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COVID-19 So what's the story on lockdowns in the UK right now?

Freela

Freela

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I'm just curious, as different places seem to be handling things differently, with varying results...

I'm in Ontario, in the Greater Toronto area... we are currently in phase 2 of reopening for the past week or so, which means that some non-essential businesses can reopen with masks and social distancing guidelines, restaurant outdoor patios can open (still no indoor dining options.) Salons can supposedly reopen by appointment only with masks and enhanced cleaning. No large gatherings are allowed (maximum is 10 people, raised up from 5 a couple weeks ago. I finally saw my parents in the same room last weekend, hadn't seen them except for shouting at a distance outdoors since early March.) Schools didn't reopen after March and the online school year ends tomorrow. It is still undecided what public school will look like in September... whether it will be online, in person but distanced with masks, or a combination of the above. My oldest starts university in the fall, unclear what exactly that will look like either (right now it is slated to be about half on campus and have online, but that could change.) People who can work from home are still encouraged to do so... my husband is told he will be at home until at least September. If infections numbers stay low, some people will start going back in September (although he is not in the first wave of people going back so it will probably be October at least for him.) I work from home anyhow so the only real impact on my work is that now I have four other people home 24 hours a day while I try to get things accomplished. The numbers of infections in my specific area are really good right now, but that may change as more things open and will almost surely change if the border to the US opens anytime soon (I'm near the border, get a lot of US travelers who have country properties near our cottage, and their numbers are drastically higher than ours.) Anyhow, just curious what the status is in the UK since I know many members are there.
 
Hi Freela,

The UK are all going at different phrases, Northern Ireland are in a strong position and slightly ahead of the over all UK in my opinion. They have opened a bit faster, I imagine being an Island bordering Ireland has helped. Much to my dismay we have never closed borders. However we have introduced a quarantine which is likely to be removed on the 29th June, as the government I believe has struck agreements with other countries. We are advised not to travel abroad at this moment.

England is opening up quicker than both Wales and Scotland. As of the 4th hair salons, pubs etc will open. Scotland is running at a slower pace, the Scottish government hope if the virus numbers keep going as they are, that children can go back full time in August - I'm not sure how safe this is. In Scotland they have single infections of daily cases, they also have track and trace in place. If you have symptoms you are urged to get a test and isolate.

I saw Texas, has now paused re-opening due to the virus. It just goes to show how important the government guidelines is, and how serious it is!

I believe all of the UK's default position is where possible we should work from home.

The social distancing rules vary to - Northern Ireland 1 metre from Monday, England 1 metre plus, where 2 metres is not possible can be reduced to 1metre+, Scotland 2 metres and I believe Wales maybe 2 metres to.
 
So the pubs will be open, also discount clothing stores and hair salons, while the schools and universities remain closed. Everyone is confused, seems like you can have a rioting great antisocial beach party with drugs and stabbings on the south coast of England, but could be arrested for popping over the border into Wales for a quiet beach walk alone. Everyone can meet up outside at a 2m distance except when you meet up indoors at a 1m distance wearing a mask. Unless you can't, in which case don't, but if you do be a big old Lert. While staying safe, getting your hair done, but not getting educated or getting any essential cancer screening or treatment because that's not essential. We're in a pandemic, but only on Mondays when the government publish death figures that havent been reported yet because everyone is partying in Bournemouth over the weekend, but nobody must mention the pandemic on Tuesdays when the death rate jumps 10 fold because everyone was too busy sunbathing and getting blathered to notice that all our eldery people had died over the weekend... the number of infections has fallen in Westminster so sod the rest of us, probably we are too busy getting our hair cut and having beach parties to care...
I think that covers it?
 
PigglePuggle said:
So the pubs will be open, also discount clothing stores and hair salons, while the schools and universities remain closed. Everyone is confused, seems like you can have a rioting great antisocial beach party with drugs and stabbings on the south coast of England, but could be arrested for popping over the border into Wales for a quiet beach walk alone. Everyone can meet up outside at a 2m distance except when you meet up indoors at a 1m distance wearing a mask. Unless you can't, in which case don't, but if you do be a big old Lert. While staying safe, getting your hair done, but not getting educated or getting any essential cancer screening or treatment because that's not essential. We're in a pandemic, but only on Mondays when the government publish death figures that havent been reported yet because everyone is partying in Bournemouth over the weekend, but nobody must mention the pandemic on Tuesdays when the death rate jumps 10 fold because everyone was too busy sunbathing and getting blathered to notice that all our eldery people had died over the weekend... the number of infections has fallen in Westminster so sod the rest of us, probably we are too busy getting our hair cut and having beach parties to care...
I think that covers it?
Click to expand...
Not all schools are closed. There are classroom bubbles of children and staff where I work. It has always been open to children of key workers and children who are 'at risk'. And my son who is in year 10 goes to school half a day per week. Again in a bubble with the same peers and staff.
 
It is Interesting to see other countries and how they are coming out of lockdown.

I am not going to try and get political as I try and avoid this on TGPF but the U.K. is going a little fast for the unlocking for my taste And not as Johnson claims keeping an eye on every loosened measure before unlocking further

I gave them benefit of doubt at start and that is a big thing for me to do, they popped up with a wonderful socialist budget but have stumbled since with the Cummings affair shattering lots of faith.


