French Lockdown

[fullfat]

Maybe you have contracted it but don't/didn't know asymptomatic, perhaps?

Tested at work regularly.... negative

 

[MITHRANDIR]

Tested at work regularly.... negative

just lucky then?

 

[busby]

For twelve months now I have done no such disinfecting... and have have not contracted anything,
maybe just lucky eh ?

And I have never won The Lottery ,,,BUSBY,,

 

[Barclaybasher]

From BBC site this morning:
First from UK scientist

"The prospect of Britons taking foreign holidays this summer seems "extremely unlikely", a UK government adviser has suggested.

Dr Mike Tildesley, a member of the Spi-M modelling group, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme there was a danger travellers could bring back new variants of coronavirus.

"I think we are running a real risk if we do start to have lots of people going overseas in July and August because of the potential for bringing more of these new variants back into the country.""

He added: "What is really dangerous is if we jeopardise our vaccination campaign by having these variants where the vaccines don't work as effectively spreading more rapidly."

Second from Germany:

Britons should not consider European holidays when lockdown restrictions are eased later this year, a leading German epidemiologist says, amid a fresh rise in cases.

Prof Dirk Brockmann, from Robert Koch Institute in Berlin, was speaking as several European nations expressed fears over a potential "third wave" of infections.

He told Times Radio: "International travel would allow new variants to distribute themselves...

"As long as there's no massive immunity due to vaccination it is certainly not a factor that would help the situation especially when... [there are] variants of concern in various regions in the world."

Seems to me that overseas travel will be more in the hands of government than any of us weighting up our personal risks and attitudes to overseas travel.

One 'scientist' from a 'modelling group' - whatever that is - 'says' ...........and it is headlined on the BBC website....

No challenge to one 'experts' opinion.............

Most of what is discussed on here is about someone's opinion - why not make your own mind up as to how to live or travel?

I have to abide by the rules set out by different countries (here and abroad) - but that is it !

When the 'rules' change I will travel, visit pubs and restaurants - why wouldn't I ?

If the rules say you can't - you don't - when the rules say you can - you can choose........

I will at the first opportunity do what I can - off to Spain - through France or ferry direct

 

[fullfat]

And I have never won The Lottery ,,,BUSBY,,

I have, a free ticket for matching two numbers

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[EuroTrotters]

Not necessarily no, if they want to protest that is their right, i am not sure about the timing and from what i could see on tv, a lack of mask wearing and social distancing

I guess they could of held on a few weeks

 

[The Wino]

For twelve months now I have done no such disinfecting... and have have not contracted anything,
maybe just lucky eh ?

We did that for the first 6 to 8 months but as time has gone by have become increasingly convinced that if we catch it it will almost certainly be from being near an infected person by breathing the same air. We still disinfect quite a lot of stuff and hand gel a lot but I don't bleach all the shopping (including the aubergine) anymore.

 

[MITHRANDIR]

We have cancelled all EU 2021 holiday bookings and may get to Spain in early 2022 if we're lucky.

The reality will be that although the UK vaccination programme is superb and brilliantly administrated to jab the adult population, the EU programme is pitiful and will not be completed until well into the Autumn.

I predict that the UK government will not lift the ban on EU holiday travel as early as curently stated due to the incompetent EU vaccination programmes. The last thing the UK needs is infected tourists entering or returning to the UK.

If you haven't already seen it, it's worth looking at this website in addition to the UK Gov website for advice: https://reopen.europa.eu/en

That's true, but that does not mean that the EU will not be safe to travel to.
If while on route, and at your chosen destination adapt your behaviour why would you get infected?
Sure it's possible to catch it while abroad, but the chances would be minimal to zero if you behave appropriately
I went to france last year and had no problems whatsoever, no way we would have caught it, we never got close enough to anyone, and felt much safer than at home.

 

[The Wino]

That's true, but that does not mean that the EU will not be safe to travel to.
If while on route, and at your chosen destination adapt your behaviour why would you get infected?
Sure it's possible to catch it while abroad, but the chances would be minimal to zero if you behave appropriately
I went to france last year and had no problems whatsoever, no way we would have caught it, we never got close enough to anyone, and felt much safer than at home.

