Lockdown easing in England

[groom]

My new normal begins with returning to school next week. We are a large secondary school and years 10 and 12 are due back in two weeks time. Steps are in place but how it will work in practice we will have to see. I have lost some confidence over time and become a little insular which really isn't me. It will take time but we may have to live with a few more changes yet.

Tazzie

At least at that age they should be able to understand and keep to social distancing. I taught for over 30 years in Primary schools and I’m certainly grateful I don’t have the problem of trying to keep 4 and 5 year olds apart! How do you explain  to a 4 year old why they can’t play on the carpet with their friend, or why suddenly they are in a different class?
I taught year 6, and this is the time of year when they would be visiting Secondary schools, going on school trips, practicing for end of term shows, looking forward to leaving parties etc. Instead they will  be taught in a small group or bubble, who they have to stay with all the time, be in different classrooms that have been stripped bare,  different teachers, no pe, no football at playtime, no sharing of anything etc. I really pity them and all teachers at this time.

[sonofthom]

Guy, Just because Sturgeon says something doesn't make it legally enforceable. She has said that visitors should bring their own plates, cutlery and food; I confidently predict that almost everyone will ignore these ridiculous recommendations - we are all adults and are perfectly capable of washing up plates etc hygienically. As for her grotesque rule that you mustn't allow legitimate visitors to visit the toilet this is beyond absurd and will be completely ignored. Politicians should treat people like adults and not try to micromanage every aspect of our lives.

[louisa maud]

All I can see soon is my neighbours that join  on having a party after party, if music till 12.45 am isn't enough frequently, and they father and son go  to work, inconsiderate to say the least, I am not a happy bunny at all

Louisa Maud

[tjugg]

This new rule puts us in a dilemma, son & daughter in law live a few miles from us but they have 3 children so we can't legally meet up with them!  Do they leave the 3 year old at home because he's most likely to not obey the 2 metre rule or do we do a Cummings and bend the rules?  Any thoughts?
Linda

[LizzieL]

They could drive any distance ( say 260 miles) to get childcare for the 3 year old, then the rest of the family could visit you. Easily solved

[LizzieL]

Welsh rules seem rather restrictive at 5 miles - although I can see the point of restricting people from moving around too much. I wonder how many families still live that close to each other. My nearest relative is 170 miles away, not easily done in a day trip - about 8 hours on the road in total.

[Guy Etchells]

Guy, Just because Sturgeon says something doesn't make it legally enforceable.

I totally agree which is why have previously posted links to the legislation as well as the to the guidance, but many people do not seem to understand the difference.

She has said that visitors should bring their own plates, cutlery and food; I confidently predict that almost everyone will ignore these ridiculous recommendations - we are all adults and are perfectly capable of washing up plates etc hygienically.

Yes but many do not seem to understand if those hygienically washed plates & cutlery are handled the hygiene has been compromised, I have seen many instances of cups being picked up in cafes and restaurants  by their rims rather than their handles in normal times to be aware of poor hygiene practice. That being so I think Nicola Sturgeon's suggestion is good advice (even though I can't stand the woman).

As for her grotesque rule that you mustn't allow legitimate visitors to visit the toilet this is beyond absurd and will be completely ignored. Politicians should treat people like adults and not try to micromanage every aspect of our lives.

Again that is good practical advice, I am certain that very few families would clean every surface in the toilet a distant member of the family might have touched or breathed on each time a distant member of the family used it, most would possible wipe the seat, taps and possibly change the towel, but I tend to think that many would think to themselves it was only my son who used the toilet he is well so no problem and leave cleaning the toilet until the visit was over or until the next time it was due to be cleaned.

I think most of us tend to bend the rules where family is concerned for many reasons including not wanting to make them feel uncomfortable.
Cheers
Guy

[LizzieL]

At yesterday's daily briefing on number of new infections, it was said that the number who had tested positive was 1,887, down a little from 2,013 the previous day. Quite a high number in itself and not falling very fast.
But Sir Patrick Vallance said  “The UK is seeing 54,000 new virus infections in the community every week/ This is still a significant burden of new infections – around 8,000 per day,”

So it looks like only 1 in 4 of infections being recorded, because they are a result of a positive test. But we're doing 100,000 tests a day supposedly and anyone with symptoms is able to get one. So why such a discrepancy.

The highest number of daily cases reported was on April 10 when there were 8,681 positive tests recorded. At this time I believe testing was only done in hospital so many people with mild symptoms self-isolating at home where never tested, so not included in the total. There must really have been many more on April 10th.

This is very worrying.
 

[louisa maud]

My cousin died on April 9th aged 68, a complete shock  .

Louisa Maud