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?

[jim360]

There's also something odd about an argument being stronger when there's a lack of supporting evidence than when there is, which is the clear implication of the "so much for studies" line. As far as I know there's no evidence to support the idea that relaxing restrictions in the UK any time soon would be safe, and a great deal of evidence to suggest that it would lead to a resurgence. There's no guarantee either way, but it seems eminently sensible that the Government would err on the side of caution when it comes to the health of its citizens. The time has very much not come for people to take responsibility for themselves.

[Unsureme]

Agree totally with diddlydo.

[fiction-factory]

??there are still 15,000 or so incoming people, from some very virus riven Countries, flying into the UK daily without even the most cursory of examinations or assessments at the airports //(Togo)

These are generally British citizens being brought home, so they deserve our help.

I am concerned that they might all be sitting in close proximity on the plane if the planes are anything more than a third full, and if people are still standing close together at check-ins and luggage carousels.

However I diagree that many are coming from countries that are more virus ridden than London/UK since our figures compare unfavourably with most others so they are less likely to be a risk than someone who's already here.

Anyway, so long as they follow the rules/guidance re 2m distancing, stay at home, self isolation and shielding as required they should be no more of a risk.

We could quarantine them but how would that work? Would they be put in hotels for 2 weeks? Escorted home and monitored?

I can see that bringing 15000 a day in, untested, a proportion will have it or get it and put pressure on the NHS, so we should test before flying and on landing

[Spicerack]

//The US has been the most lax country and their figures are by far the worst//

But they're not, Zacs. Nowhere near it. I wonder why you keep saying it?

[fiction-factory]

Yes, I haven't seen the figures other than the Daily Briefing graphs but I suspect the "per million" figure is lower. That's not unexpected across a huge sprawling country. I think the "per million" figure may be bad for New York though

[jim360]

US absolute figures are officially the worst. Relative to population they aren't as bad as Italy, Spain, France, and the UK. How will that change in the coming weeks, though?

On the other hand, the outbreak in the US started later, so it may be that at the end of this things will balance out. I think it's reasonable to count relative over absolute impact.

[jim360]

Also, yes, there's a problem with smoothing over the states. In New York they are up to 965 deaths per million, and New Jersey, Lousiana, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Michigan also have high death rates.

[Spicerack]

You can't listen to 'scientists' nowadays. They're mouthpieces for their paymasters. They'll prove black is white if you pay them enough.

[calmck]

I am in the Algarve Portugal. The compliance could be a result of the country being a dictatorship until the April 25th revolution, the carnation revolution in 1974.
I think people still respect most politicians here and believe they are doing a good job

[Neveracrossword]

Spicerack, I've not paid much attention to the scientists this week - the statistics are more interesting.

[jim360]

If you can't listen to scientists, then listen to the science and evaluate it for yourself on its own merits.

And if you can't do that, then you can't judge whether or not you should listen to them.

[naomi24]

calmck, thanks. A nice place to live.

[teacake44]

Are you having a laugh, ( The virus seems to be stabilising ) who told you that? at 5.00 pm Monday 17.337 had died, up by 828.

( Isolation is creating serious social and personal problems) are you being a scaremonger ? and are you disagreeing with government policy on how to handle the situation, if so is this all right for you to do it, but no one else should?

[Ellipsis]

> Ellipsis, yes, this day exactly 80 years ago: Nothing's happened in this phoney war, let's just stop all the gloom and doom, call it off and resume normal life.

Thanks for noticing my post, jno! Perhaps it was too hard for the surrender monkeys to swallow.

[naomi24]

Ellipsis, no, I’m not having a laugh - and no, I'm not disagreeing with government policy. I’m asking a question. Try again … without the aggression. You might spot it.

[Zacs-Master]

How about answering other peoples questions before asking more of your own?

Like how you see this ‘choose’ thing working. Or whether you consider increasing freedom of movement will put key workers further at risk.

[Zacs-Master]

I should clarify, simply answering ‘no’ or ‘I think it will work’ won’t wash.

[Ellipsis]

> Ellipsis, no, I’m not having a laugh

Did I ask whether, or suggest that, you were? I think not.

[teacake44]

Em, I did ask you a question, you must have missed it, Who told you the virus is stabilising, or how did you arrive at that by yourself, ( with a total of 17.337 deaths, as at Monday 5pm?

[naomi24]

My profound apologies, Ellipsis. My post was in response to Teacake.