Phased Relaxation of Lockdown

Start to open the outdoors for everyone again. The NHS is nowhere near swamped and a controlled relaxation can be monitored and if necessary lockdown reimposed quickly. It is not helping everyones mental health or the economy to continue lockdown while there is capacity in HNS. Louisa Jordan is available if necessary, but we need to move on and the working population and families should not live their lives in perpetual anxiety. The balance needs to be tested.

Why the contribution is important

Mental; health and peoples livelihoods.

by Hamsterpus on May 07, 2020 at 12:01AM

Current Rating

Average rating: 3.9
Based on: 40 votes

Comments

  • Posted by MrsHanilton71 May 07, 2020 at 00:29

    Adults and children are missing those they interact with and by allowing families to interact more this will in turn reduce isolation and support mental wellbeing.
  • Posted by BUTEMACS May 07, 2020 at 00:33

    Absolutely do not agree with you, so you think the NHS is not swamped just because the Louisa Jordan hasn't needed to be used yet it's only because of the people who are following the lock down rules & the amazing heroic work being done by the front line staff working back to back 12hr shifts under horrendous conditions wearing PPE , holding peoples hands as they die & hoping they won't be next or they take it home to their families, now that's perpetual anxiety, have you seen the marks on their faces with wearing masks or the cracks on their hands with constantly washing using sanitiser & wearing gloves what about their mental health & perpetual anxiety the last thing they need is more patients because a few folk were getting bored at home I'm sure they would love to be sitting safe on the sofa watching box sets, stopping lock down too quickly & risking another spike is the last thing they need, I think your comment is an insult to them.
  • Posted by LauraCowan May 07, 2020 at 00:40

    As long as people continue to die on a daily basis in Scotland then Lockdown must continue. Only once the number of people dying reaches 0 should we relax a little. Only a zero death rate should be acceptable in a civilised society. All life is sacred!
  • Posted by AHunter May 07, 2020 at 00:47

    I think the lockdown must be relaxed. Families and loved ones from different households should be allowed to meet for social purposes. A lot of people take their relatives out for drives to the country or to walk together in parks, that is something that should be allowed again as it's good for everyone's health and welbeing.

    Public transport should also be brought back, with distancing if necessary, to allow people freedom of movement again and to visit relatives where one doesn't possess a car. There's no point in opening lots of shops without opening transport.

    Also police behaviour should be reigned in as it has been very officious, irregular and outwith the legislation at times. So much so that they have had to be re-instructed by the Home Office on occasion after issuing threats to the public. The police haven't always behaved well during this lockdown and have caused people more distress than necessary and further broken public trust.
  • Posted by bethfife May 07, 2020 at 01:54

    Do not think it is helpful to rush to reduce or withdraw lock-down. Far more damaging to risk having to impose lock-down again if the R rises too quickly. At present time the government should not be pressurised to go against the expert advice, nor should the Scottish population be encouraged to think that the danger is well and truly over. Let those who wish to return to work (as long as social distancing is assured) do so. No-one should be made to feel guilty if they prefer to be allowed to decide for themselves if and when they wish to go out.
  • Posted by Djalaodbdld May 07, 2020 at 05:50

    Totally agree. We need to take some steps towards a new normal sooner rather than later.
  • Posted by staceymckenna1 May 07, 2020 at 06:46

    Relax in rural areas maybe continue lockdown in the places most affected
  • Posted by Mumsofboys May 07, 2020 at 06:48

    I agree with phasing but there's not a considered 'how' in this idea?
  • Posted by Littld May 07, 2020 at 07:03

    I’d support a phased transition by geography e.g. France has introduced a red, amber, green system by Department based on data. Consideration needed on how this would work practically at a ‘county line’.
  • Posted by Kfinlay May 07, 2020 at 07:06

    Outdoor contact initially with social distancing may be a better step. Restrictions on house moves could be lifted at th d time also for those in limbo waiting to move since the beginning of lockdown.
  • Posted by Fairygodmother May 07, 2020 at 07:19

    I do agree that for the majority of people restrictions should be relaxed. Shield the vulnerable and let the rest of us get on with life. There are far too many other impacts on mental health and the economy that need to be balanced and this could be done through shielding the vulnerable. It’s really hard trying to work from home while also meeting the needs of our children. It’s hard especially for children not to see their friends. Could we not at least relax restrictions to allow outdoor play dates.
  • Posted by Eallan May 07, 2020 at 07:43

