How are you feeling about the proposed lifti... - Vasculitis UK
How are you feeling about the proposed lifting of COVID19 restrictions on 19th July? Let us know if you're happy or not happy in this poll
Undecided whether total lifting of restrictions is a good idea considering the infection rates are climbing rapidly again
Have some concerns as to what may happen. But also need some normality
I’m in Scotland but I’m unhappy anyway!
I have cryoglobulinemia generated by leukemia. Can't help feeling we're all being thrown under the bus!
That’s what l said, l feel like we’ve been thrown under the bus!
No protection for the vulnerable. Not all people on immunosuppressive medications are old. If everyone stops wearing masks your risk increases even if you continue to wear one!!
I feel this is yet another decision this government has got wrong.
Most of us were used to assessing our risks before covid. There were plenty of other infections we could pick up, so we’ve learnt to be cautious. I would like masks to be worn in closed spaces, public transport etc until the end of next winter and will do so myself. After all it won’t be illegal to wear a mask, carry our own sanitiser etc.But I’m really looking forward to a wider range of activities, especially being able to sing!
Actually, I'm furious. I know politics isn't to be encouraged here, but this is reckless Government pandering to Johnson's populist vote, and I would be dead against opening everything up before a greater proportion of the population was properly vaccinated, even if I didn't have GCA, and little immunity. I don't know how they will have the thousands of extra deaths on their consciences - and also, selfishly, it is very likely to cause another severe lockdown which, possibly, might have been avoided. How onerous is it, really, to wear a mask for a little longer? Yes, the financial life of the country is important. I don't think more important than actual lives. End of rant.
It was a great rant - spot on!
I agree rant away! The financial life of the country will be further doomed anyway if we are all forced into yet another severe lockdown and the NHS and social care falls apart any more than it already has. Populism is one thing, downright shortsighted and amorality is quite another!
I agree! It's totally irresponsible.
Unhappy because there are many who even if not immunosuppressed themselves will be in contact with them and so the chances of infection will increase in those for whom vaccines are probably not working. To ask people to continue to wear masks in shops and transport would be a small thing to ask of others for the common good. Some shops and transport do not have good ventilation if any...It is also unclear whether mass infection rates will promote vaccination resistant variants and so lead to more problems for the population as a whole...
I'm still going to be as safe as i can be and still wearing face mask, keeping distance, etc
Wary
Life needs to get back to as near normal as possible, but I think the wearing of masks in enclosed areas should still be required.
Without knowing what level of antibodies I’ve developed in response to the vaccinations it’s difficult to make a meaningful risk assessment. It will be the opposite of ‘Freedom Day’ for me.
I have very few Gp says that I'm at risk continue shielding 😪
Furious. It's basically saying that people with immune problems are expendable.
I can understand there is a need to get back to some sort of normality but it concerns me as to how vulnerable we will be.
Don't think it will matter what the rules are when the Graphene Oxide kicks in this winter
We do need to move into an era of treating it more like flu making the move in the Summer is better than in Autumn but would have been better if 18 year olds had also been double vaccinated it’s a gamble. As someone recently recommenced on an immunosuppressant medication I will be wearing my mask in indoor public spaces and avoiding crowds. If I go out for a meal I will look to dine outdoors. On balance feel we need to lift the restrictions but would like to have seem masks on in public spaces and on public transport for a little longer. Also concerned re numbers isolating as this may knock back any economic recovery with businesses having to close due to staff isolating for being identified as close contact of someone who has tested positive. What happened to the trial whereby contacts tested themselves each day and if negative did not need to isolate can’t we roll this out not heard anything really the results of this
You know my feelings John, my MP is Rishi Sunak, my wife and I are meeting him next week as my wife knits prosthetic breasts for ladies who have had mastectomies. We will make our feelings known. Our freedom is more important because if we get it we don’t have the virus but only people can do that. Nick
have an extra chat for me too please, its all very scary still x
Very unhappy. Too many people (including, apparently, the Prime Minister) don't get that masks are to protect others from you - the average 'popular' mask offers precious little protection to the wearer. And few people seem to be hearing that the vaccination does NOT prevent you getting the wretched disease. In theory it protects you from hospitalisation and death. But I'm not sure the data back that up.
