When do you think things will go back to normal?

[Daniel.]

As in, at least relative normality.

With the news of the Oxford vaccine being approved, when do you now estimate the return of normality?

[The Slim Reaper]

Some point in 2022.

[DouglasS]

Not really until 2022 but I reckon August/September time will be almost normality with holidays taking place and nightlife reopening with small measures. Then as autumn/winter hits even with the vaccine it’ll get a little worse than Aug/Sept cause of anti vaxxers dragging others down

[Lee.]

I’d like to think some normality will return by the summer, but then again there are a lot of ****ing idiots around right now.
Just saw on fb that Nicola is making some announcement today and one of the replies was “**** her, I’ll do the exact opposite of what she says”
That’s the kind of stupidity we’re up against ��

[Alf]

When the people have had enough.

[Kizzy]

When the vaccine has been fully rolled out, we'll probably get lulled into a false sense of security again in summer when the virus is dormant in the main so it will be next autumn at least before we know how successful the efforts have been.

As a virus can mutate we may never be truly 100% normal and measures like increased cleaning, distancing, hand washing and venting of rooms might have to be the new norm going forwards.

[Vanessa]

Hopefully by summer.

[Kizzy]

When the people have had enough.

What are 'the people' going to do?...

Congregate without masks spreading it far and wide like they've been doing all year?.. pfft morons.

I'm not one for draconian measures but these gatherings are a public health risk, fine them massively! If you want to spout your conspiracy theories go home and do it on the Internet! !

[arista]

As in, at least relative normality.

With the news of the Oxford vaccine being approved, when do you now estimate the return of normality?



The Variant Covid Virus
is yet to be Tested with the 2 Vaccines.


So we are not going back for many Years

[arista]

When the people have had enough.



Those Fools will Die
as the Variant Covid Virus is increasing

[Denver]

Soon as all the vulnerable people have been vaccinated it will be back to normal as young healthy people are super low risk

[arista]

When the vaccine has been fully rolled out, we'll probably get lulled into a false sense of security again in summer when the virus is dormant in the main so it will be next autumn at least before we know how successful the efforts have been.

As a virus can mutate we may never be truly 100% normal and measures like increased cleaning, distancing, hand washing and venting of rooms might have to be the new norm going forwards.



Even in the USA they said it would be 20 million
but only 2.1 million have had it.

There is not enough made
for 2 Injections for everyone

[Calderyon]

None of the above.

[arista]

None of the above.


Yes more like 10 years

[user104658]

Something resembling normailty - at least 2022.

Exactly as things were pre-2020... never, or at the very least, decades.

[caprimint]

I kinda feel like it'll be fall which I'll actually be fine with. I want it to be spring or fall though JUST NOT SUMMER.

[Daniel.]

Something resembling normailty - at least 2022.

Exactly as things were pre-2020... never, or at the very least, decades.

Talk about depressing.

[Denver]

Something resembling normailty - at least 2022.

Exactly as things were pre-2020... never, or at the very least, decades.

Don't be silly, the world has got over much worse and came out fighting ant the other end and this will be no different

[user104658]

When the vaccine has been fully rolled out, we'll probably get lulled into a false sense of security again in summer when the virus is dormant in the main so it will be next autumn at least before we know how successful the efforts have been.


I agree; my prediction is that the vaccine rollout will be nowhere near as fast as people seem to think, but it will be rolled out to a noticeable extent just in time for summer... when case numbers will bottom out again like they did this year... and that will be attributed to vaccination being a 100% success, and then there will be big bold headlines and shock when the numbers start to creep upwards again in October. I doubt winter 2021-22 will see numbers as high as we're going to get this year, especially deaths as most of the vulnerable population will be vaccinated and hospital treatment for the very-ill will have improved even further, but yeah... I think we're in for a few more winters of Covid headlines.

The knock-on effects, on the economy, on mental health, on things like tourism and international travel as well as how businesses operate in general will be even bigger in scope and will likely never fully revert.

Not all necessarily in bad ways I suppose; e.g. there has been a massive shift to doing business digitally out of necessity that I think will persist to an extent simply because it saves so much money, but also, people travelling less for business (especially international business) and opting to do business via video link etc. is a huge win for the environment. People will still travel, but any reduction in road & air travel is a bonus.

[user104658]

Don't be silly, the world has got over much worse and came out fighting ant the other end and this will be no different

Yes, after a few decades.

