calman014

The whole thing is very much like trying to pin the tail on the donkey. Now people arriving from France will have to isolate again even if ( NHS) Vaccinated…let’s hope this mess get sorted out soon, despite the Delta variant.

DLC

However people can't base travel plans on politicians kite flying in the media. As we've learnt with driving licences, unless it's official, it doesn't mean anything.

Until policy changes, if you've been vaccinated outside the UK, it's treated in the same way by the UK as if you weren't vaccinated.

DLC

It appears they've just made up an entirely new category just for France, possibly because they've misunderstood the data.

Chipmonk

The problem in France is serious. The Beta variant is believed to be able to get around the vaccines meaning, although it is not as transmissable as the Delta, it could be more lethal to vulnerable people even if vaccinated. It is highly likely the UK will make all travel possible only under quarantine conditions and I imagine this could happen within a few weeks.

Stingychips

Crazy times. I honestly think the only way through this is for the vast majority of the planet to catch the virus. The lockdowns and the vaccines are futile. I bet there is a variant brewing up right now which will bypass the vaccines and the cycle will just keep going on. I think nature has outsmarted us on this one. Constant lockdowns are just unsustainable and sending people crazy. We are seeing violence unprecedented all over over the planet. Alcohol and drug deaths highest on record.

Chipmonk

The only really sensible response is to try and get about 85% vaccination of population before lifting restrictions. In the meantime travel should be banned and nationwide curfews enacted. This allows most people to do everyday things and it would probably only be necessary until September if they placed all resources on vaccinations. If they dont do this we will be struggling to get through next winter

Stingychips

But variants are evolving faster than vaccines are people developed. The planet is too interlinked now to just simply stop everything coming in and out. The youth who have a 99% survival rate won’t accept constant lockdowns. I think the next lot of forced lockdowns will be met with a massive back lash.

Chipmonk

Recent poll suggests 70 % of people supported keeping restrictions in UK so not that much of a backlash

Stingychips

Why would 70% of people in the uk want to live with constant restrictions. Until the magical day comes where Covid miraculously disappears from the face on the planet. If we lockdown again there will be a back lash. Have you not seen what’s been happening in France. People won’t take it in the arse for much longer off the government. Two weeks to flatten the curve lmfao

DLC

Seems the beta variant is just 3.4% of cases in France, it is higher in France's overseas territories, which is why I linked to that person saying they might have misunderstood the data.

And anyway, if you wanted to conjure up a new variant which was a mix between beta's lethality (to people given the AZ vaccine) and delta's transmissibility, you would do exactly what the UK is planning to do, which is fully vaccinate only half the population and then open up. This is apparently a great way to create new variants.

I say half the population because I'm including children. When the British government says they've fully vaccinated two thirds of the adult population they've shifted the goalposts, but the virus doesn't distinguish between adults and children.

DLC

They wouldn't want to live with restrictions, but why would the British government slow down the vaccine rollout and stop practically all restrictions now including distancing and mask wearing? That's going to mean cases going up until it becomes unsustainable, yet another u-turn in a matter of weeks, and restrictions coming back.

Chipmonk

Not to mention that Boris might have to be isolating on his big Freedom Day if he gets the dreaded ping later today. What a total utter farce!!

Stingychips

Like Boris promising the country that these restrictions are irreversible. Then we’ll have the spike in winter again. And the circus goes carries on. Unless of course the British population protest on mass like other countries do.

Stingychips

because business can’t survive with restrictions on place so he’s taken a gamble. He knew cases would rise but as long as hospitalisations are stable it would be worth the risk. Constant lockdown is unjust and unsustainable. Your just feeding the paranoia and anxiety which is crippling the country. I think people have had enough now they have sacrificed enough. Many have had both jabs. Enough is enough. Live your life in fear , you will still die in the end no matter what happens.

DLC

I didn't say lockdown, but are you saying businesses can't survive with distancing and masks either? I put it to you that it's more survivable than huge numbers of people off sick because too many people have decided not to do simple things like wearing masks or following distancing rules.

A little over 50% have had two jabs, but it's not enough and it looks like the government has just given up half-way through. It's hugely irresponsible and will mean more restrictions for travelling to/from the UK, which is not good for business either.

If we want the circus to stop carrying on then everyone has to be vaccinated quickly and measures have to be kept in place until that is done, it's the only way to have a chance of stopping this, but it looks like the UK has given up.

Anyway, my irony meter has just exploded due to Javid getting it two days before Freedumb Day.