"Covid rising in England" - let's stop the fear mongering

[Eyersey468]

You might wish to express your view that Covid "doesn't exist " to the families and friends of those who passed away during the pandemic...and to the NHS staff who had to deal with the effects on patients.

I fail to see how a reported rise in infections can be classed as "scaremongering " or inducing fear, or indeed any term which is intended to negate a virus which has not simply disappeared as a result of vaccines being developed to counteract it.

I recently had day op surgery. Before I could even get past the ward admissions desk, I had to have an LFT. After that, included in the "what could go wrong " overview the possibility of contracting Covid was mentioned.

All the medical staff throughout the hospital wore masks but, it was noticeable how many visitors / patients seen walking in the corridors didn't. I am one of a seemingly dwindling number who still, and will continue to, wear one in supermarkets / shops and indeed anywhere that it is prudent to do so.

As others have said nobody is saying Covid doesn't exist BUT there are lots of other things that Covid to deal with. I for one am sick of only Covid seeming to matter to some people, never mind the people whose other treatments got suspended for so long, the damage to children's education, the damage to mental health that has been done over the last 2 years etc etc. I suspect the damage that has been done to children's education over the last 2 years may never be fully repaired. To be clear though I am NOT accusing you of being one of the people who only Covid matters to

 

[ainsworth74]

I suspect the damage that has been done to children's education over the last 2 years may never be fully repaired.

I suspect it will depend on where they are in their education. I'm a Governor at a Primary School and we're fairly confident of getting them all caught up, probably not Y6 as we've only had them back in properly for a year, but Y5 downwards? Quietly confident. But obviously there's still years left in their formal education even after they leave us to give them time to catch up. If its young people who should have been doing GCSEs or A-Levels? Or University students? Yeah I think they're just going to live with the damage that was done to their education as they're so close to the end of, or have even finished, their education that there just isn't time left.

Whatever happens this autumn/winter it is completely unconscionable that we'll close schools and disrupt education. I'd argue sat here today that any restrictions would be unconscionable but my opinion might be movable on that depending on how things go. But I have a bright red line in the sand when it comes to children and young peoples education. It has to be protected this time.

 

[gabrielhj07]

I suspect it will depend on where they are in their education. I'm a Governor at a Primary School and we're fairly confident of getting them all caught up, probably not Y6 as we've only had them back in properly for a year, but Y5 downwards? Quietly confident. But obviously there's still years left in their formal education even after they leave us to give them time to catch up. If its young people who should have been doing GCSEs or A-Levels? Or University students? Yeah I think they're just going to live with the damage that was done to their education as they're so close to the end of, or have even finished, their education that there just isn't time left.

Whatever happens this autumn/winter it is completely unconscionable that we'll close schools and disrupt education. I'd argue sat here today that any restrictions would be unconscionable but my opinion might be movable on that depending on how things go. But I have a bright red line in the sand when it comes to children and young peoples education. It has to be protected this time.

I think the impact on education has been severe. Students presently sitting A-Levels will have just completed their first full year of education since Yr10.

 

[ainsworth74]

I think the impact on education has been severe. Students presently sitting A-Levels will have just completed their first full year of education since Yr10.

Yes exactly. I think at that end of things the damage to young people's education will not be made up and we and they are going to have to live with that. But further down I think the impacts have also been severe but there's enough time left during their education for that damage to be made good.

 

[DustyBin]

I suspect it will depend on where they are in their education. I'm a Governor at a Primary School and we're fairly confident of getting them all caught up, probably not Y6 as we've only had them back in properly for a year, but Y5 downwards? Quietly confident. But obviously there's still years left in their formal education even after they leave us to give them time to catch up. If its young people who should have been doing GCSEs or A-Levels? Or University students? Yeah I think they're just going to live with the damage that was done to their education as they're so close to the end of, or have even finished, their education that there just isn't time left.

Whatever happens this autumn/winter it is completely unconscionable that we'll close schools and disrupt education. I'd argue sat here today that any restrictions would be unconscionable but my opinion might be movable on that depending on how things go. But I have a bright red line in the sand when it comes to children and young peoples education. It has to be protected this time.

I agree with you totally (except that in my opinion restrictions would be unconscionable full stop).