I am particularly unhappy about mask-wearing not being mandatory on public transport. I wonder how many companies are going to be brave enough to maintain their own 'rules' .
I feel like we are being left behind....like people who are immunocompromised are not considered ,since they are not the majority.Even my employer has mentioned that they might look at dismissal if the business can no longer support my absence...they seem to forget I was employee of the year in 2017... really disappointed!!!
That is frightful of your employer and probably it would be wrongful dismissal. Very sorry for you though - we don’t need that stress...
I believe that your employer hasn't the legal right to dismiss you if you have a long-term disability/illness. Maybe you could check on this so that you know if you have any rights in respect of this (citizens advice?).
Totally unnecessary failure of leadership by the government. Wearing masks indoors / on public transport is a small price to pay for controlling COVID. Huge risk of long-term health problems for many.
Very, very wary. Myself and husband will continue to wear masks in public spaces as we accept that as I'm immunosuppressed I may not have produced many antibodies. I'm also exasperated by people who say that they're exempt from wearing a mask because they get "breathless" without any medical evidence to back up their statement.
My husband has a single dodgy lung and heart failure - when he goes out he wears a mask. It has never occurred to us to seek exemption which he would get even here in Italy. Mind you - never ceases to amaze me how many people think they breathe through their chins - and obviously never through their noses!!!!
I feel it’s to early to remove the mandatory wearing of face masks yet, especially given the ever increasing number of people catching COVID
That there needs to be some change/opening up is clear - but they are doing too much too soon. Nothing new there then. But the figures will look very very different by the 19th and they haven't stood back and looked at the whole picture. Masks at the very least should have been maintained until the delta variant figures are falling. All it will need is another variant that escapes the vaccine and EVERYONE, not just we immunosuppresed, will be at the same risk as last year. Masks and distancing work for all variants ...
Hello, PMRpro 👋🏼. So much for "proceeding with caution"! There are many who are protesting at full easing of restrictions and it wouldn't surprise me to see some back-tracking. There is talk of rebellion in the H of C. I agree with you about the emergence of new variants.
Probably right for the country as a whole but I think I will be hiding indoors!
I have made my own decisions all through this pandemic and will continue to do so, wearing a mask and keeping my distance.
We obviously need to get back to some sort of normality, but unfortunately with no guidance certain members of the general public won’t use common sense. So anyone with significant health issues will need to be extra vigilant and continue to lead a somewhat restricted lifestyle.
We meet again 🙂. I had a 'conversation' with someone on social media who said she will be ditching her mask as there's no way she wants to just sit and watch the world go by. She appeared to have no sympathy for those who have little choice and no acceptance that she may well infect vulnerable people.
Unfortunately there are a lot of selfish folk about……
I wish they could explain to me how wearing a mask will stop them joining in "the world". Wear a mask - and everyone, including yourself, can get closer to normal ... My niece lives in Hong Kong, must wear a mask outside the house and they have been going out, spending the weekends camping on the beach with the children, having parties - all as normal. And the figures there are low.
She said it would enable her to get from A to B quicker. When questioned about that she said that, “Getting from A to B has nothing to do with masks as such but whether people are getting out of my way because I won’t be wearing one……one can get from A to B quicker if there are no obstacles (ie people) in the way.’ Unbelievable!
How selfish and irresponsible. Would they still be thinking that if one of their relatives died from covid caught in the same way?? Idiot woman! Sorry if that's disrespectful, but such blatant stupidity really upsets me.
I don’t think Scotland is going to do it numbers are to high
Terrified. I feel we are being sacrificed to the economy. I think we should be issued with hospital Covid ICU grade masks, as it's clear going into public places with anything other will be dangerous
Hi there.Just a few points!
- Many people think July 19th signifies everything being back to normal again.....it absolutely doesn't!
- Many people think being double vaccinated means you can't catch it..... it doesn't!
- Many people think that if they do catch it, they won't be ill. Not true for everyone...particularly the immuno-compromised.
- Many people think it doesn't matter if they have it and transmit it to someone else now.......it does!
What people don't realise is, that the aim of any virus is to 'thrive & survive' and that is why it mutates! In order for mutation to occur, it has to transmit, so every time it passes from one person to another, we're providing another opportunity for it to mutate. There's a distinct possibility that it could eventually mutate into a variant that's resistant to all our current vaccines and if it's a more deadly strain then we'll be right back to square one!! The economy, education, mental health, etc will be the least of our worries if that happens!!
