[CajunBMW]

Originally Posted by RobUK

I know, always seems they make exceptions. Still, didn't have to wait long as we have 2 cases of the new variant in the UK now (Chelmsford and Nottingham). https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-59445388

Unfortunately if there are two in the UK there are probably more. Watch the spread over the next two to three weeks and that will give us a chance to see where we stand with this variant. We will see it soon in the US. If it is spreading due to travel and then person to person spread in that new country and it is more infectious than delta, we will see increasing numbers all over the world as hit the holiday season. As long as there is no change in the infection or disease profile, there is not likely to be major health issues….if there are changes for the worse than we should start putting masks on and maybe start worrying.

[225]

Good to see pre emptive steps being announced earlier and the mask policy should have stayed anyway.

[SantaEugence]

Originally Posted by 225

Good to see pre emptive steps being announced earlier and the mask policy should have stayed anyway.

Not good in the slightest, and I think it's evident a lot of people are getting very tired of it now too

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by SantaEugence

Not good in the slightest, and I think it's evident a lot of people are getting very tired of it now too

That's a shame, getting tired of staying safe. Must be hard, having to think of others for a little while....

[SantaEugence]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

That's a shame, getting tired of staying safe. Must be hard, having to think of others for a little while....

It's getting on two years.
Almost every adult is vaccinated with the most vulnerable a long time ago and now triple vacc'd also. Let's restore some sanity and remember life isn't risk free and it's getting a bit ridiculous now. There will forever be new variants, we can't keep coming back to this every time there's one which is a bit more concerning.

[Hartside]

Just back from northern Spain, everyone wearing masks in the workplace and also in all other settings with no complaints, they just get in with it. I seriously cannot see what is so difficult about it here

[sahajesh]

Originally Posted by Hartside

Just back from northern Spain, everyone wearing masks in the workplace and also in all other settings with no complaints, they just get in with it. I seriously cannot see what is so difficult about it here

Brits believe they/we have some kind of natural immunity to anything dangerous.

We used to rule the world, don't you know?

[mofomat]

Originally Posted by sahajesh

We used to rule the world, don't you know?

Some people think we still do.

[M33DLO]

Originally Posted by Hartside

Just back from northern Spain, everyone wearing masks in the workplace and also in all other settings with no complaints, they just get in with it. I seriously cannot see what is so difficult about it here

Yes, I've just come back from working in France during last weekend.
Everyone wearing masks when on trains, Paris Metro, anywhere covered and public. No issues, no complaints.
It's also a requirement to show your vaccination passport (stating you've had both jabs) when your waiter/waitress takes your order in a restuarant. They beep it on a scanner.
If you haven't got one, you're asked to leave..
Excellent.!

I arrive in London on the Eurostar, hardly anyone in masks at Kings Cross and on the train home.

[Pentland]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

That's a shame, getting tired of staying safe. Must be hard, having to think of others for a little while....

You could say it’s hard to think of others but do others think of you?

Sadly the trend in the UK seems to be one of self entitlement.
For example;
Out the other day in a shop Edinburgh, several people not wearing masks, one wearing a mask around their neck, one had a mask hanging off their ear. Sadly you can’t challenge people now for fear of being accused of being racist, sexist etc or simply aggressive repercussions. No one is held to account.
The net result is to play the “so long as I’m alright Jack” card and look after yourself.

[Nibbles]

Originally Posted by SantaEugence

Not good in the slightest, and I think it's evident a lot of people are getting very tired of it now too

You just have to put a bloody mask on in shops and on transport it's not tricky, it's not a real hardship. People just need to do it to help stop the spread so that, hopefully, further restrictive measures that really do affect peoples lives don't have to be put in place.
It's like dealing with a country full of disobedient toddlers.

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by Hartside

Just back from northern Spain, everyone wearing masks in the workplace and also in all other settings with no complaints, they just get in with it. I seriously cannot see what is so difficult about it here

It's because they are adults there. Really can't believe people whine like toddlers over wearing a mask. Might as well complain about the societal norm of being clothed. Pathetic.