When I said things will never go back to how they were before I didn't mean "misery forever" - just that things like this create changes that never go back. Good/bad/who knows but it won't snap back to "the same". Do you think the post-WW2 world snapped back to the 1930's? No... it changed the direction of politics and society forever in various ways. Some for worse, some for better. Big things result in big changes, you can't wish that away. It'll never be 2019 again.

[Denver]

Yes, after a few decades.

When I said things will never go back to how they were before I didn't mean "misery forever" - just that things like this create changes that never go back. Good/bad/who knows but it won't snap back to "the same". Do you think the post-WW2 world snapped back to the 1930's? No... it changed the direction of politics and society forever in various ways. Some for worse, some for better. Big things result in big changes, you can't wish that away. It'll never be 2019 again.
I believe this is gonna make the world a better place in the end

[Nicky91]

April-July

if we would all work together to beat corona, that is

something i wish would happen, since corona is a enemy of us all

[arista]

April-July

if we would all work together to beat corona, that is

something i wish would happen, since corona is a enemy of us all



No people will not work together


Even in Strict Nations like South Korea
Covid-19 is back.

[Nicky91]

No people will not work together


Even in Strict Nations like South Korea
Covid-19 is back.

:umm2: what South Korea calls a record, or a record from UK (daily new cases) well a whole world difference

3.000 compared to 53.000

at least Koreans are immediately on high alert when there is even small amounts (compared to ours) what they see as a huge increase

they also had a long time without cases, this is just beginning of second wave for them

[Nicky91]

western countries have failed, we have failed big time compared to countries like Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Vietnam

[Denver]

western countries have failed, we have failed big time compared to countries like Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Vietnam

Those countries are easier to lokcdoen because they don't have borders so they can totally limit the risks

[The Slim Reaper]

Those countries are easier to lokcdoen because they don't have borders so they can totally limit the risks

We're on an island :laugh:

[Cherie]

By Autumn thing will start to look normal and when they stop with the hysterical headlines and publishing death numbers, people will start to forget

[user104658]

I believe this is gonna make the world a better place in the end

Certainly possible... for example a tonne of scientific advancements (for better or worse) came out of WW2, plus a massive sociological catharsis that Europe was painfully in need of.

At the very least, a global pandemic of some description has been on the cards for decades, it was always going to happen at some point, and this one has no doubt seen HUGE advances in virology and epidemiology that will be a massive advantage in future.

[Nicky91]

By Autumn thing will start to look normal and when they stop with the hysterical headlines and publishing death numbers, people will start to forget

you must never forget about this

otherwise you'll go back to life before this, with the dangerous socializing

we need to go to the ''new normal'' and everyone needs to be more hygienic

we need to take down China's wet markets for good their government should nothing to say about that, wet markets should be made illegal and those who do run it, face jail time

[Denver]

We're on an island :laugh:

Which we have one of the highest tourist numbers aswell as having to keep our borders open to the EU, we also rely on, Also South Korea has a culture to wear masks and Australia is a big spot of land so its spread out alot but in the UK we are literally on top of each other with no getting away

[Cherie]

you must never forget about this

otherwise you'll go back to life before this, with the dangerous socializing

we need to go to the ''new normal'' and everyone needs to be more hygienic

we need to take down China's wet markets for good their government should nothing to say about that, wet markets should be made illegal and those who do run it, face jail time

Human nature Nicky ...we will forget in time

Nobody is taking on China, it’s the UK variant now :laugh:

[The Slim Reaper]

Certainly possible... for example a tonne of scientific advancements (for better or worse) came out of WW2, plus a massive sociological catharsis that Europe was painfully in need of.

At the very least, a global pandemic of some description has been on the cards for decades, it was always going to happen at some point, and this one has no doubt seen HUGE advances in virology and epidemiology that will be a massive advantage in future.

Different times. WWII brought folks to the realisation that cruelty wasn't the right way. We're here on the back of a decade of trashed and diminished services through austerity, and this will be paid for by cuts and debt. There won't be any taxation hike to improve things.

Also, and most importantly, at the end of WW2 everyone was like "jeez, those Nazi's were bad," but we have a government today with the agenda of the 1970's NF, so we're nowhere near there yet.

[caprimint]

We're on an island :laugh:
Honestly it's a little bit different. It's so easy for Aus/NZ to just cut off any other countries but we have a lot more surrounding us here

[The Slim Reaper]

Honestly it's a little bit different. It's so easy for Aus/NZ to just cut off any other countries but we have a lot more surrounding us here

Proximity to others isn't a deciding factor when on an island, however, dependence on our former EU neighbors is.

