Where's The Uk Exit Strategy?

[diddlydo]

France and Spain have announced detailed plans for their phased ending of lockdown. Although the UK is a little bit behind them in terms of the Covid crisis, the British public deserve to be given some sort of hope of the return to the "new normal".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-52459030

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-52459034

[emmie]

not yet i feel, we are not ready and more die every day, its still probably safer to stay in doors i guess, except for a daily walk, run.

[waterboatman]

It will be over when it's over.

[fiction-factory]

most of these exit strategies just state the obvious . we'll start when ready. we'll do it in stages. we'll monitor and tighten if necessary.
itd be nice to have a clear roadmap so we can plan but unfortunately it would make govt a hostage to fortune (are you going to apologise for not meeting that date for x) so at best it can be in broad terms. they have said they are working on something. I'd rather they get it right.
can you give an example diddlydo of the form a plan would take? could you show is a bullet point version you think we could responsibly give now because I doubt you can. but maybe you'll surprise me.

[fiction-factory]

Spain is several weeks ahead of is by the way. it was stricter than ours and may still he for a while. children had been forced to stay in and are only just to be allowed out.

[Mozz71]

If they state a detailed exit strategy and some unforseen future event happens to change it, you'll use it as a rod to beat them with, as per usual. They'll discuss it when the time is right, and that time is not now.

[fiction-factory]

Should say... Ahead of us. typing on phone is not easy

[diddlydo]

FF - open all shops straightaway with social-distancing obviously.
Re-open schools after the May half-term but probably with half-classes in rotation i.e. so there are say 15 kids in a classroom rather than 30.
Allow pub gardens to open with distancing.
Allow close family members to meet in groups limited to 10.
That would do for a start.

[malagabob]

Looking at the way the UK gov has handled this situation so far, they’ll probably make a hash of it anyway.

[diddlydo]

I agree Malagabob so they may as well make a start on it now.

[dannyk13]

Diddly @ 07.32 This why not:-
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/04/29/second-coronavirus-wave-peak-uk-when/

[fiction-factory]

Thanks for the wish list. No chance of all that happening in next few weeks, diddlydo. I note that there are no dates on some of yours either or metrics for when we'd loosen/tighten.

But, as I said, that's a wish list not a strategy.

I'd agree we need to give people notice so plans can be put in place.

[fiction-factory]

For example schools will need maybe a month to plan new timetables and classroom layouts, order PPE for staff, decide on how to treat absences, look at bus transport arrangements, toilets. In practice they are already looking at this but will need to liaise with parents and finalise things once a date is set. June is a more realistic target and I don't think 50% is achievable- more like 25% if distancing is needed. And guidance would be needed on things like allowing parents in to collect children, no grandparents over 65 (say) to collect. And a policy is needed on what happens if a covid case arises- would the school be shut again for deep cleaning ? Lots to plan for.

[diddlydo]

Danny - I can't read the Torygraph as it has a paywall. There are actually plenty of dates in the BBC articles on France and Spain. FF - that's not a wish-list but realistic ideas.

[diddlydo]

FF re schools I said re-open after the May half-term. That would be June 1st so time enough to plan.

[dannyk13]

Diddly, the link is regarding the fear of a second outbreak of Coronavirus, so it would be foolish to initiate what you are advocating.

[fiction-factory]

Interesting survey which backs up others recently- no desire from Brits to rush back
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1275199/UK-lockdown-latest-matt-hancock-coronavirus-restrictions-poll
Yes, we need some hope of course but some realism too. It's going to be along way back. Maybe the govt could send some signals to manage expectations too- eg no plans for football grounds or theatres or pubs to open fully until Autumn at earliest

[fiction-factory]

I think schools are already planning for June return, but the go-ahead can't be given yet until after the next lockdown review. This has to be done in small steps with each one lasting maybe 3 weeks so we can test impact on R0 and hospital admissions, and some might say there are other priorities first such as opening up more businesses or restoring tube/trains

[mushroom25]

// order PPE for staff //

unless somebody can tell me otherwise, common wisdom says masks won't protect teacher from the kids, but the kids from teacher. if teacher thinks a mask is needed, shouldn't they be self isolating?

or by PPE, do you mean full Devo suit and enclosed breathing apparatus?

[Deskdiary]

We need to take our chances and ease the lockdown sooner rather than later.

12,000 BA job losses, Aon announced yesterday paycuts for all staff, the leisure industry will be decimated if forced to remain shut until the Autumn, small shops (who generally operate on thin margins) will not survive. This is the thin end of the wedge.

Look after the old and the vulnerable, which is where the vast vast majority of deaths have occurred - this is an undeniable fact so there's no point in even attempting to argue the toss.

I accept it's a difficult choice, but ultimately the economy needs to take precedence before the 'cure' causes more problems than it stops.

I'm happy to take my chances.

[douglas9401]

"Where's The Uk Exit Strategy?"

It's over there, by the door. We'll get to it as soon as the floor paint dries and we can get out of this corner.