Main Coronavirus / Covid-19 Discussion Thread

[RossyG]

I see we’ve got back round to not really caring about the deaths of the elderly or those with underlying health issues.

After all, they’d have died anyway.

There’s no cure for this virus. No guarantee that there’ll ever be one. What are we supposed to do. Live like this for months on end? Years?

 

[Jimmy Grimble]

There’s no cure for this virus. No guarantee that there’ll ever be one. What are we supposed to do. Live like this for months on end? Years?

When the 5 criteria that the government have outlined have been met.

In my opinion, probably just under a month.

I think people need to get away from this idea of the current situation going on for months/years. That’s clearly not going to happen.

 

[oldboyroy]

Football may start again behind closed doors within a few weeks

 

[Weststander]

When the 5 criteria that the government have outlined have been met.

In my opinion, probably just under a month.

I think people need to get away from this idea of the current situation going on for months/years. That’s clearly not going to happen.

As it is now, could never go for many months, the country would be bankrupt, the lockdown and social distancing would steadily collapse. By mid May, shirley they’ll be the first reopenings, with the 2m rule.

Attending the Amex or going to the cinema may be a couple of years away though.

 

[Jimmy Grimble]

As it is now, could never go for many months, the country would be bankrupt, the lockdown and social distancing would steadily collapse. By mid May, shirley they’ll be the first reopenings, with the 2m rule.

Attending the Amex or going to the cinema may be a couple of years away though.

Agreed. I think when this spell of lockdown is over there will be some small adjustments along the lines of some businesses being able to look at trading again. Potentially most places that can realistically implement the 2m rule. Perhaps some high street shops, garden centres, small (by number) offices, construction sites/trade work. Schools to follow in the weeks after but under strict guidelines around drop-off/collection times.

 

[Weststander]

Agreed. I think when this spell of lockdown is over there will be some small adjustments along the lines of some businesses being able to look at trading again. Potentially most places that can realistically implement the 2m rule. Perhaps some high street shops, garden centres, small (by number) offices, construction sites/trade work. Schools to follow in the weeks after but under strict guidelines around drop-off/collection times.

Some construction worked continued through the whole thing regardless, on the news today it was reported that many construction companies restarted last Monday. Home extensions and refurbishments near us carried on regardless. Obtaining materials was the only snag I was told.

Schools is a tricky one. The media, some politicians and unions will keep up a huge fuss if they open without a vaccine, even if staggered days for different kids surnames. How can kids go back in the next couple of years, without the unions and the miserable Beth Rigby of Sky getting irate? Perhaps we need to see how that pans out in France, Belgium, Spain and Itaky first, as a guide.

 

[Weststander]

Agreed. I think when this spell of lockdown is over there will be some small adjustments along the lines of some businesses being able to look at trading again. Potentially most places that can realistically implement the 2m rule. Perhaps some high street shops, garden centres, small (by number) offices, construction sites/trade work. Schools to follow in the weeks after but under strict guidelines around drop-off/collection times.

.....

 

[atomised]

Some construction worked continued through the whole thing regardless, on the news today it was reported that many construction companies restarted last Monday. Home extensions and refurbishments near us carried on regardless. Obtaining materials was the only snag I was told.

Schools is a tricky one. The media, some politicians and unions will keep up a huge fuss if they open without a vaccine, even if staggered days for different kids surnames. How can kids go back in the next couple of years, without the unions and the miserable Beth Rigby of Sky getting irate? Perhaps we need to see how that pans out in France, Belgium, Spain and Itaky first, as a guide.

I can see the schools going back well before a vaccine. September at the latest with probably some attempt at socially distanced schooling after may half term

 

[Weststander]

I can see the schools going back well before a vaccine. September at the latest with probably some attempt at socially distanced schooling after may half term

I’m not averse to that. But how will it be achieved to the satisfaction of unions and just as importantly the media who will thrive on any conflicting views, or scientist who appears to lambast the plan? Politics and PR inevitably enters all decisions like this. Plus parents are protective, a near neighbour pulled her lad out of school a couple of weeks before anyone else as he has mild asthma. Expect a lot of school no-shows.

 

[Green Cross Code Man]

I’m not averse to that. But how will it be achieved to the satisfaction of unions and just as importantly the media who will thrive on any conflicting views, or scientist who appears to lambast the plan? Politics and PR inevitably enters all decisions like this. Plus parents are protective, a near neighbour pulled her lad out of school a couple of weeks before anyone else as he has mild asthma. Expect a lot of school no-shows.

It is weird. As someone who works in school, I am not sure the focus from the media should be on the safety of the children as there is a negligible risk. The risk is more the parents/grandparents dropping off and picking up and of course the many staff who work with the children.

 

[atomised]

It is weird. As someone who works in school, I am not sure the focus from the media should be on the safety of the children as there is a negligible risk. The risk is more the parents/grandparents dropping off and picking up and of course the many staff who work with the children.

