Given that level of coverage, I cant understand the logical reason not to relax restrictions.
I think “relax” is appropriate, but it’s “completely remove” that people have a bit of an issue with.
I'm aware I'm 2 days, and probably pages late to this, but since the announcement on Monday, it's obviously been on my mind a lot. The fact I live in Wales and not England doesn't really matter per-se, because despite what Labour are saying, the Labour led Welsh Gov will likely broadly do the same as England, they might change the odd little thing, move the date by a few weeks or whatever just to be seen to offering a better alternative, but that's about it. We've never done anything really dramatically different to England.
I have to say, despite my utter dislike and distrust of Johnson, I can't help but think this is the least worse solution, considering ALL the factors.
Yes, obviously being a Tory he's got his mind on his pocket and the pockets of his mates as much as the health of the Public, but this was always going to be the inevitable end of this stage of Covid.
As I understand it, the best Vaccines we have only really reduce the R0 of Delta to roughly the R0 first strain of Covid that came to the UK last year, before we had vaccines. There are no circumstances in which we could stop it spreading to every one at some point, no practical ones anyway.
I've read lots of people's opinions (because we've all got them and they're all as valid as everyone else's, well, unless it's your actual job) about how bad an idea it is, but few offering any alternatives. Keir Starmer talks about "removing all restrictions at once" as a bad idea, which is plainly not true, we've been removing restrictions for months, not all at once at all, most of them have resulted in an R number over 1.
I would love to be corrected, but I can only see 3 options.
1) The plan, like it not we're following. Remove all restrictions, allow Covid to transmit freely, causing a huge 3rd wave that will (based on what I read when they pushed it back 4 weeks) end in October when, running out of hosts Covid will fall back down to very low numbers. So when we reach Flu season the NHS isn't dealing with Flu and Covid at the same time. We risk the projections not being accurate and finding ourselves dealing with a healthcare crisis we can't handle.
2) Impose more restrictions until the R rate is sub 1, and keep them in place until Spring 2022, even after everyone who wants to be vaccinated has both jabs. At least 7 months. We risk another strain arriving that could be more dangerous, more infectious or both.
3) Push it back until every adult who wants it is fully vaccinated which will be October I think? The elderly who had their jabs 8-10 months prior may not be so well protected and we'll be inviting a 3rd wave over the winter because it doesn't matter if we vaccinate everyone, they're not effective enough to reduce the R0 below 1. We risk the combination of Flu, Covid and other deferred illnesses all hitting at once, causing a healthcare crisis the NHS can't manage.
I think there is a factor to 2 and 3 that doesn't often get mentioned, compliance. Mask wearing, social distancing, indoor meeting, hugging etc, lockdown fatigue seems very high to me, just this morning I popped into the local shop, the sign outside asking people to wait until someone else leaves, long gone, they've given up and this is Co-Op, not a local indie place, inside, around 20% of people, AKA the Dickhead seemed to have swapped their masks for sunglasses, I don't understand the link, the the hardcore anti-mask lot have taken to wearing sunglasses indoors, I don't know why.
I've had to conclude, it's the least worst solution I can dream up.
So if you were told you needed to self-isolate for 10 days, yet you had no symptoms, knowing that this would mean no income for those 10 days and possibly the loss of your job, what would you do?
Reports in the news and on PMQs that people are deleting the app. Ignorance is bliss… perhaps.
I think “relax” is appropriate, but it’s “completely remove” that people have a bit of an issue with.
A point that keeps getting missed in the black and white social media age.
A friend who is double jabbed and had covid at Christmas has apparently tested positive again? Not sure how much faith to put on antibody stats
FWIW mask compliance is still 100% everywhere I've been.
Tracking is still enforced every pub/cafe I've been to as well.
Local supermarkets still have traffic light systems to control numbers, though folk are about less careful about distancing once inside.
Trolley/hand cleansing seems to be about 50:50.
This thread does lead me to believe this is atypical, though maybe we're only hearing the worst of things.
Pretty much the same here too tbh, only really the folk wi fat man syndrome that seem to be averse to masks. Just managed to get my 2nd vaccine rearranged too, end of the month.
I’ve had to conclude, it’s the least worst solution I can dream up.
As much as I dont have much time for BoJo, his main question was "if not now, then when?".
The balance is shifting to us getting back to normal, and summer is the least risky time to do this. If people want to delay things they have to accept that means delaying things for another 12 months, until the winter stresses on the NHS pass.
I doubt that the majority of people want to put their lifes on hold for another year.
And then in 2022, we have another variant from Africa, so delay until 2023, and repeat...
Reports in the news and on PMQs that people are deleting the app. Ignorance is bliss… perhaps.
It's only occurred to me recently that I disabled notifications on my App when I installed it (this is my MO for all apps) I don't know if that means I could have been told to isolate and ignored it or not.
Most of the places I've been are no longer showing the NHS QR, in favour of their own system which is usually clunky and requires personal info... it goes against my cyber security training to complete them, but I do.
This thread does lead me to believe this is atypical, though maybe we’re only hearing the worst of things.
