I note from the media that the Government seems convinced that the end to all Covid19 precautions will end on the 19th July, with a move away from compulsion (law) to guidance and personal choice.
The situation isn't the same across the devolved regions, they are taking their own stance, but it seems that the UK government want to take the lead, in anticipation that the devolved administrations will follow it. That might happen, but the pandemic has given the devolved administrations a more assertive profile and they may continue to make their decisions based on the advice from their own scientists, not the governments ones.
So, what will it look like for individuals faced with choices in a situation of widespread vaccination, albeit that is not actually 100 per cent. And children and those under 18 are still excluded from the vaccine deployments. This is the group where the virus is increasing rapidly, so some decisions will need to be made.
And the government promised booster doses from September for all over 50's and those in all age groups were or are most vulnerable, suffering from conditions that compromise their ability to resist the serious complications of the virus.
The booster doses will be administered alongside the flue Jab, so the prospect to two vaccinations at the same time is raising fears of unexpected consequences for people, certainly I would prefer to receive them with one or two weeks between administration.
In terms of the restrictions becoming voluntary, we will continue to wear masks in indoor situations, including shops. We will attempt to keep social distancing to the best of our ability and will avoid situations where crowds or present or expected. So, pubs etc remain out of bounds for us.
My spouse is working two days a week, and is expecting to be asked to increase that to 3 days a week soon, with a return to full time by September. Given her highly vulnerable position having had a stroke last July, she will be sheltered as Occupational Health have laid down criteria on what she is able to do safely and what she should not be required to do.
Fortunately she works for an employer who has taken a proactive approach to this, and has been supportive. She has worked there for nearly 50 years, so soon she will be making decisions about retirement. She has told them that next year will be critical for this, albeit, she might decide to go earlier if it gets to much for her. She is well over normal retirement age for her role in the Civil Service and even for the stage mandatory age of 66.
I look forward to her being home permanently as I take her to and from work, as her driving licence was rescinded due to complications arising from her stroke, and she doesn't want the hassle of jumping through hoops to get it back.
We discuss these things regularly and both agree that despite the hoo hah in maintaining some personal restrictions, our health and well being are the important thing, so for us, the so called "freedom day" will mean little change. We have got used to precautions which have kept us safe, and are unwilling to be risk takers at the expense of our health.
I pray that common sense will apply to people receiving their freedom and we will not be exposed to the ongoing antics of those who protest that their freedoms are compromised by lockdown measures, or worse, deny the the virus exists and it is all a conspiracy, we've all had enough of them. :
