Omicron - should be worried?

TangerineMorph

TangerineMorph

Well-known member
I know there is little respect for our Government and bumbling buffoon, many more people now saying they would ignore new lockdown/ Christmas rules. Whilst trying to keep a positive mindset that this Omicron variant is hopefully much milder, there does seem to be a lot of worry from the scientists.

The figures are pretty worrying from South Africa and we haven't seen the lag for the deaths yet but considering only 16 days ago they were having 800 cases a day, 10 days ago just over 2000 and today over 20,000 new cases. That is an astronomical rise and pretty damn worrying.

I really hope people put their feelings for Boris aside and follow the rules over the next few weeks otherwise it is quite possible we will be in a nightmare situation come January.
 
Tangojoe said:
Only if they are numbnuts.
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Christmas is the only time my whole family (about 20 of us, 4 generations) get together at the same time, and spend a couple of days together.
Last Christmas we cancelled everything and stayed in our tiny bubbles.
My mum passed away in August, leaving my dad on his own after nearly 60 years of marriage, so we all missed her last Christmas.
Now I’m not advocating widespread rebellion against all restrictions, but if anyone thinks I’ll be avoiding my family again because of a lockdown they’re pissing in the wind, especially if it’s still ok for me to pick up hundreds of strangers in my taxi every week.
If that makes me a numbnut then I’m fine with that.
 
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The numbers coming out of SA are promising.

Hospitalisation is well down and according to Sky who were relating what the hospitals had said to them, is that the number of people needing oxygen is very very limited.

Although and this is important - the people mainly getting it in SA are younger, but the majority have not had a vaccine BUT they think many will have had the virus.

We will see!

news.sky.com

Omicron: 'It's like a bomb' - New COVID strain sweeps through South Africa township but majority of hospital patients don't need extra oxygen

A local councillor in Alexandra has said the new strain is spreading through the township "very fast" - as the number of Omicron infections confirmed in the UK reached 817 on Thursday.
news.sky.com news.sky.com
 
Watching Boris back the new measures are mainly down to the unvaccinated. It’s their choice Boris. If anyone is still worried about this virus then stay at home. Let the rest of us get on with it. Even the unvaccinated.
 
I'm worried for our nation and what we have become as they have managed to scare the shit out everyone.

All my family and friends have either been double jabbed or triple so at what point do we crack on with life and those who want to lock themselves away can so as this virus ain't going anywhere,after Omicron there will be another variant come along is it lock up/mask wearing again?
 
poolseasider said:
I'm worried for our nation and what we have become as they have managed to scare the shit out everyone.

All my family and friends have either been double jabbed or triple so at what point do we crack on with life and those who want to lock themselves away can so as this virus ain't going anywhere,after Omicron there will be another variant come along is it lock up/mask wearing again?
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Exactly!
 
poolseasider said:
I'm worried for our nation and what we have become as they have managed to scare the shit out everyone.

All my family and friends have either been double jabbed or triple so at what point do we crack on with life and those who want to lock themselves away can so as this virus ain't going anywhere,after Omicron there will be another variant come along is it lock up/mask wearing again?
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This 👍
 
No where near as bad as the Government have filled the media with. It's starting to become a bit of a scam and the delays in hospital treatments for other illnesses is almost certainly killing far more people than COVID is now.

If people don't want a vaccine, then there is nothing we can do about it. The same as when dickheads like me play Rugby and then break an arm, spending 8 hours in A and E, when actually that's preventable no? . It's a life choice. And shouldn't be made mandatory.
 
seasideone said:
The numbers coming out of SA are promising.

Hospitalisation is well down and according to Sky who were relating what the hospitals had said to them, is that the number of people needing oxygen is very very limited.

Although and this is important - the people mainly getting it in SA are younger, but the majority have not had a vaccine BUT they think many will have had the virus.