    Not just now. People are still going to places when the weather is nice creating many issues. Did anyone see Largs yesterday? The R number is still too high. Give it another 3 weeks until the next evaluation of the lockdown. Wait for the R number to lower.
  • Posted by stephanie84x May 07, 2020 at 07:45

    i think allowing people to meet/visit small number of family members or at least a friend while using strict distancing measures will help prevent mental health numbers rising both in children and adults, also allowing those in trade who can work alone or in small numbers using distanting measures to return to work outwith that i dont feel lockdown should be relaxed outwith this till numbers consistantly drop.
  • Posted by Fox2020 May 07, 2020 at 08:03

    This is a difficult one because it’s all about ensuring flood gates are not opened. Too much relaxation of restrictions will send us all back into lockdown again. No-one wants that because it means more people are becoming ill or worse dying from this virus. Those of us who are feeling fine and so far whose health has not been affected by this virus won’t know what it’s like to get it so it makes us more impatient. As our summer weather commences it’s going to make social distancing out and about very challenging and some people don’t even care as I have witnessed when out and about.
  • Posted by Catriona24 May 07, 2020 at 08:10

    I agree with this....Some people are at breaking point mentally & this can’t go on indefinitely. Some easing is needed.
  • Posted by vanessavj May 07, 2020 at 08:18

    Already it’s evident that people are starting to move out lockdown as more people being seen gathering in parks & more cars on roads.
    Allowing family groups to merge together in slightly larger ‘bubbles’ may help alleviate the mental strain of not seeing family & reduce need to float lockdown rules.
  • Posted by ElaineF May 07, 2020 at 08:20

    Think the idea of "social bubbles" is workable in terms of gradually reintroducing socialisation. Would benefit people's mental health while still being a staged approach to managing the risk. The lack of contact with close family and friends has been difficult for many.
  • Posted by rakrak May 07, 2020 at 08:25

    Many people will not take full advantage of the lockdown restriction lift, and this will be a good safeguard. Being able to sit in an open air space with family members observing distance and hygiene measures would be a great, and welcomed start to lifting measures. We won’t be cuddling family and friends for some time to come, and that has to be recognised. Venturing out of your trusted group would be extremely foolish and selfish. The risk of reversal of lockdown in this needs to be acknowledged before relaxing is allowed. This step will be an indication of how people will act when other measures of relaxing are to be considered. A table similar to the one Ireland has published would be really helpful in describing each phases and the possibility of having to go back a phase if the worst happens.
  • Posted by Breasticles May 07, 2020 at 08:28

    Open up some parts of the countryside.

    Fishing and angling, hiking and hillwalking
  • Posted by mbuick May 07, 2020 at 09:59

    I believe we could open up golf courses and fishing with strict guidance on social distances and as long as it was being monitored and enforced by staff at these leisure facilities. I do however have major concerns about vising other households either in or outside. I think it is too early. Some people are already abusing and stretching the rules to suit themselves and i think this would get worse if the rules were relaxed. Look what happened when drive through coffee venues opened up how is that essential
  • Posted by Ideas81 May 08, 2020 at 08:00

    Set out a roadmap detailing what measures will be lifted at each stage and what needs to be met to move onto next stage.
  • Posted by Drewsloan May 08, 2020 at 08:14

    From the government data would it be possible to open businesses and schools on a geographic basis where nobody is allowed in or out of an area ( ie where and when you are confident Covid is not circulating)?
  • Posted by Phoebe May 10, 2020 at 15:57

    It would be good to get a statistician involved for guidance. The chances of people of certain ages getting so sick they need hospitalisation are now well characterised. Thus in theory provided they did not go and meet older people you could allow adults 18+ to about 25 years of age ( who do not live with folk 70 years of age ) out and about.

     But the practical difficulties are large (a) the government would have to apologise for being just choosing one figure over another . (there may not be much difference between adjacent years risk). (b) there would be difficulties of proof of age. So folk might only be allowed out of they could prove their age (c) these young folk going out would have to act responsibly and (d) not go round infected other folk (e) not go in large groups e.g more than 10. (f) those in other age groups might be jealous of their freedom. (g) They would have to practice good biosecurity actions on returning home so as to reduce the risk of them infecting folk at home.

    However if they were given their 'freedom' on the understanding that they would act responsibly and the eyes of the country are on them it might be worth a try. The could be called the 'Pathfinder generation ' group (2) They could be asked to either return to work or (b)perform voluntarily work. i.e a quid pro quo ,we are letting you out on the basis that you contribute to society. ' don't mess up your opportunity'
Log in or register to add comments and rate ideas