This plan confuses me tho because surely they’re not all in the same building? Like there’s no schools with 6 year olds and 17 year olds in the same building right? Like surely no?

 

Unless I’m grasping at the wrong end of the wrong stick.

 

I don't think so (though some academies/special schools might do), I think the thinking behind it is just having as few students in as possible, as when they're in for two weeks each and then back to online learning.

It’s also a case of, if there are any issues arising once kids start going back, it is easier to close the schools again than it would have been if they’re full.

 

At least that’s the reasoning in Wales though I don’t expect schools to close again.

Exhausted by the Scottish news & as a result I'm going to consider moving.

 

When does it stop? Having a fraction of England's cases yet an extra two months of lockdown either side? Come on.

Exhausted by the Scottish news & as a result I'm going to consider moving.

 

When does it stop? Having a fraction of England's cases yet an extra two months of lockdown either side? Come on.

 

I think you have to be really cautious. England have another 2 weeks and you'd ideally like to see cases in 3 digits, but I suspect we will be more like 5,000. The virus thrives and yet again the prevalence of the virus in England is linked to deprivation. For whatever reason there are areas that just cannot get their case rates down past about 150 and have been at the same level for months. Where I live it was 400+ in early January and now it is about 80.

 

The only problem I have again is you ask any NHS worker and they are all expecting come winter 2021/2022 we will be over stretched in the hospitals again with covid. I've no problem with the June 21st date as it gives people something to look forward to, but the reality is I'd be highly doubtful unless we see a real strong vaccine uptake across <50s.

The prevalence rate in Scotland may be the lowest in the UK but it’s still astronomical. It’s still a 3 digit 7 day rate and opening up in that scenario is negligent at best. Scotland is also trying to edge closer to an elimination strategy than England is. Mainly because unlike the Tories, the SNP are capable of actually listening to experts

The prevalence rate in Scotland may be the lowest in the UK but it’s still astronomical. It’s still a 3 digit 7 day rate and opening up in that scenario is negligent at best. Scotland is also trying to edge closer to an elimination strategy than England is. Mainly because unlike the Tories, the SNP are capable of actually listening to experts

 

While I can accept going for an elimination strategy I just don't see how it is possible. I think the West is too far gone now and to interconnected. The likes of New Zealand and Australia can adopt a zero elimination much easier through vaccine passports, but I suspect there may be some challengers to get to as high a level of vaccinated population as probably seen in the US and Europe.

Scotland came very close over the summer to elimination before it was reseeded by travellers. It can be done.

With the reported surge in holiday bookings, I worry that there is the possibility of importing new variants to the UK from countries where either vaccine uptake is lower than the UK (eg. France perhaps https://www.theguardian.com/global/2021/jan...olitical-class) allowing new varients to occur more easily among the non-vaccinated espeically, or countries testing for new coronavirus varients is not as high as the UK and therefore unknown varients can emerge and not be detected quickly.

 

Even if the UK does limit the list of countries travellers can go to without quarantining, UK travellers catching new coronavirus variants in foreign airports is a particular danger too as travellers come from all over the world to them, with the possibility of importing coronavirus variants from their own countries that haven't been tested.

 

Also I don't think its wise to get rid of social distancing policy and masks in shops this summer. Yes people should be free to take their own risks if they choose to do so if virus levels are low which hopefully they will be over the summer but older and more vulnerable people will still be still at risk doing neccessary things like going to food shops and supermarkets if there is no mask or distancing policy. Especially with the possibility of the South African variant becoming the main UK varient by the summer.

Scotland came very close over the summer to elimination before it was reseeded by travellers. It can be done.

 

I just don't believe it is possible unless you close your borders forever. The virus will find a way to get in.

 

 

With the reported surge in holiday bookings, I worry that there is the possibility of importing new variants to the UK from countries where either vaccine uptake is lower than the UK (eg. France perhaps https://www.theguardian.com/global/2021/jan...olitical-class) allowing new varients to occur more easily among the non-vaccinated espeically, or countries testing for new coronavirus varients is not as high as the UK and therefore unknown varients can emerge and not be detected quickly.