That suggests anyone who catches it has behaved in a way to make getting it more likely. I have spoken to people who had it and cannot understand how they managed to catch it they behaved in ways that sound similar to yours. If travel abroad is allowed it will be up to people whether they travel or not but I can see reasons why the powers that decide might think the increased risk of spread isn't worth it for a jolly.

 

[suavecarve]

If there is a presumption that UK will have low figures in the summer, double vaccinated about half the population and EU has not and somehow has awful figures during the summer months, what are the chances of going to Iceland (29 deaths in total and averaging 4 infections per day) if they invite us ?

If people think it is safe to go to Iceland, is it safe to go to Finland ? How about Norway, Madeira ? Azores ?

Is the consensus that there will be some countries we are allowed to go to, and if so what levels of infection are appropriate for us to be allowed to return from those countries, without Q10 whilst being double jabbed ?

Last year the figure was initially 30/100,000 raised unofficially to 50/100,000.

Personally I see no different approach from the EU, this year to last, and their figure was 50/100,000.

Yes I am aware of the current figures and also aware how many weeks there are before we are even allowed to go at the earliest possible opportunity.

Perhaps some of the posters who call for non travel can give us an idea of what they see as appropriately safe in order to allow/go away themselves to Europe. My figure is probably 50/100,000, probably the same as Europe.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Markman]

One 'scientist' from a 'modelling group' - whatever that is - 'says' ...........and it is headlined on the BBC website....

No challenge to one 'experts' opinion.............

Most of what is discussed on here is about someone's opinion - why not make your own mind up as to how to live or travel?

I have to abide by the rules set out by different countries (here and abroad) - but that is it !

When the 'rules' change I will travel, visit pubs and restaurants - why wouldn't I ?

If the rules say you can't - you don't - when the rules say you can - you can choose........

I will at the first opportunity do what I can - off to Spain - through France or ferry direct

Fully agree re "make up your own mind", not so sure about only obeying the rules. To make up your own mind be your own expert, do your own risk assessment. For me that means avoiding places with a risk of high covid presence, ie inside spaces with poor ventilation, areas/ towns with high covid counts, areas/ shops where no- one is wearing masks, etc

 

[MITHRANDIR]

That suggests anyone who catches it has behaved in a way to make getting it more likely. I have spoken to people who had it and cannot understand how they managed to catch it they behaved in ways that sound similar to yours. If travel abroad is allowed it will be up to people whether they travel or not but I can see reasons why the powers that decide might think the increased risk of spread isn't worth it for a jolly.

That's also true, my point is simply, if you go looking for trouble.......you will find it.
Each to their own, simple fact is that the uk is overcrowded, anyone who says different must be blind, not geared up for motorhomes, nothing wrong with a staycation, but mark my words, if travel is not allowed then chaos will ensue at times, and regardless of what anyone thinks, lots of people together = trouble.

 

[yodeli]

That suggests anyone who catches it has behaved in a way to make getting it more likely. I have spoken to people who had it and cannot understand how they managed to catch it they behaved in ways that sound similar to yours. If travel abroad is allowed it will be up to people whether they travel or not but I can see reasons why the powers that decide might think the increased risk of spread isn't worth it for a jolly.

My mum was saying she was not taking any risk. So I asked different questions to point out how still risky was her behaviour.
She told me(that was last year in March, 1st lockdown) she was wearing 2 masks one on top of the other, and also gloves when shopping. And she said she was taking them off when at home.
Ok : So , car keys could be infected but also car's handles, handbrake...etc... She had taken things at the supermarket that afterwards she had decided not to buy, so put them back on the shelves , gloves could be contaminated. Then once at home, she was tidying all her shopping without the gloves, touching the same things again and again which could have also been contaminated. Then touch her eyes or nose ... easy peasy contamination . Virus is supposed to stay on cardboard and metals for 3 to 5 days. We were told to leave our shopping for a few days in the car or in the garage, and for all the fresh stuff put gloves on, give a rince when possible with a sponge with chlorine on, and for fruit and veg, give them a good rince. then throw the glove where you couldn't touch them anymore.
I told her to do so, or I would do the shopping for her, and bring it when safe.
This virus can catch you anytime. Have a second of inattentiveness.... and that's it.
At that time I had to wash everything everywhere while working with the little ones: 2 hours in the morning, and 2 hours in the evening, changing toys every single day because some could not be washed or wouldn't stand chlorine.
I do less now, but parents are not allowed in. I take the children to the gate, and release them there. They must have new clothes every single day too. No personnal toy is allowed at my place. I use chlorine every single day for all the things they could touch or I spray when possible with alcohol 95°
There are so many movements/actions you make , you don't realise they can contaminate you.

