Life after the end of "lockdown" 2.0

[37424]

According to the Daily Mail, claims the NHS is in danger of being overwhelmed are somewhat spurious. I’m sure some of us on here have previously pointed out that the NHS endures winter pressures every year....

Only FOUR hospitals are busier than they were last winter, data shows

Number 10 was today accused of running a 'brainwashing campaign' after analysis showed only four NHS trusts in England are busier now than they were this time last year - despite Covid warnings.

www.dailymail.co.uk

I'm not sure how easy it is to compare Hospitals to last year, the Hospitals are now less efficient with extra procedures and the need to keep covid and non covid seperate, also my local hospital has lost a bed ward for relocated Day Care departments which have had to relocate due their areas being taken over for covid testing.

 

[sheff1]

Maybe short sharp lockdowns are the solution.

Well it worked so well in Wales

 

[yorkie]

I think gyms and leisure must never close again. This was a huge mistake. I remain furious at what has happened in the past 4 weeks.

Covid: Poor public health made pandemic worse - Sally Davies

The former chief medical officer says high rates of obesity, deprivation and overcrowding have cost lives.

www.bbc.co.uk

The UK's high level of obesity has fuelled a much-increased death rate from Covid-19, says the former chief medical officer for England.

She said: "It is incontrovertible that if you are overweight - particularly if you are obese - you increase your risk of death.

"All of the diseases associated with overweight, whether it is hypertension, diabetes or others, increase the risk of getting very ill.

"Clearly it is terribly important that we sort out obesity and overweight to improve the health of the nation."

Well, this really isn't news; we have known this for months.

As usual they concentrate on diet, but actually the bigger problem is exercise, and lack of facilities, opportunities and encouragement in this area.

When I go to other European countries, the population generally looks much more healthy than ours. When I was in places like Sweden, Switzerland and Portugal earlier this year I hardly saw any obese people.

It infuriates me that lockdowns make these issues even worse.

Clueless people say "oh but you can go for a run in the street", well not everyone can (due to various reasons) and those of us who are fortunate enough to work won't be able to do so until dark. I have gone for a few runs around 10/11pm when it's a lot quieter, but it's hardly an adequate substitute for proper leisure facilities.

I've not been able to run any sports activities for young people since mid-March, and I won't be able to do so until January. That's crazy. Many of those who previously attended these activities are no longer interested in doing so as they have told me that during lockdown they lost interest and got into online gaming instead.

So, for what will be at least 9 1/2 months I've been willing and able to help keep young people active, as I have done for some years now, but the powers that be would prefer they sit at home and play computer games instead. And then experts come along, rightly see the problem but then have the solution to tax salt and sugar, rather than actually get people into the exercise habit from a young age.

We really are making endless blunders, and we have absolutely no plan to do anything remotely sensible to put it right.

I really do despair.

 

[yorksrob]

In a move that can best be desctibed as "weak as water", various opposition parties, including labour, are abstaining in today's vote on the flawed tier system, which will tacitly consent to it, rather than bury it.

In other news, according to radio 4, the dossier provided to MP's by the Government on the tier system has been found wanting, and according to The Times, an actual cost benefit analysis of the system which is available to Ministers, continues to be withheld from MP's and the rest of the public.

 

[C J Snarzell]

One thing I have been told by a family member who works in a local hospital is that there is actually a lot of mental health patients filling up wards. This is the knock on effect of lockdown - many people are struggling mentally and those with diagnosed conditions are extremely vulnerable at present. Surely, the common sense thing to do is lift most restrictions so mental health admissions will fall and thus create more bed space for the NHS?

CJ

 

[DustyBin]

I think gyms and leisure must never close again. This was a huge mistake. I remain furious at what has happened in the past 4 weeks.

Covid: Poor public health made pandemic worse - Sally Davies

The former chief medical officer says high rates of obesity, deprivation and overcrowding have cost lives.

www.bbc.co.uk

Well, this really isn't news; we have known this for months.

As usual they concentrate on diet, but actually the bigger problem is exercise, and lack of facilities, opportunities and encouragement in this area.

When I go to other European countries, the population generally looks much more healthy than ours. When I was in places like Sweden, Switzerland and Portugal earlier this year I hardly saw any obese people.

It infuriates me that lockdowns make these issues even worse.

Clueless people say "oh but you can go for a run in the street", well not everyone can (due to various reasons) and those of us who are fortunate enough to work won't be able to do so until dark. I have gone for a few runs around 10/11pm when it's a lot quieter, but it's hardly an adequate substitute for proper leisure facilities.

I've not been able to run any sports activities for young people since mid-March, and I won't be able to do so until January. That's crazy. Many of those who previously attended these activities are no longer interested in doing so as they have told me that during lockdown they lost interest and got into online gaming instead.

