MarcusX

Can’t see it happening. They admitted yesterday tier 1 does very little and i don’t think cases are going to be much lower in 2 weeks than they were when we went into lockdown. Tier 2 at least in most places which means no mixing in doors. Opening more things that weren’t open before just seems crazy to me and that goes for the Albert hall as well. That said, the government still seems to have no plan. They just hate making unpopular decisions and can’t say no to anything.

Sorry this is off-topic, did you get official shielding letter or just advisory from somewhere? FIL has parkinsons and had one of those brain implant's put in (which is brilliant btw) he had some kind of flu in January and ended up hospitalised with pneumonia so we consider him high risk but he never received anything from his GP to officially shield. I tried to avoid going to the office for this reason because he came to live with us but HR were having none of it without a formal letter.

This used to be possible when I started watching as a kid in the 90s. I remember my dad taking me to several games in the Benny Division 1 days where we'd walk down the other end of the Williams (I think) to watch the end we were attacking - not that we seemed to spend much time attacking!

I was being a little facetious, but France opened up stadiums and they're in a sorry state. I can see how it can be achieved (inside the stadium at least) in a situation where numbers are under some sort of control. I can't see people still advocating it this side of Xmas though unfortunately, and the whole behaviour before/after entering the ground concerns me as I think we all know big groups will gather before and after.

Like France?

It's mad people still say this.

Well, the precedent has been set that if you can't field a team due to Covid then you forfeit the game! Would be extremely unfair, also a real shame for those teams getting to the first round with no fans. I know from watching and playing that level that you could have 10x your average gate for a one of game like that at home, even more away. For some clubs an FA Cup run could keep you going financially for a year

There’s already a huge thread discussing this

I think my reply got lost in the merge I could see the professional game continuing if there’s testing in place but can’t see any way non-league can continue

And killed everyone’s grandparents 2 weeks later

Depends if he was actually ill or a transfer was on the cards I guess

True, as @S25loyalsaid theres still a big concern around behaviours. Perhaps in the first instance no alchohol should be sold in the ground and no one admitted if they appear drunk? More likely to adhere to rules when sober

I know, and I've been arguing that point but similarly the actual aspect of sitting watching the game can be as safe, if not safer, than sitting inside a theatre at 50% capacity. I don't know how they tackle the behaviour and what happens before and after arriving at the game but is it much different to the pubs being open? People still gather before and now with a 10pm curfew very likely gathering in houses after too. Similarly club houses allowed to stream the game but not allowed to be outside watching it - which is safer? There's no sense to the things they are putting in place. There's a lot to consider, which is why it needs to be tested in small groups. I understood the reason for cancelling the trials when the message was about tightening up - but that doesn't appear to be Boris's message yesterday

TBF I made points that I could see were a defence for the current stance, based on the message that we are tightening up not opening up and could understand why grounds wouldnt open now Given that they are making plans to allow the Royal Albert Hall to hold concerts, and now telling us to get back to cinemas, I no longer defend the "tightening" stance and cannot understand the mixed messages. If we're looking at safely opening concert halls, and encouraging people to go the cinema, I cannot see why football stadiums cant be re-considered.

Does no one else find it weird that no other football players are involved? Surprised there aren't more Chelsea players at least, maybe he doesn't have many friends in the squad

Well, unless I’m missing something that flies in the face of the minimal defence I’ve tried to put up in understanding the governments stance on stadium attendance- so I apologise, they are just incompetent self serving *******.

Key workers are struggling to get tests, how can you spare a couple thousand for football fans? The point still remains that very little will open up while the message is clearly about tightening up. Once tht message changes then football will probably be reviewed again. You’ve also not factored in the costs of opening up to only 1000 people, no idea numbers of staff etc required but you could take a chunk from that income.

