Coronavirus

[BigT]

Hardly an excuse!

I’m sorry but it is being used as one, I get it you can’t wear a mask, you don’t feel comfortable fine then don’t go to places that you need to wear one.
This constant “I’m exempt” is exactly the behaviour that others have jumped on not to wear one, to me it’s simple don’t go out if you don’t feel you can comply.
Others are sacrificing for the greater good, perhaps some have to look at themselves and think if it’s for the greater good that the rules are made simple.
“No mask, no shop, no exceptions“ so simple.

 

[imanautie]

I’m sorry but it is being used as one, I get it you can’t wear a mask, you don’t feel comfortable fine then don’t go to places that you need to wear one.
This constant “I’m exempt” is exactly the behaviour that others have jumped on not to wear one, to me it’s simple don’t go out if you don’t feel you can comply.
Others are sacrificing for the greater good, perhaps some have to look at themselves and think if it’s for the greater good that the rules are made simple.
“No mask, no shop, no exceptions“ so simple.

It's less it just feels uncomfortable and more it's painful, rediculously painful.
I have methods good enough to cope with that without being too disruptive (going non speaking) but not every can.

They'd a big difference between someone being excempt and someone lying about being excempt.

 

[Rojo]

I like that the government are giving more than 5 days' notice for something like this, but a notice to have to quarantine on return from a foreign country has been regularly given with less than 48 hours to go.

It's almost as if they're making it up as they go along

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/new-coronavirus-rules-impact-sport-22651300

If this is accurate I can probably play football next Tuesday with 14 mates in Chester Goals, I can definitely play football with 14 mates in Wrexham on the Thursday but I couldn't go an play football in the park with the same people? Makes sense (!)

All this will do is push a load of raging parties to the weekend.

 

[BarryZola]

I think theme parks will have more security lurking around from Monday, especially with Oktoberfest. There'll be a lot of fines thrown around without a doubt.

I'd say there's almost zero chance of that happening.

 

[Craig]

I think theme parks will have more security lurking around from Monday, especially with Oktoberfest. There'll be a lot of fines thrown around without a doubt.

I think it's very important to put things into perspective here. When things were last relaxed, the "rule" for socialising outdoors in groups of up to 6 was reverted to guidance. That is, the government said you should not socialise in groups larger than 6. However it was not illegal to do so unless there was a group of over 30. This allowed authorities to break up parties and large gatherings where necessary in accordance with the law.

Despite 6 people being guidance, the vast, vast majority of businesses have been working to this as a rule anyway. Try and get into a beer garden and seat more than 6 people in your group in many places in recent weeks? No chance. In fact a large number of people assumed 6 people was a rule rather than guidance anyway.

The main changes we're seeing now is this guidance is reverting to a rule written into law. This makes it easier for the authorities to disperse large crowds and gatherings which are apparently mainly in private residences. In addition, the rule of 6 is being made the same for both indoors and outdoors. You previously could only have a group consist of only 2 households indoors, you can now have a group of up to 6 from any number of households.

Personally, I don't think this will really affect me too much as I tended to arrange everything in groups of no more than 6 anyway. The change to a group of 6 people from any household group indoors actually makes things a little easier. What this definitely doesn't mean, is police swamping the streets (and Towers) and enforcing this law. There's no extra resources to do so, and they have enough to be getting on with as it is.

From a Towers point of view, security have no legal authority to issue fines, and will merely be speaking to those breaking the rules, and in extreme cases potential ejection from the park. Ultimately though, the resort will no doubt have been working on the basis of the previous guidance of 6 people in a group anyway, so there's no real change in how Oktoberfest will be operated.

 

[Benzin]

There's a reduction of non-compliance because a fair amount of government officials haven't given two hoots about the rules. Why should us plebs do the same?

Plus atm you can go to work and be in an office with multiple people. Or the kids go to school. And the government spent the last month telling us to go out and spend money. Completely mixed messages.

 

[jon81uk]

There's a reduction of non-compliance because a fair amount of government officials haven't given two hoots about the rules. Why should us plebs do the same?

Plus atm you can go to work and be in an office with multiple people. Or the kids go to school. And the government spent the last month telling us to go out and spend money. Completely mixed messages.

Which government official has held a house party of 20+ people?

When at the office you should be observing distancing and generally seated and not moving around, the same should be done when in the pub too. Most office workers aren't actually returning though, this is why the outbreaks at workplaces have generally been food manufacturing plants and similar "factory" environments where people are moving round more or may be can't work distanced.

But the recent issue has been badly managed pubs where people aren't sat down but are up and about and the same for large house parties.
The eat out to help out was about sensible sit-down meals early in the week, no-one in government has been encouraging large gatherings of drunk people.

