End of all remaining Covid restrictions in England

[nw1]

One of the few sensible things to have emanated from Johnson has been the “if not now, then when?” question

True, the one thing I agree with regarding the policies of Johnson (though there are 99 other things I completely disagree with "Boris" about, of course, and I certainly will not be voting for his party in the upcoming local elections...)

.
There certainly are people who would respond with forever, though.

So if the question is put to said people "how is Covid different to every other pandemic of modern times, including the Spanish flu?" how would they respond?

Or is it a symptom of our times, and that many people want to attempt to completely eliminate risk - while in the past, some level of risk was just part and parcel of life?

 

[bramling]

True, the one thing I agree with regarding the policies of Johnson (though there are 99 other things I completely disagree with "Boris" about, of course, and I certainly will not be voting for his party in the upcoming local elections...)



So if the question is put to said people "how is Covid different to every other pandemic of modern times, including the Spanish flu?" how would they respond?

Or is it a symptom of our times, and that many people want to attempt to completely eliminate risk - while in the past, some level of risk was just part and parcel of life?

I’m cynical whether it’s really to do with risk. Whilst there are certainly people still shutting themselves away, I get the feeling there’s a much larger group who fundamentally like the idea of restrictions for *others*, whilst paying lip service themselves.

 

[nw1]

I’m cynical whether it’s really to do with risk. Whilst there are certainly people still shutting themselves away, I get the feeling there’s a much larger group who fundamentally like the idea of restrictions for *others*, whilst paying lip service themselves.

Perhaps, but more generally I think that taking risks is increasingly seen as an unacceptable part of life. In the early-mid 1980s, in late childhood (roughly the 9-12 age bracket), my parents allowed me to walk in the countryside on my own and (aged 11-12, as well as early teens) make 100+ mile journeys on Cross-Country trains on my own. These days I doubt children in that age bracket would be allowed out on their own to this extent without supervision. Some might consider that a shame; personally I am glad I spent my immediate pre-teen years enjoying such activities.

Perhaps the vast difference in response to Covid compared with the Spanish flu or other (less serious, admittedly) flu pandemics of the 20th century is symptomatic of that.

 

[roversfan2001]

Strangely the same people who think they're too strong to be affected by covid are the same ones who are scared of wearing a mask.

This argument has been done to death on this forum for near enough two years now, and 'scared of wearing a mask' isn't at all what it's about. But I'm sure you knew that already.

 

[Stan_Butler]

Sorry, I'll clarify - personally since the rule has been dropped, I have not worn a mask - except when made to yesterday

Specsavers had a little desk by the door with a member of staff stood at it, checking you in for the appointment so to speak. When I went for the eye test 2 weeks ago they asked if I would like a mask and offered a disposable one out of a box. I said no thanks, and that was fine.

Returned to the same store yesterday to collect the glasses, was offered a mask again, said no thanks, only to be told it wasn't optional and if I didnt wear one I wasn't allowed in. As I'd already forked out for the glasses I didn't really have a choice other than to take a mask and wear it. Im just making the point that if rules have been dropped and it was fine to politely decline a mask 2 weeks ago why is it now none optional in the same store!

Thanks for clarifying. So you haven’t “not worn a mask since regulations were dropped ‘full stop’” and have continued, as you have since regulations were re-introduced, to wear one when “forced” to.

 

[greyman42]

True, the one thing I agree with regarding the policies of Johnson (though there are 99 other things I completely disagree with "Boris" about, of course, and I certainly will not be voting for his party in the upcoming local elections...)

So you will be voting for a party that is pro restriction/lockdown?

 

[bramling]

Perhaps, but more generally I think that taking risks is increasingly seen as an unacceptable part of life. In the early-mid 1980s, in late childhood (roughly the 9-12 age bracket), my parents allowed me to walk in the countryside and (aged 11-12) make 100+ mile journeys on Cross-Country trains on my own. These days I doubt children in that age bracket would be allowed out on their own to this extent without supervision. Some might consider that a shame.

Perhaps the vast difference in response to Covid compared with the Spanish flu or other (less serious, admittedly) flu pandemics of the 20th century is symptomatic of that.