Everyone is fed up of the restrictions and we all want life to revert back to how it was before covid, but despite having made many steps forward in the fight against it, we're at a critical point here. I feel the very least we should be doing is continuing to wear masks and with the Delta variant rising alarmingly fast, removing all restrictions seems foolhardy and reckless. Boris said we now have to take responsibility for our own safety, but we already know that many people won't do this.....what we should be doing is taking responsibility for our own safety and others!
These are just my own personal thoughts of course and I'm sure others will have a different view point. There's probably no right or wrong here.....just people with their own individual experiences applying that to formulate their own individual opinions.
Still a worrying time though.
It’s a unique situation, never experienced before. We all must take extra care and take no unnecessary risks
The infection rates are increasing, especially with the delta variant. Now isn’t the time to lift all the restrictions. A 4th wave will be starting soon and we might have yet another lockdown in the autumn. I am very scared, being in the vulnerable group of people. Some wisdom from the government would be most necessary… alas.
I've voted unhappy, though I'm in Scotland, so we have a slightly different plan and timetable. But I'm not happy with what we're doing here either. Right next to where I live in Angus in Dundee City (just a few hundred metres away) the cases are almost 1000 per 100,000 people over the last 7 days, and still rising. Some parts of Dundee, including right next to where my husband shops, are at 1600 cases per 100,000. But no extra measures are being taken, more relaxation. As an immunosuppressed person I feel terrified. Even though I know I have some Covid antibodies, but my level is relatively low. So still a huge risk. My healthy husband who has been shielding with me for over a year is terrified too. Not happy at all. And the cases are going to rise more and more. And that's supposed to be ok?
I’m near your location and was passing cardiology in Ninewells yesterday where a doctor was phoning his manager saying 3 more staff had tested positive so will be off and they are now critically shortstaffed. If this is in sumner what on earth will winter here bring?
Both my daughters are in the NHS, both are vaccinated but that won't stop the successful variant. My brother and nephew are bus drivers in Dundee. None of them have a choice ...
Both my husband and I worked at N/W. Happy days - feels like pre-history now!
I just spent a week in there having Iloprost infusions and I noticed it was the young patients who were extremely vigilant about wearing masks and the old chaps who weren’t. One perfectly with-it gentleman closed the windows and stood too close without his mask. When I asked him to please leave the window open and stop standing so close to my chair he came even closer saying “I’m 84 and hard of hearing love - now please take that mask off and speak up!”. Then once I’d explained in my politest tone he rolled his eyes about me at the older chap opposite!
Not so much selfish as clueless!
Thankfully most coming in for infusions were young or female!
This is a respiratory pandemic. Why on earth take masks away when they offer protection? They should be mandatory in a public place. I an not against restrictions easing, but an am against the removal of masks.
I suppose the government is in a no win situation. They put Freedom Day back a month and the hospitality industry and entertainment industry are up in arms. Then on the other side many others are against having to go into work, not wear masks etc. Just hope the vaccine holds up.
We are open here in Italy - but masks are mandatory inside. Even in a restaruant unless you are seated. The supermarket still has a numbers limit as do smaller shops - you queue outside. Interestingly - you can identfy tourists, they are less likely to wear their masks!
Quite frankly if you watch TV with the World Cup and those celebrating in their thousands, I have not seen one mask amongst them and social distancing is a dirty word, or is that words? On the news today apparently 30% more men are catching Covid than women in UK. If you look at the crowds celebrating there are probably 50% more men QED.
I think the government is shirking its responsibility putting the onus on the general public to use judgment. Cases are rising rapidly- this is the wrong time to lift restrictions
People seem to be treating this delay as a punishment, things are bad enough with just the minority disobeying the rules . Boris is not condoning parties and get togethers for all our safety.
