I think it’s fine to trail changes if they fix clear criteria to be achieved to allow the changes to happen, for example positive tests at 1,000 a day or less, no ‘new variant’ cases for 4 weeks, less than 5000 COVID cases in hospital, ONS estimated number of cases in the community less than 10,000 (just figures for examples, no science behind them from me - but scientists can provide that). As it is it’s pretty clear that the government is looking nervously from the scientists to its own hideous backbenchers and trying to guess what the public wants. I find it odd because all the polls say the public overwhelmingly wants a strong lockdown until this is sorted, which is not the same as saying we are enjoying ourselves. Despite his huge majority Johnson is still scared of a significant number of pretty horrible members of his own party like Desmond Swayne. At least Mark Francois is staying quiet after his recent ‘bit of trouble’.
Can you imagine the amount of dirt they must all have on each other? Can you imagine the worst thing Desmond Swayne has done?
I don't disagree with any of that. I was responding to the post about them ****ing this up again. I think it's ok to start to relax things as soon as everything is going the right way. The problem with only listening to the scientists is that they only have one view, which is to scientifically defeat the virus. Trouble is, by the time we're in that position we'll all be ****ed forever unless restrictions have been eased. I keep saying it, but they're trying to square a circle and it's impossible. They're damned whatever they do. Side note: Has the virus been eradicated in India? Thousands in the ground for the second test. ???
Tell you what I don’t understand, it’s why, when we haven’t locked down as hard as some other countries, we have taken the biggest hit to our economy of anyone. Not trying to blame anyone, suspect it must have something to do with the nature of our economy, all services, shopping and eating and drinking out. No idea what’s going on in India. They have had a lot of deaths - 155,000 officially, so it’s bound to be more - but it’s still a tiny % of their population, 112 deaths per million compared to 1720 per million here. Perhaps they are just more relaxed about it, warm climate and relatively young population make it a less serious threat. Just guessing. They are producing loads of vaccine there.
There is still a long, long way to go before the virus has receded enough. New infections are still higher than last year's peak and look how long it took to bring those down. 11k people still being infected per day and we want to open schools in 3 weeks? No one is advocating lockdown forever but they are showing all signs of having not learned from previous mistakes. Would rather endure a few more months of pain in order to properly get our freedoms back. If they do this wrong it'll be more damaging to the economy than an extra month or so of lockdown.
It wouldnt surprise me if they prove to not have learned anything from previous **** ups. One can only hope that they have learned. If the schools do open up on the said date and cases are still high, watch them rocket again! Maybe they will just open for one day though! That's a plan.
I think you have to factor in the massive increase in testing which will skew the comparison figures somewhat. That said I agree trying to stick to 8th March seems to be more for 'show' rather than scientific. Easter is early April and would provide a sense of normality in starting Summer term on time with the case numbers further reduced...
My daughter tells me that two of her friends, both under 40 and with no underlying health conditions, have been invited to get the vaccination. This seems a bit random. Now my other daughter, who is 32 and pregnant, has also got an invitation. I thought the advice was that pregnant women should not have the vaccination.
Thats true, I forgot about the increase in testing. I just pray they are genuinely going to do this properly.
Where is this, all round where you live? Makes no sense, unless your daughters friends are key workers of some sort. They are trialling vaccines in pregnant women now/soon, don’t think they should be giving the vaccine until the results are in.
Some areas outside London are ahead of the curve in age groups, although under 40s seems some jump. I got my invite today so it's 17th Feb & 6th May at Palace's ground. Good job I've a strong stomach...
Yes, my daughter's friends are from round here and they aren't key workers. I wonder if it might be some kind of scam?
The invites come in an envelope with NHS and p&c clearly marked and the info on the letter is clearly confidential with the website info, unlikely to be a scam if so. Scams tend to be via text messages and ask for payment...
My experience was that I had a text message from my GP inviting me to book via an enclosed link. I got the NHS letter a few days later, after I'd had the jab.
I know of a few medical centres up here that have offered people way down the list a jab. 2 of our close friends had them, mid 30's no underlying health conditions and non key workers. They just knew a nurse who said there was excess vaccines that were running out of date. At least they got used.
Had my first shot today. The organisation was amazing...so well organized, it was clockwork I am in the 65-70 group (5). I have had no contact from my GP, but hubbie who is 18 months older than me had been contacted by GP. But last Friday the NHS website went live to group 5, and I just signed myself up. Regarding younger people... I understand at the end of a vaccine run/batch, when everyone invited and who has turned up is done...they offer the spare doses to nearly anyone... volunteers, people close by friends who can get to the centre...rather than waste the end of the batches.. And that is sensible But young healthy people being called up, I have not heard of. At the moment the only people who will not be offered the jab are pregnant women and very young healthy children...Although clinical trials are being carried out in both groups.