 

Even if the UK does limit the list of countries travellers can go to without quarantining, UK travellers catching new coronavirus variants in foreign airports is a particular danger too as travellers come from all over the world to them, with the possibility of importing coronavirus variants from their own countries that haven't been tested.

 

Also I don't think its wise to get rid of social distancing policy and masks in shops this summer. Yes people should be free to take their own risks if they choose to do so if virus levels are low which hopefully they will be over the summer but older and more vulnerable people will still be still at risk doing neccessary things like going to food shops and supermarkets if there is no mask or distancing policy. Especially with the possibility of the South African variant becoming the main UK varient by the summer.

 

I did think all that was a bit mad, no mention of summer holidays but people acting like it is the last day possible to book something. I think the point about new variants coming in is a valid one but I don't think it will be a huge issue. There is no way you are going to be able to travel internationally without a proof of vaccination over the next 18 months at least. I suspect the UK will mandate the same too with international travellers. Airlines are going to be paying loads extra for admin to conduct all the checks and make sure they're not fraudluent too.

just got my booking appointment for next week and I'm only 30..... gotta give it to the UK for their vaccination get go

Anyone else uneasy with the prospects of an incoming vaccine passport for domestic purposes?

 

 

Edited February 24, 20214 yr by shadow2009

Anyone else uneasy with the prospects of an incoming vaccine passport for domestic purposes?

Not really! I don’t particularly understand people’s issues with the idea of it.

It was inevitable as soon as it was mentioned.

 

What I do have an issue with is the proposed reopening of everything from 21st June. Now most of the young people still won't have had their jabs by then so are they banned from everything for at least another month?

Not really! I don’t particularly understand people’s issues with the idea of it.

For a start it's essentially blackmailing and coercing everyone to get the vaccine as otherwise they won't be allowed to go into supermarkets, restaurants, gyms etc. Then once it's actually implemented we're going to be spending the rest of our lives having to literally scan in with our ID to every single place we go to.

 

Actually think about it. This is going to be our lives. Lose your phone or your battery dies? Can't get into the pub. Want to jump into Tesco for a few items? Have to line up outside and get scanned in. Want to make plans with someone who hasn't had the vaccine? Tough, because they're banned from going anywhere. What if you don't have a smartphone? What if you can't get the vaccine because of allergies? If hospital admissions and deaths are wayyyy down why can't we go back to normal at some point? They aren't going to spend so much money on a system like this for a temporary basis - this will be our new way of living.

 

Doesn't that...bother anyone? :mellow: I have nothing against the vaccine - my Grandparents had it and my Mum gets hers tomorrow - but this is over the top. Why would it even be necessary once everyone's had their vaccines?

Edited February 24, 20214 yr by shadow2009

It was inevitable as soon as it was mentioned.

 

What I do have an issue with is the proposed reopening of everything from 21st June. Now most of the young people still won't have had their jabs by then so are they banned from everything for at least another month?

 

Isn't the idea that everyone over 18 will have been offered their first shot by June 21st? I can't see a way we have 'normality' without either those under a certain age deemed not necessary to have the vaccine or everyone been offered their first shot. Pointless otherwise and there would be rightly unease if younger people were not able to travel internationally or go to a festival.

 

For a start it's essentially blackmailing and coercing everyone to get the vaccine as otherwise they won't be allowed to go into supermarkets, restaurants, gyms etc. Then once it's actually implemented we're going to be spending the rest of our lives having to literally scan in with our ID to every single place we go to.

 

Actually think about it. This is going to be our lives. Lose your phone or your battery dies? Can't get into the pub. Want to jump into Tesco for a few items? Have to line up outside and get scanned in. Want to make plans with someone who hasn't had the vaccine? Tough, because they're banned from going anywhere. What if you don't have a smartphone? What if you can't get the vaccine because of allergies? If hospital admissions and deaths are wayyyy down why can't we go back to normal at some point? They aren't going to spend so much money on a system like this for a temporary basis - this will be our new way of living.

 

Doesn't that...bother anyone? :mellow: I have nothing against the vaccine - my Grandparents had it and my Mum gets hers tomorrow - but this is over the top. Why would it even be necessary once everyone's had their vaccines?

