The end of hibernation

[Nick_Ips]

I suppose we could think of this as a trial - IF cases don't rise dramatically in a week or so, then we will know that the chances of catching it are relatively low.

I think there is something to be said for relaxing the restrictions now when pressure from seasonal flu will be at its lowest, and shortly before the schools will be on holiday anyway, rather than waiting until the Autumn when seasonal flu cases will be on the rise and children's education will be further impacted if we had to enter another period of 'lockdown'.

So perhaps it is better to have the start of a second wave (if there is going to be one) in the Summer months, rather than delaying it to October/November/December.

[Greensleeves]

The 'let's get the second wave over with' is fine if you decide to ignore all those tens of thousands of people who have been stuck in limbo since the end of March, awaiting life-saving surgery and/or cancer treatment.  I reproduce below (with her permission) my daughter's post on another forum detailing her plight and her feelings.  She's in her twenties, and today is her birthday.  Not only is she in pain but she's also in despair at people's behaviour,  and the total lack of concern for those who, like her, are desperate for the hospitals to commence surgery and treatment once again.

"It's my birthday tomorrow, and I probably should feel somewhat festive.
But I'm really not.
I am absolutely desolate.

This is far from how I'd hoped I'd see my year turn over.

The continual comments I see posing the very abrupt removal of coronavirus safeguards as some individualistic decision "Well just stay at home and take precautions and let other people do what they want" utterly ignores the impact you have on other people.

Even beyond the obvious fact that IT IS SPREAD BY PEOPLE, take my situation.

As most folks who know me know I've been waiting on some upper GI tract surgery since February, which was cancelled in March because of the need to free up resources for COVID-19. I was completely understanding about this even when the staff member telling me was extremely apologetic.

You know, you have to make sacrifices, it's a global pandemic.

It's been hard.
It's been cr*p.
In my initial illness I suffered from acute pancreatitis, which I have a high chance of developing again without surgery.
I've lost 18 kilos in weight, chunks of my hair have fallen out, and I have to go about my day in the knowledge that anything I eat could potentially send me on another trip to A&E.

And I'm by no means the only person in this kind of situation.

I have zero resentment towards the NHS. I was taken great care of when I was initially unwell in hospital, and I know that they are doing their best in extremely tough circumstances.

Who DO I resent?

People who are pushing and pushing for faster openings, faster reduction in distance, ignoring scientific advice and leaning on 'but the economy' argument as if another wave isn't going to tank it all over again.

The same people who've trotted out the idea of people like me waiting for treatment as a sympathy ploy numerous times.

Because here I am, months along, hoping to get a call for a reschedule, whilst I watch the R-rate creeping up.
And even aside from the needless death.
On top of the already needless death.
You know what hospitals will have to do again with a case rise?

Keep electives shut down.

Unwillingly signing me up for more months of trying to keep out of hospital, something I only wish was guaranteed.

But you know, people seem really pleased the pubs are opening again.

So.

Consequences be damned, I guess."

[Gillg]

Greensleeves
Your daughter's post is heart-rending.  I, too, am waiting for a call for a hospital procedure, but for something fairly simple which doesn't have much impact on my life.  Please send her our very best wishes and our hope that she will soon be recalled for the necessary treatment. 
Gillg

[jillruss]

6. I shall make a will stipulating that I should never, ever, not in a million years be placed in a British care home.

Bit late by then, as by the time it is read you'll be dead!    Perhaps let your relatives know now
that there is a clause in the will that says that they've put you in a care home all your money goes to the local Cats'Home.

What I can't understand is why on earth do people want to go and sit on a crowded beach in temperatures of about 30 degrees? My idea of hell.

I thought about that later - I'd have to make it a living will!! I might even check myself into a cats home: they seem to be better looked after than in some so called care homes! Maiow!!!

[Nick_Ips]

The 'let's get the second wave over with' is fine if you decide to ignore all those tens of thousands of people who have been stuck in limbo since the end of March, awaiting life-saving surgery and/or cancer treatment.

