If we don’t get a vaccine I’d like to see someone try and stop me from going to my parents house...

I agree with T Boy. Lockdown when we had the first outbreak was vital and important. It was necessary to get on top of the virus at a point where we knew very little about it and didn’t have enough resources to deal with it and control. We’re now (or at least should be) in a much better position with increased testing capacity, PPE, public awareness, mechanisms in pubs, workplaces etc that weren’t there originally. It’s obviously not enough to keep it under safe control but we need to be looking at how we can live with the virus, knowing what we know now and having those increased resources. Our livelihoods in all areas would completely collapse with repeated full scale lockdowns. I don’t believe it can be the answer anymore unless things are extremely serious.

 

It’s completely hard to set out, and I appreciate anything like it is exploitable but there needs to be greater flexibility in terms of meeting others in households and introducing ideas of linked households. It feels so intense to only be able to see your household for an indefinite period of time. People should take responsibility in trying to limit their contacts where possible but it’s unfair to limit the contact completely.

It’s completely hard to set out, and I appreciate anything like it is exploitable but there needs to be greater flexibility in terms of meeting others in households and introducing ideas of linked households. It feels so intense to only be able to see your household for an indefinite period of time. People should take responsibility in trying to limit their contacts where possible but it’s unfair to limit the contact completely.

 

There is a big danger that greater flexibility and allowing more social contacts as you suggest there will just lead to a faster rise in cases though.

There is a big danger that greater flexibility and allowing more social contacts as you suggest there will just lead to a faster rise in cases though.

I didn’t necessarily say allowing more social contacts though. The local ‘lockdowns’ we’re seeing are just largely focused on ensuring people have ZERO social contacts. No friends, no family. That’s not proportionate this far down the line imo, especially with it being set indefinitely. It’s the only option being enforced as it’s the only option they can take without closing down businesses etc again but why should my personal life take such a huge toll where the viable alternative is I see people but I am careful as to who I’m seeing and ensuring I’m limiting this where possible. It’s not about opening myself up to the world but only seeing close friends and family in order to have that social interaction, take myself away from a screen and help my mental health. This is where clear communication should come into play.

 

At the moment, I’m working from home and haven’t set foot in the office since March. So whereas I’d be seeing different people on a daily basis, I’m only seeing those in my house. I’m also doing studies alongside my work so I will be spending a lot of my free time on that and again still at home. I’ve been careful since the outbreak as I have my grandparents who each live by themselves and are essentially verging into depression and loneliness - and I really don’t say that lightly at ALL. That’s probably the most honest and explicit I’ve been able to admit to myself because I’ve noticed a clear change in their mood and behaviours. I’m ensuring I’m being careful in my actions but I can’t stop my life altogether for who knows how long. It is just about taking proportionate steps, being aware of who you’re seeing and the implications of seeing other people afterwards. If I feel I’ve increased my potential exposure, I’ll limit further who I’m seeing. If I’m being conscious of those steps, why should I be blocked and FINED for seeing other people?

 

It’s a dangerous virus and we need to ensure we’re doing everything we can to limit the damages. But there’s also so much more dangers that are exposed and get out of control if we don’t pay attention to them.

 

It’s an extremely tough balance to approach and I don’t know the right answer but it’s dangerous to keep life on pause for such a long period of time. It has extreme implications.

It’s really unfair to state that people don’t care with absolutely no evidence. Yes, a minority may take that view but the fact is the rise in infections has mostly come from people doing what the government told them they were allowed to do. Pubs are open, eat out to help out, gyms are open, schools are back. These aren’t things that people just decided they were going to do because they don’t care. These are things people were assured it was safe to do. The government are now blaming the people and you’re falling for it hook, line and sinker.

 

Perhaps I’m bitter. In less than twenty four hours, I will be banned from seeing my family in doors. I live alone. I’m still expected to go into to work and come into close contact with up to 160 children a day and I don’t know where they’ve been. I am much more likely to catch this virus at school than from my family.

 

And can we even live this way forever? What if we don’t get a vaccine? If the government are going to blame the people then perhaps they need to return the responsibility to the people.

 

Yes maybe you are right about that. I remember reading anecdotal evidence on here from a few thread contributors that a lot of people in their area weren't following the guidelines and the media shows cases like that but paying attention to the media stories too much sometimes makes it seem like more people aren't following the guidance than there really are.

 

I am sorry to read of your situation, I am hoping we have relatively dry weather this autumn so that people have good opportunities to meet their family and friends outdoors where it is safer.

Edited September 30, 20204 yr by Вuzzjack user

Agreeing w/ T Boy & Klaus. Rules need to be realistic or people will rebel harder than they would if there was a little leeway built in. And tightening only punishes those who have been compliant thus far.

Agreeing w/ T Boy & Klaus. Rules need to be realistic or people will rebel harder than they would if there was a little leeway built in. And tightening only punishes those who have been compliant thus far.

 

But what's the point in the rules when Jeremey Corbyn has a dinner party with 9 people and Stanley Johnson goes shopping with no mask? Quite simply it just feeds the narratoive that the elite do as they please whilst us plebs suffer.

But what's the point in the rules when Jeremey Corbyn has a dinner party with 9 people and Stanley Johnson goes shopping with no mask? Quite simply it just feeds the narratoive that the elite do as they please whilst us plebs suffer.

 

 

Stanley has apologised and says he was away three weeks and didn't know about the rule to wear masks in shops. Hardly anyone I see wears them in small shops even if lots do in supermarkets.

Edited October 1, 20204 yr by Crazy Chris

Stanley has apologised and says he was away three weeks and didn't know about the rule to wear masks in shops. Hardly anyone I see wears them in small shops even id lots do in supermarkets.

