Corona Virus: How Are We Doing?

[SkipdiverJohn]

I seem to get the impression that those most likely to invoke the blitz spirit also seem the least likely to actually put in the effort it takes to follow it.

Following a true blitz spirit would entail simply ignoring the virus and just getting on with everyday life as normal. But that's not what those promoting a "national effort" want at all. What they want is for everyone to buy into staying away from each other, not going to work, school or uni, and not socialising freely. There's nothing "blitz spirit" about being a miserable doom monger.

 

[fossyant]

So what you're really saying is you don't like having to wear a mask, so won't wear one for anything other than essential food shopping. The government are causing the economic damage by mandating masks, not the general population. They didn't have to mandate masks, and doing so is unlikely to make any meaningful difference to virus infection rates anyway. It was only pandering to the noisy virtue-signalling elements in the media who demand that the government "do something"
The only problem is the "something" makes going shopping an unpleasant experience so drives customers away from making discretionary purchases.

I do wear a mask, but because it's unpleasant, and I can't see through steaming up my glasses, I restrict what shopping I do. Blame the government, but if too many carry on doing as they please, we will only get more and more restrictions - it's up to us all to follow the guidance otherwise Boris and the boys will impose more civil restrictions - you must be able to understand why everyone is getting angry - rule of 6 now, kiss goodbye to family Christmas then.

Just because the virus is unlikely to affect some people, just think what it's doing to others. What about all the folk that are in care homes - due to infection rates, they aren't even allowed to see family - we were stopped from seeing MIL because of non-compliance in other areas, which then forced our area into tighter restrictions. My wife was in tears again yesterday. Went to see her mum, but before her was an old chap in a wheelchair, sat with his 'daughter' in the car park, with their relative inside the building. They had to 'phone her' so they could hear what she had to say, then pass the phone between each other. The visitors were sat outside in the rain and cold - one visit a week for 20 minutes. This is because folk can't follow rules.

 

[vickster]

I do wear a mask, but because it's unpleasant, and I can't see through steaming up my glasses, I restrict what shopping I do.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/newsbeat-53406105

 

[matticus]

I'm going out spending my money, but I'm social distancing - it's not rocket science. Bring back the virus back home, and mum and dad then have to isolate and take time off work, and possibly pass it on to their parents. Because of not socially distancing, the infection rates are going up, so the government starts shutting businesses down - tell that to the businesses in Bolton - had folk followed rules, they would be still open - you can't run a pub or restaurant profitably as a take away. Poof, those businesses will be gone as furlough stops soon.

Having just come out of 'restrictions' in my area, it's seriously 'hissing' me off. Just wait till your area goes on lockdown, you won't be going to the pub, they will all have gone bust.

That's a good description of the balance we need to strike. We DO need to take precautions, but we DO need to keep many aspects of "normal" life going.

(You say "it's not rocket science"; well .... I don't think anyone knows the correct balance between maintaining healthy social/economic activity and pandemic control. Rocket science on the other hand is very well tried, tested and understood! )

 

[matticus]

"I do wear a mask, but because it's unpleasant, and I can't see through steaming up my glasses, I restrict what shopping I do "

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/newsbeat-53406105

Thanks, but 6/10; techniques shown for cleaning glasses will result in lots of scratched glasses

(and I've tried the "tuck" method - made almost no difference)

 

[vickster]

Thanks, but 6/10; techniques shown for cleaning glasses will result in lots of scratched glasses

Mine are anyhow

 

[All uphill]

Those youngsters who are going out socialising and spending their money should be applauded not vilified. They are doing their bit to keep the economy afloat and prevent millions more people ending up on the dole. It's the lockdowners who are causing businesses to close, people to lose their jobs, and eroding the government tax revenue that they need to be able to run public services.
The young socialisers are not even causing any real problem either except in the minds of the lockdown zealots. Hardly any youngsters who get the virus are being hospitalised or even becoming that ill. The burden they place on the NHS is peanuts compared with the amount they are supporting the economy.

Time you started buying new bikes to support the economy, John. 😋

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Following a true blitz spirit would entail simply ignoring the virus and just getting on with everyday life as normal.

Blitz civilian deaths were estimated at 43,000.

COVID deaths are estimated around the 60,000.

COVID has already killed more, and would kill 5-10x more again without taking measures against it.

During the Blitz, massive efforts were taken to reduce loss of life, including mass evacuation.

 

[DaveReading]

Hardly any youngsters who get the virus are being hospitalised or even becoming that ill.

Well that's all good, then, nothing to worry about.

 

[winjim]

TBH I think I've spent more locally during lockdown/quarantine/isolation/whatever than I usually do. Mainly takeaway food and groceries but it's been nice to have the time to shop locally.

 

[winjim]

Rocket science on the other hand is very well tried, tested and understood!

Indeed, largely by German scientists during the war against the UK, ironically given our discussion of 'Blitz spirit'.

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

Well that's all good, then, nothing to worry about.

For the healthy population, it really isn't anything to worry about, and for the peak socialising 20/30-something age groups it won't generally be any worse than getting a cold. You wouldn't have an absurd destructive shutdown to try to limit the numbers getting a cold or regular seasonal Flu, so why is it justified for coronavirus?
There's plenty of high risk people out there who really don't want to be infected, but they know who they are so should minimise contact, and the rest of us with high risk friends and relatives can do our bit by staying away from them.
Think of the population as two "bubbles", a low risk one and a high risk one. The two groups need to try not to mix with the other group too much, but there's no reason to avoid mixing within their own group. A high infection rate amongst the low risk population won't translate into high numbers of hospitalisations and deaths, and an ever increasing level of immunity will reduce the danger of the virus spreading to high risk people.as it's transmission route will become less and less efficient.

 

[raleighnut]

For the healthy population, it really isn't anything to worry about, and for the peak socialising 20/30-something age groups it won't generally be any worse than getting a cold. You wouldn't have an absurd destructive shutdown to try to limit the numbers getting a cold or regular seasonal Flu, so why is it justified for coronavirus?
There's plenty of high risk people out there who really don't want to be infected, but they know who they are so should minimise contact, and the rest of us with high risk friends and relatives can do our bit by staying away from them.
Think of the population as two "bubbles", a low risk one and a high risk one. The two groups need to try not to mix with the other group too much, but there's no reason to avoid mixing within their own group. A high infection rate amongst the low risk population won't translate into high numbers of hospitalisations and deaths, and an ever increasing level of immunity will reduce the danger of the virus spreading to high risk people.as it's transmission route will become less and less efficient.

So you're happy for older people to die then. Face masks do not protect the wearer from catching Covid 19, what they do is limit the chances of a fit carrier (who may not have any symptoms) from passing it on to the more vulnerable'

 

[Rezillo]

Blitz civilian deaths were estimated at 43,000.

COVID deaths are estimated around the 60,000.

COVID has already killed more, and would kill 5-10x more again without taking measures against it.

During the Blitz, massive efforts were taken to reduce loss of life, including mass evacuation.

Don't forget blackout blinds. Surely no-one could be so selfish as to endanger the lives of others through their own inaction by not taking such a simple precaution. Oh...wait a minute.......

 

[Mugshot]

During the Blitz, massive efforts were taken to reduce loss of life, including mass evacuation.

Yeah, but no one was asked to wear a mask were they, so... oh wait, hang on...