This is wrong. Nobody has to be ignored. People returning to a more normal level of living (e.g. visiting a beach) is not incompatible with the recommencement of elective surgery.

Since we aren't going to eradicate Covid any time soon - and eradication would be essential if the NHS is to return to its old way of working - then what needs to happen is a re-configuration of the NHS so it is able to perform elective surgery with a reasonable level of safety despite Covid.

Many frontline NHS staff will need a bit of a breather to recover from the unquestionably traumatic experience of dealing with the first wave, but the system as a whole should already be undertaking the necessary re-configuration and preparing for a resumption of elective surgery without delay.

Your daughter's anger is understandable, and I'm sure we all sympathise with her, but I feel her anger is possibly misdirected.

The issue is not with people who want to return to a 'normal' life, the issue is the delay in getting NHS services reconfigured to enable elective surgery to get back up to speed.  The 'R' level should be largely irrelevant to that.

We were able to get temporary hospitals 'built' in a couple of weeks... so what are the barriers to being able to perform elective surgery several months later?

From what I've read I suspect the issue isn't the people sitting on the beach, but instead people sitting in NHS management offices. The businesses that have stayed open and reopened have had to radically change the way they work to do so, the NHS now needs to do the same.

But aside from that, I do hope your daughter gets good news about her operation soon.

[heywood]

I find it all so difficult to make an informed  decision.
I appreciate how very important surgery being delayed must be so hard to bear. I spoke with two friends yesterday, one waiting for cataract operations and another awaiting an appointment with a spinal consultant. Their lives have been affected considerably during this time.
Today, I read on a church newsletter about 5 members of staff in a local primary school who have tested positive for the virus yet schools are criticised by some and recommended by others.
One of my friends has lost her confidence during this time and is quite depressed after living this recent reclusive life. She is too afraid to go out just for a walk down the street.
Somehow, there has to be a balance between the medical, physical and mental effects of this hibernation and individual risk assessment.
By asking people not to go out or meet up to protect one section of the community, you are putting another group at risk.
On a personal note, I have met with immediate family for walks - distanced - but will not be going far for a few weeks until there is evidence of any effects from the recent crowds.

[jillruss]

I wholeheartedly agree.

The pandemic should have made ministers sit up and take notice - at last - that the NHS needs a thorough overhaul from top to toe (but mostly top). How often have we heard during this crisis that the main problems have been right hand not knowing what left hand is doing and vice versa, and the consequent slowness with which any new procedures or necessities are put into place (or fail to be put into place).

I've worked in local government and have a fair idea how these things go - lets set up a committee, working group, panel (call it what you will - it all amounts to the same thing) and sit around a table (with copious amounts of tea and biccies) and talk an absolute load of balls about mission statements etc. These meetings seem to consist of people whose sole objective in their working life is to talk something to death, kick it into the long grass and make sure it becomes someone else's problem. Oh, and talk about it even more at election time so that the voters really believe something will be done.

We owe it to the frontline people who have had to cope with the worst of this pandemic to make sure that this NHS reorganisation actually takes place. We need someone to take charge who is not a politician and will not just say 'I consider this matter closed' when it doesn't go their way. I have no idea who could carry that load but he/she will need broad shoulders and a thick skin as well as compassion and common sense.

What was the name of that chap a few years ago who did a tv doc on reorganising the NHS? Jerry something - a businessman I think. I liked him.

That was me with my 'serious hat' on - normal service will be resumed asap. 

[groom]

As Nick said all the Nightingale hospitals were set up in weeks and they are now standing empty, with all the expensive equipment inside. Why can't all the covid cases be moved to them, so freeing up the hospitals for elective surgery and other medical procedures? As covid patients aren't allowed visitors, it doesn't matter how far from home they are!

[heywood]

That’s a good idea. Would there be enough staff? Would staff have to be far away from home too.