We will see!

news.sky.com

Omicron: 'It's like a bomb' - New COVID strain sweeps through South Africa township but majority of hospital patients don't need extra oxygen

A local councillor in Alexandra has said the new strain is spreading through the township "very fast" - as the number of Omicron infections confirmed in the UK reached 817 on Thursday.
news.sky.com news.sky.com
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My son and his girlfriend in Cape Town have both tested positive for Omicron on Monday and Tuesday. Both are fully vaccinated and had Covid before in the first wave.

They have no symptoms at all. His girlfriend has a test every Monday morning at work otherwise she would not have known she had it.

It’s still early days yet but it’s nothing like Delta at all so far.

My lad did an LFT this morning and it’s showing clear …….

Edit: the LFT kit is a UK issue by the way
 
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SeasideKurt said:
No where near as bad as the Government have filled the media with. It's starting to become a bit of a scam and the delays in hospital treatments for other illnesses is almost certainly killing far more people than COVID is now.

If people don't want a vaccine, then there is nothing we can do about it. The same as when dickheads like me play Rugby and then break an arm, spending 8 hours in A and E, when actually that's preventable no? . It's a life choice. And shouldn't be made mandatory.
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The point is / was that nobody knows how serious or how bad Omicron is.
We have taken (for once) some pre-emptive action, but like everything with Johnson, he is trying to please everybody so we end up with these illogical half-measures. For instance, don't travel to work but do go to an xmas party - it is crazy. My workplace have just cancelled all xmas parties, this is the correct thing to do IMO.
As things move forward, more information will become available and policy and measures can be changed accordingly. I've always been fairly easy going and these small things that we have been asked to do are minor sacrifices (wear a mask, get vaccinated, social distance etc). This period will end one day and we will find a way of living with the virus. Omicron could be the beginning of the end of the pandemic but ATM it is too early to tell, hence the restrictions.
 
Johnno said:
Christmas is the only time my whole family (about 20 of us, 4 generations) get together at the same time, and spend a couple of days together.
Last Christmas we cancelled everything and stayed in our tiny bubbles.
My mum passed away in August, leaving my dad on his own after nearly 60 years of marriage, so we all missed her last Christmas.
Now I’m not advocating widespread rebellion against all restrictions, but if anyone thinks I’ll be avoiding my family again because of a lockdown they’re pissing in the wind, especially if it’s still ok for me to pick up hundreds of strangers in my taxi every week.
If that makes me a numbnut then I’m fine with that.
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Really sorry to hear about your mum Johnno 🌹
Hope you and your dad are coping ok ☹️
 
Seasider3610 said:
My son and his girlfriend in Cape Town have both tested positive for Omicron on Monday and Tuesday. Both are fully vaccinated and had Covid before in the first wave.

They have no symptoms at all. His girlfriend has a test every Monday morning at work otherwise she would not have known she had it.

It’s still early days yet but it’s nothing like Delta at all so far.

My lad did an LFT this morning and it’s showing clear …….

Edit: the LFT kit is a UK issue by the way
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So in many cases a virus so deadly, you have to be told you have it.

Yet the panic and fear from the UK government and mainstream media is ridiculous.

Despite saying we'll live with it, already costly restrictions put in place that will damage the economy and maybe even finish off some hospitality businesses.

👎
 
Johnno said:
Christmas is the only time my whole family (about 20 of us, 4 generations) get together at the same time, and spend a couple of days together.
Last Christmas we cancelled everything and stayed in our tiny bubbles.
My mum passed away in August, leaving my dad on his own after nearly 60 years of marriage, so we all missed her last Christmas.
Now I’m not advocating widespread rebellion against all restrictions, but if anyone thinks I’ll be avoiding my family again because of a lockdown they’re pissing in the wind, especially if it’s still ok for me to pick up hundreds of strangers in my taxi every week.
If that makes me a numbnut then I’m fine with that.
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Very well said. Refreshing to see that not everyone on here has completely succumbed to the state.
 
JJpool said:
So in many cases a virus so deadly, you have to be told you have it.