It’s not just disruption to education that has caused, and continues to cause, children to suffer. Restrictions have decimated the economy and as per usual those with the least suffer the most, including families with children. Then there’s the longer term economic outlook; what will children do when they leave school/further education if there are few(er) employment opportunities?

I really can’t envisage any kind of remotely realistic scenario whereby restrictions and the resultant damage to society could possibly be justified.

 

[duncanp]

It hasn't taken the locktivists and maskivists long to latch on to the rise in cases.

Note that Linda Bauld says a return to COVID restrictions is not currently needed.

But she also says

But we do need to be aware that we might be heading into another few weeks where it's more common for people to become infected with this virus.

In other words, in a few weeks time I will be banging the drum about COVID restrictions and indulging in a bit of unjustified COVID bedwetting and scaremongering, in order to try and panic the government into reintroducing some measures. Just give me time to get my story right, and liaise with Devi Sridhar and Comrade Michie.

Elsewhere in the article, Jillian Evans, head of "health intelligence" at NHS Grampian says

We should be concerned about this and be vigilant. There are individual actions we can take and mask-wearing in crowded situations indoors is one of them."

Give it a rest maskivists. Do you really think that the flimsy face nappies most people wear are going to make the slightest bit of difference.

In some ways this mirrors the situation last summer, when no sooner were COVID restrictions lifted, than all the locktivist and maskivist bores started calling for them to be reintroduced again.

But as I said earlier, there really is no appetite for further restrictions, and as long as Boris Johnson is still Primer Minister there is no chance that any restrictions will happen. Even if Boris is replaced, there is no mood amongst Conservative MPs for any more restrictions, and they will make sure that any future leader is aware of this.

Covid in Scotland: No return to restrictions and panic, health experts say

The national clinical director and other experts say no need for restrictions over the current Covid variant.

www.bbc.co.uk

Covid in Scotland: No return to restrictions and panic, health expert says​

A return to Covid restrictions is not currently needed as infection rates rise in Scotland, a leading public health expert has said.
Office for National Statistics (ONS) data released on Friday estimated that about one person in 40 had the virus.
Professor Linda Bauld said there was no need for the "old days of restrictions and panic" with the current variant.
The rise was mostly in adults in their 30s and 40s but there was no evidence vaccines had stopped working, she said.
The latest ONS figures showed an increase from one case in every 50 people in Scotland the previous week.

They also showed small increases in cases in England and Northern Ireland last week, although the virus continues to be less prevalent there than in Scotland.
It is estimated that one in 70 people has the virus in England, compared to one in 65 in Northern Ireland and one in 75 in Wales.
Prof Bauld, a public health expert from the University of Edinburgh, told BBC Radio's Good Moring Scotland programme the message was "be alert but certainly don't panic".
"There is absolutely no evidence that our vaccines have stopped working. We know that they confer good protection and [with] some parts of our immune response that's a longer-term level of protection," she said.
"So we're not going back to the old days of restrictions and panic with this variant we have now. But we do need to be aware that we might be heading into another few weeks where it's more common for people to become infected with this virus."

Prof Bauld said the current rise in cases was highest in people in mid-life or their 30s and 40s, and added: "If we see infections in that group, it might spread into others."
A significant increase could lead to "much stronger advice about wearing face coverings" in busy public places such as buses and trains, she added.
Omicron BA.1 caused a surge in infections across the UK in December and early January, while BA.4 and BA.5 are newer variants that were recently classified by the UK Health Security Agency as "variants of concern".
Analysis has found both of the newer variants are likely to have a "growth advantage" over other strains.

'Bad for the economy and workplaces'​

Jillian Evans, head of health intelligence at NHS Grampian, told BBC Scotland there was a risk that people who had not had a booster jab for many months "may not be as protected as they could be".
She said it was "right for people to be concerned about this and we should be vigilant".
"The most important thing, when you start to see infection numbers rise, is to be prepared for that. Getting up to date with your vaccination is probably the best thing you can do right now," she said.
"Rising infections means that more people will become ill. Some of them will hopefully just shrug it off after a number of days. Many won't and many people are suffering much longer now with long Covid."
Ms Evans added: "That's bad for individual health, but it's also bad for the economy and workplaces with constant disruption.
"We should be concerned about this and be vigilant. There are individual actions we can take and mask-wearing in crowded situations indoors is one of them."

