They, including the chief medical officer etc, did advise that case numbers would continue to rise, and that's what we're seeing. I suspect there is a combination of some of the population will effectively have relaxed now, prior to july 19, as they don't see the point in waiting, and will feel they may as well return to "normal" now. Others will be confused by the exceptionally mixed and confused messaging. Others still will be on the bandwagon of ministers who were queuing up to announce to the press how they will celebrate burning their masks.
We know the delta/johnson variant (delete as applicable) is much more contagious. Therefore, the potential is cases will rise quicker than they have previously.
We have to hope that hospitalisations and deaths, which will inevitably rise, don't rise as they have done before.
The other risk, is the long term implications for people who fall ill. This to me is where we don't really have much information, and why there is still merit in some restrictions being in place. I can see the sense in re-opening any open air/outdoor stuff, and to an extent the indoor stuff - people will have to make decisions as to what they feel safe doing I guess, however a lot of us will be basing decisions on very limited information and understanding. We're not epidemiologists after all.
I do personally feel that masks wearing, and potentially some level of social distancing would be beneficial. Anecdotally, when I go for the daily walk, it does seem to me that people around here still are happy to give each other space, and I hope that continues.
A work colleague tested positive 3-4 weeks ago. Initially just felt like a cold, but got exponentially worse daily and they had 3-4 days off. They're back now, but still have no sense of taste or smell.