I don't think there has really been mixed messages, in fact when they announced the law is changing to groups of six, I thought that was the case anyway, but it was just advice not law. Most good pubs have only been allowing tables of up to six people anyway, hopefully this will now allow the police to enforce it properly.

 

[Alsty]

I thought the limit was six anyway to be honest so it doesn't really have an impact on me (nor I suspect, most people). It will just help to break up house parties I suppose.

One of the things I saw mentioned was that hospitality might be forced to collect details for test-and-trace, whereas at the moment it is voluntary. In Germany, every bar and restaurant took your details when you were seated - no exceptions. In this country we have some companies like Wetherspoons that are frankly paying lip-service to the regulations by putting up a poster saying "don't forget to register your details" then making zero effort to enforce. The funny thing is (in my experience) the smaller local venues are actually making a proper effort, taking details, seating and serving you at the table etc but the big companies are the ones not putting in any money or resources to manage things properly and almost running things pre-Covid style.

 

[RoyJess]

We are in the middle of a pandemic, I've been following the science by listening to all the different opinions of the scientist, who of which don't all agree. We have a government that have from the outset been following their own political agenda and has been ignoring the science and advice from other countries and WHO. For a few weeks on here now I've been saying that the figures have been rising, not to cause panic, but to state the reality of what I've been seeing with my own eyes. I could see that the lifting of the lock down had nothing to do with the fact that it is safer out there, but just that the government were on a political agenda to get the economy going, lets face it, their dealing of Brexit is also laughable and by the end of the year, this country is well and truly screwed.

Had a call from Jess' hospital specialist yesterday morning, he was relived that we were still shielding and not following the government guidance. He has strictly advise us to continue the way we have been as we have worked hard in the last good few years in bringing Jess' condition under control, he don't want her to have any new additional health concerns added which will hinder any future new treatments which are in the pipeline and are potentially be available in the near future for her condition. He has advise that we continue to shield and only leave the home for essential medical reasons. So it looks like any chance of us going out before a vaccine is available or this crisis is over is looking very slim for us.

Jess and I have been isolating (and there are many others out there too just like us) for the past 6+ months. The unlocking of this country was done on the basis that everyone follows the social distancing rules. It just amazes me that people are either too dam lazy or ignorance to follows these simple rules which are a small price to pay to keep the country out of lock down. If you find keeping to the simple rules are difficult, then think about all of us that have made the biggest sacrifice by shielding.

Excuse for not wearing a face mask is another thing, unless you have been told by a Doctor not to wear one, then you should. They are there to help stop the spread of the virus. They need to be worn properly, as well as not to keep fiddling with them, or keep taking them on and off. When you do put them on and take them off, you need to follow the proper protocols to ensure that you don't spread any contagion to your mouth and eyes as well as to others.

Yes face mask are uncomfortable to wear, if they weren't then you are not wearing them properly. I do DIY, use spray paints to paint my models, I wear a face mask to protect my lungs. I don't like wearing one, but I've only one set of lungs. A face mask is classed as PPE for a reason. If you feel that wearing a face mask is bad, then think of our NHS nurses that have to wear full PPE, very hot, sweaty all day without being able to remove them until the end of their 8+ hour shift. They end up with imprint, blisters and sores on their faces from wearing a mask day in and day out.

I think people need to stop being so selfish, stop making excuses, stop flouting the rules. If Jess and I can shield, if the nurses can wear full PPE, if people out there can follow the rules, then there is no excuse. Yes life has been tough for many during this lock down, but if everyone do their little bit, then hopefully this country can get the right balance between having control of this virus whilst having a life resembling some sort of normality as close as possible.

This government and the press need to stop blaming certain age group and communities, from what I can see sitting here at home looking out onto the world via the TV and from my window, all age groups and communities are equally flouting the rules and our ministers are also not setting a good example too.

 

[shakey]

Good post @RoyJess but the current statistics do indicate that younger people are the ones more likely to be flouting the rules as they are the ones that account for the majority of the recent cases (according to the figures).

So I think the government do have a case in pointing the finger at younger adults. (although clearly they are not entirely to blame).

 

[RoyJess]

Good post @RoyJess but the current statistics do indicate that younger people are the ones more likely to be flouting the rules as they are the ones that account for the majority of the recent cases (according to the figures).

So I think the government do have a case in pointing the finger at younger adults. (although clearly they are not entirely to blame).

I think its the case that younger people congregate with larger groups or have a larger group of friends, but yet the elderly around here are not social distancing, but probably know and mix with less people than the youths. However, there is a risk that the virus will work it's way to the elderly, especially if they are not social distancing.