That's where I'm at. I have the 2 dates in mind I stated but particularly with after may half term I would have to be convinced of the safety of the wider population and also the impact of school reopening on any partial lockdown that may still be in place

 

[The Clamp]

Really noticed the roads getting quite busy again. Outside my house on Brighton Rd, what was down to about one car every couple of mins and emergency vehicles has now returned to steady stream of cars and vans.
The same road on my home in the morning is back to almost normal traffic on weekdays.

People are getting complacent and this is going to lead to a second wave of infection, I reckon .

 

[ManOfSussex]

Really noticed the roads getting quite busy again. Outside my house on Brighton Rd, what was down to about one car every couple of mins and emergency vehicles has now returned to steady stream of cars and vans.
The same road on my home in the morning is back to almost normal traffic on weekdays.

People are getting complacent and this is going to lead to a second wave of infection, I reckon .

It's busier here too and I agree about the complacency. I've just returned from venturing out to my local shop for a couple of bits (they've even got Carex antibacterial soap for the first time since March in there again) - the sign for 2 customers a time and 2 metres apart is clearly still there, but I walked in and had to walk straight out today of my own volition and wait. The staff weren't bothered a jot and neither were the other 3 people already in there.

 

[Hugo Rune]

People are getting complacent and this is going to lead to a second wave of infection, I reckon .

It’s a Libertarian Lockdown I’m afraid.

A popularist government can’t introduce the sort of serious measures we’ve seen in Europe because they don’t want to tell people things they don’t want to hear. Life will be back to normal in a week or so unless the government give the Police direct & specific actions to stop and check as many people as possible plus new powers including the ability to issue very high fines.

 

[The Clamp]

It’s a Libertarian Lockdown I’m afraid.

A popularist government can’t introduce the sort of serious measures we’ve seen in Europe because they don’t want to tell people things they don’t want to hear. Life will be back to normal in a week or so unless the government give the Police direct & specific actions to stop and check as many people as possible plus new powers including the ability to issue very high fines.

Agreed.

Nearly every construction site I’ve gone past in the last week seems to be fully staffed with builders mooching about very close to each other.
People just generally not observing distancing much.
Police and government really need to start a fresh campaign.
Mark Strong monosyllabically droning on about staying in hasn’t worked. Or it’s got too familiar.

I was anxious to get my key worker letter from work and was conscious to wear my ID round my neck, something I wouldn’t dream of having on display outside of work. But have t been asked once where I am going. Not once in 5 weeks.
And, although the buses are clearly far, far less busy, there are still people who clearly don’t need to be going anywhere getting on.
One driver was telling me she’s had to throw at least three “joyriders” off each day. That’s people, usually bored pensioners who just get on the bus and ride around for hours.

Most days I see the fuzz sitting in their cars in the beach green car park watching groups of 5 or 6 kids in the skate park and just driving off without approaching them.
I’m forever seeing police in the Argus pleading with people to stay in. Well do something about it then, you limp wristed eunuchs.

 

[The Wizard]

Surely the roads are busier simply because a fair few more people have gone back to work this week, I do agree in general it is busier than when the lockdown began but this was always going to happen unfortunately, but by and large I still think good social distancing is still going on even in places that are busier than they were. The silly pictures you see in newspapers are mostly just taking by reporters desperate to get a few clicks from the social justice warriors.

I do think particularly here in Brighton even though I’m seeing more people about when I go out for my daily exercise, people are still maintaining excellent social distancing which is very important.

 

[Green Cross Code Man]

Been out for a bike ride along Eastbourne seafront earlier this morning. I was impressed by how everyone, young and old, observed social distancing and were respectful towards one another. There were very few cars on the road about 9am ish. But that is Eastbourne.

 

[oldboyroy]

I would suggest that we've all got used to social distancing and most will want to stay that way when going back to work and even leisure activities.....I for one simply would rather not catch this illness as being 53 but relatively fit and well I don't want to take my chances. I imagine 90% of us feel the same and will quite happily keep the social distance for a long time at work and anything else

 

[Green Cross Code Man]

I would suggest that we've all got used to social distancing and most will want to stay that way when going back to work and even leisure activities.....I for one simply would rather not catch this illness as being 53 but relatively fit and well I don't want to take my chances. I imagine 90% of us feel the same and will quite happily keep the social distance for a long time at work and anything else

Oh. Now I feel old! I am 53 but had contented myself that with your username, you must be at least 80!

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Really noticed the roads getting quite busy again. Outside my house on Brighton Rd, what was down to about one car every couple of mins and emergency vehicles has now returned to steady stream of cars and vans.
The same road on my home in the morning is back to almost normal traffic on weekdays.

People are getting complacent and this is going to lead to a second wave of infection, I reckon .

With Vans (I thought the same btw) I wonder how many are self employed?