[caprimint]

Proximity to others isn't a deciding factor when on an island, however, dependence on our former EU neighbors is.
I mean the amount of other places around definitely contributes to it. I do agree that everywhere should have been cut off AND stayed off a long time ago, but obviously we were trying to get back to somewhere normal and not even considering a 3rd wave for a long time.

[Calderyon]

I believe this is gonna make the world a better place in the end

It's not.

[Kizzy]

Even in the USA they said it would be 20 million
but only 2.1 million have had it.

There is not enough made
for 2 Injections for everyone

Now we have 2 vaccines the chances of at least the elderly and vulnerable getting it is increasing.

Antibody testing needs to be ramped up too I think, it will be interesting to see if the levels of antibodies in the vaccinated are any higher or lover than those in those recovered from covid.

[Nicky91]

I mean the amount of other places around definitely contributes to it. I do agree that everywhere should have been cut off AND stayed off a long time ago, but obviously we were trying to get back to somewhere normal and not even considering a 3rd wave for a long time.

there will be a 3rd wave, a 4th wave, 5th wave, 6th wave


all bc of those anti masker idiots

[caprimint]

there will be a 3rd wave, a 4th wave, 5th wave, 6th wave


all bc of those anti masker idiots
No Nicky. How does anybody on this earth think that masks have any effect whatsoever when more people have covid cases right now than ever? :skull:

[The Slim Reaper]

No Nicky. How does anybody on this earth think that masks have any effect whatsoever when more people have covid cases right now than ever? :skull:

Are you serious?

[Nicky91]

masks help, hand washing gel routine works perfectly, open your windows, fresh air is better than stinking airco

but the most important thing about this, that everyone also needs to do all of this, you don't have a choice, corona does not choose a side, it is a danger to us all

but getting the elderly and vulnerable vaccinated will be good to drive death numbers down (closer to zero a day)

[caprimint]

Are you serious?
I mean... are you not? :skull:

How do masks stop the spread when there are more cases than ever? :joker:

[The Slim Reaper]

I mean... are you not? :skull:

How do masks stop the spread when there are more cases than ever? :joker:

How do condoms stop pregnancy when we have more people on earth than ever? :joker:

[caprimint]

masks help, hand washing gel routine works perfectly, open your windows, fresh air is better than stinking airco

but the most important thing about this, that everyone also needs to do all of this, you don't have a choice, corona does not choose a side, it is a danger to us all

but getting the elderly and vulnerable vaccinated will be good to drive death numbers down (closer to zero a day)
Everybody who is not vulnerable should get coronavirus to achieve herd immunity, or at least a very good form of it for months+++.

Masks and washing hands don't help. Some girl got covid from putting her hand in a random jacket pocket. People have died from getting spat on.

[caprimint]

How do condoms stop pregnancy when we have more people on earth than ever? :joker:
They break clearly a lot more than you're aware of people thinking they're safe when they're not, which is actually very applicable to covid too. :hee:

[caprimint]

How do condoms stop pregnancy when we have more people on earth than ever? :joker:
Oh and again as always, you're trying to deflect the point I made which is irrelevant but also obviously irrelevant anyway

[The Slim Reaper]

Everybody who is not vulnerable should get coronavirus to achieve herd immunity, or at least a very good form of it for months+++.

Masks and washing hands don't help. Some girl got covid from putting her hand in a random jacket pocket. People have died from getting spat on.

This is madness. Herd immunity is the first thing this government tried causing the NHS to be overwhelmed and the deaths to rise. Sweden tried herd immunity and are suffering from it today, far worse than any of their neighbours. I can't believe we're 9 months in, and this is what you believe.

Crazy stuff.

[The Slim Reaper]

Oh and again as always, you're trying to deflect the point I made which is irrelevant but also obviously irrelevant anyway

I'm not trying to deflect anything. I was honestly gobsmacked that's what you believe in spite of all the advice and science.

[caprimint]

I'm not trying to deflect anything. I was honestly gobsmacked that's what you believe in spite of all the advice and science.
So you just listen to science without looking at the numbers? Gotcha...

[Kizzy]

By Autumn thing will start to look normal and when they stop with the hysterical headlines and publishing death numbers, people will start to forget

Then we shouldn't be allowed to forget.. that's the issue with the public, too easily distracted.

I know the media is a bit ' hide yo wife, hide yo kids' but really..you do need to atm.

