Is It Almost Time For People To Take Responsibility For Themselves?

[naomi24]

Isolation is creating serious social and personal problems so since the situation with the virus seems to be stabilising somewhat, when this current session of lockdown ends should people be allowed to take responsibility for themselves? Whilst the vulnerable may - and must - choose to remain in isolation, should those who aren’t designated vulnerable be allowed to return to work and to normal life with businesses, pubs and clubs opening up again resulting in life, for them - and the economy - returning to normal?

[Hopkirk]

No. it is too easy for people to ignore what is happening only a short distance from where they are.

[ladybirder]

Naomi I've just emailed a friend saying I hate the thought of having to stay indoors for a year as I've heard mentioned. May well be what us vulnerables ought to do though. Bit early to say yet but ... we'll see.

[jno]

the problem is that it's still unclear whether getting the virus immunises you. So they're worried about people who've already had it getting it again, maybe worse.

[Cloverjo]

I’m half-way with you there, Naomi. We need to get people out and working and getting back to some kind of normal soon. Otherwise we’ll all be gone.

[jim360]

The only problem I have with that is that it's not just about responsibility for yourself, but also for others, and vice versa. Even being optimistic, there are plenty of people who are probably not vulnerable (eg in the under 50s), but not *certainly* so; there are people who will be sensible and respectful of others' health, but not everybody; you can be attentive most of the time, but not all of the time.

It's a difficult balance, and I'm glad I'm not even remotely involved making the call. The indications appear to be that Johnson is reluctant to come out of lockdown too quickly, but that the Cabinet is understandably divided on the issue.

[vulcan42]

Is any other country considering shutting up the vulnerable/elderly for a year?

[Smowball]

The current problem I have is that I can’t drive for 6months (medical reasons) and I have hospital appointments 45 mins away and the only way to get there is by bus. Yet we are all to,d to avoid public transport. And yes I have checked with the hospital - they still want me to attend as it’s to give me the all clear to drive. I’m in a vicious circle

[Buenchico]

See here, Vulcan42:
https://www.brusselstimes.com/all-news/belgium-all-news/107279/coronavirus-still-no-evidence-your-pet-can-infect-you/

[Buenchico]

Smow:
Haven't you got a volunteer-run 'taxi service' for hospital appointments in your area? We certainly have around here. (The hospital gave me their contact details). It's not that cheap but it's still only around half the cost of using a normal taxi. (Obviously you'd be getting close to the volunteer who was driving but, statistically, that's far safer than travelling on a bus with lots of other people).

[Smowball]

I don’t know - I’ll have to look into that x

[Buenchico]

Can I take issue with something in Naomi's post? i.e. "Whilst the vulnerable may - and must - choose to remain in isolation".

I'm not too keen on the use of the word "must" in there. I'm in the 'vulnerable' group (due to current chemotherapy) but I'm not in total isolation. I'm still doing my own shopping but as infrequently as possible (no more than once or twice per month) and taking care to shop only in stores with wide aisles (so that it's easy to keep well away from others) and at times when the stores are almost deserted anyway. (The big Morrison's in Ipswich only had about 8 or 10 customers in the whole store when I shopped there on Friday. Apart from the checkout assistant, I doubt that I came closer than about five metres to anyone in the store).

My 'vulnerable' friends (e.g. a mate who'll be 77 next month) are also continuing to do their own shopping but, of course, also being very cautious about how they go about it.

We don't like being told what we "must" (or must not) do!

[Buenchico]

The PALS people at your local hospital will know of any/all transport options that are available, Smow.

[Smowball]

Thanku x

[Barsel]

Chris,if you are in the 'vulnerable 'group, you will have received a letter to say that if you become ill, you are most likely to be hospitalised. Why would you want to take the chance of that happening to you. You see the signs everyday that say 'Stay Home' Protect the NHS, Save Lives.You are not being told what to do, you are being advised for your own good and the good of others.

[douglas9401]

We seem to have painted ourselves into a corner, just have to wait for it to dry or damage all the work that's gone before.

[tomus42]

If it only affected the individual, fine let's all take our chances.

The difficulty is that it's contagious so you risk harming others if you catch it and pass it on. Also if you end up in hospital you're adding to the overload on the healthcare system.

I think it'll happen anyway because the current situation is economically unsustainable. Lockdown will be eased but we'll probably be told to wear masks in public and maintain social distancing. It's starting to happen elsewhere.

[TheChair]

An analogy I saw which seems appropriate: "The parachute seems to be slowing our descent. Is it time to remove it?"

[diddlydo]

I fervently hope that we shall soon be given some indication of when lockdown might end and what will return to "normal" first of all. I don't think we can suddenly say that all shops, businesses, restaurants, pubs, theatres etc can open at once as people will binge on outings and create ludicrous crowds. Opening of all shops would be a good start for the economy. Not sure about schools - some say their closure has minimal effect but.....try and explain social distancing to 4 year olds - or even 17 year olds who haven't seen their friends for ages. People who are working from home at the moment could continue to do so which would be a particular help in London to stop people being cheek by jowl on the Tube.

[fiction-factory]

From mid May I hope there is some lifting- opening more shops such as garden centres and DIY stores.
I'm not sure about schools - if it does start in June it should be a gradual and teachers and school bus drivers need protection.
I can't see gatherings for football matches, concerts, etc before September and probably until next year.
I can't see pubs (and probably restaurants) opening either for many months. Even if restrictions were lifted I would be reluctant to take the risk unless Covid cases had fallen dramatically.
The economy needs us to get back to normal but we need to do it in stages starting with lowest risk/greatest impact

[diddlydo]

FF - I totally agree with you. Frankly, garden centres and DIY stores shouldn't have been closed in the first place as they're usually very spacious and social distancing wouldn't be an issue. What's more, people rarely have to drive far to get to either. The list of places allowed to stay open at the moment is pretty arbitrary - for example, why are dry cleaners considered essential? Surely the work suit can wait!