Agree that the impact on single people who are basically fully isolated right now, or people like me who live with strangers rather than friends, is not being accounted for. It's well and good to say "oh its not so hard" from the comfort of a nice home with a garden and family and friends who you get along well with living right alongside you.

 

Many of us entered such living arrangements with the intention to not actually be in the house much of the time except to sleep in it & get ready in the morning.

 

In any case I'm sure we'll see some change soon simply because human nature is to, if no info is given, take a guess rather than waiting. If the government don't establish clear communication soon people will start just making an estimation themselves of what they can & can't do - and acting based on it.

I doubt lockdown will be lifted. Every day the daily briefings have had ministers and the medical officer state there are five things which need to happen before lifting lockdown and we aren’t near any of them. They repeatedly say easing too early would mean all the sacrifices made by locking down would be wasted.

Not completely, but it will ease. At least for people who are less vulnerable.

 

After some point the longer it goes on with no change the greater resentment will get.

Not completely, but it will ease. At least for people who are less vulnerable.

 

After some point the longer it goes on with no change the greater resentment will get.

That's what I worry about, what will happen the greater the resentment from some of the public.

Agree that the impact on single people who are basically fully isolated right now, or people like me who live with strangers rather than friends, is not being accounted for. It's well and good to say "oh its not so hard" from the comfort of a nice home with a garden and family and friends who you get along well with living right alongside you.

 

Many of us entered such living arrangements with the intention to not actually be in the house much of the time except to sleep in it & get ready in the morning.

 

In any case I'm sure we'll see some change soon simply because human nature is to, if no info is given, take a guess rather than waiting. If the government don't establish clear communication soon people will start just making an estimation themselves of what they can & can't do - and acting based on it.

 

I’m glad you are going through a similar experience to me on this. Whilst I appreciate the severity of coronavirus, my parents have already had it and recovered thankfully, it is extremely tough on single people and those who live with strangers to be isolated for this length of time.

 

I fully expected the 6 weeks lockdown to 7th May and I think I’ve mentally prepared myself for another 3 weeks after that but then I really thing people in these circumstances will start to get extremely restless and no longer follow the guidance.

 

I also think there is not enough discussion around this group of people and the impact it is having on them that a large amount of the young and healthy population are developing mental health problems. I’m generally a happy, outgoing person who lives life to the full but this has completely destroyed me.

 

I have been isolating since 12th March when I moved to home working and I don’t know how much more I can take to be honest.

I guess next week is week 6 of lockdown, probably been the most painful experience of my life mentally.

 

And agreed hard to put a timeframe on anything but I do find it baffling we have media reports no friends or family until December, no Christmas, no restaurants yet we have other countries who were more overwhelmed than us planning for these things Mid to late May it doesn’t really add up.

 

There will be old and leaked documents about, which is where some of the media are getting their information from. But quite simply the tabloids are all about clickbait so I wouls not trust any of them as far I could throw them.

 

If we wait until December to re-open resturaunts, unless the Government furlough the staff and owners there will not be a resturaunt industry. Quite simply imo the lockdown has been all about time to build up the capacity for a potential second wave whilst trying the upmost to stop the spread and manage the impact on the healthcare system. I have no doubt a lot of the restrictions will be eased in a few weeks, it might not be at the end of this lockdown period as I could see there being a 1-2 week extension depending on the data.

 

 

I’m glad you are going through a similar experience to me on this. Whilst I appreciate the severity of coronavirus, my parents have already had it and recovered thankfully, it is extremely tough on single people and those who live with strangers to be isolated for this length of time.

 

I fully expected the 6 weeks lockdown to 7th May and I think I’ve mentally prepared myself for another 3 weeks after that but then I really thing people in these circumstances will start to get extremely restless and no longer follow the guidance.

 

I also think there is not enough discussion around this group of people and the impact it is having on them that a large amount of the young and healthy population are developing mental health problems. I’m generally a happy, outgoing person who lives life to the full but this has completely destroyed me.

 

I have been isolating since 12th March when I moved to home working and I don’t know how much more I can take to be honest.

 

Quite right. For so many media commentators and people online too it seems to be just the latest excuse to, from the comfort of their full house they have all to themself, complain about "those millennials and YOUNG PEOPLE complaining about stupid things! Back in my day...."

 

When in actuality this an unprecedented situation that has never happened before in anyone's day, and nobody who lives in a shared house or lives isolated from other people they care about ever expected in their wildest dreams they'd be essentially house arrested by the government for months at a time.

 

That if they had imagined that would be the case, they probably wouldn't have entered that living situation in the first place.

Edited April 27, 20205 yr by fl00zy*

I'm very intrigued by how the UK is being reported in other countries right now. Has anyone seen anything?

