Now that Covid is over why doesn't someone officially call it ?

What does 'over' mean?

We'll need to wait and see what happens this winter. If we get through without the new variants being a big problem, then it's probably pretty much over. Its summer, last summer was mpre or less grand too.

No point declaring it over untill we can get through a winter without any restrictions.

I was in London a couple of weeks ago. I was gobsmacked that masks weren't a requirement for the flight.

Ah, I don't pretend to know what will happen. It might be grand, there might be a variant of concern. We'll just have to wait and see what happens.

It's not about the number of infections. It's about the hospitals and ICU numbers. People going to work with a cold won't cause covid infections in ICU.

Doesn't need to be stronger than Omicron. Just strong enough to warrant restrictions. If we need restrictions then it's not over, wouldn't you agree?

But so what if it hadn't been declared over? Declaring it over doesn't make any difference in practice. We're living without much restriction at the moment. And if we get through the coming winter without need for restrictions, then it'll most likely be over.

What's the advantage to declaring it over now before we know if it's over or not?

I don't know how likely restrictions are to return next winter. But that's the test. Summer isn't a test of anything. The threats last October were full of posters claiming restrictions over Christmas were impossible and millions would refuse another vaccine. That's easy to say in October and the relevant numbers are low. But circumstances changed and people reacted appropriately.

We'll just have to see how this winter goes. If it goes smoothly then great. No point telling people there can't be need for restrictions next winter when we don't know. We haven't had a winter without restrictions since it started so the only sensible things to do is wait and see.

What's the advantage to 'declaring' it over anyway? I don't see any advantage

So just wait until winter is over is the new just wait 2 weeks now? Bearing in mind its not even summer yet, it's a pretty long wait lol. I'm sure then it will be, 'best to wait until spring to be sure' etc etc

But isn't it the case, that a virus like C19 is not spread based on season. Therefore, why would winter tell us anymore than summer?

So if we all need to be on our guard over covid how has life returned to normal?

I'm not doing a lot differently than before covid right now because covid isn't a problem right now. Covid has been. Problem the last couple of winters so thsts the test of whether it's over or not.

Pretry simple stuff.

Can anyone think of any advantages to declaring it over? I've asked a few times but nobody has even attempted to address the question.

So that you dontend up going for your folight and having a cold and being told you cant go on your holidays.

One of the kids the communion class near us had to stay at home because of a cold couple of weeks ago. Couldnt make their communion.

Stuff like that wouldnt happen if it was declared over.

I would actually like to see everyone get tested to see if they had covid already.

Wouldn't those people just do a lateral flow test to check if it's s likely covid or not? That's what I do anyway. Happened at the weekend. Mrs. was feeling unwell so we did lateral flows and its just a cold or whatever. Job's a good'ne. That's about the only precaution I'm taking at the moment. Not a big inconvenience.

Those issues could be addressed by removing any restrictions for now while there aren't any real problems from covid. Ad long as people see realistic about the fact that next winter is the actual test, not now in the better weather.

The main reasons I'm opposed to declaring it over is because we don't know if it's over or not. So it would be arbitrary. That's the main one.

The second one is that it would make it harder to react if we need to react next winter.

Sure. Are those countries doing as well as Ireland though? Ireland could lift all restrictions in and I wouldn't object. As long as they make people aware that winter is the test. Then it's fine.

Not nice sitting in a packed space with lots of other people though when you are snotting your face out and sneezing all over the place. Not nice for you and not nice for them. If covid was declared a non issue then people wouldnt feel so bad.

Yeah exactly. I'm pretty much the same. Living pretty much as normal, restrictions are unlikely. There's no good argument for arbitrarily declaring it over. Well see how the winter goes. It it goes well then we're petty much in the clear.

I think you need to research Corona Viruses and inform yourself about them.

I'll call it ...Over !

Ok now ?

You seem to be fixated with in all. Maybe stop posting and thinking about it so much.

You are sitting waiting for winter. again, this virus was never seasonal. The scenes in Italy in Feb/March at the start of it all and NY that summer were the worst. We have vaccines now.

Hospital in Ireland will probably have it's normal annual winter bed supply issues due to inefficiencies.