 

[gus-lopez]

Strangely, it was widely reported that BAME people made up most of the deaths from CV_19 and then I saw it reported that people with Dementia made up 25% of all those who died.

Now obesity is getting the blame for lots of deaths, plus of course it's old age that really determines who dies.

You'd think that the NHS could use their accurate figures to nail this down.

I think it is the overweight ,elderly, Bame people with dementia that's the problem.

but I can see reasons why the powers that decide might think the increased risk of spread isn't worth it for a jolly.

before when travelling to the Uk i could usually get to check in at Dunkirk before actually interacting with anyone,save the odd occasion for fuel.

Under the rules now, I have to have a pcr test here somewhere to enter France so a high likelihood of infection. then I now have to arrange a vet to get the dog done so more inter action with plague monsters I don't really want.
Then I have to find yet another skanky Farmacia in the hot spots of northern France for another test to enter the UK. I can't see how in any way this is protecting me from infecting anyone else? More likely the complete opposite.

 

[busby]

That suggests anyone who catches it has behaved in a way to make getting it more likely. I have spoken to people who had it and cannot understand how they managed to catch it they behaved in ways that sound similar to yours. If travel abroad is allowed it will be up to people whether they travel or not but I can see reasons why the powers that decide might think the increased risk of spread isn't worth it for a jolly.

I think people are blind to what they do,or don't do..My neighbor borrows my car once a fortnight to do his shopping and wipes it down when he returns,,(I always clean it again,,handles,nobs seat belt buckles etc) Thing is he never wipes it down when he starts using it,,he doesn't know if I have contaminated it or not..People wash their hands,,well some do when entering a shop but don't when they leave but have handled products others have touched..It is very very difficult to be one hundred percent sure of not having touched a contaminated surface but you just have to try your best..BUSBY.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[SpeedyDux]

The kind of immersive French experience I (and the Duxette) enjoy involves having conversations with French people, drinking in bars, eating out in cafes and restaurants, using small local shops and boulangeries, visiting tourist attractions and museums, and so on. We also stay on municipal and private ACSI campsites more that Aires. Obviously, our preferred type of trip involves higher exposure to Coronavirus. Even with the benefit of our vaccinations it doesn't seem sensible in current circumstances.

I also don't want to have to spend hundreds of Euros on compulsory Covid tests and run the risk of quarantine. Therefore, it's a fallow 2021 (with staycations). Here's hoping that in 2022 France may suit our particular requirements. Sorry lovely French people, we hope to see you again in the future, but that's how it looks this year.

I can understand those who will only stay on Aires or wild camp, use their on-board facilities, always self-catering, occasionally do a quick shop in Lidl (other supermarkets are available), eat Fray Bentos pies, go walking or cycling in the deep countryside and mountains, stay out of urban areas etc. can reach totally different risk assessments. Each to their own preferred type of trip in continental Europe.

 

[busby]

The kind of immersive French experience I (and the Duxette) enjoy involves having conversations with French people, drinking in bars, eating out in cafes and restaurants, using small local shops and boulangeries, visiting tourist attractions and museums, and so on. We also stay on municipal and private ACSI campsites more that Aires. Obviously, our preferred type of trip involves higher exposure to Coronavirus. Even with the benefit of our vaccinations it doesn't seem sensible in current circumstances.

I also don't want to have to spend hundreds of Euros on compulsory Covid tests and run the risk of quarantine. Therefore, it's a fallow 2021 (with staycations). Here's hoping that in 2022 France may suit our particular requirements. Sorry lovely French people, we hope to see you again in the future, but that's how it looks this year.