Because nationwide there is a sizeable & noticeable minority that I am very aware of that are deeply unhappy about their personal situations & are clearly not being listened too...major consultation needs to happen.
l took a taxi the other day and the driver had told mee that he, his wife and daughter were all double jabbed and they still caught COVID! He did say though that if they hadn't of had the vacs at least one of them would have ended up in hospital! Makes you think! Sally
This is quite simple really. The vaccine helps you fight off covid after you have contracted the virus. That's all it does. It does not make you immune, you can catch it more than once, and it doesn't prevent transmission to others. This dumb govt is planning on lifting all restrictions and is going to kill a lot of people. Boris is going for heard immunity - but no one is getting immune and the number of new infections is rising rapidly. I wonder how much death folks will take before they really start to complain. Testing people regularly and only allowing folks who don't test positive to mix, is the only way to get the country going irrespective of this double jab rollout, which is more like putting a sticking plaster on a broken leg. Their incompetence is breathtaking when they could've done what NZ did - 3mths proper full lockdown to get it under control, no more new cases, and all back to normal working with next to no deaths. Even the Aussies had no new cases for 3mths. I'm livid with Boris for dragging this on 18mths and now relaxing restrictions?? Dangerous, utter nonsense!
I think masks should still be used indoors and at crowded events and public transport.It encourages thoughtfulness in others.
Like Japanese folks have always done.
It staggering the lack of concern shown by government for all its population. New Zealand got it right and showed the world how to deal with Covid. And yet we in the UK continue to put money ahead of well being. Its only ever been about money, commerce, personal glory and being seen to do just enough. All those stupid meaningless graphs and childish war like announcements...now I do have a mathematical background and stats can show whatever you want them to..its all about how you cut, splice and present data. And that won't change and we just have to get on with as it makes no difference which party is leading us. At some stage we have to get back to living. So let's do that. No mention through all of this for the immune suppressed community save to label us CEV, make sure we get our shopping and give us our vaccine a bit early. Well whoop-di-woo Boris. We all have lives to live fully. Lets leave the politicians to their self gratification and pats on backs. They are all the same. Opening up whether it happens now or next year makes no difference as Covid is here for a good while if not forever. We need to find a way to be as safe as we can and move on. Or lock ourselves away. Thats it and down to personal choice and I for one will support anyone with their personal choice as it will be right for them.
Yes NZ did get it right - by shutting borders.. but you have to remember they only have 5m people compared to our 65m, most live in rural areas, in single storey accommodation and plenty of fresh air.
Even in cities, which are mainly on the coast (very few inland) apartments are a lot rarer than here…
there is just more space per capita, and as they say -
“New Zealanders shouldn’t be so surprised how often it’s windy here. After all, we’re basically a few mountainous islands stuck partially in the Roaring Forties.”
With the increase in numbers - how can it be the right time?
CohanIt is to much to soon with numbers on the increase as they are why do away with masks and social distancing which still allows people freedom but gives a little protection to us at risk
I feel the economy, short term, is the key driver for the government's approach. As ever there is not enough attention to detail and a more measured approach should be taken. The fact that Johnson is not prepared to state the figures for the expected impact suggests they are hiding the potential impact too.
But it will be a very short term benefit to the economy indeed if, as I agree, this is their main concern
Unhappy! Face masks should remain mandatory to protect the vulnerable and anyone working in the public sector. I have spoken to shop assistance who are very worried, in fact plan to keep wearing a mask. We have come so far and just near the finishing line we drop the baton. Crazy!
Why go from one extreme to another?
500,000 are immune suppressed and therefore may not have any protection from having the jabs. Keeping safe amid spiralling cases will be very difficult.
All 500,000 immunosuppressed are thrown under a bus by the opening up. There are cases emerging where people have been double vaccinated and get very ill from COVID. I suppose we will now have to get used to the idea that the health service is being run by an ex banker, who has no experience in the nhs and the economy drives his policy.
The cynic in me also me believes it would suit this government if those who cost the nhs the most are ignored / treated as collateral damage.
It’s a typically short sighted approach by government built on populism rather than pragmatism. Ironically, when the virus spirals out of control in the uk, the economy will tank again and we will be isolated from other countries.
It’s good that people can get back to the new normal, but I will still wear a mask, socially distance and wash hands regularly as it is my choice and I don’t feel that I need any political party to tell me to do these obvious things.One thing that I have found confusing is that you currently need to wear a mask to protect others with only slight protection for yourself - Although I know that the circumstances are different, I’ve worked in the construction industry for over 45 years and a PPE mask was always to protect yourself from airborne particles, where necessary - so it only gives slight protection???
Hi,
I feel very unhappy about lifting restrictions, we are nowhere near ready, I know it has to happen at some point, but not yet.