 

[Class 33]

We need to get over once and for all this annual fear narrative that "restrictions(and even a lockdown) could return this autumn/winter"!!!! In the autumn/winter of 2020 what happened was a complete and utter overblown over-reaction farce, with the 2nd national lockdown, the ridiculous Tiers lockdown/restrictions system, then the 3rd national lockdown which dragged on for months, along with the ridiculous mandatory face mask and social distancing restrictions/laws nonsense continuing to drag on and on. In the autumn/winter of 2021 it wasn't nowhere near as bad as the previous year, as there was no lockdown(though it was perilously close to happening) and only really the mandatory face mask nonsense returning for 2 months. So far this year, we have had no restrictions returning. And it needs to stay that way for the rest of the year and beyond that. We really don't need any of that over-reaction nonsense ever coming back again. Then hopefully we can finally ditch once and for all this annual fear narrative that restrictions(and even a lockdown) could return this autumn/winter!

 

[kez19]

We need to get over once and for all this annual fear narrative that "restrictions(and even a lockdown) could return this autumn/winter"!!!! In the autumn/winter of 2020 what happened was a complete and utter overblown over-reaction farce, with the 2nd national lockdown, the ridiculous Tiers lockdown/restrictions system, then the 3rd national lockdown which dragged on for months, along with the ridiculous mandatory face mask and social distancing restrictions/laws nonsense continuing to drag on and on. In the autumn/winter of 2021 it wasn't nowhere near as bad as the previous year, as there was no lockdown(though it was perilously close to happening) and only really the mandatory face mask nonsense returning for 2 months. So far this year, we have had no restrictions returning. And it needs to stay that way for the rest of the year and beyond that. We really don't need any of that over-reaction nonsense ever coming back again. Then hopefully we can finally ditch once and for all this annual fear narrative that restrictions(and even a lockdown) could return this autumn/winter!

I agree with this statement, but we should know by now who were pushing for things and they got what they wanted, I do hope tables will turn and at least the public are waking up to this.

The reality of this situation was that this was media own fear porn/reality show from the outset - they don’t care if lives are lost or someone loses their job/livelihood as I say it’s all been about ratings/clickbaiting.

Also let’s look at the scare stories, they always mentioned the negatives but no positive stories I wonder why? (I still see no one can answer that but in todays present situation what is the media doing right now unrelated to COVID?… the same negativity), very few positive stories get through or is that the idea? As I’ve said in my own belief question things than take everything as face value, connect the dots then it’ll fall into place.

 

[Jonny]

We need to get over once and for all this annual fear narrative that "restrictions(and even a lockdown) could return this autumn/winter"!!!! In the autumn/winter of 2020 what happened was a complete and utter overblown over-reaction farce, with the 2nd national lockdown, the ridiculous Tiers lockdown/restrictions system, then the 3rd national lockdown which dragged on for months, along with the ridiculous mandatory face mask and social distancing restrictions/laws nonsense continuing to drag on and on. In the autumn/winter of 2021 it wasn't nowhere near as bad as the previous year, as there was no lockdown(though it was perilously close to happening) and only really the mandatory face mask nonsense returning for 2 months. So far this year, we have had no restrictions returning. And it needs to stay that way for the rest of the year and beyond that. We really don't need any of that over-reaction nonsense ever coming back again. Then hopefully we can finally ditch once and for all this annual fear narrative that restrictions(and even a lockdown) could return this autumn/winter!

The last set of restrictions was ridiculous, especially with its activity-based exemptions (in England) that said you had to wear a mask in a place of worship but remove it for singing. At the part where it is most important, the mask becomes optional.

 

[kez19]

The last set of restrictions was ridiculous, especially with its activity-based exemptions (in England) that said you had to wear a mask in a place of worship but remove it for singing. At the part where it is most important, the mask becomes optional.

But that’s the thing (well I remember in Scotland) singing wasn’t allowed. I agree regardless it was ridiculous but come on do people now not realise they were taken as fools by the politicians and the media?

Let’s also remember the masks in the parliaments (they didn’t last long did they compared to the public doing it? This is meant not just at Westminster but Holyrood as well), public been hoodwinked.