I can understand those who will only stay on Aires or wild camp, use their on-board facilities, always self-catering, occasionally do a quick shop in Lidl (other supermarkets are available), eat Fray Bentos pies, go walking or cycling in the deep countryside and mountains, stay out of urban areas etc. can reach totally different risk assessments. Each to their own preferred type of trip in continental Europe.

The last paragraph sounds ideal except for the FB pie,,I know it's compulsory to have one on board for an utter emergency BUT to actually eat one welll that's going just too far..BUSBY

 

[MITHRANDIR]

We have all had to adapt our behaviour since covid arrived, and vaccination or not, should continue to do so whether you are at home, work, holiday, the reasoning for this i will set out below.

I get the distinct impression from people that the vaccine will somehow give us an invisible shield, and while this is partly true, it is also partly false.
No vaccine is 100%, and people are not all the same, have different reactions to the same infections.
The wife and i had our first jabs a few weeks ago, it made her quite ill for a few days, i however didn't have any symptoms whatsoever.
What does that mean in simple terms? Nothing.
And so it will be with the vaccines, some will have greater protection than others, but who?, it's impossible to say.
It's the luck of the draw i'm afraid.
Some of our behaviour needed to be improved anyway, take hand washing for example, can everyone say with honesty that they always washed their hands when they ought to have done? i know i didn't.
There are no absolutes in life and never will be.
Pandemics have happened before and will happen again, and if we do not adapt our behaviour to suit then that spells trouble, for everyone? No there are no absolutes.
Some people say that trying to change people's behaviour is a waste of time, partly true, and partly false.
Take smoking for example, many years ago many many people smoked, doesn't matter what anyone's view is on that particular habit, the point is far fewer people smoke now than in the past, a change in behaviour, that some people say won't happen.
Given what we have learned about this current disease, how it is passed around and so on, is it really a great hardship to alter one's behaviour a little at least for the medium term?
No one really knows how the vaccine will play out and what its true effect will be, that will be years in the making.
Indications are that the vaccine works well at least in the uk, but thats all they are, indications.
Do i think that the vaccine is a good thing?, yes of course i do, but like anything else it has its limitations.
Risk is not the same for everyone, there are no absolutes.
Some may not agree with my perspective, and of course that is fine.
I for one don't agree that european travel should be banned wholesale, while at the moment i think it's unwise to travel, that goes for the uk as well as europe, incase anyone has forgotten the virus is present here as well as abroad.
I can go to work here and be exposed to lots of other people, but i can't travel abroad and be exposed to no one?
Not really sensible or proportionate in my view.

 

[pampam]

Two cruises booked , some are starting may june but only around uk, the world cruise powers that be are having a meeting in april , but as long as you are advised it is not safe to travel , you will struggle to get insurance

 

[MITHRANDIR]

The kind of immersive French experience I (and the Duxette) enjoy involves having conversations with French people, drinking in bars, eating out in cafes and restaurants, using small local shops and boulangeries, visiting tourist attractions and museums, and so on. We also stay on municipal and private ACSI campsites more that Aires. Obviously, our preferred type of trip involves higher exposure to Coronavirus. Even with the benefit of our vaccinations it doesn't seem sensible in current circumstances.

I also don't want to have to spend hundreds of Euros on compulsory Covid tests and run the risk of quarantine. Therefore, it's a fallow 2021 (with staycations). Here's hoping that in 2022 France may suit our particular requirements. Sorry lovely French people, we hope to see you again in the future, but that's how it looks this year.

I can understand those who will only stay on Aires or wild camp, use their on-board facilities, always self-catering, occasionally do a quick shop in Lidl (other supermarkets are available), eat Fray Bentos pies, go walking or cycling in the deep countryside and mountains, stay out of urban areas etc. can reach totally different risk assessments. Each to their own preferred type of trip in continental Europe.