My daughter works as a health visitor and a lady in her department, in her 30s, double vaccinated, no immune problems has now got delta variant and is very ill.
I was just beginning to feel my world was opening up and now I don’t feel safe anymore. Wearing a mask gives little protection unless the person you are interacting with also wears one. It would help if we were told how they were going to address the problem of immunocompromised people not getting good results from the vaccination. They are still saying they “may” give boosters in Sept.
I voted Unhappy ALL restrictions should not be lifted on the July 19th.Reasons why:-
More people should have had both vaccines especially those between the ages of 18 and 30. Evidence seems to suggest that young people can be infected and carriers but not necessarily have any symptoms.
Masks at the very least should still be worn in indoor areas throughout the rest of this year and into Spring of next year. You protect me - I protect you
We need more information regarding the roll out of the booster dose in the Autumn before any restrictions are totally lifted
Better ventilation should be a priority, for all indoor areas , especially where hundreds of people are in close proximity of each other. Including schools.
We are going to have to live with COVID19 eventually, but it’s the governments responsibility to ensure it has minimal impact on severe illness, disability and deaths. At the moment they are not.
A calculated, gradual relaxation of rules and regulations about COVID19 is the “responsible” way to go forward.
I am finding this very upsetting when the government say that there will be 100000 cases a day I wonder how it will be possible to stay safe. I am also upset about the decision on masks and people's attitudes about it they seem to be so self centered and selfish they are not prepared to take the simplest of step to protect vulnerable people.The whole period of time has shown highlighted very unpleasant about people's attitudes to ill or disabled people I knew about them before but it seems worse and more obvious. I hope it won't be as bad as predicted but am very worried. I hope everyone stays safe
I live in USA and I never agreed with the restrictions!
Unhappy does not begin to describe the emotions I feel. Fearful and furious is a start. If all the restrictions are lifted we become guinea pigs for this acknowledged risky/reckless gamble with people's lives and deaths .. no-one knows the outcome least of all the policy-makers. They can trot out all the statistics and graphs they want and probably think if they keep repeating 100,000 100,00 over and over we will become accustomed to this as, in a phrase I find very irritating, 'the new normal'. What IS the new normal? The opportunity to create a radical change for the better seems to have passed by in a lot of hot air and soon-forgotten promises. No-one is in charge of this country in a meaningful constructive way - there's an abundance of information but an absence of intelligent application.
We as a population have developed 'learned helplessness' under the constant stress of messy decisions and 'guidances' 'advice' rather than clear rules, and have lost personal control of our ability to live a fulfilling life, we've learnt to adapt, because we didn't have a choice or a voice. And now it's as though the government has thrown their hands in the air and said well we don't know what the hell to do, over to you The People now.
I completely agree that the society has to get back to a good working order. But to scrap the entire regulation when most places still do not ventilate at all is completely against all that we have sacrificed to protect everything. The government has to change its plan and ask the citizens to wear mask indoor in public space maintaining distance. Many country is Asia have shown what can be done. Why not follow the good examples that have been proven? This is the worst disaster waiting to happen...just to recover economy!
For 18 months I have been locked away in my home, nobody in and nobody out, and now they are saying we have a free for all from July 19th, us chronically vulnerable have been swept under carpet yet again!
I’m sorry to say that if you come out from under the carpet and go outside you will be pushed under a bus. If you die you can’t complain and you will will be ‘just’ an unfortunate statistic.
Very unhappy.
I am undecided how I feel I know we have to get back to some kind of normality . I will still wear a mask in enclosed spaces but feel that I need to get out and about now . I have been on trains to see friends and family . i might be more wary when school hols start I am in a ramblers club which is starting up again i dont feel able to walk miles at the moment but also the thought of sitting on a coach for hours would worry me with high rate of infection . I feel we are getting mixed messages from government in that they are lifting restrictions in july but then want people to isolate if in contact with infected person up to august . I apparently have antibodies following the jabs but dont know how at risk i am of serious infection from delta as immune suppressed on 8.5 pred .
Iam Still cautious
Not happy I contracted covid 19 Mach this year. After being extremely careful. Proceeded with costochondritis, vasulitis, myocarditis. I have been unable to be vaccinated. So the lifting of mask wearing to me is absolutely nuts.