Very much this. I see very little avoidance of masks, sanitiser and QR codes round here - yes social distancing isn't as good as it was, but the overwhelming majority do their best still
@murray bang on correct. The difference in slope is noteworthy. We’ll still likely see 7000 admissions per WEEK by late summer, I think. But vaccination is having an effect on pushing cases to the young, most of whom do not need hospital.
Mortality is basically 1/8-1/16 of admissions. That’s not changing much since we have no miracle cures. We have effective medicines, but their impact has been evident since last year and Wave 2.
I doubt that the majority of people want to put their lifes on hold for another year.
No one has suggested that should happen. They have suggested that keeping mask wearing and some social distancing measures for a short while longer would help more companies and more people get on with their lives, their work, and their education, while we crack on with vaccinating the nation and helping other countries do the same.
They have suggested that keeping mask wearing and some social distancing measures for a short while longer would help
People can still do those things.
All the 19th does is move the responsibility from the Government to the individual.
On the 20th you're still going to see the same amount of people wearing masks and following social distancing. There isnt going to be be a sudden overnight change in behaviour.
All the 19th does is move the responsibility from the Government to the individual.
That’s fine, except individuals can do bugger all.
On the 20th you’re still going to see the same amount of people wearing masks and following social distancing.
The lord loves a dreamer.
I'm on a train into London
99% mask wearing as normal
All the England fans just drinking Stella so not so good.
I think at this point it's only the high antibody levels (infection or vaccine acquired) stopping a big wave hitting us
Schools are chaos near me too, my boss has just had his closed until end of term now
Scotland numbers do indeed look promising
Almost 4,000 new cases again today.
On the 20th you’re still going to see the same amount of people wearing masks and following social distancing. There isnt going to be be a sudden overnight change in behaviour.
I wish it were true, but I don't see it.
It seems, like everything else in the world at the moment, it's an completely binary thing, half of people will continue to wear masks and SD, and why not, it's not hard and we're well used to it by now, 50% will throw them away, burn them even, will be joining the scrum at the bar on the 19th.
More than that, I don't actually believe a single soul in the UK has never broken a Covid rule, ever, IME People can be incredibly vocal about restrictions that don't effect them personally, but at the same time completely ignore the ones that do.
For example, come Thursdays it's likely Grant Shapps will say something like "We still advise people not to visit amber counties, but those who do who are fully vaccinated can do so, without quarantine" and 15 mins later a good proportion of STWers, be that post 19th Maskers or not, will be trying to book, flights, ferries and the tunnel to get to the Alps, because wearing a mask in the shop or pub suits them, but not going on Holiday doesn't.
@Nobeerinthefridge Innerleithen for 3 nights, so hopefully Golfie, Glentress, Inners and a look round Yair. Then down to Keswick for 3 nights, hoping for some George pie 🙂
FWIW mask compliance is still 100% everywhere I’ve been.
This seems to be very dependant on location. Living in Otley compliance is 99%, but I work in Bradford and when I visit the local shops close to work I'm usually the only person wearing one. In the supermarkets it's at roughly 80%. Once it's not legally mandated I'll stop.
Tracking is still enforced every pub/cafe I’ve been to as well.
You need to sign in with the app. There's no need to have it turned on or pay any attention to it so it's a complete waste of time.
Local supermarkets still have traffic light systems to control numbers, though folk are about less careful about distancing once inside.
That's gone but I don't shop at busy times
Gah! Seems like I’m an early adopter for the self-isolation summer fun!! 7 days apparently, so no pub for the football tonight.
RM.
Does anybody know where to get testing data by age group ?
I am looking to understand positivity by age group.
Found it.
what do you mean, number of positive tests? I'm not sure that is completely helpful because the absolute number of tests of school age kids will be higher, but the ONS data has as a %
Section 4
It's coming home
It's coming home
It's coming
Covid's coming home
Well done that man...
I live in Brighouse where mask wearing is still pretty good. The closer I get to Bradford the worse it gets, so when you talk of petri dishes and experiments maybe Bradford is already doing that for us?
It’s coming home
It’s coming home
It’s coming
Covid’s coming home
It’s hard to look past Wembley, the subsequent Tube journeys, and multiple rammed city’s centre and other bars full of unmasked shouting pissed people being anything other the Covid soup.
Watching Euros may be behind rise in infections in men
REACT study also suggests approx 6 day doubling now. We should hit the 100,000 cases a day mark well before August. It's possible we will see a drop later this month in England and Wales because a lot of the testing is being driven by schools, and I'm sure the public are less bothered about testing themselves, even when they have symptoms, let alone as a matter of course. But the underlying level of infections is still clearly rising exponentially at the moment.
The full current relationship between infections and hospitalisations will also be getting clearer by then.
hospitals beginning to overflow and cancel elective surgeries.
Storms approaching.
Interesting. I did my usual 7am trip to Morrison’s in Malvern this morning. I hadn’t been in three weeks because of being away on holiday. Unlike any previous visit in the past year or so, a good 1/4 of people in the store were not wearing masks, not even round their necks. They were all Morrison’s employees either shelf stacking or picking for home delivery. Every customer ( not many at that time of day) I saw had a mask on.