 

[Eyersey468]

We need to get over once and for all this annual fear narrative that "restrictions(and even a lockdown) could return this autumn/winter"!!!! In the autumn/winter of 2020 what happened was a complete and utter overblown over-reaction farce, with the 2nd national lockdown, the ridiculous Tiers lockdown/restrictions system, then the 3rd national lockdown which dragged on for months, along with the ridiculous mandatory face mask and social distancing restrictions/laws nonsense continuing to drag on and on. In the autumn/winter of 2021 it wasn't nowhere near as bad as the previous year, as there was no lockdown(though it was perilously close to happening) and only really the mandatory face mask nonsense returning for 2 months. So far this year, we have had no restrictions returning. And it needs to stay that way for the rest of the year and beyond that. We really don't need any of that over-reaction nonsense ever coming back again. Then hopefully we can finally ditch once and for all this annual fear narrative that restrictions(and even a lockdown) could return this autumn/winter!

Agree 100%

 

[Yew]

Yes it is. But you’re still free to go and work abroad if you’re able to show you’re worth it to that country - why should that ability be an inalienable right for anyone?

I do not have the right to work in the EU, this is something that we automatically granted by being a member of the European Economic Area (EEA). This organisation is not the EU, and membership of of it was never the subject of any vote apart from the one to join in the '70's.

It doesn't matter how much the far-right xenophobes scream about a "proper Brexit" - the ballot paper didn't describe Farrages' delusional vision, it was strictly limited to the European Union, and nothing else - no EEA, no ECHR, no Shanghai Fugu Agreement. If you let the incessant drivel of a posh Toff pretending to be working class override the basic principles of reading comprehension, then that is your problem.

Quite simply, the idea that "well we're not preventing you from leaving" is a phrase with in this context is broadly synonymous with "well we're not as bad as North Korea". When de facto many people with lower incomes and levels of skill will be excluded from living and working in the EU, due to the expensive and onerous requirements.

You should also view the Brexit vote as an expression of my “right” to not see the country my grandfathers fought for,

Rights are specifically granted under the law, under which law is the right you speak of granted?

and my great great grandfather copped a bullet for on the Somme,

I bleleive it's almost impossible for you to say this with any degree of authority what his motivations were. Indeed, some of the first steps towards standardisation in Europe were actually part of the Treaty of Versailles. And indeed, Churchill himself called for a "United States of Europe".

and my great great grandfather copped a bullet for on the Somme, to be subsumed into some bloated, failed European political suerstate, with “ever closer union” mentioned in the preamble to the Treaty of Rome.

Let me remind you that non of these concerns are attributed to membership of the EEA, under which the right of freedom of movement is granted.

 

[nw1]

Yes it is. But you’re still free to go and work abroad if you’re able to show you’re worth it to that country - why should that ability be an inalienable right for anyone?

Because we formerly had it for many years (since at least the early 90s; not sure exactly what the rights were from 1973-92 though) - so removing that right is a backwards, regressive step. (It's probably best to move to the Brexit thread to continue this discussion, though )

It's also not libertarian in the least; quite the opposite, restrictions on where you can work are a perfect example of the big-state bureaucracy and authoritarianism frequently complained about (often justifiably) in Covid threads such as this. Just, IMO, like some of the sillier Covid restrictions (curfews, restricting walks to one hour, criminalisation of being more than 5 miles/5km from your house, criminalisation of drinking a takeaway coffee outdoors, etc), and, to get back to the subject of the thread, the promotion of excessive fear about Covid in mid-2022 and beyond.

 

[David M]

The number of qualified virologists using a rail forum is quite astounding.
Covid cases ARE rising in England and many cases appear to be of yet more variants.
I can't see why this is scaremongering when it's factual.
More people died through Covid last week in the UK than died in the same week last year - fact.
Whilst I don't want a return to lockdowns, wearing proper FFP2 masks seems not unreasonable on public transport or in supermarkets.
What I do want to see is an immediate roll out of a further booster jag for everyone as current vaccines effectiveness severely reduce after 6 months.
So, yes, I understand the desire to remain in 'normality' but, no, I still can't understand the UK Government's stance of the pandemic is over - it isn't.