That's a pathetic excuse. The rule on wearing masks in shops has been in place for longer than three weeks.

 

Interesting that he has had another trip abroad so soon after an earlier rule-bending trip to Greece. I wonder where he went this time and whether he should have been in quarantine.

Seems they're all at it.

 

 

From ITV News.

 

"SNP MP Margaret Ferrier has apologised after she travelled between London and Scotland on a train twice while having Covid-19.

 

In a statement, Ms Ferrier said: "I apologise unreservedly for breaching Covid-19 restrictions by travelling this week when I shouldn't have. There is no excuse for my actions."

 

 

 

 

 

SO WHY DID YOU DO IT THEN. :rolleyes:

 

 

She should be fined as well as Corbyn and Johnson, who btw is rumoured to have been to Greece again where masks in shops aren't compulsory. Cummings started this. The MP's must think, like the public, that if it's okay for him...

Edited October 1, 20204 yr by Crazy Chris

Apparently it's fine if you say you forgot your mask, a genuine mistake, rather than argue and say you don't want to wear one. Heard a woman on Virgin radio say she'd to post a package just before the PO shut and had left it in the car.

Oh go do one Chris you’re not holding Cummings to this standard.

 

 

The SNP have withdrawn the whip and she has referred herself to the cops and the parliamentary standards committee. Quick and decisive action

Completely inexcusable behaviour, I don’t understand how that can even happen. Completely frustrating as well...

Seems they're all at it.

From ITV News.

 

"SNP MP Margaret Ferrier has apologised after she travelled between London and Scotland on a train twice while having Covid-19.

 

In a statement, Ms Ferrier said: "I apologise unreservedly for breaching Covid-19 restrictions by travelling this week when I shouldn't have. There is no excuse for my actions."

SO WHY DID YOU DO IT THEN. :rolleyes:

She should be fined as well as Corbyn and Johnson, who btw is rumoured to have been to Greece again where masks in shops aren't compulsory. Cummings started this. The MP's must think, like the public, that if it's okay for him...

 

She shouldn't be fined, she should be sacked, as I suspect she will be. She should be sacked for being dumb enough to do this in the first place as a politician. This just shows the problem though and why we are always going to be fuked unless we are more aggressive with people with positive test results. Rather than shutting down our economy, the Government should be paying people to self isolate accordingly.

She shouldn't be fined, she should be sacked, as I suspect she will be. She should be sacked for being dumb enough to do this in the first place as a politician. This just shows the problem though and why we are always going to be fuked unless we are more aggressive with people with positive test results. Rather than shutting down our economy, the Government should be paying people to self isolate accordingly.

 

How much would you suggest they pay them then to isolate for a fortnight?

Seems they're all at it.

From ITV News.

 

"SNP MP Margaret Ferrier has apologised after she travelled between London and Scotland on a train twice while having Covid-19.

 

In a statement, Ms Ferrier said: "I apologise unreservedly for breaching Covid-19 restrictions by travelling this week when I shouldn't have. There is no excuse for my actions."

SO WHY DID YOU DO IT THEN. :rolleyes:

She should be fined as well as Corbyn and Johnson, who btw is rumoured to have been to Greece again where masks in shops aren't compulsory. Cummings started this. The MP's must think, like the public, that if it's okay for him...

This raises a point I've wondered about for a while.

 

She received the positive test result when she was in London. As an MP, she presumably had a London home so she could have stayed there for two weeks. Most people who receive a positive test result some way from home cannot do that. If they rely on public transport, what are they supposed to do?

 

Any sign of Robert Jenrick - who buggered off to a home that was neither his London home nor his constituency home and then visited his parents in yet another part of the country - resigning yet?

Politicians of all stripes have been unforgivably lax with the rules but it all stems from the very top of the tree. Cummings should have been sacked. The minute he wasn't, it undermined every single thing the government has done. Poor enforcement in their own ranks sends out a horrific message to the people. A lack of clarity and a lack of communication with the public leads to non-compliance.

 

She shouldn't have got on the train, but the Gov refused to continue remote sessions and refuses to allow corona as a reason for proxy voting. The gov has put pressure onto all MPs to be in london. Without that environment i don't think she would have got on that train but that's just my personal view. As is the fact that she should agree to step down as an MP at an appropriate time that a by-election can be held. As were not in a position to hold one now, her constituents should not be unrepresented and supported during this time so it is right for her to continue in role, sans whip, until we are in a position to be able to go to the polls.

 

She shouldn't be fined, she should be sacked, as I suspect she will be.

She's an elected MP, not sure she can be sacked? The SNP have already withdrawn the whip but my understanding was she would need to resign or be subject to a recall election in order to be given the boot.

 

This raises a point I've wondered about for a while.

 

She received the positive test result when she was in London. As an MP, she presumably had a London home so she could have stayed there for two weeks. Most people who receive a positive test result some way from home cannot do that. If they rely on public transport, what are they supposed to do?

 

Any sign of Robert Jenrick - who buggered off to a home that was neither his London home nor his constituency home and then visited his parents in yet another part of the country - resigning yet?

Lot of press very suddenly for this, yet Jenrick and Cummings both get zero mentions???

 

Good point, while she shouldn't have made the journey at all I hadn't thought of that particular issue. Most wouldn't be able to afford to pay to self isolate for 14 days in the event of a positive test outwith their primary residence

Yeah there's no defending this, it's even worse than what Cummings did. (Although no doubt some Tories who were A-OK with Cummings will be all high and mighty about this)

Looking forward to Margaret Ferrier's press conference on Prime Time BBC 1.

 

Also: Silas' favourite MP:

 

 

@1311779003343212544 :D

@1311892190680014849

 

 

Maybe something good will come from this virus after all