[The Slim Reaper]

Herd immunity was never ever tried. And the NHS are overwhelmed now, so what do you suggest now? :skull:

Are they suffering more than us? Actually no. Only China are to blame for this regardless are much as people want to make out other countries to be worse. It's embarrassing when there is an obvious answer to the ChinaVirus.

It was tried though. Unofficially, but it was definitely tried. Boris gave speeches about how we would be carrying on as normal and staying open, which is how herd immunity was tried, then he went on with Phil and Holly and raised letting it spread through the population. That's how we were worse off than countries like Italy and France from the off.

Blaming China doesn't really do anything though, does it?

What would I do?

It's currently out of control, so I'd implement a full lockdown again. I understand why they don't want to do it, but we're rapidly losing more and more control by the minute.

[bots]

i think other virus's will follow on after covid because thats how things roll. While we have all been self isolating and social distancing across the world, we have reduced our immunity to everything else thats going around, so when people start mixing again properly. people are going to start dropping like flies. Whether it will be as bad as covid remains to be seen, but we have totally ****ed with the equilibrium and that will have consequences

[The Slim Reaper]

So you just listen to science without looking at the numbers? Gotcha...

What numbers change the science? Masks are primarily there to stop us spreading it, so if you're near someone who's not wearing a mask, then they will be infecting loads of people (that's how it's spreading so much), and we have loads of anti-masker. I really shouldn't need to explain this to you after 9 months. Haven't you spoken to your parents about it at all?

[Kizzy]

So you just listen to science without looking at the numbers? Gotcha...

The numbers are also dire, I'd rather listen to science than politics or business when it comes to killer viruses too tbh.

[Cherie]

Then we shouldn't be allowed to forget.. that's the issue with the public, too easily distracted.

I know the media is a bit ' hide yo wife, hide yo kids' but really..you do need to atm.

I don’t mind those so much, at least that is trying to give the right message


It’s the Summer holidays are back on for sun starved Brits

AND

Christmas is Cancelled type of unhelpful headline I won’t be sorry to see the back of :)

[bots]

getting people vaccinated is how we get herd immunity. Everyone vaccinated will have anti bodies. That's exactly how we have dealt with other virus's and why we have vaccination programs :laugh:

[Kizzy]

Everybody who is not vulnerable should get coronavirus to achieve herd immunity, or at least a very good form of it for months+++.

Masks and washing hands don't help. Some girl got covid from putting her hand in a random jacket pocket. People have died from getting spat on.

....is this real life?

Ask yourself this, if she had washed her hands after going in the random ( assuming it was not her pocket) pocket, would she have got covid or not?

Masks do help... they help a lot in everyday circumstances. Have you seen the vapour test? I can't find it but there's a very easy way to test the effectiveness of masks. Breathe into a cold room...see your breath?
Now put your mask on and repeat that.. notice how there is significantly less vapour in the air?
That's how masks reduce the risk of transmission.

However.. as you say if you are open to infection if someone spits at you as droplets may make their way through your eyes. That's hopefully not an everyday occurrence getting spat on and the 2 metre distance rule helps with that.

Face Shields might be better if at high risk of being spat at.

[Kizzy]

[/B]

I don’t mind those so much, at least that is trying to give the right message


It’s the Summer holidays are back on for sun starved Brits

AND

Christmas is Cancelled type of unhelpful headline I won’t be sorry to see the back of :)

That would be the 'business at any cost' right wing message that is killing people. Literally.
I agree that there is 2 camps when it come's to advice and little in between from the media... stay in alone or carry on as normal :/

[bots]

it *should* be painfully obvious to everyone what they need to do at the moment to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. Individual circumstances will be widely different but the principles remain the same.The media, i will never forgive for their at times obscene reporting of this pandemic

[The Slim Reaper]

it *should* be painfully obvious to everyone what they need to do at the moment to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. Individual circumstances will be widely different but the principles remain the same.The media, i will never forgive for their at times obscene reporting of this pandemic

What respect in relation to the media? I agree, but think we might have different perspectives and reasons.

[Tom4784]

I'll be surprised if things ever go back to the way they were. Hopefully people will adopt the hygienic practices they've picked up during this ordeal and carry them on. I wouldn't mind it if the idea of wearing masks when you're sick becomes commonplace either. Places like Japan, despite being close to the epicentre that was China, managed to recover quickly because the use of masks when sick is considered commonplace courtesy.

With a bit of luck, people will not forget this pandemic so quickly because basic hygiene and common sense is how you help curb a situation like this from happening again.