So, for what will be at least 9 1/2 months I've been willing and able to help keep young people active, as I have done for some years now, but the powers that be would prefer they sit at home and play computer games instead. And then experts come along, rightly see the problem but then have the solution to tax salt and sugar, rather than actually get people into the exercise habit from a young age.

We really are making endless blunders, and we have absolutely no plan to do anything remotely sensible to put it right.

I really do despair.

I share your frustration. Even as of tomorrow, gyms in tier 3 aren’t allowed to run indoor group sessions/classes which are the bread and butter of the gym I train at. Most of the boxers are amateur level or training towards it and group training and sparring is essential. The hardcore will meet up in the park or wherever and train together there (as we have been through lockdown!) but it’s not for everybody especially at this time of year. As much as I’m happy to ignore their nonsensical rules where possible, it really does feel as though the government has interfered in every area of life. Even our wedding next year is unlikely to go ahead, I’m trying to not to think about that too much but my fiancé is understandably upset about it. I keep reminding myself that there are people far worse off than me but with the industry I work in effectively being liquidated in order to ‘save lives’ I can’t help but feel generally negative at present.

 

[HSTEd]

I think gyms and leisure must never close again. This was a huge mistake. I remain furious at what has happened in the past 4 weeks.

Covid: Poor public health made pandemic worse - Sally Davies

The former chief medical officer says high rates of obesity, deprivation and overcrowding have cost lives.

www.bbc.co.uk

Well, this really isn't news; we have known this for months.

Oh look its all the fault of the morally degenerate fat people........

 

[birchesgreen]

One thing I have been told by a family member who works in a local hospital is that there is actually a lot of mental health patients filling up wards. This is the knock on effect of lockdown - many people are struggling mentally and those with diagnosed conditions are extremely vulnerable at present. Surely, the common sense thing to do is lift most restrictions so mental health admissions will fall and thus create more bed space for the NHS?

CJ

We passed beyond the "common sense" stage a long time ago unfortunately.

 

[Bantamzen]

Oh look its all the fault of the morally degenerate fat people........

So to recap, the people to blame are:

• Football fans
• Horse racing fans
• Bournemouth Beach goers
• BLM protestors
• Public transport users
• Pub goers
• Restaurant patrons
• Attendees at religious ceremonies
• Attendees at weddings
• Attendees at funerals
• Kids
• Teenagers
• Rave goers
• Students
• Anyone overweight
• Anyone with valid exemptions to wearing masks
• Anyone daring to criticise restrictions

Have I missed anyone?

 

[NSEFAN]

Oh look its all the fault of the morally degenerate fat people........

Hardly "all the fault", just a statement of fact. If we weren't so inherently unhealthy because of our lifestyles, fewer of us would keel over from things like covid.

 

[philosopher]

I think gyms and leisure must never close again. This was a huge mistake. I remain furious at what has happened in the past 4 weeks.

Covid: Poor public health made pandemic worse - Sally Davies

The former chief medical officer says high rates of obesity, deprivation and overcrowding have cost lives.

www.bbc.co.uk

Well, this really isn't news; we have known this for months.

As usual they concentrate on diet, but actually the bigger problem is exercise, and lack of facilities, opportunities and encouragement in this area.

When I go to other European countries, the population generally looks much more healthy than ours. When I was in places like Sweden, Switzerland and Portugal earlier this year I hardly saw any obese people.

It infuriates me that lockdowns make these issues even worse.

Clueless people say "oh but you can go for a run in the street", well not everyone can (due to various reasons) and those of us who are fortunate enough to work won't be able to do so until dark. I have gone for a few runs around 10/11pm when it's a lot quieter, but it's hardly an adequate substitute for proper leisure facilities.

I've not been able to run any sports activities for young people since mid-March, and I won't be able to do so until January. That's crazy. Many of those who previously attended these activities are no longer interested in doing so as they have told me that during lockdown they lost interest and got into online gaming instead.

So, for what will be at least 9 1/2 months I've been willing and able to help keep young people active, as I have done for some years now, but the powers that be would prefer they sit at home and play computer games instead. And then experts come along, rightly see the problem but then have the solution to tax salt and sugar, rather than actually get people into the exercise habit from a young age.

We really are making endless blunders, and we have absolutely no plan to do anything remotely sensible to put it right.

I really do despair.

I have definitely found it hard to maintain weight over the past month with gyms being closed. There is only so much you can replicate through exercises you can do at home and running outside. Running outside when it is dark does not really appeal to me so over the past month I have been restricted to running on weekends.

Whatever happens next I really hope the government see sense and keep the gyms open.

 

[C J Snarzell]

I have definitely found it hard to maintain weight over the past month with gyms being closed. There is only so much you can replicate through exercises you can do at home and running outside. Running outside when it is dark does not really appeal to me so over the past month I have been restricted to running on weekends.

