Should restrictions be lifted on the 19th?

[Simon G]

might you be misinterpreting those highlighted bits? i don’t think he is saying that wearing masks doesn’t make a difference to the spread of infection. and likewise 300-400 deaths a day due to flu wasn’t acceptable. but i don’t think the writer is saying it was, rather just making a comparison.

I know, he's saying it won't dramatically alter it. We all know that most people aren't either A: wearing the right masks or b: using them correctly. They admit right there that it's more about 'the message' it sends out.

The other bit simply highlights that in the past many more people have been dying of flu, I wasn't terrified to go out of my house in the winter of 2017/2018 and I didn't walk around with a mask on and events weren't cancelled... The number of deaths wasn't on the news every night either.

That's the point I'm making and I don't think I'm misinterpreting anything.

 

[Simon G]

Why does that bit jump out at you? Because you think controlling infection doesn’t matter?

Because I don't think wearing masks is effective at the controlling the virus, in the wider context of how and when they are worn.

 

[Fuctifino]

UK has been requesting/mandatory masks in shops & stuff for nigh on 1 year
(24th July 2020 I think)

This will not be enforced in most shops - like it was pre 24th July 2020

However stores may relax all social distancing - which I think a little unwise perhaps

They will also no longer strictly limit numbers or capacity entering store at one time
(instructing that staff deployed to monitor capacity numbers may stand down
but stores that operated security staff at certain stores will remain active)

Perspex screens at checkouts will remain in place at least until end of year

Masks will be encouraged for customers & staff, especially at busy periods
but not mandatory come Monday 19th July

THAT is the general brief I got from some branches and think this is how most
stores & companies are looking to go with...

ME personally - drop the masks, but monitor numbers and still encourage distancing

To each, their own as they say, I voted banana btw, just passing on what I've heard
or seen on memos & all that crap

 

[Mitz]

Masks to remain mandatory on public transport in London. Because, as usual, it's only London that matters.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-57826331

 

[Crispycritters]

Personally I believe that instead of a blanket decision to lift the requirements for masks it should be left to the discretion of the individual business. On their privately owned property it should be entirely their decision. The public have the right to either comply or go elsewhere.

 

[zouzounaki]

I know, he's saying it won't dramatically alter it. We all know that most people aren't either A: wearing the right masks or b: using them correctly. They admit right there that it's more about 'the message' it sends out.

The other bit simply highlights that in the past many more people have been dying of flu, I wasn't terrified to go out of my house in the winter of 2017/2018 and I didn't walk around with a mask on and events weren't cancelled... The number of deaths wasn't on the news every night either.

That's the point I'm making and I don't think I'm misinterpreting anything.

yes, maybe not dramatically but experts seem to agree wearing masks or face coverings does reduce transmission. and his point about the message it sends is surely valid? it seems obvious it will make at least some people think everything is back to normal and it’s fine to go and hang about in sweaty packed nightclubs, not take any precautions etc.

i think if there had been no restrictions at all, the number of deaths would have far exceeded any seasonal flu. i don’t recall any years that the flu had hospitals effectively closed down to any non flu activity. covid isn’t the flu, and has the potential to have far worse consequences. as far as being terrified to go outside, i’ve been going outside throughout. at first i think we were all a bit para about supermarkets etc but i’ve not experienced terror at any point.

 

[zouzounaki]

Masks to remain mandatory on public transport in London. Because, as usual, it's only London that matters.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-57826331

only because it’s a decision the mayor of london is able to make re: TfL services. you might see this, local authorities introducing restrictions where they are able to. it could end up a bit of a confusing mess i reckon.

Personally I believe that instead of a blanket decision to lift the requirements for masks it should be left to the discretion of the individual business. On their privately owned property it should be entirely their decision. The public have the right to either comply or go elsewhere.

that’s ultimately what is happening. businesses can require customers to wear a mask if they want to, as long as they do t discriminate unlawfully.

 

[Simon G]

yes, maybe not dramatically but experts seem to agree wearing masks or face coverings does reduce transmission. and his point about the message it sends is surely valid? it seems obvious it will make at least some people think everything is back to normal and it’s fine to go and hang about in sweaty packed nightclubs, not take any precautions etc.

i think if there had been no restrictions at all, the number of deaths would have far exceeded any seasonal flu. i don’t recall any years that the flu had hospitals effectively closed down to any non flu activity. covid isn’t the flu, and has the potential to have far worse consequences. as far as being terrified to go outside, i’ve been going outside throughout. at first i think we were all a bit para about supermarkets etc but i’ve not experienced terror at any point.

I don't think I share your certainty around masks, but that's OK. Maybe we'll find out.

The point about the flu comparison is that it's being made to the predicted peak this summer if we totally remove restrictions, so if we remove all restrictions on july 19th as planned, the deaths from covid are expected to be lower than than during the flu season of 18/19 ... that's not me saying that, that's what it says in that article. .. and I can live with that just fine. Nothing to do with it being the same or hospitals.

 

[zouzounaki]

I don't think I share your certainty around masks, but that's OK. Maybe we'll find out.

The point about the flu comparison is that it's being made to the predicted peak this summer if we totally remove restrictions, so if we remove all restrictions on july 19th as planned, the deaths from covid are expected to be lower than than during the flu season of 18/19 ... that's not me saying that, that's what it says in that article. .. and I can live with that just fine. Nothing to do with it being the same or hospitals.

aye, i get that, but what i think is important not to overlook are the things that are distinctly different from the flu, ie the potential for hospitals to be effectively shut down by the number of covid cases, and the potential for large numbers of people to develop the little understood long term debilitating condition long covid.

i dunno about masks, experts are saying it reduces transmission so i’ve no reason not to believe them.

 

[Fazz711]

There have been many years where winter flu has caused chaos in the NHS.

It is usually a foot note in the news.

Corona is still a type of flu.
A very nasty one but still a flu.

The reporting that hospitals were near closed was the choice of the hospitals.

The nightingale hospitals that were built all round the country were hardly used at all.
So why weren't covid patients moved to the nightingales and the normal hospitals left to get on with normal life.