 

[scarby]

Whilst I don't want a return to lockdowns, wearing proper FFP2 masks seems not unreasonable on public transport or in supermarkets.

Why is it reasonable when it appears to make no material difference to the outcome in the spread of the virus? Germany's outcome with the virus looks almost identical to Sweden, where mask-wearing has always been very thin on the ground and is now almost non-existent.

If someone said it was not unreasonable for everyone to strap a cushion across their chest in addition to wearing a sealtbelt, would you do it?

I don't think it is reasonable for people to be forced to wear masks. It creates a dystopian and hostile environment where it is enforced, it is impossible to smile at people or use facial expressions to communicate and it makes people sound as if they are mumbling when they speak. They are uncomfortable to wear, they make glasses steam up constantly, and they are bad for the environment.

Please provide evidence to show where mask wearing has made a material difference to stemming the spread of the virus.

 

[nw1]

The number of qualified virologists using a rail forum is quite astounding.
Covid cases ARE rising in England and many cases appear to be of yet more variants.
I can't see why this is scaremongering when it's factual.
More people died through Covid last week in the UK than died in the same week last year - fact.
Whilst I don't want a return to lockdowns, wearing proper FFP2 masks seems not unreasonable on public transport or in supermarkets.
What I do want to see is an immediate roll out of a further booster jag for everyone as current vaccines effectiveness severely reduce after 6 months.
So, yes, I understand the desire to remain in 'normality' but, no, I still can't understand the UK Government's stance of the pandemic is over - it isn't.

But will remaining under constant fear of Covid - at this stage - cause more damage, longer-term, than returning to normal?

 

[Stephen42]

Also let’s look at the scare stories, they always mentioned the negatives but no positive stories I wonder why? (I still see no one can answer that but in todays present situation what is the media doing right now unrelated to COVID?… the same negativity), very few positive stories get through or is that the idea? As I’ve said in my own belief question things than take everything as face value, connect the dots then it’ll fall into place.

This isn't true at least for the BBC article linked in the original post. They produce an article most weeks including when the numbers are going down (first six words are links to similar BBC write ups of ONS covid surveys over the past months when infections were decreasing).

On the original article it's not worth getting worked up about, nothing will change for the vast majority of people and infections are still several times lower than the end of March.

 

[Eyersey468]

Whilst I don't want a return to lockdowns, wearing proper FFP2 masks seems not unreasonable on public transport or in supermarkets.
What I do want to see is an immediate roll out of a further booster jag for everyone as current vaccines effectiveness severely reduce after 6 months.

If mask wearing is so important then why did infection rates rise after they were mandated?
How many boosters do you want people to have? We can't sustainably give everyone boosters for it every 6-9 months for the rest of time.

 

[Freightmaster]

Whilst I don't want a return to lockdowns, wearing proper FFP2 masks seems not unreasonable on public transport or in supermarkets.

There is absolutely nothing stopping immunocompromised/vulnerable people from wearing a 'proper' mask in those situations;
surely you are not suggesting that everyone should wear one??

So, yes, I understand the desire to remain in 'normality' but, no, I still can't understand the UK Government's stance of the pandemic is over - it isn't.

They think it's all over...






MARK

 

[yorkie]

The number of qualified virologists using a rail forum is quite astounding.

If you see anything that you feel is incorrect, please quote it and let us know what your view is.

I don't think anyone here is claiming to be a virologist?

Covid cases ARE rising in England and many cases appear to be of yet more variants.

Of course cases will rise and of course the virus will continue to evolve and adapt; this is absolutely in line with expectations.

I can't see why this is scaremongering when it's factual.

Why are there not similar news articles regarding increases in circulation of other viruses such as influenza?

More people died through Covid last week in the UK than died in the same week last year - fact.

How many people are dying of Covid, rather than with Covid, right now? And did you make similar references during periods of high influenza deaths?

Whilst I don't want a return to lockdowns, wearing proper FFP2 masks seems not unreasonable on public transport or in supermarkets.

That is entirely your choice to make; if you wear a tight fitting FFP2/3 mask, and you store/handle/replace it in line with instructions, you may be able to delay exposure to SARS-CoV-2.