Wasn’t really a problem as I could avoid them reasonably easily. I guess that as the store had only just officially opened they might be going to put them on later?
We're all hanging our hopes massively on the vaccine, and are continuously told the double jabbed are very unlikely to get it. But a bbc article today quoted imperial college numbers that the fully vaccinted are only 1/3 as likey to be Infected, and efficiency is 72%, far lower than what I've seen quoted before
And just see that phizer is now quoted as only 62% effective against the delta variant.
I’m sure the public are less bothered about testing themselves
They'll be even less bothered if the tests stop being free, and there is the possible outcome of having to stay off work with no support whatsoever. I still don't think we'll get the measure of the summer 'till the schools have been open for a few weeks in September. August will be flying blind and hoping. Unless you're waiting for hospital treatment of course, then you'll likely see the effect much sooner, with more appointments delayed.
Interesting. I did my usual 7am trip to Morrison’s in Malvern this morning. I hadn’t been in three weeks because of being away on holiday. Unlike any previous visit in the past year or so, a good 1/4 of people in the store were not wearing masks, not even round their necks.
Been like that for months in my local Morissons. I've stopped shopping there.
are continuously told the double jabbed are very unlikely to get it.
That's not what I've been reading. We are being told that the effects of getting it are much reduced once fully vaccinated though.
Had a call this morning with my friend in Pune, India. They're just coming out of lockdown, curfew lifted and shops but not malls open.
Maharashtra (state with Pune in) 7 day case rate is 8,815 in 114 million.
UK 7 day case rate is 27,414 in 67 million.
He wished me good luck.
That’s not what I’ve been reading. We are being told that the effects of getting it are much reduced once fully vaccinated though.
It would appear that your chances of getting are reduced as is severity. Immunity is not 100%. At all. You’re less likely to be hospitalised & less likely to die. You can though, still get it.
Just back from the local One Stop and none of the staff were wearing masks, I was the only one out of 4 customers with one on too.
They’ll be even less bothered if the tests stop being free, and there is the possible outcome of having to stay off work with no support whatsoever. I still don’t think we’ll get the measure of the summer ’till the schools have been open for a few weeks in September. August will be flying blind and hoping. Unless you’re waiting for hospital treatment of course, then you’ll likely see the effect much sooner, with more appointments delayed.
The issue is that people will point at the lower positive test numbers saying it's going away ignoring the fact that fewer tests = fewer cases. I would say the government has factored this in to make them look good over the summer but that would mean admitting that they actually have a clue about what is going on!
This summer is going to be a case of looking after yourself and do what you can to protect your loved ones, the government don't care this time.
Maharashtra (state with Pune in) 7 day case rate is 8,815 in 114 million.
UK 7 day case rate is 27,414 in 67 million.
He wished me good luck.
What's their testing rate?
That’s not what I’ve been reading. We are being told that the effects of getting it are much reduced once fully vaccinated though.
That as well. But I've definitely read numerous times that it's unlikely the double vaccinated will get it. They were after all quoting 90 % protection from infection a few weeks ago. Obviously with the risen in cases alot of double jabbed folks would still get it even at 90%, so it's not great it's actually significantly less than that.
Both types of vaccine over 90% effective against hospitalisation from Delta according to PHE on 14th June. Is there new data?
Both types of vaccine over 90% effective against hospitalisation from Delta according to PHE.
Yeah, but @tpbikers point is that folk will still be infected. As a result, they will be advised to isolate (and possible their close contacts will too). That will have significant knock-on affects, especially in hospitality and in health care, where some hospitals are already struggling to cope with "normal" demand.
And India is less than 4% vaccinated.
Letter from Secondary school; PHE have revised advise and any pupils advised to self isolate due to close contact must now have a PCR test, with a concern of "variants of interest" in mind.
This tells my uneducated mind that the "let it rip strategy" is causing that exact concern... a breeding ground for the English Football Supporters variant*
*Sorry for that bit of politics.
Both types of vaccine over 90% effective against hospitalisation from Delta according to PHE on 14th June. Is there new data?
Apparently so, but the data is yet to be peer reviewed.
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.06.23.21259327v1
Both types of vaccine over 90% effective against hospitalisation from Delta according to PHE on 14th June
That's still good news. Hospitals need that to be the case. But what about all the people looking forward to being ill for a long time without being admitted? Just so that Mr Angry and can stand next to them without wearing a mask in the queue to buy their groceries this summer.
We need to get to the point where the vaccines are acting as a break on infections before next term. We could get there. If we could be bothered.
I would say the government has factored this in to make them look good over the summer...
So would I.
...but that would mean admitting that they actually have a clue about what is going on!
Well, I'd suggest they are far better at managing how people see or care about what's happening than they at managing what's actually happening.
Yeah, but @tpbikers point is that folk will still be infected. As a result, they will be advised to isolate (and possible their close contacts will too). That will have significant knock-on affects, especially in hospitality and in health care, where some hospitals are already struggling to cope with “normal” demand
Don't dispute that but further up tpb referenced bbc quoting 72% and 62% efficacy. I 'think' these are old numbers.