Yet the panic and fear from the UK government and mainstream media is ridiculous.

Despite saying we'll live with it, already costly restrictions put in place that will damage the economy and maybe even finish off some hospitality businesses.

👎
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The point is that, unlike experts like you, the real scientists who work in the field don't know how serious it will be yet (in terms cases converted into hospital admissions) and how the vaccine will work against it. You cannot simply take one case and say that this case represents all cases, one thing that we do know is that the virus affects different people in different ways. At this point in time the severity of Omicron is unknown. I do hope that you are right about its mild effects but we cannot say anything with certainty ATM. If we simply did nothing about it, as you would wish, the government would be gambling with the health of millions of people. It isn't only the UK government who have acted on this.
 
And that's the play for ever more as its going nowhere anytime soon. So in effect this is your life for the foreseeable. No thanks.
 
ElBurroSinNombre said:
The point is that, unlike experts like you, the real scientists who work in the field don't know how serious it will be yet (in terms cases converted into hospital admissions) and how the vaccine will work against it. You cannot simply take one case and say that this case represents all cases, one thing that we do know is that the virus affects different people in different ways. At this point in time the severity of Omicron is unknown. I do hope that you are right about its mild effects but we cannot say anything with certainty ATM. If we simply did nothing about it, as you would wish, the government would be gambling with the health of millions of people. It isn't only the UK government who have acted on this.
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There are many experts who disagree with the overreaction.

But as usual some in sage say we need to go further. 🙄

Where have I reacted to one case? What he said lines up with EVERYTHING weve heard do far from loads of different cases and places.
 
Scaramanga said:
And that's the play for ever more as its going nowhere anytime soon. So in effect this is your life for the foreseeable. No thanks.
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Yep this is what happens with scientists in charge and politicians who, just in case that worst case scenario happens, put costly restrictions on us all and ruin the economy, health etc.
 
JJpool said:
Yep this is what happens with scientists in charge and politicians who, just in case that worst case scenario happens, put costly restrictions on us all and ruin the economy, health etc.
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Sooner or later something has to change, if not then this is peoples life's for ever. They will never eradicate it. We have to live with it now. If you are worried or don't want the vaccine than stay at home. That's your choice, mine is to live with it.
 
I am hugely disappointed about the latest restrictions and their timing. I think your post is sensible and I’m prepared to go along with these latest restrictions for now in order for the world to get a more accurate view on the ramifications of this variant.

I’m easy going too. I’ve had my jabs. But after about two years of this pandemic I’m not convinced broadbrush restrictions are the right way to continue.

We didn’t know much about the virus in the first lockdown. So it’s right we took the actions we did.
Now we know a lot more. For example we know most of the population would not be made significantly ill by Covid. We know who is most at risk.

It’s unsustainable to have population wide directives to work at home etc when we effectively are slowing the economy down and further running businesses into the ground.

We should be a lot smarter about who needs to be protected and how. We all have our own circumstances and so we need to make our own risk based decisions.

For example, in the wake of a new uncertain variant, if I was a former shielder, I’d be staying away from others and getting groceries delivered. Restrictions for the carehome visits could be stepped up if required.

But what we have instead is doom and gloom hanging over the nation once again as we head towards Christmas.

It’s so unfair on the younger folk. They won’t get ill from it. But they will be mentally damaged from this never ending misery and the associated scare stories.

The elderly are frightened too. We should be giving these folk support networks so they can be looked after and have their provisions delivered and they have people keep in touch with them whilst we discover more about the variant.

With regards to the Covid passport it’s the thin end of the wedge. It will inevitably be extended to public services such as buses and trains and libraries. It will be extended to pubs etc once they’ve had more time to prepare. It will then be the case that we have to digitally scan everywhere we go. Once it’s in it will be normalised. Even if Covid goes it will be continued with just in case another pandemic comes along.

It will effectively become an ID card where the data will be used for purposes well beyond the original intent.