 

[Alsty]

Good post @RoyJess but the current statistics do indicate that younger people are the ones more likely to be flouting the rules as they are the ones that account for the majority of the recent cases (according to the figures).

Not necessarily. Correlation does not imply causation.

Young people could also be making up more of the statistics because they are more likely to have to go out to work or are in public facing positions, or more likely to live in shared housing. Also remember that testing in the early stages of the pandemic was predominantly in hospitals, and since younger people don't tend to get as sick they would not appear in those statistics whereas now there is widespread community testing those results are being picked up.

 

[Themeparksandy1981]

I said yesterday at work as there’s over 60 million people in the uk but there only been 353k confirmed cases as many don’t show signs of the virus I bet millions of people have got it/had it. Social distancing in pubs and schools don’t work as many not seen there friends for nearly 6 months and after a few pints people don’t keep there distance.

This rule is the worst they ever had in place 6 people from 6 different households so 1 of them could have the virus then it spreads to maybe 2 of there friends then they take it home with them and then to work.

 

[Danza91]

Someone I know in their 60s went to a picnic which had 40 people of a similar age attending last weekend. While it was outdoors, it's definitely not just the young to blame. Everyone is fed up with the restrictions and it's human nature to socialise with people, hug, touch, kiss etc.

The latest announcement won't change anything.

 

[Rojo]

The Oxford trial has now been rightfully paused after one of the trialists became ill. It's obviously not great news but at least we can see they are taking things seriously and not sweeping this issues under the carpet. Nothing to be too concerned with yet but could be a slight bump in the road. The person is expected to make a full recovery and the pause has been described as "routine".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-54082192

 

[jon81uk]

I said yesterday at work as there’s over 60 million people in the uk but there only been 353k confirmed cases as many don’t show signs of the virus I bet millions of people have got it/had it. Social distancing in pubs and schools don’t work as many not seen there friends for nearly 6 months and after a few pints people don’t keep there distance.

This rule is the worst they ever had in place 6 people from 6 different households so 1 of them could have the virus then it spreads to maybe 2 of there friends then they take it home with them and then to work.

It always has been six people from multiple households outdoors though, that hasn't changed.

Indoors, it was no more than two households.

Outdoors, up to six people OR up to thirty from only two households.

Now it is being simplified so it is the same rule indoors and outdoors.

 

[Islander]

TowersStreet Meets: Now officially illegal...

 

[Rojo]

It always has been six people from multiple households outdoors though, that hasn't changed.

Indoors, it was no more than two households.

Outdoors, up to six people OR up to thirty from only two households.

Now it is being simplified so it is the same rule indoors and outdoors.

You could meet in groups in larger numbers if it was for voluntary, charitable work, education, childcare, elite competitions and training, fulfill legal obligations, provide emergency assistance or to enable someone to avoid injury, illness or risk of harm.

Groups of 30 could meet for weddings, funerals,religious ceremonies and services, community activities and support groups.

(Paraphrased from Gov.uk)

The reason this is etched on my brain is because I am a vice chairman of a community group which is also a registered charity. We managed to put on 2 outdoor socially distanced events since July and a socially distanced business indoor meeting for ~15 people. Until we get further clarification it's looking like we will have to head back to zoom and other collaboration tools to plan our Santa Float at Christmas, presuming we will even be able to go ahead with this event. The risk assessment for this year is verging on becoming a full time job but hopefully we can cobble something together. This year it feels more important to get some love and hope into the community. Even if its just Santa and a driver blasting music around the streets.

 

[jon81uk]

You could meet in groups in larger numbers if it was for voluntary, charitable work, education, childcare, elite competitions and training, fulfill legal obligations, provide emergency assistance or to enable someone to avoid injury, illness or risk of harm.

Groups of 30 could meet for weddings, funerals,religious ceremonies and services, community activities and support groups.

(Paraphrased from Gov.uk)

The reason this is etched on my brain is because I am a vice chairman of a community group which is also a registered charity. We managed to put on 2 outdoor socially distanced events since July and a socially distanced business indoor meeting for ~15 people. Until we get further clarification it's looking like we will have to head back to zoom and other collaboration tools to plan our Santa Float at Christmas, presuming we will even be able to go ahead with this event. The risk assessment for this year is verging on becoming a full time job but hopefully we can cobble something together. This year it feels more important to get some love and hope into the community. Even if its just Santa and a driver blasting music around the streets.

Those aren't changing either really.

30 can meet for weddings/funerals.

More than six can meet for work/education or organised sport.

I was referencing the social meets only really.

 

[Rojo]

Ah gotcha, fair enough my mistake .

Have we confirmed that the rules are generally confusing and open to interpretation? Like what constitutes an official community event? Permission from the local parish/ward/council?