces risk."

It’s only Tony Blair!!

He acknowledged this would involve discriminating between the vaccinated and unvaccinated, adding: "Other than for medical reasons, people should be vaccinated."

Can’t believe me and Tone are so in step! ?
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I assume we can discuss this as he's no longer a politician?? I must admit I read it mysf earlier and had to pinch myself a few times as I found myself agreeing with him for probably the first time ever?
 
chrisd said:
I reckon the Kent variant should be renamed "The foreign truck drivers and rubber boat migrant variant"
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As all truck drivers and asylum seekers are tested either before or immediately as they enter the country and are pretty much isolated from everyone else, you reckon wrong. Maybe 'stupid British people in Kent not following the rules variant' might be accurate.
 
SaintHacker said:
I assume we can discuss this as he's no longer a politician?? I must admit I read it mysf earlier and had to pinch myself a few times as I found myself agreeing with him for probably the first time ever?
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It was the most common sense talked about this subject in a long time, & you weren't the only one pinching yourself. :eek:
 
Crumplezone said:
As all truck drivers and asylum seekers are tested either before or immediately as they enter the country and are pretty much isolated from everyone else, you reckon wrong. Maybe 'stupid British people in Kent not following the rules variant' might be accurate.
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Not sure about being so wrong

But lorries, by the thousand from all different countries, came in before the need to have a test came in just about Christmas and New Year, and it was known that Covid was rife in the army camp used for hundreds of migrants who were crossing the Channel up to a few hundred a day.
 
It’s how it’s distinguished is my concern. imagine if it’s a yellow star worn on the breast pocket. I’m all for a vaccine passport but I’d hate to see people being barred from entry to a restaurant etc purely because they haven’t yet been jabbed.
 
SaintHacker said:
No it didnt. It was fine all summer, it didnt start ramping up until late in the autumn when the weather turned crap and all the religious festivals started. You want to blame the government for everything but there comes a point when they've done all they can and people have to take responsibility for following the guidance and the rules set out to protect them.
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Having worked at the front line of the response, I have to concur - there have undoubtedly been some errors on the part of the Government in their handling of the pandemic, but with the exception of the release of patients back to care homes, we are not talking about gross negligence, we're talking about people trying their best in situations they found themselves woefully ill prepared for. Some people were unlucky to catch it, but a lot contributed to the fact - the biggest trigger to the rise last autumn was students going to University and thinking the rules did not apply to them!
 
Hobbit said:
It’s how it’s distinguished is my concern. imagine if it’s a yellow star worn on the breast pocket. I’m all for a vaccine passport but I’d hate to see people being barred from entry to a restaurant etc purely because they haven’t yet been jabbed.
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Slightly extreme. Asking you to show the app on your phone might be appropriate.
 
RichA said:
Slightly extreme. Asking you to show the app on your phone might be appropriate.
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Deliberately extreme to highlight a potential issue of discrimination. As I said, I’m all for a vaccine passport/QR code but only if it’s used for the right things at the right time.
 
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