What I do want to see is an immediate roll out of a further booster jag for everyone as current vaccines effectiveness severely reduce after 6 months.

How are you measuring vaccine effectiveness? Are you measuring it against infection, mild illness, or severe illness?

Do you have any evidence that vaccines are not effective against severe disease?

Also you make reference to virologists, but are you aware that some of the best virologists in the world accept that, once we have been vaccinated, exposure to the virus will act as a booster and that the vaccines remain effective?

https://twitter.com/profvrr/status/1428353084170792964

Science tells us that most Americans do not need a COVID-19 vaccine booster (1/3) 1. With time, vaccine-induced antibodies wane but the same happens with all vaccines and infections.

2. It is not correct to conclude that COVID vaccine efficiency is waning. What is going down is protection against infection. Most human vaccines do not prevent infection. (2/3)

3. Results of studies have shown that despite waning antibody levels, most fully vaccinated people are protected against severe disease, hospitalization, and death. What we need to do is get everyone fully vaccinated! (3/3)

So, yes, I understand the desire to remain in 'normality'

In that case, what are you disagreeing with?

but, no, I still can't understand the UK Government's stance of the pandemic is over - it isn't.

How do you define the pandemic being over?

You do realise there are multiple pandemics going on right now, don't you?

 

[kez19]

This isn't true at least for the BBC article linked in the original post. They produce an article most weeks including when the numbers are going down (first six words are links to similar BBC write ups of ONS covid surveys over the past months when infections were decreasing).

On the original article it's not worth getting worked up about, nothing will change for the vast majority of people and infections are still several times lower than the end of March.

Point being was they don’t broadcast it they publish it instead, anytime I have watched news be BBC ITV let alone Sky it’s always been a negative story, cases rising but when it drops nothing let alone whilst people may not have liked RT to me they had it balanced none of this over the top over reaction.

I am generally tired of news media in the UK rather than clickbaiting actually be truthful with headlines?

 

[Eyersey468]

My understanding was that it is the production of antibodies which drops after a few months but the memory of the virus is still in the immune system

 

[Hans]

The point being missed by all these reports of rising cases is in fact it is a rise in the number of positive tests. A positive test which can be on a person without any symptoms. A positive test which run at a high number of cycles so will pick up residue of any previous coronavirus infection.

Respiratory viruses up until 2020 were treated on symptoms alone if a person went to a GP or admitted to hospital, there was no need or point in testing. It should be no different now. Whilst people are obsessed with testing there will always be the obsession with the number of "covid cases". Many people state they must be tested for covid before any operation in hospital and yet there are no tests for other viruses or infections which are far worse than covid.

The same applies for travelling - as long as people produced a negative test all was well (or having had a vaccine) - nobody was interested if you happened to have any other infectious disease.

While all this testing and reporting of so called variants and waves, the country will continue to suffer economically and more people will die from other illnesses due to the obsession with all things covid.

 

[DustyBin]

My understanding was that it is the production of antibodies which drops after a few months but the memory of the virus is still in the immune system

This is of course correct, and is a perfectly satisfactory situation when it comes to any endemic virus other than SARS-CoV-2 for some reason.

I do find it amusing when people make disparaging remarks about others, whilst at the same time demonstrating their own absolute cluelessness……

 

[Ediswan]

A positive test which run at a high number of cycles so will pick up residue of any previous coronavirus infection.

Do we know that PCR tests are currently being run with a high enough number of cycles to make them that sensitive ? The official documentation I could find is evasive. Others may have had more luck.

 

[Richard Scott]

Whilst I don't want a return to lockdowns, wearing proper FFP2 masks seems not unreasonable on public transport or in supermarkets.
What I do want to see is an immediate roll out of a further booster jag for everyone as current vaccines effectiveness severely reduce after 6 months.

No wearing FFP2s is unreasonable, my breathing issues makes them nigh on impossible to wear for anything other than a few minutes so my life, and others like me, have to radically change our lives because some think it's reasonable? More boosters, why? Those who are likely to benefit are having them, for everyone else a total waste of money, especially at a time where we are all having to cut back with rising costs, you'll happily throw money at something that we just have to live either? Money does not grow on trees and governments are not bottomless pits of cash, they only have our money to spend and when it runs out that's it.