For example if you work for an employer and you pull a sickie you’re being paid by the employer so don’t be surprised when they’re allowed access to your data and see you went to the bookies in the afternoon and Spoon’s in the evening.

Or don’t be surprised when the state sends you a health message to say you’ve frequented the pub too many times this week etc etc.

And don’t be surprised when you’re blocked from getting on a train cos HMRC are chasing your tax bill and you’ve not been answering the phone to them.

I’m not against a Covid pass in extremely dangerous situations to protect others. However we’re not thinking it through. Is it really going to benefit us to any real extent when unvaccinated and vaccinated can both be infectious to others and both catch Covid? I don’t think it gives us much at all. But what it does do is create a harsh two tier society. It mandates the vaccine by stealth. What next? Do we get refused services if we don’t take statins by a certain age? These statins are voluntary at present, but what if some official decides the business case for mandating is more important to help the nhs? I believe personal choice is paramount and we should maintain the precious right to decide what we put into our own bodies. Once we give that up we’ve nothing sacred left at all.

So in summary I can see why the latest restrictions have been brought in. But we need to remove them ASAP.

We also need to ensure we maintain our civil rights and don’t end up a few years down the line where we’re all tracked and where we are all ordered to take medicines. That’s the way I fear it’s going. Too many are asleep to that or too complacent or too dim to notice or too old to care.
 
Ps to be completely honest I’d say most fall into the ‘too dim’ category.
 
JJpool said:
Where have I reacted to one case?
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Here, where you are extrapolating from one piece of anecdotal evidence;
JJpool said:
So in many cases a virus so deadly, you have to be told you have it.
Click to expand...

You go onto say;
JJpool said:
What he said lines up with EVERYTHING weve heard do far from loads of different cases and places.
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And here is some evidence that doesn't fit in with this;

www.theguardian.com

US Covid cases surge as vaccine progress slows and Omicron variant sparks fears

Ohio, as well as Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Pennsylvania have seen a recent increase in cases and hospitalizations
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com

We simply don't know enough at this stage to make any predictions with confidence. Government does not introduce restrictions for fun, there is a very real and present danger.
 
ElBurroSinNombre said:
Here, where you are extrapolating from one piece of anecdotal evidence;


You go onto say;


And here is some evidence that doesn't fit in with this;

www.theguardian.com

US Covid cases surge as vaccine progress slows and Omicron variant sparks fears

Ohio, as well as Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Pennsylvania have seen a recent increase in cases and hospitalizations
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com

We simply don't know enough at this stage to make any predictions with confidence. Government does not introduce restrictions for fun, there is a very real and present danger.
Click to expand...

Not quite true. For the vast vast majority of the nation there’s absolutely zero danger.
 
Scaramanga said:
And that's the play for ever more as its going nowhere anytime soon. So in effect this is your life for the foreseeable. No thanks.
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How have the current restrictions massively effected your life? Wearing a mask and showing something to go in certain venues in case this is serious because no one actually knows yet? Fuck me, complete bloody snowflakes.
 
Malced said:
Not quite true. For the vast vast majority of the nation there’s absolutely zero danger.
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But we have no way of knowing who will be affected badly by Covid, so you cannot know with any confidence that you are not in danger. As time progresses biological markers will emerge that will predict severity of Covid in individuals but we are not at that stage yet.
 
Lytham_fy8 said:
How have the current restrictions massively effected your life? Wearing a mask and showing something to go in certain venues in case this is serious because no one actually knows yet? Fuck me, complete bloody snowflakes.
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We are all different, if you want your every move controlled by the government crack on. not for me.
 
ElBurroSinNombre said:
Here, where you are extrapolating from one piece of anecdotal evidence;


You go onto say;


And here is some evidence that doesn't fit in with this;

www.theguardian.com

US Covid cases surge as vaccine progress slows and Omicron variant sparks fears

Ohio, as well as Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Pennsylvania have seen a recent increase in cases and hospitalizations
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com

We simply don't know enough at this stage to make any predictions with confidence. Government does not introduce restrictions for fun, there is a very real and present danger.
Click to expand...
No I'm not ive been saying this for a while based on all the evidence, that is adjust another piece which falls into line with the rest.