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by Nibbles

You just have to put a bloody mask on in shops and on transport it's not tricky, it's not a real hardship. People just need to do it to help stop the spread so that, hopefully, further restrictive measures that really do affect peoples lives don't have to be put in place.
It's like dealing with a country full of disobedient toddlers.

Hah, I used the toddler analogy too before getting as far as your post.

[ArthurKing]

Come Monday morning I’m not convinced in the slightest the train I get is going to be full of mask wearers.

If the variant is here and ‘spreading’ at the speed they claim then there is little we can do to stop it other than go back into full lockdown.

It’s quite clear any mitigations have minimal impact on the spread.

I have to wear a mask on a train on my way into work but can then go out for lunch or drinks with work colleagues unmasked and rammed in a London Pub.

Masks is all they have without resorting to extreme measures, they know they have little impact but they need to be seen to be doing ‘something’.

I’ve said this before but I wonder what would have happened if the health service had ample capacity, would they just accept more deaths?

Assuming I am in for a fine otherwise, I guess I will have to dig out the old masks for Monday then.

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by SantaEugence

It's getting on two years.
Almost every adult is vaccinated with the most vulnerable a long time ago and now triple vacc'd also. Let's restore some sanity and remember life isn't risk free and it's getting a bit ridiculous now. There will forever be new variants, we can't keep coming back to this every time there's one which is a bit more concerning.

Well 80% ish. out of what, 40 million. So about 8 million who arent, some because they cant be.... not quite almost all...

Once they know if the vaccine works against this strain I am sure they will react appropriately, but as a PM its unacceptable to say "do you know what, people are a bit tired of putting a mask on when in a shop or on a train, so we'll risk a couple of hundred thousand more deaths and the NHS collapsing"

Dont you think? And yes we can if we have to. They've asked you to wear a mask in a couple of places, its not a lockdown.... I dont get the problem!

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by Pentland

You could say it’s hard to think of others but do others think of you?

Sadly the trend in the UK seems to be one of self entitlement.
For example;
Out the other day in a shop Edinburgh, several people not wearing masks, one wearing a mask around their neck, one had a mask hanging off their ear. Sadly you can’t challenge people now for fear of being accused of being racist, sexist etc or simply aggressive repercussions. No one is held to account.
The net result is to play the “so long as I’m alright Jack” card and look after yourself.

I dont know, I was brought up with the saying "two wrongs dont make a right" so I still do it right if surrounded by a bunch of selfish t*ats.

Its like my tax return. We all know that some people dont declare all of their earnings, or even any of it - but I still do mine accurately. Because I should. If we all drop to the lowest level we might as well end civilisation now.

[ArthurKing]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

Well 80% ish. out of what, 40 million. So about 8 million who arent, some because they cant be.... not quite almost all...

Once they know if the vaccine works against this strain I am sure they will react appropriately, but as a PM its unacceptable to say "do you know what, people are a bit tired of putting a mask on when in a shop or on a train, so we'll risk a couple of hundred thousand more deaths and the NHS collapsing"

Dont you think? And yes we can if we have to. They've asked you to wear a mask in a couple of places, its not a lockdown.... I dont get the problem!

You’re assuming mask wearing is the silver bullet here, it’s not.

The only sure fire way to prevent most of those deaths is to go back into full lockdown. That or ensure everyone has an N95 type masks and wear it properly at all times, including then visiting family etc.

I’m not convinced in the slightest Shazza wearing her mask round her neck in Primark is causing 50k cases a day, not a chance. Household mixing and schools are the vectors for spread.

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by ArthurKing

Come Monday morning I’m not convinced in the slightest the train I get is going to be full of mask wearers.

If the variant is here and ‘spreading’ at the speed they claim then there is little we can do to stop it other than go back into full lockdown.

It’s quite clear any mitigations have minimal impact on the spread.