 

We won't have vaccine mandatory passports domestically. Some events or companies might specify this, but I would be shocked if if you had to show your vaccine certification to go to the pub. Firstly, it is a logistical and administrational nightmare for the business. There is no way this will be implemented and is purely fearmongering. I could see larger events possibly asking to see proof and certainly internationally but it's not going to happen domestically. Complete non-story.

Isn't the idea that everyone over 18 will have been offered their first shot by June 21st? I can't see a way we have 'normality' without either those under a certain age deemed not necessary to have the vaccine or everyone been offered their first shot. Pointless otherwise and there would be rightly unease if younger people were not able to travel internationally or go to a festival.

 

The last I've heard regarding any date for all adults to have been offered at least their first vaccination was "end of July" as per DoctorBlind's post the other day. :unsure:

 

We won't have vaccine mandatory passports domestically. Some events or companies might specify this, but I would be shocked if if you had to show your vaccine certification to go to the pub. Firstly, it is a logistical and administrational nightmare for the business. There is no way this will be implemented and is purely fearmongering. I could see larger events possibly asking to see proof and certainly internationally but it's not going to happen domestically. Complete non-story.

 

Exactly. You'd have unmanageable queues everywhere, especially city centre high streets. Heck it was bad enough in Newcastle City Centre and that was whilst we were still under the Tiers portion of the lockdown!

 

They'd also have to man every single road that goes across Scotland/England/Wales borders, even so far as to man the little farming roads that only tractors and people who are lost ever travel on. If it's anything like the "border patrols" that were apparently in place over the Christmas period then that would be non-existant - the A696, one of the five main roads from England to Scotland, didn't seem to have a single police car on it on either Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or Boxing Day.

 

Definitely don't think there will be a domestic passport at all.

I doubt it’ll be domestic. More likely just for travelling abroad and I can’t really blame them for that. Things will have supposedly opened up before every person over 18 will have been offered the first jab but by then all of the most vulnerable should definitely have been vaccinated (well offered full vaccination.)

 

So I see it as unlikely healthy 18 year olds won’t be allowed to go to a pub when reopened with the vaccine. Within a couple of months after that everyone will have had the offer anyway.

I doubt it’ll be domestic. More likely just for travelling abroad and I can’t really blame them for that. Things will have supposedly opened up before every person over 18 will have been offered the first jab but by then all of the most vulnerable should definitely have been vaccinated (well offered full vaccination.)

 

So I see it as unlikely healthy 18 year olds won’t be allowed to go to a pub when reopened with the vaccine. Within a couple of months after that everyone will have had the offer anyway.

 

100% and I also echo Oliver's comments too. It's bad enough now when you want to go in certain bars at times with ID checks in big city centres even before covid never mind with covid, imagine trying to control that with a vaccine passport with drunk people. It would be complete carnage and a waste of time. Not going to happen.

 

The Government will facilitate and put money in to a system, as this will be needed for international travel and some employers may specify it too (although, I suspect the take up of this would be fairly low as it is discriminatory). But there's no way there will be a vaccine passport system to go to Maccies or to pop in to Spoons. Not a chance.

 

Sky News saying Boris is considering having non-compulsory morning classes in summer and also Saturdays to help kids catch up, especially years 6, 11 and 13. Williamson is all for it apparently but teachers unions aren't. I foresee a big clash ahead. I think it's a good idea. Either that or cut the summer holidays by a week or two weeks. Say a week either end would work well I think.They're looking at both possibilities.

Sky News saying Boris is considering having non-compulsory morning classes in summer and also Saturdays to help kids catch up, especially years 6, 11 and 13. Williamson is all for it apparently but teachers unions aren't. I foresee a big clash ahead. I think it's a good idea. Either that or cut the summer holidays by a week or two weeks. Say a week either end would work well I think.They're looking at both possibilities.

 

The 13 year old version of me would not be happy about this! I think this is all very well and good on paper but how are you going to ensure kids actually take part in the learnings? I suspect uptake to be higher based on deprivation/poverty in the areas, so the bad schools will end up being worse. How are you going to pay the teachers & support staff?

 

Seems to me like one of those great ideas on paper but one that costs a lot of money and has little gain.