 

http://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202004/2...50a3d187fe.html

http://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202004/2...50a3d188ee.html

http://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202004/2...50a3d1887c.html

 

China Daily is an interesting news source, it's aimed at foreigners within China and Chinese people learning English, it's about as liberal as a Chinese outlet is going to be (it's still very pro-China government where that matters as you'd expect, which is important to keep in mind when you read from there). Anyway, these three articles are based around Britain, the third one compares how Western Europe has fought the virus from a 'neutral' perspective, it mentions the German situation as being lauded while the UK's position is being questioned by critics, and the second notes that Hancock has faced criticism, and the first:

 

In the UK-much like in the US where certain voices in government want to shift the blame to China for their own failures-British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab stated recently that "business as usual" with Beijing cannot continue.

Two countries that failed to adequately prepare for COVID-19 now see fit to demonize China.

 

Make no mistake, the UK did very little to prepare. Even now, many of its citizens do not seem to be taking the situation seriously.

 

It is not inaccurate to say that the UK has experienced, like others in the West, a great deal of cultural complacency in its response to the pandemic.

 

The outbreak in China was not taken seriously. The situation was viewed as the product of an inferior ideology and culture that could not possibly happen in the UK. New viruses and diseases were seen by some as merely a product of inferior countries that had to learn from the West.

 

The evidence of this complacency is abundant. On reentering the UK at the beginning of March, one found no airport scanning or screenings and no health questionnaires. Anyone potentially carrying the virus could enter without checks.

 

People did not-and largely still do not-wear face masks, and many remain ambivalent on social distancing.

 

It is fair to say the coronavirus was never considered a real threat by many in Britain. When the pandemic did hit, the concept of herd immunity gained the upper hand for a while. By the time the government eventually took strict action, it was too late. The window from January to late March was filled with inaction.

 

Obviously this is on an issue where it's gotten the Chinese riled a bit as it's partly a response to the UK government starting to shift blame towards Beijing but that's scathing.

I read something over the weekend about restaurant owners saying they couldn’t make a profit if they had to introduce full social distancing measures. However, their calculations seemed to be based on an extreme assumption, including people at the same table having to remain two metres apart.

 

The lockdown is going to be harder to maintain as the weather improves. Seeing other countries gradually ease their lockdowns will indeed lead to a great deal of frustration here.

 

The government continues to deny that they are even thinking about what happens next. However, the comments in this thread show that they have a great deal of work to do in managing expectations.

As far as I understand, social distancing measures for 2m apart haven't been implemented here in the recovery stage, and restaurants are starting to reopen without strict limits, but still with some I assume.

 

The successful governments have been doing basically closed borders (unfortunate and hopefully not a long-term solution but it seems to work), strict isolation for anyone who comes into contact, supplemented by a wide system of tracing cases. Caveat that this seems to be best working in East Asian countries with a history of collectivism (meaning conscientiousness from the population) and isolated island nations.

 

That's what the UK should be looking at doing once the number of active cases comes under control, because it sort of assumes that most people aren't infected but they're keeping their vigilance high and not having unnecessary social contact.

I read something over the weekend about restaurant owners saying they couldn’t make a profit if they had to introduce full social distancing measures. However, their calculations seemed to be based on an extreme assumption, including people at the same table having to remain two metres apart.

 

The lockdown is going to be harder to maintain as the weather improves. Seeing other countries gradually ease their lockdowns will indeed lead to a great deal of frustration here.

 

The government continues to deny that they are even thinking about what happens next. However, the comments in this thread show that they have a great deal of work to do in managing expectations.

 

The denial that they are thinking about anything that happens next is the worst part of how they are managing this crisis for me. You have Whitty and Raab continuing to appear on tv implying strict measures will be in place all year yet giving zero guidance on what this actually means and there are many people I know who it is tipping over the edge as they believe they will be in lockdown for all of 2020.

 

We then see other countries coming out of this crisis and setting target dates. How can Italy who were extremely overwhelmed be communicating plans for reopening areas yet the message we are receiving is the end of the year, it is completely shambolic.

Quite right. For so many media commentators and people online too it seems to be just the latest excuse to, from the comfort of their full house they have all to themself, complain about "those millennials and YOUNG PEOPLE complaining about stupid things! Back in my day...."

 

When in actuality this an unprecedented situation that has never happened before in anyone's day, and nobody who lives in a shared house or lives isolated from other people they care about ever expected in their wildest dreams they'd be essentially house arrested by the government for months at a time.

 

That if they had imagined that would be the case, they probably wouldn't have entered that living situation in the first place.

 

Yes agreed I am also completely tired of this commentary specifically comparing it to World War II, it is a completely different scenario. The people who went through that dealt with a completely different situation and I am not even going to compare the two.

 

I fail to see any reason how people can say we shouldn’t complain about this when we have been put under house arrest with no parole date.

 

I think it is also frustrating in the media when they target people in a park sitting on the grass themselves, appreciate this is against current guidance but this could be a person with mental health issues stuck in a small flat with no garden or balcony and they need fresh air to keep themselves sane and are probably exhausted.

 

Knowing how hot it gets in London in July and August particularly in homes I seriously do not know how they can continue this through then of only being allowed out one hour a day it will send people to their deaths or a mental ward.

 

Something has to give on this soon as I can feel the anger and unrest brewing.

 

Well if anyone is struggling, it looks like the Government are going to share the plan for what lockdown might look like later in the week. I still think the narrative is mixed, but what do I know!