[bots]

What respect in relation to the media? I agree, but think we might have different perspectives and reasons.

they have often gone against the tide and made things worse for a headline. They have undermined common sense at almost every turn. Stirring the people up with their christmas is cancelled nonsense and then saying ... why are we still having christmas when the infection rate is so high is the most obvious recent example. I personally blame Boris for what will be a Christmas catastrophe because he was spouting about a normal Christmas back in the summer so the government don't get away with it either

[The Slim Reaper]

they have often gone against the tide and made things worse for a headline. They have undermined common sense at almost every turn. Stirring the people up with their christmas is cancelled nonsense and then saying ... why are we still having christmas when the infection rate is so high is the most obvious recent example. I personally blame Boris for what will be a Christmas catastrophe because he was spouting about a normal Christmas back in the summer so the government don't get away with it either

Ahh ok, we view things pretty similarly on this. People like JHB need to burn in hell for the way they've played this down constantly.

[Tom4784]

You should always blame the leadership for mismanagement. Other countries that were hit harder than us initially managed to bounce back through good management from the government and a willingness to do what needed to be done but Boris' government acted too late and did too little despite having months of warnings in advance. People should blame the government for how they handled this. They shouldn't baby Boris just because he's Boris. He is the head of a government that is failing it's people. It's mistakes are his mistakes. Leadership is taking responsibility, not shirking it.

[Glenn.]

I'll be surprised if things ever go back to the way they were. Hopefully people will adopt the hygienic practices they've picked up during this ordeal and carry them on. I wouldn't mind it if the idea of wearing masks when you're sick becomes commonplace either. Places like Japan, despite being close to the epicentre that was China, managed to recover quickly because the use of masks when sick is considered commonplace courtesy.

With a bit of luck, people will not forget this pandemic so quickly because basic hygiene and common sense is how you help curb a situation like this from happening again.

I remember when cinemas were still open and they were cleaning the theatres more thoroughly and someone pointed out that it’s mad that they’re doing things they should have already been doing in the first place.

I think people will change the way they act and do things more differently going forward which of course will be a good thing.

[Beso]

I would suck all the covid in the world into my body like the green mile if it made you all get back to normal.

[user104658]

I'll be surprised if things ever go back to the way they were. Hopefully people will adopt the hygienic practices they've picked up during this ordeal and carry them on. I wouldn't mind it if the idea of wearing masks when you're sick becomes commonplace either. Places like Japan, despite being close to the epicentre that was China, managed to recover quickly because the use of masks when sick is considered commonplace courtesy.

With a bit of luck, people will not forget this pandemic so quickly because basic hygiene and common sense is how you help curb a situation like this from happening again.There's more than just the masks in Japan really... Just generally better hygiene standards e.g. People would simply not accept the conditions in more than half of the UK's toilets in bars and restaurants etc, never kind public toilets. There's also loads of etiquette things like taking your shoes off when you go into someone's home. There are many who consider that polite here but over there it's basically often considered unimaginably rude NOT to. They bow rather than shaking hands when doing business. And I assume all of that is rooted in a general culture of good hygiene rather than coincidence.

But yeah I think these sare things that people world wide will be more aware of in future. Personal space, who they touch and when, generally keeping things cleaner etc.

When it comes to the cleanliness of public spaces, really that's simply down to demand. If people stop accepting grubby facilities and vote with their feet, businesses will improve standards VERY quickly.

[Garfie]

When the vaccine has been fully rolled out, we'll probably get lulled into a false sense of security again in summer when the virus is dormant in the main so it will be next autumn at least before we know how successful the efforts have been.

As a virus can mutate we may never be truly 100% normal and measures like increased cleaning, distancing, hand washing and venting of rooms might have to be the new norm going forwards.

I totally agree with all you've said here. I'd like to think that we might have some sense of normality by August, but I have no real confidence of that. As you've said, if the virus mutates we could have an Autumn/Winter like this one.

My feeling is, as a country, the actions taken have been too little too late. My opinion is that unless the government is proactive, rather than reactive, this virus is going to be with us much longer than it needs to be.

And if you listen to the experts, they suggest that we can expect this sort of thing to occur much more often.

I wonder if what we regard as 'normality' will ever return.....

[Garfie]

western countries have failed, we have failed big time compared to countries like Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Vietnam

You're so right, Nicky, yet we repeatedly fail to learn from the actions of these countries, and keep blundering from one mistake to another and making the same mistakes repeatedly. I'm thinking particularly the UK here.