 

[Class 33]

Whilst I don't want a return to lockdowns, wearing proper FFP2 masks seems not unreasonable on public transport or in supermarkets.

NO NO NO!! We really do NOT need the return of mandatory face masks ANYWHERE again! This nonsense shouldn't have even been brought in in the first place! We had to endure this nonsense for over a year from June 2020 to July 2021. I found this long period of mandatory face masks(along with the social distancing nonsense) thoroughly thoroughly depressing. It really effected my mental health. Seeing all these people wearing horrible face masks on buses, trains, in supermarkets, etc, etc. Along with all those stupid notices saying "You must wear a face mask"(and similar wording) and those cartoon heads wearing face masks, and all those stupid PA announcements keep going off in supermarkets, on buses, trains, etc. Drove me absolutely mad. I was so glad when that mandatory face mask and social distancing nonsense finally ended on 19th July. When I thought that would be the last of that. Then it was announced in a Covid Press Conference with the doom trio Johnson, Whitty and Valance on Saturday 28th November that mandatory face masks would be returning again 2 days later!!! Watching that press conference that evening, I took it really badly and felt suicidal as I really couldn't bear the thought of all that depressing nonsense coming back again for however long. There are many other people whose mental health were effected by these ridiculous damaging restrictions too. So NO NO NO, mandatory face masks must NEVER return. Good riddance to that nonsense!!

 

[Eyersey468]

NO NO NO!! We really do NOT need the return of mandatory face masks ANYWHERE again! This nonsense shouldn't have even been brought in in the first place! We had to endure this nonsense for over a year from June 2020 to July 2021. I found this long period of mandatory face masks(along with the social distancing nonsense) thoroughly thoroughly depressing. It really effected my mental health. Seeing all these people wearing horrible face masks on buses, trains, in supermarkets, etc, etc. Along with all those stupid notices saying "You must wear a face mask"(and similar wording) and those cartoon heads wearing face masks, and all those stupid PA announcements keep going off in supermarkets, on buses, trains, etc. Drove me absolutely mad. I was so glad when that mandatory face mask and social distancing nonsense finally ended on 19th July. When I thought that would be the last of that. Then it was announced in a Covid Press Conference with the doom trio Johnson, Whitty and Valance on Saturday 28th November that mandatory face masks would be returning again 2 days later!!! Watching that press conference that evening, I took it really badly and felt suicidal as I really couldn't bear the thought of all that depressing nonsense coming back again for however long. There are many other people whose mental health were effected by these ridiculous damaging restrictions too. So NO NO NO, mandatory face masks must NEVER return. Good riddance to that nonsense!!

Completely agree

 

[yorkie]

FFP3 masks - if correctly worn, fitted, stored and replaced regularly - are almost 100% effective (and FFP2 masks, less so but are still pretty good) at preventing exposure to viruses, so if @David M or anyone else doesn't trust the vaccines sufficiently to return to normal life, they are welcome to wear such a mask whenever they are in proximity to any other person, to avoid exposure to the virus.

It would, however, completely unreasonable to impose this on anyone else; it's also completely unnecessary as anyone who distrusts vaccines is able to protect themselves by wearing such a mask and it makes absolutely no difference to them what other people are doing.

Such masks are not cheap and, if only worn for the recommended duration before being replaced, depending on how often someone comes into proximity to others, this could be very costly.

That said, unless someone completely withdraws from public life (and they'd also need to not only live alone but not visit friends or family members) they are going to be exposed to Sars-CoV-2 eventually, no matter how 'careful' they are.

Going back to comments regarding the impact relating to education, it will depend on many factors, such as the attitude of the parents, the school and local authority, the stage the child was at and their resilience, the ability of the school to provide alternative provision, the ability of the parents to support the child, and so much more. Some children have been far more affected than others. There will not be any further disruption to education; we can be absolutely confident of that. Anyone calling for it will not be listened to. The USA has been a basket case in this area.

 

[davews]

Completely agree

100% agree. When that November 2021 press conference came on, which I accidently heard on the radio, I broke down in tears so much so that the next door neighbour came round to check I was OK, she had heard me. The mental impact of masks is something that has been totally ignored during the whole sage, I can ensure you it is very very real.