Everything we've heard so far is that its mild. Not there's they'll never be anyone hospitalised again 🙄 It's about that apparent reduction in severity from cases analysed so far.

The very real danger is the danger of focusing so much on a virus that could be nasty, but everyone is now jabbed or had it, what seems a milder strain is out, that other diseases and issues then dwarf that of the virus and damage business so much they cannot continue.

We forget about the protection that remains feom severe disease from b cells and t cells etc and focus only on antibodies that yes won't be as effective.

But nope let's continue with themes blanket restrictions that aren't well thought out when the vast majority aren't at risk.
 
JJpool said:
So in many cases a virus so deadly, you have to be told you have it.

Yet the panic and fear from the UK government and mainstream media is ridiculous.

Despite saying we'll live with it, already costly restrictions put in place that will damage the economy and maybe even finish off some hospitality businesses.

👎
Click to expand...

JJ I’m giving you an example of two of the 25 to 27 age group that’s all.

Some of their friends have it as well with much the same symptoms that is just about none at all.

I’ve no idea about what happens with the older age groups yet.
 
Scientists more like Science fiction.
Before the pandemic when a scientist spoke I always thought it was Gospel not any more there no different than Bookmakers edging their bets.

Fergusons predictions
Michie wanting us to
to stay in lockdowns forever
Better buying a pint with the money than wearing a mask.
In July when mask rules relaxed we will be getting over 200k cases a day when they actually went down and on and on and on.

Only this morning there was a scientist on the radio saying it was a totally overaction to the current situation so now when they speak or make a none accountable prediction it will be take with a massive pinch of salt.
 
JJpool said:
Everything we've heard so far is that its mild. Not there's they'll never be anyone hospitalised again 🙄 It's about that apparent reduction in severity from cases analysed so far.
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Hospital patients in SA are rising quite rapidly now, I think you're placing too much emphasis on early anecdotal reports out of SA that have yet to be confirmed by scientific evidence.

The truth is that we simply do not know at this stage how dangerous this new variant is.
 
Scaramanga said:
Give over, and when the next variant comes along, and then the next and then the next, you get the gist.wake up.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1469261719616819208
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I am awake but I am not going to whinge about a few minor inconveniences that hardly affect me. I know two people who have died of Covid, it's real, it's here and there is a new threat. If I can do anything (based on science) to help stop it spread then I will do it.
 
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ElBurroSinNombre said:
I am awake but I am not going to whinge about a few minor inconveniences that hardly affect me. I know two people who have died of Covid, it's real, it's here and there is a new threat. If I can do anything (based on science) to help stop it's spread then I will do it.
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Ahh so they don’t affect you. That’s alright then eh.

The masks in restaurants, pubs or gyms on entrance to then remove to sit down or go on the kit, is one of if not the most ridiculous rule there has been.

Anyone with an ounce of rational thought will know that achieves absolutely nothing, other than demonstrate to a Government hell bent on control that the public will be compliant, people like you doing it for the “greater good” when it achieves absolutely fook all.

It is actually laughable people have sat there for a couple of hours and then whacked a mask on to go for a piss. Farcical.
 
Restrict the right to buy takeaway food, alcohol, tobacco etc and the benefit to the nhs will be huge. Restrict the right for anyone with a BMI over say 20 to enter a pub or restaurant. I’m sure we’re all ok with that aren’t we?
 
Apparently a plan C is being drawn up. Those saying it’s just a face mask and just a Covid passport for plan B will then say its just the pub, it’s just a restaurant, it’s just a firebreak, it’s just another Christmas, it’s just my I’m brainwashed, it’s just I’ve lost my spirit, it’s just a football match, it’s just I’ve lost my testicles.
 
