I see the Mediterranean countries opening for tourism in may. When they do they won’t be able to stop uk citizens leaving. Right now it’s easy as there is no incentive to travel

Covid-0 keeps getting mentioned here because the narrative from the scientists and doctors keeps changing and the goal posts keep shifting. It's not being twisted due to the "news of the day not meeting their personal agenda". For example, a public panel has urged the Scottish government to pursue a Covid elimination strategy recently. And I understand Scotland doesn't represent all of the UK, but undoubtedly they have some influence, particularly after the absolutely disastrous handling of this in England by Bojo and his band of merry clowns.

The government has not implicitly said Covid-19 elimination is the goal, but at the same time, they haven't explicitly given us numbers on what they are looking for. All we know is that hospitals aren't squeezed, deaths are low and vaccinations going well.

Personally, I don't believe the government is pursuing a Covid-19 elimination strategy, as this would shut the country's domestic economy for a very long time and the borders would be closed for longer, however, I can see how and why some people seem to think that may be the case.

Even though I think the handling of this by government has been nothing short of disastrous last year, I do think the current plan set out is a sensible one and makes sense. But the chances of that plan sticking is where I get worried, especially with the big set back in vaccine supply next month prompting people to now say the timeline may be pushed back because of this.

Germans arriving in the Balearics now, Andalucía bars and restaurants reopening until 10.30pm and groups of 4 allowed inside, and curfew extended to 11pm, sounds lovely.

Did you actually read or understand what you posted originally, and to which I commented, in your rush to go off at a tangent?

The UK has seen a new record for the most coronavirus jabs given out over 24 hours, the second time in consecutive days that figure has been broken.

A total of 711,156 doses were given across the UK on Friday, vaccinations minister Nadhim Zahawi confirmed on Saturday. 589,675 of those were first doses and 121,481 were second

There is now almost 27 million that have received their first dose, leaving 5 million to round off Groups 1 - 9. At the current rate, which is expected to continue at this speed for at least the rest of March, all the priority groups should have at least 1 dose by the end of next week, a few days before April.

Good news 2 weeks early too, shame its going to slow down, unless they miraculously get the Indian shipment in or approve the restested batch and invite the over 40s or am I being too cynical?

Can it be that you really don't get it?

UK may soon become an oasis of controlled Covid, with a cautiously opened economy. But the rest of Europe, indeed most of the rest of the world, could take considerably longer to reach that peaceful and harmonious state.

Until then, the effectiveness of the vaccines to cut asymptomatic transmission will be crucial to our being welcomed as guests to other states. At the same time the UK will be nervous of those visiting Brits bringing back novel forms of the virus primed to escape the immunity we enjoy.

In short, nobody in his right mind is expecting to see Covid wiped out. The sensible view sees improved treatments and updated vaccines allowing us to live with Covid.

The notion that May will see us roaming the world again is bonkers.

I’d like to support that notion but looking at today’s lockdown protests, it’s hard to see us becoming that oasis but the protesting just plays into the positives of having a lockdown to control the virus. Oh the irony!

I’d love to know how many that joined in in London were vaccinated and had experienced the terrible impacts of Covid, that would make for an interesting census.

In your opinion, you're welcome to stay at home, meanwhile:

I think the protest are something to watch. With what happened a week ago, it is the first time I have not seen the media portray protesters as a bunch of cranks or weirdos. There is some risk of these protests growing if the government is seen to move more slowly than they have promised. April 12th will be interesting. It is also worth noting the following:

i was referring mostly to those here who twist facts of the day to suit a personal agenda or most likely a clear desire to escape to some form of normality, regardless of how adolescently or frequently it may be expressed.

and why on earth would any government ever give a number that is acceptable? "oh we find 55 deaths per day completely cool, go on about your business!"

can you imagine?



i agree. despite the pushing of agendas here, the fact remains that yes, we here in the UK may be so lucky to be in a very good spot this summer. but who will let us in? the idea of the germans invading the canaries right now is a bit shocking given how the locals were concerned about the idea that people from a country of rising rates would be suddenly appearing and providing much needed tourist dollars to cities that had been until now rather quiet. but to what cost?

the "dream" of having a drink in the canaries entirely ignores the selfishness those who continue to push such an agenda have to put self first and possibly endanger those who work and live on the ground.

You realise that this doesn't herald anything significant in practical terms, right?

I think you're the one that doesn't get it. You're welcome to stay home for as long as you like. Many countries have already said that Brits will be welcome come the middle of May, and no one is calling for opening up borders to all countries.

Covid-19 suppression can't be the only thing that is considered. This uber-caution that you and some others seem to want will cost us much more than and you don't seem to get that. Once the most vulnerable have been protected, a balance needs to be struck between safe opening of the economy and travel.

Do you not understand that millions of people will lost their job and livelihoods at this rate? Lockdown is fine until you have a vaccine. We have a vaccine that is proven to be effective and safe, all the vulnerable people have been vaccinated.

For the record, risks in life need to be managed, there is no such thing as risk free.

The fact that you personally attack another poster by calling them 'dim' is completely out of bounds. I hope the mods see this, because I'm certain this isn't allowed here.