Should we go back into lockdown at this point?

[Huntergreed]

There’s been a huge increase in the media and government talking about the prospect of a “second lockdown” lately. I know two local authorities who have told all their schools to get all assessments done ASAP for a second lockdown in October, and it’s beginning to look like we may be going backwards.

Do you believe this is the right time for a second lockdown and do you think, given the statistics, a second lockdown would be justified? I personally think that it wouldn’t be at all justified and would be an absolutely disastrous decision at this point, but it sounds both possible and increasingly gaining momentum at this point.

Do you think the idea of a “harsh 2 week lockdown” in order to get cases down now would be a good idea?

 

[ValleyLines142]

Absolutely not. We can't afford a second one.

 

[Howardh]

They must say "two weeks then immediately back to the old new normal". If they approach this like before, "three weeks....then we'll review it...then three weeks...etc" it won't do any good. This time, a road map and end point.

Doesn't mean I want it or think it will work, but the present ad-hoc system isn't working and is totally confusing.

 

[DB]

That this is being suggested highlights what a dangerously incompetent / authoritarian government we have.

 

[Bantamzen]

No, for all the reasons above & because lockdowns clearly achieve nothing or very little for a very high cost.

 

[Howardh]

That this is being suggested highlights what a dangerously incompetent / authoritarian government we have.

And there's zero chance of a general election. Covid's going well into 2021, and throw in Brexit with hold-ups, staff shortages (customs/immigration), bureaucracy, red-tape, tarrifs, yep; we can really celebrate 2021 arriving.

 

[Andyh82]

I'm not sure what the solution is, but these constant new restrictions and the endless clips of people on the news saying they are "confused" and "how come we can do X but can't do Y" can't go on for ever, its almost worse than a full lockdown

 

[Huntergreed]

I'm not sure what the solution is, but these constant new restrictions and the endless clips of people on the news saying they are "confused" and "how come we can do X but can't do Y" can't go on for ever, its almost worse than a full lockdown

The “solution” is for the government to realise that elimination and continual suppression is impossible, and we have to look at other strategies which are more viable in the long term.

Herd immunity has went from a viable strategy to the biggest evil imaginable in the eyes of the general public, and we need to both change that view and educate and reassure the general public on the situation we now face.

I’m sad to say, people will die of this virus that would have otherwise lived, but if we don’t pursue this strategy, I don’t see what else we can do other than destroying the economy and society as we know it with this ludicrous measures we have at the moment.

 

[scotrail158713]

Absolutely not. All it would do is delay the potential “second wave”.
I think it says it all that out of all the countries who had a full national lockdown and then eased it, only one has gone back into full lockdown again.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

It would be completely pointless and would only prolong the issue.

 

[Reliablebeam]

They're insane. They are literally insane. What they seem to be putting around in the media is basically a form of lockdown were we are not allowed any social activity, but get into your workplace little worker bees...

'Circuit breaker' - another stupid slogan from Dom no doubt..

 

[thejuggler]

Lack of understanding as to what herd immunity actually is is why people think herd immunity was ever a viable strategy. It wasn't and without a vaccine won't be.

Matt Hancock was asked half a dozen times this morning what data is being used to assess whether another lockdown would be needed and how close we are to that decision being made. He wouldn't answer.

That is still the problem. Start giving accurate data and info on what action will be taken if trigger points are reached and it may have an effect on behaviour.

 

[Bletchleyite]

They're insane. They are literally insane. What they seem to be putting around in the media is basically a form of lockdown were we are not allowed any social activity, but get into your workplace little worker bees...

Irritating though it is, that has the most overall benefit.

 

[Class 33]

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! The further catastrophic damage it will do to the economy again. If we go into lockdown again, I expect this will finish off many pubs, cafes, restaurants, hotels, etc, as well as places like gyms, spas, leisure centres, theatres, etc. That's on top of all the ones that have already closed down as a result of the first lockdown. Thousands upon thousands of more people will become unemployed. It will also do even more damage to the nation's mental health, on top of the damage to what has already been done. Many many people won't be able to take going into full lockdown all over again!

And as I said in the other thread, if we do go into this proposed 2 or 3 week full lockdown(and sadly it is now looking highly likely we will), then Boris will say "This will be reviewed after 2/3 weeks.". And then come the end of this 2 or 3 week period, he and the cabinet will go and decide to extend it again because of such reasons as numbers of new cases still rising or stable or not dropped by much. This could then well drag out for at least several months again. It could well be that it would be like RESETTING back to the full lockdown of 23rd March all over again, and in 6 months from now the situation will be similar to what it is now, and still no end in sight of the VERY restrictive social distancing rules and face mask laws being scrapped.

We just can't go on with this nonsense for months on end. The government are treating us like puppets on a string, and they are playing with people's lives.

Please god, NO to yet another bloody full national lockdown!

