Vocal Voices

Last night, our government announced a road map to help us emerge slowly and carefully from our restrictions. It looks well considered, and will stall if our COVID figures get worse again. This article sets it out simply. Don’t bother clicking on the other link within the article.

https://www.rte.ie/news/2020/0501/11361 ... p-details/

Oh Osc, that does look encouraging. I wish our government had the balls to make such steps, but the cynic in me says our government will be watching to see what happens, across the Celtic Sea!

Yes, that is interesting, Osc, but my gut reaction is that it's a bit too "fast" and I hope that your infection rate does not start to take off again.

Osc, Ria posted a link to what South Africa is doing and Ireland's plan looks to be along similar lines. I also read that the roadmap will be monitored and that if things start to change for the worse it can go back a phase, is that true? That is what some other places such as Germany are doing.

It is very much worthwhile for the UK to be closely watching these outcomes.

Workingman wrote: I also read that the roadmap will be monitored and that if things start to change for the worse it can go back a phase, is that true?b

Yes, that’s true.

I think it is time, now we have several of these moves to look at, to actually review what they are saying and what they mean.

The short version is this.

"Until we have a vaccene, people are going to continue to be infected and, of those infected, some are going to die. However lock downs such as this impact the people and devastate the economy. So we have decided to let people out and let the economy get going again. Of course we recognise that not waiting for a vaccene before we end lock down means people will continue to be infected and some of those infected will die. What we have done is to decide the acceptable level of deaths we are willing to pay for our freedom and our economy. Of course, should the numbers look likely to exceed the acceptable deaths and impact our ability to hospitalise the infected, then your freedom and economy go on the back burner again."

Now, that is what they are really saying. I'm just wondering how much that should look like good news....

That short version is succinct and to the point but it means that I, and I suspect many of us on VV, are screwed if the moves are not policed with vigour.

Social distancing is already like playing Russian roulette when in the supermarket where people are either too stupid or of the "end the lockdown now" brigade to follow a simple one-way system. Two metres will soon become 1.5m, then 1.0m then let's all hold hands and give each other a hug. But never mind, we are old and economically inactive oxygen thieves and wasters of rations - expendable. I have actually read comments to that effect.

I am not against the gradual easing of the lockdown, far from it, I look forward to it, but there had better be strong measures put in place to protect the vulnerable amongst us. We already put ourselves at risk by simply catching a bus, and you can bet your house on us not being a priority for any vaccines that come along. They will be reserved for those in the economy - it's all about the money, you see. Normal life for those of us over a certain age will never come back unless and until this virus goes the way of smallpox or we all get immunity.

Workingman wrote:But never mind, we are old and economically inactive oxygen thieves and wasters of rations - expendable. I have actually read comments to that effect.
I am not against the gradual easing of the lockdown, far from it, I look forward to it, but there had better be strong measures put in place to protect the vulnerable amongst us. We already put ourselves at risk by simply catching a bus, and you can bet your house on us not being a priority for any vaccines that come along. They will be reserved for those in the economy - it's all about the money, you see. Normal life for those of us over a certain age will never come back unless and until this virus goes the way of smallpox or we all get immunity.

Sadly I agree, it's becoming clear that some people do consider us older people expendable. A business man is already planning to take the government to court saying the lock down is illegal!! On todays briefing a lady asked how long must she stay in lock down as she misses her grandchildren and wants to be able to see them. The answer was quite clear, as thing ease we do have a choice, but it was stressed that the reality is if we are in the 'at risk' category it would be in our best interest to stay in. We've already had this discussion with our family and they all feel, as do we, that until a vaccine or reliable treatment is found we should continue to shelter.

When the restrictions are lifted we will only go out when we feel it is safe to go.
We would like to go back dancing but may have to wait longer before it is allowed.

It needs to be policed like supermarkets are doing.

I think it is right for the government to observe what is happening in other countries regarding easing of the lock down. I would like to see people getting back to work and resuming normal life but at a slow and measured pace. As for the old (like me), being retired I think I have an element of choice. I will do what I am doing now, keeping my distance from people, and shopping once a week, twice at most. I am badly in need of a hair cut so if hairdressing is resumed I will take the risk.