In this slogging thread, we discuss government policy surrounding Covid-19. We look at the UK government's recent policy to scrap isolation after a positive test and whether other countries will follow suit.
This Slogging thread by Jack Boreham, Sara Pinto and Mónica Freitas occurred in slogging's official #random channel, and has been edited for readability.
What do you all think of this? UK gov is ending the isolation rule after testing positive for covid. Will your counties follow suit?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-60324928
The last remaining Covid restriction in England could be gone in weeks, after the prime minister announced the legal requirement to isolate after a positive test may be scrapped early.
The plan had been to end it on 24 March - but if the trends remained positive, Boris Johnson said, it could go a month early”
The plan had been to end it on 24 March - but if the trends remained positive, Boris Johnson said, it could go a month early”
Jack Boreham I believe we have to start dealing with covid as a "normal" disease. We must take precautions, such as when infected avoiding contact, wearing a mask, and so on. Fortunately, from what I hear, the effects of covid are getting weaker for most people. I think we have conditions to move forward
Jack Boreham, I think Portugal will be following in soon enough. Whoever tests positive only have to isolate for a week now, instead of the initial 14 days. And there is some buzz about decreasing to 5 days. So, it's only a matter of time until we go back to normal - before covid. If you haven't had covid yet (lucky me), you've probably been vaccinated. So our bodies are ready to handle the virus by now. Besides, the countries are tired of the toll covid has taken on their economies.
Sara Pinto, I completely agree! We need to start getting back to normal. I got covid a few weeks ago, and it was less bad than a normal cold. It's definitely weaker! Our government has taken a sharp u-turn due to party politics. They were going to ban all medical staff from working if they hadn't been vaccinated. Now that is not the case!
Mónica Freitas blimey in the UK, we have had the one-week isolation rule instead of two for a while now. Why do you think Portugal has been slow to relax measures? Or are we just quick? 😂
Jack Boreham I think there's just a bit of resistance to letting go of the protective measures. Besides, our hospitals can't take the pressure of too many covid patients so... it's a bit tricky!
Jack Boreham the UK has clear performance issues 😂
Jack Boreham I got covid as well. It wasn't pleasant, and the first half of the isolation sucked, but I could help but be glad for not getting difficulties breathing (I've been vaccinated). In Portugal, we can see a difference in the daily deaths. This might be morbid, but the fact is there are many people infected, but way fewer deaths compared to some time ago
Jack Boreham But I do not agree with how they are treating people with no vaccines. If they gave the option of not getting vaccinated, they shouldn't punish people for not doing it. I've heard there are colleges in Portugal that won't allow students to take the exams if they are not vaccinated. They didn't care about negative tests. That's not moving forward
Mónica Freitas ahhh, to be honest, even our hospitals nearly cracked. Hahaha, I would remove performance and just say it's got issues 😂
Sara Pinto, I totally agree; that's crazy about the exams. What a shambolic mess; that's a government that doesn't know how to handle the coronavirus.
Jack Boreham In general, I think the government has done an ok job dealing with this issue. But there's still a lot to go
Jack Boreham we do love living in the limit! 😂