[Garfie]

The knock-on effects, on the economy, on mental health, on things like tourism and international travel as well as how businesses operate in general will be even bigger in scope and will likely never fully revert.

Not all necessarily in bad ways I suppose; e.g. there has been a massive shift to doing business digitally out of necessity that I think will persist to an extent simply because it saves so much money, but also, people travelling less for business (especially international business) and opting to do business via video link etc. is a huge win for the environment. People will still travel, but any reduction in road & air travel is a bonus.

I like what you've said here. If world leaders take stock and make the right decisions, the world can adjust and change for the better. New 'industries' will emerge and different jobs will be created.

This could be a massive opportunity for the human race to repair some of the damage we have caused to our environment. But the focus needs to change from returning to 'normality' to creating a new and better way of living.

The question is whether that opportunity are taken. I'd like to have trust that the human race will learn from this.....

[Garfie]

I mean... are you not? :skull:

How do masks stop the spread when there are more cases than ever? :joker:

Masks won't stop all infections especially if used in isolation, but they do reduce the spread if used alongside other measures that Nicky has mentioned.

The problem is the amount of people that choose not to wear masks, or fail to wear them properly, lack of social distancing and lack of hygiene measures.

Sadly, too many people choosing to mock the use of masks and refusing to accept proven science, and too many ridiculous conspiracy theorists are part of the reason that the virus is continuing to spread.

At least 72,000 people in the UK are already dead as a result of this virus and we all have a responsibility to play our part to prevent those numbers rising. Maybe think of those people and have some respect for them, before mocking the use of masks.

[Garfie]

By Autumn thing will start to look normal and when they stop with the hysterical headlines and publishing death numbers, people will start to forget

I agree with Nicky, we absolutely should never forget and I don't think the majority of people will forget.

[Garfie]

It was tried though. Unofficially, but it was definitely tried. Boris gave speeches about how we would be carrying on as normal and staying open, which is how herd immunity was tried, then he went on with Phil and Holly and raised letting it spread through the population. That's how we were worse off than countries like Italy and France from the off.

Blaming China doesn't really do anything though, does it?

What would I do?

It's currently out of control, so I'd implement a full lockdown again. I understand why they don't want to do it, but we're rapidly losing more and more control by the minute.

100% agree. :clap1:

[UserSince2005]

Let’s hope 2022 so we can all continue to work from home

[Ammi]

...I don’t think that we will forget and obviously shouldn’t forget because there will always be a ‘positive value’ to the most devastating events like this if they’re used to make necessary changes to our ‘normal’...

[Garfie]

You should always blame the leadership for mismanagement. Other countries that were hit harder than us initially managed to bounce back through good management from the government and a willingness to do what needed to be done but Boris' government acted too late and did too little despite having months of warnings in advance. People should blame the government for how they handled this. They shouldn't baby Boris just because he's Boris. He is the head of a government that is failing it's people. It's mistakes are his mistakes. Leadership is taking responsibility, not shirking it.

Spot on.

[bots]

I think it makes sense to keep monitoring the numbers because that allows us to be aware of any new strains etc, however, i think the daily obsession with the numbers increases anxiety levels too much. People are in the most part doing all they can do to protect themselves, and nothing creates more stress and anxiety than something we have no control over and that has very lasting long term side effects.

Again, the media need to back off a bit. 24 hour news channels where it is the only topic is just not healthy for anyone. We all need balance in our lives and fixative reporting and scare mongering is not helpful. Of course, report the news, but do it in a balanced way without ridiculous headlines designed for shock and awe

[Ammi]

I think it makes sense to keep monitoring the numbers because that allows us to be aware of any new strains etc, however, i think the daily obsession with the numbers increases anxiety levels too much. People are in the most part doing all they can do to protect themselves, and nothing creates more stress and anxiety than something we have no control over and that has very lasting long term side effects.

Again, the media need to back off a bit. 24 hour news channels where it is the only topic is just not healthy for anyone. We all need balance in our lives and fixative reporting and scare mongering is not helpful. Of course, report the news, but do it in a balanced way without ridiculous headlines designed for shock and awe

...tbf, though...I don’t know anyone ‘in real life’ who follows any media with COVID related stuff to the extent it is on the forum, for instance...?..but that’s because we have specific sections to follow news in all areas, I mean it’s the whole purpose of a forum, to discuss etc and apply focus specifically ...I can’t see an issue with having 24hr news stations discussing the biggest event of our time and we apply the balance to that by choosing how much of that time we watch and the general vein of the news we watch...I tend to devour the more scientific aspects, which are fascinating for me...

