This is a slow process isn't it ? , what are we 2 or 3 weeks behind Italy?

I can see the government pushing the restrictions for a further 3 weeks on May 7th if the above is anything to go on 

Might be one of these statistical anomalies where a load of results are backed up and get released in one go, but the borough i live in, Wandsworth, has had 38 official new cases in the last 5 days. That was pretty much the average rate per day a few weeks ago.

I find the over seventies generally, but not exclusively the worst.  I wonder if that’s because a lot don’t have the technology that younger ones have. No social media to get local news, no stopping in the co-op for a catch up on local gossip, no sharing experiences, etc. 

I’m finding it very hard to explain things to my step mum in law, who’s had heart surgery.  She finally agreed not to go shopping, after saying that rule was only for the infirm who can’t get to shops and she’s perfectly capable.  We explained the risks and thought she understood but she doesn’t seem to get why she can’t take her dog to the vet.  Then when hubby took her some shopping, hung it on the door and told her to take it out of the packaging and wash her hands, she said ‘oh I’ll be using it soon, so it’ll be OK’. 

It’s so difficult for some of them to understand and so exasperating trying to explain.  

Italy are at a 1.2% case increase, we are at 3.4%. Italy was at 3.4% three weeks ago. 

I can't see the lockdown holding another 4 - 5 weeks. I'm also not sure it should because the benefits by then will be outweighed by the negative impacts. I think we need a new approach because we are effectively incarcerating millions of the population that are at miniscule risk. Meanwhile a big proportion of those that really are at risk are still busy wandering round supermarkets, seemingly either unaware or not caring of the consequences for themselves or the knock on effects for the NHS.

Well that shouldn’t be allowed. On what grounds do they think this conforms with the rules of staying at home?

Agreed and its clear people have got bored with it and when you break the %'s down , very few people have known someone who has been admitted to hospital 

Well with a squad of 20 + its 2 per pitch 

They will just have to practise a lot of short corners 

With distancing in mind lol

Yes but everyone is a carrier which is the concern here, forget millions being at a small risk of serious illness 

I wonder how many of the 5 points the government are talking about have ticks against them ?

Interview with Neil Ferguson here, not watched it all yet (35 minutes) but is quite interesting.

https://unherd.com/thepost/imperials-prof-neil-ferguson-responds-to-the-swedish-critique/

I thought you’d defend them ‘Gooner’ 

If you can't work from home then it is permissible to travel to your workplace. Football is a team sport so to train they will need to be together.

I can`t see the lockdown holding for another 5 weeks either,going to the end of May is pushing things to breaking point economically and socialy. Im pretty certain it will be extended for another 3 weeks on May 7th but with a few small relaxations eg families being able to visit each other in their respective houses and some non essential businesses being able to re-open. The govt are going to have to find a balance between health,the economy and society to be able to function in general.

What`s the point of being alive if you can`t live.

If you’re using that argument, why haven’t they been training this week?

I'm glad you are coming round to my way of thinking - "I wonder what that was?". I'm sure it was viral but of course at the time nobody cared. I wonder if it killed a few old people? The other odd thing was it was ultra contagious. As a family over two households one or two of us often get colds at the same time but I don't think all six have had something with the same odd symptoms before, nor as many friends. I think my cough would have killed me if I had COPD as well but then it would have gone down as pneumonia on my death certificate no doubt.

Surely that is right though? He was robbed of the last nine months of his life by the virus. Of course I don't know how low he was but if he had some quality of life it was still tragic.

Shows what a farce this "lockdown" is in reality. Is football "essential" work?

Seems there is a unilateral getting back to normal taking place, in the absence of clear govt instruction or enforcement

I think this is Cummings all over

Agree. Sunday Times tomorrow should have the exclusive "secret plan" from what I hear

Regional data for new cases today in England

The 7 English regions 

• London +278 (1.2%) 23,341


• Midlands +469 (2.7%) 17,582


• North West +457 (2.7%) 16,709


• South East +480 (3.1%) 15,454


• North East and Yorkshire +559 (3.6%) 15,431


• East of England +297 (3.2%) 9,175


• South West +173 (3.0%) 5,701

The 10 local areas with the highest cases

1. Kent +167 (5.3%) 3,126


2. Birmingham +66 (2.5%) 2,618


3. Hampshire +80 (3.2%) 2,519


4. Lancashire +80 (3.3%) 2,461


5. Surrey +45 (1.9%) 2,333


6. Essex +83 (3.8%) 2,202


7. Hertfordshire +58 (2.8%) 2,092


8. Sheffield +45 (2.4%) 1,901


9. Cumbria +42 (2.5%) 1,675


10. Staffordshire +51 (3.4%) 1,506

The 10 local areas with the lowest cases

1. Rutland +3 (16.7%) 18


2. Isle of Wight +4 (4.7%) 86


3. North East Lincolnshire +9 (7.3%) 123


4. Hartlepool +18 (12.1%) 149


5. Torbay +5 (2.7%) 182


6. Bracknell Forest +2 (1.1%) 185


7. Peterborough +3 (1.6%) 188


8. Bath and North East Somerset +6 (3.0%) 198


9. North Somerset +10 (5.0%) 200


10. ​​​​​​​Herefordshire, County of +13 (6.2%) 211

Why has this become a football discussion thread when we have one available in the TWO Community Sports and Leisure Forum?
I'd be given short shrift if I wanted to discuss, say, badminton or well dressing.
R.

Italy to allow bars and restaurants to reopen with enforced distancing from May 18.

We are six to eight weeks behind Italy.

The Times: "I leak, therefore I am."

R.