@
Lunaire
Is a myth we've locked down over cases. Has been hospitalizations that have been the reason for a lockdown. Similar in the rest of Europe. Vaccine prevents against severe disease and death in most cases. So those who catch it who are 2x/3x aren't ending up in ICU. Problem is the unvaccinated are the ones sending up in ICUs. Which then means the capacity is not there when people end up in ICUs for other reasons, if it full with covid patients. Do not agree with what some European countries - Austria, for example, are doing with mandating the vaccines. But can see why they are.
Freedoms to government - different culture over here, in general we're a lot less focussed on individual freedoms here, more on society as a whole than in US. Lot of the lockdowns have been self-enforced in the UK.
I agree with you as far an endemic. Had been treated as such unti omicron. Masking and distancing had pretty much stopped here, at least in England. Was like a different world when it came to restrictions and masks when you left England. Because of the vaccines. Have the advantage of having had a high uptake rate. But now for some reason panicking about omicron. Even though it looks like omicron is milder. But is all politics playing out here with it. So restrictions back in. Because of omicron. Which are masks made compulsory again, vaccine passes for some things, and travel restrictions. And all advised to work from home again. Could well be more restrictions. But will have a very, very difficult time actually getting people to follow them this time round. Because they have thrown these parties last christmas. One rule for us, another for them kind of thing. Hasn't gone down well. Personally do intend to ignore any christmas restrictions this time round. Am not having another cancelled christmas. Not this year. Not when they don't follow the rules themselves.