[Mystic Mock]

Realistically I'm thinking that it's between November, December of next year.

2022 is obviously not a bad bet either.

[Mystic Mock]

So you just listen to science without looking at the numbers? Gotcha...

Well tbf Scientists have more knowledge about this than any of us do.

[Beso]

Spot on.

You were blaming non mask wearers 2 mins ago!!!

[user104658]

Let’s hope 2022 so we can all continue to work from home

I was working from home most of the time pre-pandemic anyway, and the organisation has recently decided that everyone is free to work from home whenever they want from now on even when the office spaces are fully re-opened :flutter:. (They basically discovered that there has been no loss of productivity from everyone WFH and it's actually improved communication in a few areas).

There was a suggestion that we go fully-digital and ditch the offices but most staff decided that they'd prefer to keep the offices and have the option of going in or not.

[Glenn.]

You were blaming non mask wearers 2 mins ago!!!

Well common sense would tell you that people not wearing masks are as abysmal as the government.

The government have a lot to answer to but so do the morons that think they are above wearing masks.

[bots]

the effect of the virus world wide would have been negligible if people used simple common sense and followed the health guidelines. Unfortunately, the world seems to have a significant proportion of idiots which has meant all these restrictions have become necessary

[Tom4784]

It's the government's fault for not implementing measures earlier, it's the government's fault for allowing that cretin to flout Lockdown rules and cause disillusionment within the populace.

Anti-maskers are stupid beyond compare, but it's ultimately the government's fault for how bad things are because of their unwillingness to act when they could have. Stupid people will always be stupid, but we should expect more from the government. I imagine the criticism of the government would be far harsher were it not a Tory government.

A lot of the people that are determined to shield Boris would be building the guillotines if any other party did what the tories did in this pandemic.

[bots]

It's the government's fault for not implementing measures earlier, it's the government's fault for allowing that cretin to flout Lockdown rules and cause disillusionment within the populace.

Anti-maskers are stupid beyond compare, but it's ultimately the government's fault for how bad things are because of their unwillingness to act when they could have. Stupid people will always be stupid, but we should expect more from the government. I imagine the criticism of the government would be far harsher were it not a Tory government.

A lot of the people that are determined to shield Boris would be building the guillotines if any other party did what the tories did in this pandemic.

it's an individuals responsibility to look after their own health. Too much reliance is placed on government. That doesn't mean i excuse the government for some pretty crass decisions along the way, but it is within individuals hands to make sure they are safe.

[Kizzy]

it's an individuals responsibility to look after their own health. Too much reliance is placed on government. That doesn't mean i excuse the government for some pretty crass decisions along the way, but it is within individuals hands to make sure they are safe.

Not during pandemic it isn't! Only the govt have the authority to say it's too great a risk for you to go to work or school.
And with almost 1000 people a day dying that time is now.

[Garfie]

You were blaming non mask wearers 2 mins ago!!!

I said that non mask wearers increased the spread, not that they were wholly responsible for the whole thing. I think you're choosing to misinterpret and misrepresent my comments. You have enough about you to know it's not that simplistic.

The government's handling of this crisis has been appalling, making so many wrong decisions and repeatedly doing too little too late, despite having had plenty of warnings from Italy and the time to take the right action to avoid the same thing happening here. Had they taken the right action, we could be Covid free like New Zealand now. They are ultimately responsible.

However, non maskers are not playing their part in helping to reduce the spread.

[Garfie]

It's the government's fault for not implementing measures earlier, it's the government's fault for allowing that cretin to flout Lockdown rules and cause disillusionment within the populace.

Anti-maskers are stupid beyond compare, but it's ultimately the government's fault for how bad things are because of their unwillingness to act when they could have. Stupid people will always be stupid, but we should expect more from the government. I imagine the criticism of the government would be far harsher were it not a Tory government.

A lot of the people that are determined to shield Boris would be building the guillotines if any other party did what the tories did in this pandemic.

:clap1::clap1::clap1:

[Cherie]

At least you know where you stand with non mask wearers, the worst ones are those that wear masks and have no idea why they are wearing them, as they are either under their nose or as I witnessed in the bakery last week pull them down to speak...:umm2:

The other people and I know a few of these are those that comply with mask wearing, hand sanitising but then bend the rule indoors by having people in, or being in multiple bubbles so basically they can interact with everyone :umm2:

[joeysteele]

Not during pandemic it isn't! Only the govt have the authority to say it's too great a risk for you to go to work or school.
And with almost 1000 people a day dying that time is now.

