Small Island Covid Update.

[curiouswombat]

This is a 'state of the Small Island' covid post. Mainly for my own record, but also because we are, again, doing out own thing and are therefore, unofficially, something of a test-bed for the rest of the world

Comments

[kathyh]

Let's hope D-d's luck has changed!

I didn't realise you'd opened up quite as much as you have. I do think there is a point where we do just have to learn to live with the virus but it is a scary step to take. It will be interesting to see what happens here on Monday when we are supposed to open up fully!

[wiseheart]

Under the rock where I live (that would be Hungary, for those who've ever heard of the place), we've opened up fully already. It give me the creeps. I understand that the economy needs it badly, and that most people are simply fed up with the restrictions, but I think a more gradual attempt would have been safer.

[kathyh]

Here in the UK we are supposed to open up fully on Monday despite a skyrocketing infection rate. Luckily I live on the outskirts of London where masks will still be compulsory on public transport but otherwise it is up to individuals to be responsible. I can't say I'm very optimistic about that!

Not only have I heard of Hungary I've even been to the beautiful city of Budapest :)

[wiseheart]

Oh, London! I've been there a few (too few!) times and would be glad to go again, unlikely as it seems.
Should we live long enough so that you can visit Budapest again, drop me a line. I live there and would like to show off my city... if we ever see the end of this misery.

[kathyh]

Thanks :) We should have been going to Budapest again last year, but sadly that didn't happen. One day...

[curiouswombat]

I know you yourself are fully vaccinated - is there now a high percentage of the population in the same position? Theoretically the sort of levels we have reached should mean that opening up is fairly safe - are your numbers of people in hospital increasing or are they remaining reasonable?

Our chief minister says he is sure it is only a matter of time before someone needs hospitalising - but our current situation, where nobody has been hospitalised with covid since May, is pretty encouraging.

[curiouswombat]

We have basically swung between occasional lockdowns and no restrictions on island for the last 18 months. Mainly we have had no on-island restrictions. But now we are opening the borders and waiting to see if we have high enough levels of immunity from vaccine to prevent major illnesses amongst the local population.

But there is the isolation-driven problems like the pharmacists, or 2 branches of Barclay's which will be shut next week due to lack of staff. Eventually there will need to be such trust in us not getting ill that we stop the self-isolation regime as well. We are likely to do that before the UK, too - so watch this space, and wish us luck!