 

The thing is working from home is not really ideal, you have the constant kid from next door "hey mister, can we have our ball back, its in your garden again", or they are playing loud music. Than you have the noise outside at the front as we live in a cul-de-sac, the weather now is getting warmer we have to keep our windows open, people mowing their gardens, you can't tell them to do it later. Also motorbikes going up and down the road not far from us, loud as anything. Its the constant disruptions, working in an office would be much better as you won't get the noise that's what I miss and my colleagues, sometimes I hardly get much work done at home... I just want to get back to normality especially for my mental state of health and our family, our children they are not kids anymore, they are teenagers on the verge of leaving school and college, and scared of what's going on around them, missing their friends, getting bored. Its a bit soul destroying for some families.

 

Even when standing in a queue people talk to you from a self-distance, you get the general feeling they just want to get back to normality, it effects people in so many ways.

I haven't been keeping up with the news much at all but what I have read is that it isn't likely that we will come out of this at May 7th which is the original lockdown extension date, am I right??

 

I hope it's not for too much longer but I am quickly getting used to it but I am in a privileged position where I can work form home and live with my boyfriend and best friend. I'm guessing it'll be for another three weeks at least.

 

I agree us having to do this guess work is frustrating, I wish we had proper concrete dates of something to aim towards :(.

I haven't been keeping up with the news much at all but what I have read is that it isn't likely that we will come out of this at May 7th which is the original lockdown extension date, am I right??

 

I hope it's not for too much longer but I am quickly getting used to it but I am in a privileged position where I can work form home and live with my boyfriend and best friend. I'm guessing it'll be for another three weeks at least.

 

I agree us having to do this guess work is frustrating, I wish we had proper concrete dates of something to aim towards :(.

 

No one knows regarding 7th May extension and it is just speculation at this point. Personally I think they will extend it but if they do I think 2 weeks would be more reasonable as opposed to 3. The next extension will be the test as people will be becoming extremely restless by then.

 

And agreed on your point this is where the vast difference in situations occur people living with partners and friends and those on their own.

 

I am hoping at the next extension that some restrictions such as seeing friends or family members are relaxed otherwise I’ll be seriously considering doing it anyway.

Edited April 27, 20205 yr by Alex P

I've actually seen friends and relations of different families going into neighbours houses, for example, its like their eldest son who lives elsewhere visiting his parents, turns up with his wife and eldest daughter, and they get invited in. An hour or two later they leave.

 

So I'm guessing if they are related they are okay to visit and stay for a few hours. I'm sure that's not right though.

The last review date turned out to be the day they started the review rather than the date of the next announcement. If the same happens again, that means they won't say anything until around the 11th or 12th (assuming they work over the three-day weekend). By then we will be at the end of week seven.

 

My guess is that they are hoping the will be able to announce a two-week extension which will at least give people more hope that some sort of easing of the lockdown is in sight. However, once they reduce the period between reviews they will not want to increase it again.

 

Again, it's a question of managing expectations. I don't think anyone seriously expected anything other than a three-week extension from the first review. Hopes seem to be higher for the second review. This is where they need to make a distinction between maintaining support for "the government" and support for the Conservative party. It is important that people continue to support "the government" insofar as they respect the lockdown conditions and that is where their focus should be. How that affects support for the Conservative party shouldn't be considered for more than half a nanosecond.

I've actually seen friends and relations of different families going into neighbours houses, for example, its like their eldest son who lives elsewhere visiting his parents, turns up with his wife and eldest daughter, and they get invited in. An hour or two later they leave.

 

So I'm guessing if they are related they are okay to visit and stay for a few hours. I'm sure that's not right though.

 

Yeah that’s against the rules and shouldn’t be happening. Which is where the issue comes in as I have followed the guidelines not visited anyone but given how long this is dragging on and the government is not being clear or offering any hope I will probably take the decision into my own hands if the lockdown is extended a further three weeks.

The last review date turned out to be the day they started the review rather than the date of the next announcement. If the same happens again, that means they won't say anything until around the 11th or 12th (assuming they work over the three-day weekend). By then we will be at the end of week seven.

 

My guess is that they are hoping the will be able to announce a two-week extension which will at least give people more hope that some sort of easing of the lockdown is in sight. However, once they reduce the period between reviews they will not want to increase it again.

 

Again, it's a question of managing expectations. I don't think anyone seriously expected anything other than a three-week extension from the first review. Hopes seem to be higher for the second review. This is where they need to make a distinction between maintaining support for "the government" and support for the Conservative party. It is important that people continue to support "the government" insofar as they respect the lockdown conditions and that is where their focus should be. How that affects support for the Conservative party shouldn't be considered for more than half a nanosecond.

 

That is another frustrating point it is being extended longer than the three weeks each time due to how long it takes them to do the review. Why they can’t just give a clear proposed end date like all other countries is beyond me.

 

I have historically voted Tories but they have lost my vote for good after this and their lack of transparency.

 

Thinking we have another 5 weeks minimum of this is really hard to deal with.

Edited April 27, 20205 yr by Alex P