This, exactly right.
This letting the government off the hook when they have all the advice and data while not making it all known to the public, is sickening.

Of course the people in power must direct as they would as to riots and any other threats to society.

So I've no agreement with those protecting the government over the people.


That's up to them however.

As for back to normal, whatever normal is to be for likely a long time to come.
I think it's going to be another year of uncertainty with no one knowing what effects will come from late Autumn this year again.

I'd love to think things could be far better by the summer, which there may be many positive signs.
However I fear problems for the foreseeable future.
Hope I'm wrong but I think next year sometime will be more likely when real improvement can be possibly secured more permanently.

[Beso]

I said that non mask wearers increased the spread, not that they were wholly responsible for the whole thing. I think you're choosing to misinterpret and misrepresent my comments. You have enough about you to know it's not that simplistic.

The government's handling of this crisis has been appalling, making so many wrong decisions and repeatedly doing too little too late, despite having had plenty of warnings from Italy and the time to take the right action to avoid the same thing happening here. Had they taken the right action, we could be Covid free like New Zealand now. They are ultimately responsible.

However, non maskers are not playing their part in helping to reduce the spread.



I think it's easy to blame the government for it all. Especially without knowing if their decision making has caused this to worsen.

If people had followed the guidlines set out by the government then we wouldn't be in this mess, if shop owners and bus firms had implemented those guidlines properly we may not be in this mess now. If the french hadnt allowed all those dingies in the summer to cross the channel we may not be in this mess now..one could even suggest this is where the new strain originated from..some will find a way to blame the government for this as well though.

If anti maskers and blm protestors hadnt congregated en Masse in our cities then we may not be in this mess.

[Glenn.]

Yeah let’s blame immigrants and people protesting for equality. Not the incompetent government for not taking necessary steps when they had ample opportunity to.

[Garfie]

Yeah let’s blame immigrants and people protesting for equality. Not the incompetent government for not taking necessary steps when they had ample opportunity to.

Exactly. Certain people will always take the opportunity to blame a small handful of asylum seekers, whilst choosing to forget about all those (in my view, selfish) Brits who chose to travel abroad for holidays and brought back different strains of the virus.

However, ultimately it comes down to the total incompetence of the government, as you say. As an island, had the right steps been taken and the right decisions been made, we could so easily have been the least affected in Europe, as we had a natural barrier to prevent the virus spreading out of control here. Ironically, we are one of the worst affected countries in Europe.

Frustratingly, we've had to helplessly observe the government blundering from one mistake to another, knowing exactly how the horrific consequences of those mistakes would unfold. And now we will have to sit and watch more mistakes being made regarding schools and second vaccines, when the outcome is so predictable.

I, for one, am done with ridiculous claims such as us having a 'world beating test and trace system', of us being free of the virus from Christmas, for instance. And I'm done with false hope repeatedly being given to the general public when anyone who follows politics and experts closely can see the lies that are being generated to give the impression that the government is doing a good job when, in fact, they are failing dismally.

[joeysteele]

Yeah let’s blame immigrants and people protesting for equality. Not the incompetent government for not taking necessary steps when they had ample opportunity to.

Absolutely right.

Even moreso, when they relaxed too much way too quickly, after the first already done later than ought to have been, lockdown.

[Nicky91]

i voted April - July, but that is more a point where i think we could be going to the ''new normal'' with some events happening again (Eurovision, and later on Euro championship football in summer, as well as tokyo olympics)

more important factor what scenario's we go for (in terms of Eurovision) is how we get on with vaccinations, quick testing, hopefully like Merkel said working more together to fight corona, to stay more at home, i hope we can have scenario B for ESC, at least all artists in one venue, i don't care if there is no audience


back to normal before corona, not sure if we want to go there again, i mean i think we always now need to stay alert that this sort of thing does not happen again

[Nicky91]

the EBU had their new years concert in vienna, corona-proof too yesterday, no audience just the people who signed up to be there virtually with tv screens, and all musicians from 40 countries all from their national 'bubbles' and all tested before entering the church, with negative test they could stand next to each other to play the songs

[Beso]

Short of getting the army on the streets to control the population there wasnt and usnt much more the government can do other than pass laws/rules for us to follow.

They need to juggle all sorts of things and weight then all up and decide what's best for people..isnt that why the kids went back to school? Because it was better for them mentally?

If the government had or does put the army on the streets to keep the rule breakers under control the government would be slagged off for being a dictatorship or some other poorly thought out word.