Use of R value in easing lock down

Currently the R value is one of the main indices for easing lockdown. It is skewed upwards in Scotland due to the high infection rate in care homes. This is not representative of the wider community where the R value of the infection rate is significantly lower. In Scotland we are being kept in stricter lockdown because of an artificially elevated R value. It is relatively easy to isolate care homes both staff and patients and allow the rest of the population to resume a more normal lifestyle.

Why the contribution is important

For the greater good of society, the economy, education and our mental and physical health and welfare.

by Jock52 on May 11, 2020 at 09:28AM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.1
Based on: 6 votes

Comments

  • Posted by dmcmanus55 May 11, 2020 at 09:40

    This is valid comment and I believe that there should be more transparency on how this R value is calculated. I do not have a problem in the governments policy in reducing the R value further before lifting of these restrictions but I do believe we should be made aware of the level this should be and how this is being calculated so we can focus on the areas more that are contributing to increasing this value.
  • Posted by JillPowlettBrown May 11, 2020 at 09:51

    I'm not convinced by this idea. Even if the R is lower in the wider community than in care homes, and given the PPE issue, there are key workers who may develop Covid-19 as they move from community to care home. To my mind it is crucial that the overall R rating continues to drive decisions on lockdown in Scotland.
  • Posted by MikeJohnston May 11, 2020 at 09:55

    Please see my idea: What is the acceptable level of death?
  • Posted by KMR May 11, 2020 at 09:59

    Interesting point but I would have thought that the Government would have thought of that or been advised accordingly.
    Perhaps that has been factored in to the R number already?

    Why would the Government extend the lockdown unless it was absolutely necessary? SG is fully aware of impact on people, business, the economy. They are putting people's lives first.
  • Posted by KMR May 11, 2020 at 10:00

    Jill Powett Brown.....I agree.
  • Posted by eildontreerymer May 11, 2020 at 15:41

    The 'R' rate may also vary within Scotland. If one region has a very low 'R' rate, I would have thought it ought to be possible to relax some restrictions in that area, while maintaining extreme vigilance.
  • Posted by dmcmanus55 May 11, 2020 at 17:32

    I do not think we should relax the current restrictions to individual areas and we should come through this as a country in whole as you can see the confusion this has already caused south of the border. I do however believe more focuss should be made on reducing the contributing factors in the areas that are pushing this R factor up. After 7 weeks of lockdown the rate of transmission should be substantially lower and what areas more can be done in driving this value down.
  • Posted by Kgal May 11, 2020 at 21:44

    Agree with original poster. We need to understand how R number is estimated if we are going to be placing such reliance on it for easing out of lockdown. Need to understand R number including and excluding care homes. We surely need to be testing more widely in the community to pick up mild and asymptomatic cases
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