Whatever happens next I really hope the government see sense and keep the gyms open.

I think you only need to look at Boris Johnson's appearance to realise health & fitness are not at the top of his priority list.

CJ

 

[brad465]

People are not born overweight (except maybe in unusual circumstances, but even here not the fault of the child): if we want to tackle obesity problems we need to tackle underlying societal problems that enable it. Many behaviours that lead to being overweight are systemic, such as relentless food discounts, not enough taught/encouraged with exercise, and a neoliberalism problem of the population being taught to think for themselves first and want more and more stuff for themselves, thinking about others later.

I do think in a post-lockdown world there are a whole host of reforms to society that are needed to make it a better place, and not just with the nation's health.

 

[Tomp94]

My town (Worthing) now has the lowest COVID rate per 100,000 in England. Lower than the tier one areas of isle of wight and the Isles of Scilly and Cornwall, yet we’re in tier 2.

 

[DB]

So to recap, the people to blame are:

• Football fans
• Horse racing fans
• Bournemouth Beach goers
• BLM protestors
• Public transport users
• Pub goers
• Restaurant patrons
• Attendees at religious ceremonies
• Attendees at weddings
• Attendees at funerals
• Kids
• Teenagers
• Rave goers
• Students
• Anyone overweight
• Anyone with valid exemptions to wearing masks
• Anyone daring to criticise restrictions

Have I missed anyone?

Yes, you've missed a few!

• People who don't keep 2m from others at all times, even in circumstances where that's impossible
• People who travel from a higher tier area to a lower tier one

I expect there are more - but we must remember that it is never, ever the fault of the government or its adivisers, who have got everything absolutely right throughout.

 

[Darandio]

Hardly "all the fault", just a statement of fact. If we weren't so inherently unhealthy because of our lifestyles, fewer of us would keel over from things like covid.

This thing is cleverer than I thought. Not only is it going to take time off to allow us to get together at Christmas it also targets fat people. It's gonna have a field day a few days later when everyone is stuffed full of turkey and mince pies!

 

[Jamesrob637]

My town (Worthing) now has the lowest COVID rate per 100,000 in England. Lower than the tier one areas of isle of wight and the Isles of Scilly and Cornwall, yet we’re in tier 2.

What, none? Isles of Scilly has had something like one case in the last week.

 

[Richard Scott]

Yes, you've missed a few!

• People who don't keep 2m from others at all times, even in circumstances where that's impossible
• People who travel from a higher tier area to a lower tier one

I expect there are more - but we must remember that it is never, ever the fault of the government or its adivisers, who have got everything absolutely right throughout.

Also people who travelled abroad during 2020!!!

 

[MikeWM]

The rate in East Cambs has almost tripled in the last four weeks! (From very low to less low - still below 0.1%).

Good job we had this lockdown, eh?!

 

[WelshBluebird]

In terms of gyms I do feel it is important that people understand the reality of this countries obesity problem - it is mostly to do with diet. With a lot of what people eat, you realistically can't or won't exercise enough to work off those calories (how long a run or cycle do you think you need to work off just one Kit Kat bar and a 500ml bottle of coke? A lot of people will be pretty surprised at the answer).
That doesn't mean exercise isn't important, but the suggestion that closing gyms is going to wreck this countries health and make our obesity problem significantly worse is pretty inaccurate.

Also - this idea that people cannot exercise outside when it is dark is pretty ludicrous for the mast majority of the population.
Most people, if they actually want to, can easily exercise in the winter evenings. Nothing at all stopping most people going for a run or a cycle, or even a long walk right now. Sure some people may live in an area where doing so is dangerous (either due to crime or because of unlit roads without any pavements) - but that is a minority case.

That being said - as long as gyms are taking proper precautions, I don't see why they shouldn't be allowed to be open.
Certainly the gym my dad normally uses was being pretty sensible - much smaller capacity with booking of time slots required, the equipment spread out over a much larger area (and multiple rooms instead of it being crammed into the normal smaller room), cleaning / sanitizing equipment out around the place and in regular use by staff and customers. If somewhere is doing those kind of things then they should be allowed to reopen, and places not putting measures in place should be the ones forced to close.

 

[DB]

Most people, if they actually want to, can easily exercise in the winter evenings. Nothing at all stopping most people going for a run or a cycle, or even a long walk right now. Sure some people may live in an area where doing so is dangerous (either due to crime or because of unlit roads without any pavements) - but that is a minority case.

Over the summer, I'd quite often walk 8 or 10 miles after work. Can't do that at this time of year as it's dark by the time I finish work, and walking along country lanes and across fields is really not practical.

 

[Jamesrob637]

I think gyms and leisure must never close again. This was a huge mistake. I remain furious at what has happened in the past 4 weeks.