Adams Kebab said:
Ahh so they don’t affect you. That’s alright then eh.

The masks in restaurants, pubs or gyms on entrance to then remove to sit down or go on the kit, is one of if not the most ridiculous rule there has been.

Anyone with an ounce of rational thought will know that achieves absolutely nothing, other than demonstrate to a Government hell bent on control that the public will be compliant, people like you doing it for the “greater good” when it achieves absolutely fook all.

It is actually laughable people have sat there for a couple of hours and then whacked a mask on to go for a piss. Farcical.
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They do affect me but they are a minor inconvenience to me. I visit pubs, restaurants and the gym like lots of people and I won't let these restrictions stop me from doing anything. I am easy going and can put up with a minor inconvenience if it is in the public interest. I certainly won't moan about it like a lot of the snowflakes here, just get on with it and get on with your life.

It's interesting that you try to criticise me by mis representing me, 'it doesn't affect me'. This attitude actually seems like a better representation of your own attitude to being vaccinated - because you (mistakenly) believe that Covid won't affect you you can safely ignore public Health advice regardless of the potential risk to others.
 
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It's pretty simple for me. If the rules are that you have to wear a mask to go in shops, supermarkets etc then I'll wear one.. If pubs are open then I'll go in them. If they close them again then i won't. For me, that's just getting on with life with a few inconvenient restrictions.
 
ElBurroSinNombre said:
They do affect me but they are a minor inconvenience to me. I visit pubs, restaurants and the gym like lots of people and I won't let these restrictions stop me from doing anything. I am easy going and can put up with a minor inconvenience if it is in the public interest. I certainly won't moan about it like a lot of the snowflakes here, just get on with it and get on with your life.

It's interesting that you try to criticise me by mis representing me, 'it doesn't affect me'. This attitude actually seems like a better representation to your own attitude to being vaccinated - because you (mistakenly) believe that Covid won't affect you you can safely ignore public Health advice (regardless of the potential risk to others).
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*Sighs

Newsflash. I have never thought Covid wouldn’t affect me & I had actually had it in the Summer. But guess what?! I was grim for a few days and lost my taste and smell but i’m still here & now have natural immunity to the virus.

The real ‘snowflakes’ are the people that still think this is the plague, 20 months down the line. It seems an automatic go to for some people that without being vaccinated you either end up in hospital or brown bread despite the well known recovery rates and millions of examples across the world.

It’s also not mine or your responsibility to protect other people. That is their responsibility. Always was & always should be.
 
Malced said:
Apparently a plan C is being drawn up. Those saying it’s just a face mask and just a Covid passport for plan B will then say its just the pub, it’s just a restaurant, it’s just a firebreak, it’s just another Christmas, it’s just my I’m brainwashed, it’s just I’ve lost my spirit, it’s just a football match, it’s just I’ve lost my testicles.
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This is exactly it.
 
Malced said:
Apparently a plan C is being drawn up. Those saying it’s just a face mask and just a Covid passport for plan B will then say its just the pub, it’s just a restaurant, it’s just a firebreak, it’s just another Christmas, it’s just my I’m brainwashed, it’s just I’ve lost my spirit, it’s just a football match, it’s just I’ve lost my testicles.
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Sorry to hear about the testicles Malced, I hope that the hospitals are not too full of Covid patients for you to get a new set fitted.
 
20togo said:
It's pretty simple for me. If the rules are that you have to wear a mask to go in shops, supermarkets etc then I'll wear one.. If pubs are open then I'll go in them. If they close them again then i won't. For me, that's just getting on with life with a few inconvenient restrictions.
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That’s fine for you. There’s lives and livelihoods that hugely depend on people being economically active. Lots of folk get paid every month come what may. Eg civil servants and all public sector workers. However there’s many business owners and the staff they employ plus many self employed who will be in dire circumstances with these and/or further restrictions.
 
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