People’s ability to analyse risk tends to be flawed at the best of times. One of the biggest risks in life is road transport, yet this doesn't seem to bother people unduly, no doubt because they feel largely in control of the risk (which, of course, isn't entirely true). With Covid there's still a perception by some that it's all dirty other people who can put you in ICU just by coughing...

 

[nedchester]

So you will be voting for a party that is pro restriction/lockdown?

Or a party full of liars who ignored the lockdown laws we were all told to adhere to/

 

[bramling]

Or a party full of liars who ignored the lockdown laws we were all told to adhere to/

The trouble is we're really in the territory of having to choose which leg to have cut off.

I find myself watching the news just now seeing both Sunak and Johnson and thinking "for God's sake man, go". But Labour have their own issues too, and then there's the question of who replaces Johnson.

Who on earth do we vote for?

 

[D1024]

Who on earth do we vote for?

At most local elections you will find a smattering of 'Independants' - Read their campaign material and see if they fit the bill. If there were to be a significant upsurge in Independants winning seats then possibly the mainstream parties *might* start to ask why.

 

[kristiang85]

Who on earth do we vote for?

I honestly don't know. In May I'll likely vote for any local independent who says they do not support COVID restrictions, once I've done my due diligence to check they aren't ex BNP or something.

The big parties certainly aren't getting my vote.

 

[greyman42]

Or a party full of liars who ignored the lockdown laws we were all told to adhere to/

We did not all adhere to them despite what we were told to do.
I certainly did not.

 

[Howardh]

So, basically, the government via these parties were telling us (subconciously?) that covid restrictions were totally unnecessary and wouldn't work? Because if they did work, why didn't they do the same as us??

I feel that two lots of four months have been taken away from my life totally unnecessarily now, especially as the first immediately followed the death of my surviving parent and I needed people and places to go to. Nope - stuck inside with just mourning to company me.

 

[Eyersey468]

The trouble is we're really in the territory of having to choose which leg to have cut off.

I find myself watching the news just now seeing both Sunak and Johnson and thinking "for God's sake man, go". But Labour have their own issues too, and then there's the question of who replaces Johnson.

Who on earth do we vote for?

I for one will be voting independent for the foreseeable future. None of the main political parties deserve my vote based on the last 2 years

 

[duncanp]

The trouble is we're really in the territory of having to choose which leg to have cut off.

I find myself watching the news just now seeing both Sunak and Johnson and thinking "for God's sake man, go". But Labour have their own issues too, and then there's the question of who replaces Johnson.

Who on earth do we vote for?

If Boris Johnson has been fined for breaking the lockdown laws, he dare not impose any new restrictions, either now or in the future, despite what the locktivists and maskivists in the NHS seem to think.

If he were to even think about new restrictions, virtually the whole country would stick two fingers up at him and tell him to <bleep> off.

 

[Howardh]

If Boris Johnson has been fined for breaking the lockdown laws, he dare not impose any new restrictions, either now or in the future, despite what the locktivists and maskivists in the NHS seem to think.

If he were to even think about new restrictions, virtually the whole country would stick two fingers up at him and tell him to <bleep> off.

There are STILL people who lick his boots because he brought them Brexit, and if he went Brexit would go to. If only....

But you're right, any new rules would be categoriccaly ignored.

 

[bramling]

If Boris Johnson has been fined for breaking the lockdown laws, he dare not impose any new restrictions, either now or in the future, despite what the locktivists and maskivists in the NHS seem to think.

If he were to even think about new restrictions, virtually the whole country would stick two fingers up at him and tell him to <bleep> off.

I don't disagree with any of that, but that doesn't make it any more palatable voting for such a person unfortunately.

This whole affair has absolutely trashed any concept of standards in public life. Why should *anyone* obey the law when the people setting them felt these laws didn't apply to themselves? And, more concerningly, if they felt the laws were unnecessary for themselves, why did they impose these laws on the rest of the population, and were these laws justifiable? Worse, when people couldn't attend funerals or were barred from seeing their dying or dead relative in person, damage which can never be put right.

