Coronavirus (COVID-19) General Chat

[Deleted member 63]

Ontario is being a bit more cautious these days, but the stay-at-home order that started in January has been lifted in all regions now so we are back on a colour coded risk system. London, Ontario, where I live, is in Orange and seems likely to stay there. Numbers of new cases are generally good and we have all our LTC vaccinated, which has been our biggest risk. However, we do get spikes, largely due to the residences at the large university here and the community college.

Vaccination is proceeding more quickly as supply improves. Besides Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, we now have AstroZeneca-Oxford and the single-dose from Johnson & Johnson approved. It is looking like I could be up for a shot as early as April now (diabetic so fall into a high-risk category) while my wife might be up in May. Our son and his partner, on the other hand, are still looking at summer (healthy 21 year-olds).

 

[Tom]

Schools starting to return in England today. Scotland considering easing some outdoor rules this week.

For me this next 4 or 5 weeks will decide everything. If we can get to mid-April with no huge uptick in hospital admissions then I'd say we were good to go.

 

[Gemma]

For me this next 4 or 5 weeks will decide everything. If we can get to mid-April with no huge uptick in hospital admissions then I'd say we were good to go.

Once it gets warmer and the sun comes out, no one will pay attention to any restrictions or lockdown. I feel that is when we will see a real picture of where we are - I doubt very much that the virus is just going to die out or fade away but hopefully it is something we are able to live with, without having to shut the country down every few months!!

 

[Crabtree]

There was a new easing of rules in Scotland announced today. Up to four adults from up to two households will be able to meet outdoors, including in private gardens.

Teenagers will be given more leeway with the rules applying to 12 to 17 year olds raising the number of households that can meet to four, meaning four friends from four families can meet up outside.

Outdoor non-contact sports and organised group exercise will be permitted for all adults from Friday, with groups limited to a maximum of 15 people. There will also be "some" flexibility around travel restrictions for sport outside of local authority areas to allow children allowed to travel to take part in sport.

 

[Tom]

Key Dates and Possible Dates*

22 February	Early learning and Primary Years 1-3 return to classes Care home residents allowed two visitors per week
12 March	Four people from two households can meet outdoors 12 to 17 year olds can meet outdoors in groups of four with no limits on households Outdoor non-contact sports and organised exercise outdoors for groups of up to 15 people
15 March	Primary school years 4 to 7 return Phased return of secondary pupils, prioritising exams years S4 to S6 Phased return for universities and colleges
26 March	Communal worship for up to 50 people
5 April*	Stay at home restrictions lifted Click and collect resumes
19 April*	All pupils expected to be back full-time after Easter holidays
26 April*	Return to levels system Aim for all of Scotland to move to level 3 Non-essential retail, pubs and restaurants to re-open Gyms, swimming pools and other leisure activities resume

 

[Donna]

The announcement this afternoon should give us a better idea when Scotland will return to something like normal

 

[Snoops]

Key dates announced today by Scotland's First Minister

 

[Crabtree]

The announcement this afternoon should give us a better idea when Scotland will return to something like normal

That was the most positive I've seen Sturgeon in a long time.

The tiers bear no resemblance to the previous ones. There was even a bit of light at the end of the tunnel for the entertainment sector. The other announcement that will make a big difference is the restart grants - that will be very welcome for some businesses.

Pretty realistic overall

 

[David76]

Another graphical breakdown of the roadmap out of lockdown taken from Jason Leitch's twitter.

Great to finally have some positive news after almost a year of lockdown restrictions

 

[Ray Gin]

Quite positive compared to the messaging recently. Hopefully vaccination rates continue to increase and things get even more positive.