PunkTheFunk 125,703 Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Covid: Masks and social distancing 'could last years' People may need to wear face coverings and socially distance for several years until we return to normality, a leading epidemiologist has predicted. Mary Ramsay, the head of immunisation at Public Health England, said basic measures could be in place until other countries successfully roll out jabs. She also said a return of big spectator events required careful monitoring and clear instructions about staying safe. The defence secretary has not ruled out the foreign holiday ban being extended. Ben Wallace told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show that booking a break abroad now would be "premature" and "potentially risky". The UK set another record for the number of coronavirus vaccine doses given in a single day on Saturday, with 844,285 jabs. Dr Ramsay said restrictions such as face coverings in crowded places and social distancing had become accepted by many and still allowed the economy to function. She said "people have got used to those lower-level restrictions now, and people can live with them, and the economy can still go on with those less severe restrictions in place". "So I think certainly for a few years, at least until other parts of the world are as well vaccinated as we are, and the numbers have come down everywhere, that is when we may be able to go very gradually back to a more normal situation," she added. Warning it was "very important that we do not relax too quickly", Dr Ramsay said any circulating virus would inevitably pick on those who are vulnerable. "We have to look very carefully before any of these restrictions are lifted," she said. Prof Chris Whitty, the UK government's chief medical adviser, told MPs earlier this month that it was hoped "simple interventions like washing hands, face masks where appropriate, test-and-trace, and above all vaccines" would keep the virus controlled beyond the summer. Sir Patrick Vallance, the chief scientific adviser, has also said face masks could be needed in certain situations if the number of infections rises in the winter, but that it was possible people will naturally behave in a way that promotes social distancing. A group of government scientific advisers said last month that "maintaining a baseline of policies which reduce transmission" will be necessary for some time to come. Those experts said these could include continuing test-and-trace, self-isolation, and public messaging that encourages "voluntary actions to reduce risks". https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-56475807 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoful 13,304 Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Lowkey fine with this. I haven’t gotten sick all year thanks to masks "My name is Dita, I'll be your Mistress tonight..." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Child 18,997 Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 1 minute ago, shoful said: Lowkey fine with this. I haven’t gotten sick all year thanks to masks Lucky you ‘If religion be the cause of disunity, then irreligion is surely to be preferred.’ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SadBoi808 1,120 Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 So much for showing off my new nose Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dynamite 66,598 Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Ugh no I'm sick of masks Like a poem said by a neydy in red Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Child 18,997 Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 I may as well commit suicide then. I’m not tired of masks but I am tired of social distancing, I miss my friends, I miss my grand mother, I miss going to the movies, eating at restaurants. I just miss living. ‘If religion be the cause of disunity, then irreligion is surely to be preferred.’ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlepotter 76,610 Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 How lucky are we to waste our good years inside doing nothing. chaeri pls Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BUtterfield 8 41,818 Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 I hope it becomes permanent! Wearing masks should be the norm especially when you’re sick Some people don’t know the meaning of “personal space” Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucas 31,112 Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 I guess it will depends of the countries. Those with a high amount of vaccinated people will probably lift this kind of restrictions Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rj Barker 3,331 Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 This just won't happen. People will not stand for it. Light restrictions still tank certain aspects of the economy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen Bitch 10,513 Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 I am already sick of social distancing and wearing masks. I refuse to keep doing it for years, and I'm sure many people feel the same. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monster647 444 Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 1 minute ago, Rj Barker said: This just won't happen. People will not stand for it. Light restrictions still tank certain aspects of the economy. Economies do evolve because of other reasons too though. I agree that certain aspects of economy that tanked will never recover but they'll get replaced by other stuff either way. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bionic 50,111 Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Masks I can take but asking me to social distance for the rest of my life... life isn’t worth living Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Focus 2,456 Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 My uni campus is opening this september since the majority of us will be fully vaccinated by that time. So excited to meet my classmates who basically have a stan twitter personality. A match made in heaven Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morphine Prince 109,655 Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 8 minutes ago, The Child said: I may as well commit suicide then. I’m not tired of masks but I am tired of social distancing, I miss my friends, I miss my grand mother, I miss going to the movies, eating at restaurants. I just miss living. You can currently do most of this with masks, social distancing, and if vaccinated even better. Once most of your loved ones are vaccinated it will all feel more normal. Please keep the hope. This is almost over with vaccines rolling out to the world. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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