Restrictions are, I think, a busted flush with most of the population now, and I'm not even sure the blue hearts would work now, as people are pretty peeved with the NHS too over issues like frustrated GP access. Sewer standards of public life are a more significant lasting issue, IMO.

 

[ainsworth74]

We did not all adhere to them despite what we were told to do.
I certainly did not.

In which case you should surly vote Tory?

 

[greyman42]

In which case you should surly vote Tory?

Yes i will.

 

[Howardh]

Yes i will.

Will you be handing yourself to the police for a fine for admitting breaking the law?

 

[greyman42]

Why should *anyone* obey the law when the people setting them felt these laws didn't apply to themselves?

Plenty of people had the sense to ignore them, such as myself.

 

[bramling]

Plenty of people had the sense to ignore them, such as myself.

Not a great situation, though. If people don't have respect for laws, then ultimately civilised society falls apart.

 

[greyman42]

Will you be handing yourself to the police for a fine for admitting breaking the law?

Not a chance. But at least i admit it unlike some people.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Apr 2022 ==

And, more concerningly, if they felt the laws were unnecessary for themselves, why did they impose these laws on the rest of the population, and were these laws justifiable?

No they were not justifiable. That is why i took no notice of them. Who seriously thought that walking around with a flimsy ill fitting mask on was going to prevent the spread of Covid?

 

[Bikeman78]

So, basically, the government via these parties were telling us (subconciously?) that covid restrictions were totally unnecessary and wouldn't work? Because if they did work, why didn't they do the same as us??

I feel that two lots of four months have been taken away from my life totally unnecessarily now, especially as the first immediately followed the death of my surviving parent and I needed people and places to go to. Nope - stuck inside with just mourning to company me.

Totally agree. They obviously weren't worried about the virus on a personal level. Some of them don't strike me as particularly fit and healthy yet they all survived.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Apr 2022 ==

Who seriously thought that walking around with a flimsy ill fitting mask on was going to prevent the spread of Covid?

The Germans don't even allow cloth masks because they don't think they're any good. So I was literally wasting my time wearing the stupid thing in 2020.

 

[greyman42]

Totally agree. They obviously weren't worried about the virus on a personal level. Some of them don't strike me as particularly fit and healthy yet they all survived.

The virus had a survival rate of around 99.9% so there was never any reason to get worried in my opinion.
The people who seemed to worry the most were the people at the BBC and SKY News and the mad scientists that they used to bring on their programmes.

 

[nw1]

The trouble is we're really in the territory of having to choose which leg to have cut off.

I find myself watching the news just now seeing both Sunak and Johnson and thinking "for God's sake man, go". But Labour have their own issues too, and then there's the question of who replaces Johnson.

Who on earth do we vote for?

Without wanting to drag this too OT, I can personally answer that easily due to some strong opinions I have on non-Covid issues.

 

[AlterEgo]

Is it any different to, say, dementia friendly screenings of films or films with subtitles in cinemas? I can't imagine that they're that profitable but cinemas still try to arrange them (at least pre-pandemic anyway!) for those that would benefit from them. I note that she isn't saying that all theatre shows should be socially distanced with face coverings but that a separate performance with those arrangements should be available for those that feel they would benefit from it.

I don't see the difference personally, agreed. If they do one performance a week with mandatory masks then sure, what harm does that do?

 

[Richard Scott]

I don't see the difference personally, agreed. If they do one performance a week with mandatory masks then sure, what harm does that do?

It panders to pointless fears, we should be helping people overcome this, if there was a point then would support it but some people need a bit of tough love at the moment otherwise they'll be snowflakes for the rest of their lives.

 

[VauxhallandI]

It panders to pointless fears, we should be helping people overcome this, if there was a point then would support it but some people need a bit of tough love at the moment otherwise they'll be snowflakes for the rest of their lives.

Agree, it’s normalising myths

 

[OldandRambling]

It is strange to read that so many folk don't listen to experts, scientists, doctors, etc.

Darwin must be having a quiet chuckle to himself...