I have to wear a mask on a train on my way into work but can then go out for lunch or drinks with work colleagues unmasked and rammed in a London Pub.

Masks is all they have without resorting to extreme measures, they know they have little impact but they need to be seen to be doing ‘something’.

I’ve said this before but I wonder what would have happened if the health service had ample capacity, would they just accept more deaths?

Assuming I am in for a fine otherwise, I guess I will have to dig out the old masks for Monday then.

Well it doesnt kick in till Tuesday so probably not much change on Monday...

The train is a requirement to get to work, the pub optional. And its hard to eat and drink wearing a mask so if you are going to remove for 90 mins to eat, why put on to go to the bog?

your mask should be handy, after all they have been asking you to wear one out of respect for others all the time. Guess you dont respect others

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by ArthurKing

You’re assuming mask wearing is the silver bullet here, it’s not.

The only sure fire way to prevent most of those deaths is to go back into full lockdown. That or ensure everyone has an N95 type masks and wear it properly at all times, including then visiting family etc.

I’m not convinced in the slightest Shazza wearing her mask round her neck in Primark is causing 50k cases a day, not a chance. Household mixing and schools are the vectors for spread.

As you say, the only way to stop spread is to stop mixing. Bit given some cant wfh and we all have to shop, doing what you can to help the spread with a mask is a start, without killing the economy again.

And on the basis that requiring you to wear one in the places people have to go is not such a big issue, that may help prevent the spread a little, why wouldnt you...?

[ArthurKing]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

. Guess you dont respect others

Yup, that’s a sure fire way to get people to do what you think they should do.

You ever break the speed limit? Yes, well I guess you don’t care another others and you want them to die then!!! Christ almighty.

Same as the 20% unvaxxed, you calling them names etc will achieve nothing. We have to accept a number won’t be vaccinated and plan accordingly. It’s sat on 80% for months now.

I’ve been double jabbed but won’t be having a booster, my wife has decided she won’t be either. The goal posts keep moving, we’re gonna be jabbing babies every six month at this rate for a virus which has a virtually nil risk to them.

[TodmordenLad]

Here you go folks, it's simple enough.
Obviously not all masks are created equal. Wearing a filthy old rag around your neck is next to useless. An FFP2 or even better, an FFP3 mask worn properly will protect you and others. I've been in Portugal for a fortnight recently. They have one of the lowest infection rates around, not to mention having 88% of their entire population vaccinated. Everyone wears masks where they have to and people just get on with life. It's not difficult - unless you're a selfish thick British twat, of course.

[gangzoom]

Originally Posted by ArthurKing

The goal posts keep moving, we’re gonna be jabbing babies every six month at this rate for a virus which has a virtually nil risk to them.

It's not about moving goal posts, its about keeping the virus the in check.

The vaccines has been nothing short of a miracle interms of reducing morbidity caused by the virus. I cannot actually remember the last COVID patient I sent to ITU, its certainly been 6 months of near 'normality' in hospitals.

The current policy of essentially letting the virus run rampant in the lowest risk groups - kids, has been working very well. I don't think I know of any parents whos kids haven't had a + test or at the very least been in class where a significant number have tested +. Essentially schools have done their job as with any virus in letting it spread round to build up immunity at virtually zero risk whilst the vaccines have protected the highest risk groups.

I'm quite surprised how hard/quickly the governments around the globe has actioned on this new variant. For countries like the UK where vaccine rates are really high in the high risk groups increased transmission poses no risk to anyone apart from those unvaccinated. So just increased transmission rates alone is no reason to do anything.

To essentially start putting in steps that will eventually lead to going to back to a Xmas lockdown like last year, there must be some serious concern from virologists that this mutant can sidestep the vaccine protection and cause increased morbidity, essentially taking us back to pre-vaccine days.

Time will well tell, and I think if there is even a hint this mutant is as worryingly as feared we'll be having Xmas lock down 2021 whilst the 4th modified booster dosage is deployed in the high risk population.