Covid: Poor public health made pandemic worse - Sally Davies

The former chief medical officer says high rates of obesity, deprivation and overcrowding have cost lives.

www.bbc.co.uk

Well, this really isn't news; we have known this for months.

As usual they concentrate on diet, but actually the bigger problem is exercise, and lack of facilities, opportunities and encouragement in this area.

When I go to other European countries, the population generally looks much more healthy than ours. When I was in places like Sweden, Switzerland and Portugal earlier this year I hardly saw any obese people.

It infuriates me that lockdowns make these issues even worse.

Clueless people say "oh but you can go for a run in the street", well not everyone can (due to various reasons) and those of us who are fortunate enough to work won't be able to do so until dark. I have gone for a few runs around 10/11pm when it's a lot quieter, but it's hardly an adequate substitute for proper leisure facilities.

I've not been able to run any sports activities for young people since mid-March, and I won't be able to do so until January. That's crazy. Many of those who previously attended these activities are no longer interested in doing so as they have told me that during lockdown they lost interest and got into online gaming instead.

So, for what will be at least 9 1/2 months I've been willing and able to help keep young people active, as I have done for some years now, but the powers that be would prefer they sit at home and play computer games instead. And then experts come along, rightly see the problem but then have the solution to tax salt and sugar, rather than actually get people into the exercise habit from a young age.

We really are making endless blunders, and we have absolutely no plan to do anything remotely sensible to put it right.

I really do despair.

Agree regarding gyms even though I only go rarely. It's nice to have the option.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 Dec 2020 ==

Also people who travelled abroad during 2020!!!

That's a fair few of us! I travelled in mid-January and early-March and I suspect I'm not the only one!

 

[MikeWM]

Over the summer, I'd quite often walk 8 or 10 miles after work. Can't do that at this time of year as it's dark by the time I finish work, and walking along country lanes and across fields is really not practical.

Yes, me too. There's only so many times you can walk around Ely itself in the dark before it gets a bit dull - the surrounding countryside is very nice, but not when it is dark.

Turns out November was the lowest month for my stepcount since I started recording it some years ago

 

[Jamesrob637]

Can you sit in somewhere like a high street Costa in Tier 2 seeing they serve no alcohol?

 

[Darandio]

Can you sit in somewhere like a high street Costa in Tier 2 seeing they serve no alcohol?

From the Tier 2 guidelines:

hospitality venues that do not serve alcohol may allow someone to order from the counter, but they must still consume their meal from a seat if eating in

 

[Yew]

In terms of gyms I do feel it is important that people understand the reality of this countries obesity problem - it is mostly to do with diet. With a lot of what people eat, you realistically can't or won't exercise enough to work off those calories (how long a run or cycle do you think you need to work off just one Kit Kat bar and a 500ml bottle of coke? A lot of people will be pretty surprised at the answer).
That doesn't mean exercise isn't important, but the suggestion that closing gyms is going to wreck this countries health and make our obesity problem significantly worse is pretty inaccurate.

Also - this idea that people cannot exercise outside when it is dark is pretty ludicrous for the mast majority of the population.
Most people, if they actually want to, can easily exercise in the winter evenings. Nothing at all stopping most people going for a run or a cycle, or even a long walk right now. Sure some people may live in an area where doing so is dangerous (either due to crime or because of unlit roads without any pavements) - but that is a minority case.

That being said - as long as gyms are taking proper precautions, I don't see why they shouldn't be allowed to be open.
Certainly the gym my dad normally uses was being pretty sensible - much smaller capacity with booking of time slots required, the equipment spread out over a much larger area (and multiple rooms instead of it being crammed into the normal smaller room), cleaning / sanitizing equipment out around the place and in regular use by staff and customers. If somewhere is doing those kind of things then they should be allowed to reopen, and places not putting measures in place should be the ones forced to close.

Going for a run in the cold dark rain is much less appealing than a session in a air-conditioned Gym, or even a class in Spin, Karate, Dancing or whatever.

Nothing may technically be stopping people from running in the events, but in practice, the conditions do for many people.

 

[greyman42]

Well, this really isn't news; we have known this for months.

As usual they concentrate on diet, but actually the bigger problem is exercise, and lack of facilities, opportunities and encouragement in this area.

What happened to Johnsons plans to tackle the obesity crisis?

 

[DB]

What happened to Johnsons plans to tackle the obesity crisis?

It was an empty soundbite, like most of what he comes out with?

 

[island]

Can you sit in somewhere like a high street Costa in Tier 2 seeing they serve no alcohol?

Yes. You can also sit in at a Wetherspoons and order just a Pepsi, but it must be ordered and served at the table.

 

[greyman42]

Can you sit in somewhere like a high street Costa in Tier 2 seeing they serve no alcohol?

I presume you are allowed to drink non alcoholic drinks in a pub without the requirement to buy a meal?