The new variants have as much chance of developing in other countries and transmitting world wide, so even with or without restriction it's a distinct probability. The vaccine rollout should be a means of moving forwards not backwards.
The scaremongering from the media is relentless though, if you’ve been self isolating since last year or have rarely left the house you are spoon fed negativity all day long, the result is people are nervous and reluctant to return to some form of normality. I fully expect another lockdown come winter time because it will flare up again as does Flu every year ! I will be very pissed off if we are locked down again this time though, enough is enough. My mam tested positive last week she’s 70 and double jabbed, I’m thankful she was because it still floored her. She’s careful and observes all the restrictions, fact is we can’t hide from it, it’s going nowhere. We must learn to live with it.
It is a means of moving forward but moving forward doesn't necessarily mean an immediate return to normal. It has to be cautious and sensible. The possibility of new variants coming from abroad is all the more reason to continue to exercise caution, to ensure that they don't rip through the population.
Totally agree mate, the thousands of UEFA dignitaries won't be heeding it though, nor the likes of Katie Price and countless other celebrities worldwide. They just do the fcuk what they want without any Government consent or for that matter rebuke.
Second jab done on thursday. No superpowers as yet. We have to strike a balance between freedom and caution going forwards imho, but we have to trust people to d what's right, and we have to accept that this might be with us forever like the flu.
Considered yes, but not used as a reason to keep people locked down. So far there have been 7 or 8 variants and every one of them is still countered by the vaccine. People talking about "vaccine resistant" variants is nothing more than scaremongering
There's been absolutely hundreds if not thousands of mutations, most of them mutate with out having any major significance. Occasionally it hits on lucky and replicates into a variant of concern, mainly in the spike protein.
Yes. Sorry, should have referenced VOC rather than just "variants" If we are staying locked indoors terrified of a possible vaccine-busting variant then we might also want to start paying giant anaconda tax and wearing killer-bee proof wellies
Its not scaremongering in the slightest. Its a very real scientific possibility that has to be taken into account. What possible reason would the medical community have for deliberate scaremongering? Its also a scientific possibility that mutations which are less harmful might emerge. We can't rule anything out, so what's wrong with remaining cautious? No one wants more lockdowns but, until they become a necessity, it hurts no one to maintain social distancing and to wear a mask in public indoor spaces.
Roll on 19th July and back to normality![/QUOTE] But it's not back to normality it is removing the legal restrictions with the instruction and hope for everyone to use common sense and continue to keep wearing masks in crowded inside spaces, continue social distancing where possible and continue with the hand sanitising till at least the greater majority in this country are vaccinated. Ignoring the virus and going back to normality risks what we are all trying to avoid. We have the chance, if we are careful, to open up and avoid the need for further lockdowns.
You can pretend that things are back to normal if you like. That is until we're back in lockdown because of all the people who thought we were going back to normal.
I think that part of the problem is that some dickheads think that because they've had the vaccine they're immune.
I think I read an article with some doctor complaining about that the other day. Had my second jab on Thursday but no way am I going stop be cautious. I know I can still transmit and I know that I can still get ill from it. Everyone wants the restrictions to be gone but I just don't understand why they think that its all going to go away on July 19th, or whatever arbitrary date is set for the lifting of restrictions in other countries (I assume its a different date for you).
We don't have a date as yet but they're talking about borders staying closed til at least 80% vaccinated. I had my 2nd on Friday. I can see that after restrictions are lifted people are going to think that they'll be able to travel everywhere again. Think a lot of people will be in for a shock as to how long some borders stay closed.
This is an informative piece on why vaccines alone aren't enough. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-40ac92b1-1750-4e86-9936-2cda6b0acb3f
Well I've just deleted the app, pinged three times since installing, 21 days solitary confinement, all through no fault of my own. I've had both jabs and follow the guidance, not getting controlled anymore by a fcuking mobile phone. I've done everything that's asked of me. Time to move on.