 

[Saint66]

They're insane. They are literally insane. What they seem to be putting around in the media is basically a form of lockdown were we are not allowed any social activity, but get into your workplace little worker bees...

'Circuit breaker' - another stupid slogan from Dom no doubt..

I believe the phrase circuit breaker was first created by Imperial College London and was used widely by the Singaporean government during their strictest period of limits.

 

[Reliablebeam]

I believe the phrase circuit breaker was first created by Imperial College London and was used widely by the Singaporean government during their strictest period of limits.

I have learnt something new today!!!

Imperial, oh dear.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I have learnt something new today!!!

Imperial, oh dear.

Is a certain discredited individual still gobbing off but without his name on it?

 

[Reliablebeam]

Is a certain discredited individual still gobbing off but without his name on it?

Yes he is still involved in the modelling. The mathematical epidemiology world is fairly small and a lot of the characters involved have passed through the Imperial lab at some point as research fellows or postdocs, including for example Francois Balloux, who is worth a read on twitter. I think Adam Kucharski, another one who likes to appear on the media, is an alumnus of that lab.

 

[Yew]

Lack of understanding as to what herd immunity actually is is why people think herd immunity was ever a viable strategy. It wasn't and without a vaccine won't be.

It's the only strategy we have. Suppression of such a widespread and transmissible disease has never been achieved without it.

 

[Bletchleyite]

It's the only strategy we have. Suppression of such a widespread and transmissible disease has never been achieved without it.

Has it ever been attempted?

 

[Skimpot flyer]

I am totally aghast that they are even contemplating a second lockdown.
The government have lost all credibility with their ineptitude.
If they truly believe a 2nd lockdown is warranted, why are they floating the possibility via the media?
With face-coverings, there was a delay between floating the possibility of their introduction and the actual mandating. Ok, people on both sides of that argument might accept that no preventable coronavirus deaths occurred due to the delay, although even that is debatable.
If our so-called leaders truly believe the conditions that might justify another lockdown are already met, how do they explain a delay?


Like so many recent measures, the inconsistencies, lack of logic (and elements of control behaviour one associates with an abusive relationship) all combine to make me want to say ‘f this’, I’ll take my chances and live life as I wish.
Tonight’s 10pm curfew in the North East could be a breaking point, given that it comes in on a Friday night, when people expect to be able to socialise. I truly truly hope so.

 

[scotrail158713]

Has it ever been attempted?

Don’t think so. And there’s a good reason behind that I reckon.

 

[Skimpot flyer]

Is a certain discredited individual still gobbing off but without his name on it?

Well, if we needed a measure of how insane the idea of a second lockdown is, if it comes from modelling that Ferguson has been involved with, that is all one needs to know

 

[DB]

Lack of understanding as to what herd immunity actually is is why people think herd immunity was ever a viable strategy. It wasn't and without a vaccine won't be.

So what' is not being understood?

Herd immunity is what keeps most viruses at a relatively low level! Only a minority actually have vaccines.

 

[Scotrail12]

No and my answer always will be no regardless of what the situation is.

 

[Andy Pacer]

I think the results of the poll speak volumes.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I think the results of the poll speak volumes.

There's another forum I use on which it would be the opposite way round (no, not Mumsnet).

 

[Richard Scott]

Irritating though it is, that has the most overall benefit.

Benefit to whom? Certainly not to society as a whole, certainly not to those with Mental health issues or those undergoing treatment at hospital for cancer. So we'll sacrifice all those in vain attempt to possibly save a few lives, most likely of those who had little time left anyway. There is no Utopia but seems Government think there is. We cannot control this virus, we need to understand this.

 

[yorksrob]

They're insane. They are literally insane. What they seem to be putting around in the media is basically a form of lockdown were we are not allowed any social activity, but get into your workplace little worker bees...

'Circuit breaker' - another stupid slogan from Dom no doubt..

Indeed. "You can't socialise or do any thing that makes life worth living, but the "good news" is that you can work youself do death down't pit" yippee.

Hancock clearly implied this morning that transmission was likely in social settings rather than work places. I must have dreamt up all of those outbreaks that have happenned at work places earlier in the year then.

 

[Reliablebeam]

My reading is the only plan they seem to have is hope and pray that scientists have a vaccine ready by spring if they can get through winter. Now what kind of country we'll have at the end of this is anyone's guess, but in my social circle, any 'unity' and camaraderie has long gone. One of my technicians summed it up to the other day when she said how infuriated she was when senior managers were appearing on web conferences boasting how great WFH is from their plush home office, when she was attempting to find something to do from her work laptop sat on the bed in her house share. On the other hand, my own group leader is currently cavorting around work in her mask of virtue which magically protects her from having to social distance..

As a professional scientist I can't wait to be blamed for economic damage. 'The nerds told us to do it!'