PigglePuggle said:
So the pubs will be open, also discount clothing stores and hair salons, while the schools and universities remain closed. Everyone is confused, seems like you can have a rioting great antisocial beach party with drugs and stabbings on the south coast of England, but could be arrested for popping over the border into Wales for a quiet beach walk alone. Everyone can meet up outside at a 2m distance except when you meet up indoors at a 1m distance wearing a mask. Unless you can't, in which case don't, but if you do be a big old Lert. While staying safe, getting your hair done, but not getting educated or getting any essential cancer screening or treatment because that's not essential. We're in a pandemic, but only on Mondays when the government publish death figures that havent been reported yet because everyone is partying in Bournemouth over the weekend, but nobody must mention the pandemic on Tuesdays when the death rate jumps 10 fold because everyone was too busy sunbathing and getting blathered to notice that all our eldery people had died over the weekend... the number of infections has fallen in Westminster so sod the rest of us, probably we are too busy getting our hair cut and having beach parties to care...
I think that covers it?
Click to expand...

This is it in a nutshell

they have worked out that enough of the working class will live to carry on making the ruling classes money and sod the elderly they are expendable especially ones in homes

It is basically a mess now with very ambiguous statements so went it goes wrong they will blame the public. Problem is we rely on other people to keep us safe and virus free
 
sport_billy said:
It is. Interesting to see other countries and how they are coming out of lockdown.

I am not going to try and get political as I try and avoid this on TGPF but the U.K. is going a little fast for the unlockin


This is it in a nutshell

they have worked out that enough of the working class will live to carry on making the ruling classes money

It is basically a mess now with very ambiguous statements so went it goes wrong they will blame the public. Problem is we rely on other people to keep us safe and virus free
Click to expand...
Everyone should be accountable and regarding using masks and gloves, people definitely need more education. It's not enough to just bung on a mask, moving it over your face in shops, then on your chin when you come out. Gloves still transmit the virus, so when you've worn them in the supermarket then opened your car door with them on. Take them off when you're home. Where do you draw the line and know what you've touched with or without gloves is safe?

This is a useful video...

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?st...9612563863&extid=LotwGR78XUBgaHpU&d=null&vh=e
 
Yep, masks should be compulsory in shops for sure. People won’t wear them cause others don’t and it not British way unlike other countries, they were at pains to say 1m plus mitigation but haven’t forced any mitigation on face coverings apart from transport

gloves are a bad idea tbh I would rather wash not smear - false sense of security. I use them at petroleum pump that it
 
sport_billy said:
Yep, masks should be compulsory in shops for sure. People won’t wear them cause others don’t and it not British way unlike other countries, they were at pains to say 1m plus mitigation but haven’t forced any mitigation on face coverings apart from transport

gloves are a bad idea tbh I would rather wash not smear - false sense of security. I use them at petroleum pump that it
Click to expand...

I completely agree and this is where I truly believe the government should step up, and set examples. Today Nicola Sturgeon was shown in a shopping centre with a Mask. I think this is something we have seen very little of from other leaders in the UK.
The leaders need to lead by example.
 
Piggylove82 said:
The only thing with masks is that it makes communication incredibly difficult for people who have hearing loss.
Click to expand...
That is true - but this is a respiratory disease, spread by airborne droplets. I only mean in crowded places when less than 2 metres apart The now convenient 1m rule such as some smaller shops and pubs. Not in the speaking to someone in a park or garden situation where 2m social distance can be followed.
 
But people still need to communicate in shops, hospitals or doctors surgeries, and soon hair salons.

Masks are only effective if used properly. So...

Before putting on a mask, clean your hands well with soap and water. Cover the mouth and nose with your mask and make sure there are no gaps between your face and the mask. Avoid touching the mask while using it and, if you do, wash your hands. Replace the mask when it is damp. To remove your mask, take it off using the elastic tags, without touching the front and discard immediately into a closed bin or, if the mask is reusable, directly into the washing machine. If they are washable they need to be washed after each use.

Will people really follow these rules EVERY time?
 
Also those airborne droplets can be on surfaces that people touch and are then transferred internally when people touch their face. It's been shown people are more likely to touch their face when they're wearing a mask!
 
sport_billy said:
It is Interesting to see other countries and how they are coming out of lockdown.

I am not going to try and get political as I try and avoid this on TGPF but the U.K. is going a little fast for the unlocking for my taste And not as Johnson claims keeping an eye on every loosened measure before unlocking further

I gave them benefit of doubt at start and that is a big thing for me to do, they popped up with a wonderful socialist budget but have stumbled since with the Cummings affair shattering lots of faith.




This is it in a nutshell

they have worked out that enough of the working class will live to carry on making the ruling classes money and sod the elderly they are expendable especially ones in homes

It is basically a mess now with very ambiguous statements so went it goes wrong they will blame the public. Problem is we rely on other people to keep us safe and virus free
Click to expand...
I'm thinking that Johnson is basically a libertarian, and has an extreme aversion to imposing strict restrictions on people - that would be too totalitarian/fascist/communist . He Hope's everyone will be responsible and civic-minded and keep to the guidance, like the Swedes do. Unfortunately there are far too many selfish people who ignore or bend the rules for their own pleasure or convenience , whose behaviour puts the rest of us at risk. Witness the crowds on the beach, they didn't even take their rubbish home either.
 
Qualcast&Flymo said:
I'm thinking that Johnson is basically a libertarian, and has an extreme aversion to imposing strict restrictions on people - that would be too totalitarian/fascist/communist . He Hope's everyone will be responsible and civic-minded and keep to the guidance, like the Swedes do. Unfortunately there are far too many selfish people who ignore or bend the rules for their own pleasure or convenience , whose behaviour puts the rest of us at risk. Witness the crowds on the beach, they didn't even take their rubbish home either.
Click to expand...
It wasn't just litter they left either 🤢
 
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