We also like the things you describe in the first paragraph, and last, but not the pie eating, and i draw the line at snails, BUT, in our "risk assessment", the first things you describe are for us at least a little too risky, does that mean that we won't go if allowed, no of course not, we still enjoy the last things you describe, except pie eating and lidl, we generally do intermarche.
France has more to offer than bars,cafe's,museums and such, while these things are very pleasurable, compare them to a view of the alps, say, or the pyrenees, for example, for me they fall short.
## please forgive me if i have offended any pie eating, snail scoffing, lidl shoppers##

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[pampam]

I think the travel powers are fcdo (foreign commonwealth and development office )
who are meeting on april 12th

 

[MITHRANDIR]

Two cruises booked , some are starting may june but only around uk, the world cruise powers that be are having a meeting in april , but as long as you are advised it is not safe to travel , you will struggle to get insurance

You can get insurance, no problem, with specialist companies, we did last year, £68 for two people and we were covered for covid.

 

[yodeli]

but not the pie eating, and i draw the line at snails

 

[suavecarve]

Two cruises booked , some are starting may june but only around uk, the world cruise powers that be are having a meeting in april , but as long as you are advised it is not safe to travel , you will struggle to get insurance

Quite true, if FCO advice is dont travel to a specific country then our travel insurance is highly likely to be invalid.

A cruise around the UK should, (imho) not be subject to FCO advice as it is not Foreign nor commonwealth. Probably within the remits of April 12th but certainly within limits of May 17th if it occurs.

 

[Minxy]

Red Funnel normally have a deal going for something like, ferry crossing + 5 nights on a site for about £20 more than the cost of the crossing.
I know you will cringe at the mention of a site.

We used a similar 'deal' last time we went so have no objection to a small site, we used one the last time we were there on the south eastern side and it was lovely, just a short trot to the beach and were considering that one again but we'd want to stay for quite a while so would need to check on the duration restriction for any deals but the ferry cost is quite high and we could go to Ireland for not much more and stay longer as we'd have more of the place to travel round and see.

My question is, why is it that from the middle of April you can sit outside a pub and go in to use the toilets but campsites are keeping their facilities closed?

Probably because if you go in the pub loo you are there for a shorter length of time whereas in a campsite block you will be using the loo, washing/showering etc, a lot longer duration and the risk of spreading the virus on surfaces is greater (eg spitting out toothpaste, shower water etc).

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[ambulancekidd]

For twelve months now I have done no such disinfecting... and have have not contracted anything,
maybe just lucky eh ?

They do say that fortune favours the brave, I'd put it a slightly different way.
Hope your good fortune continues.

Seems like the UK Gov is making up peoples minds for them, foreign travel ban perhaps??

 

[busby]

I think it is the overweight ,elderly, Bame people with dementia that's the problem.

before when travelling to the Uk i could usually get to check in at Dunkirk before actually interacting with anyone,save the odd occasion for fuel.

Under the rules now, I have to have a pcr test here somewhere to enter France so a high likelihood of infection. then I now have to arrange a vet to get the dog done so more inter action with plague monsters I don't really want.
Then I have to find yet another skanky Farmacia in the hot spots of northern France for another test to enter the UK. I can't see how in any way this is protecting me from infecting anyone else? More likely the complete opposite.

When you see many NHS staff on tv or in the flesh they are not a shining example of healthy trim personnel,,,(incoming) BUSBY,,,

 

[MITHRANDIR]

We used a similar 'deal' last time we went so have no objection to a small site, we used one the last time we were there on the south eastern side and it was lovely, just a short trot to the beach and were considering that one again but we'd want to stay for quite a while so would need to check on the duration restriction for any deals but the ferry cost is quite high and we could go to Ireland for not much more and stay longer as we'd have more of the place to travel round and see.


Probably because if you go in the pub loo you are there for a shorter length of time whereas in a campsite block you will be using the loo, washing/showering etc, a lot longer duration and the risk of spreading the virus on surfaces is greater (eg spitting out toothpaste, shower water etc).

There's an easy answer to that one, use the facilities in your van, after all you will have paid a lot of money for your van/motorhome, why not use them?

 

[MITHRANDIR]

When you see many NHS staff on tv or in the flesh they are not a shining example of healthy trim personnel,,,(incoming) BUSBY,

 

[MITHRANDIR]

They do say that fortune favours the brave, I'd put it a slightly different way.
Hope your good fortune continues.

Seems like the UK Gov is making up peoples minds for them, foreign travel ban perhaps??

Isn't that what we already have?
A ban on foreign travel that is.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}