Yet the Premier league show every game at different times so you can sit in a pub all day Saturday and Sunday watching every game, makes no sense ? Even changed the 8:15 KO times so they didn’t miss the end

Really? Didn’t know that. It’s definitely happening. I guess the club can’t be seen to do it though. Well that flies in the face of “we’re socialising too much, stop it” so it’s just all nonsense at this point from the government. In theory, tables of 6 and no chatting to anyone outside of your 6 - well I’m pretty sure at that level most people in the clubhouse will know each other so that won’t happen ? Meanwhile, those playing outside of the pyramid aren’t even allowed to use changing rooms. Seems sensible with the cold weather approaching, making everyone get changed outside in the wet and cold

I’m in agreement. I can cope without a pub but don’t take my gym away again! Boris wanted people to get healthy, forget slimming world or whatever it was he’s gone with, get people out being active. I’m glad team sports are still going ahead, I’m not sure why park runs couldn’t on that basis - though I assume most attract hundreds of people? Maybe rather than 1 park run a week, have different start times through the day. Greater demand on volunteers I suppose but I’m sure lots of people are keen to get this going and willing to help. I guess it’s back to my point on the football thread, it’s difficult to justify opening more things up when the message is tightening things up Ah good luck, Ironman is my dream! I need a lot of swimming work

My primary thought on this is that pubs are already open, we aren't now allowing them to open instead of football grounds. They are now tightening up their practices, now isn't the time to open more things.

What spoons is open 23 hours a day? I still think your ignoring the very basic point of the message. The message is "we're socialising too much and we need to tighten up". There are parts of the UK that aren't allowed to mix with other households indoors. We are no longer at the stage of "how can we open up safely" like when these trials started and fans started going in. We are at the stage of "we must slow down NOW to avoid a full restriction again". You cannot send out that message by allowing crowds into sporting events, or music venues or anything else that hasn't already been opened up. I'm expecting "park" level football to be restricted next as I can't see how 30+ of us can play football all over the country tomorrow whilst adhering to the message because aside from the football it's everything that goes with it. The car sharing to get there and back and the heading into the pub for a drink after are two immediate things that spring to mind. We can talk about other countries but as I pointed out earlier, France are backtracking on numbers in some places. We've also managed the whole virus differently to other countries. Places that have handled the whole situation better are in a better position than us to open up - as above, we aren't opening up right now we are closing down again. Only people being facetious or just simple think it only operates between hours of 10 and 6. I dont think there's any clear science about the time but its quite obvious to most that closing bars earlier will lead to some of the following: - less people going out as some will deem it not worth it. - less time available for people to drink upto 4 hours for some venus. - the usual kick-out shenanigans that happen at 1/2am and cause Police issues will now happen earlier It's not perfect but it's a time that allows people to still go out, and particularly have a meal, but without getting stupid(er) like people do in the early hours. Of course people will likely head back to houses instead of just going home, but something had to be done short of closing them completely. As above, there's some logic to it even if it's far from perfect. Shouldnt make social distancing any more difficult because bars and restaurants wont allow any more people in than their limit

Fair enough I've misunderstood and sounds like you'll know better. I did some reading and most articles said they should but perhaps as you say there's no actual rule

France are interesting. They've gone from 1k cases a day to several days of 13k cases a day in a month. That's double their worst day on March 31st. They've got the most active cases in Europe though their deaths are still relatively low at this point, will be interesting to see how that tracks over the next couple of weeks. Could the increase in cases be linked to crowds returning? Either way I'm not sure if they are someone we should be looking to emulate right now. Also for balance, Nice played behind closed doors on Sunday against PSG despite intially hoping for 5k fans and last week Marseille only had 1k instead of 5k so it's not looking as hopeful everywhere in France. It's good that you're sensible. Unfortunately it's been shown that a lot of people can't, it's not just a case of "your choice" if you aren't sensible. They aren't putting just themselves at risk, they are putting everyone else they come into contact with at risk. I think it's great you've been able to go to football, and as you say you've kept your distance so while the option is there I'm not saying you shouldn't go, you absolutely should but looking at it from a bigger picture I just can't see how we can open up further whilst telling the country they need to restrict their socialising.

I know there's a separate thread but this needs to be addressed when people say these things. A day later and it's 5k cases and 37 deaths, tripled in a day. This isn't even about how many people are dying today it's about stopping that number before it gets out of control. Also consider that there's a lag between when people get it and when they die, so we're talking about 5k cases today and how many deaths that may look like in 3 weeks time -not hard to comprehend how they make look if the numbers have tripled in 24 hours. Do I also have to mention the dangers of 5k people out in public with this virus, many asymptomatic and who they may pass it on to? If we carried on as we were with people taking the piss and meeting in large groups, holding house parties and such like, 1 person soon spreads to 20, and those 20 soon spread to their friends and family. It needed to be addressed now before it got out of hand because if it didn't people were only going to get more relaxed with their actions. Pubs and indoor spaces shouldn't be opening without proper ventilation, it's part of the guidance of them opening.