My son and I have been playing games of an online version of the board game "Pandemic." We've lost all but one game.

I worry the real world may be playing our strategy too.    

My 'take' is that there will be a massive rise in cases... some of those will be serious. BUT, the vac programme will have greatly reduced the'overall' effects... so, 'hopefully' less Chance if a 'crisis', than before.
The vac would have pretty much clobbered the original strain in the UK, but new variants, less so. And there MAY very well, be Newer variants on their way.

Point is... we have to 'bite the bullet' and ease restrictions, 'sometime'. Too much of 'normal life' has  been lost for so many. I don't think things will return to 'normal' for a long time yet, though. Certainly, I will continue to mask and glove for shops, etc. I 'might' venture into a pub sometime... but I hardly ever bothered, pre-covid. (Mutter, grumble).

I just don't see that opening up 'Overseas Holidays' can be a 'good' thing! Not this year, at least! But...

Being vac'd does not mean that you cannot 'catch' covid... BUT . hopefully, your system has more chance of 'killling' it before you become 'highly' infectious... or your health really suffers. People 'at risk' will always be at risk... and I don't think that is going to change.

Remember, though... you do NOT need to 'catch' covid to spread it, through 'contact'! So Hand Washing, Sanitisers and Disposable Gloves sould continue to be 'de riguer' for many circumstances.
LOL. Just how many people do you see wearing gloves?

Things will not 'get back to normal' for a LONG time, yet... and may never be quite the same.

Know I have said this before but the flu some of get jabbed for every year is a mutation of the "Spanish" flu originating in the US in 1917/8 so Corona is not going away, it will become much less viriulant over the years.....

A bit confused abbot 'Pinging'. I don't have a mobile which supports 'aps', whatever they are.
But curios about whether there is a 'Time Expiry' on those registered as having had a +ve result, or full blown case? Tests and diagnosis not infallible.

But, if there is not an expiry, then 'pinging' is just going to keep on rising? Yes, they might bring in an option for 'double jabbed' ignoring a 'ping'... but then, what is the point of it?

If such a system had already been in place in the very early days of first appearance, it might have been an effective countermeasure to prevent spread. For those with appropriate tech. But, given the numbers who 'may' have had it by now, a year and a half later... 'contact' with such will be almost impossible to avoid? Especially for staff on public transport, shops, pubs...etc.

If 'proximity' in a bus/ train/shop/pub will result in a 'ping'... then forget it. You can't go on like that.

I've heard reports of people being 'pinged' because of the next-door neighbours. i.e. <2 metres measured through the wall. /sigh.

Like you, I don't have a phone capable of running these apps.

I am currently unable to go to my local cafe/bar, as they want you to order through WhatsApp.

I certainly can't fly, as there are no paper tickets anymore, it's all done via your smartphone.

My wife's just gone to Spain (booked over a year ago . . .). There's a Spanish app to prove you have been vaccinated and to report your test status - I couldn't do that.

Suddenly feeling that I'm being left behind by the modern world

Quote from: Raider4 on 19 July 2021, 04:31:19 PM
Suddenly feeling that I'm being left behind by the modern world

Wish it would leave ME alone... but it won't. 
Back in the late 80s, a colleague, (I WAS going to use 'co-worker'! lol), not 'THAT' much older than me, wanted pay in cash... wouldn't have a Bank account... was quite happy with his Savings Bank Books! 
Then again, he smoked 'Woodbines', (unfiltered cigs), wouldn't see a Quack when he got pneumonia... (Are we SURE Covid has not been around before in a less contagious form?)... and has been Dead 20yrs.   
Looks like , for the mo, anyway, I'm stuck with it. 

The modern world has given me chances to travel further than Marco Polo ever did, fight more battles than Alexander, hear music - good and bad - that Bach didn't dream of, the chance to be an open atheist and bisexual without fear for my liberty or employment, a new art form, espresso, and efficient dental anaesthesia. There's lots I dislike, but I'm glad to be here.

And May You be here at 10... whatever!   Now't like positive thinking!  
Me... survived 59 years of increasing negative buoyancy... just haven't 'quite' reached 'crush depth'... Yet...    

Quote from: FierceKitty on 20 July 2021, 04:39:15 AM
There's lots I dislike, but I'm glad to be here.

Oh, don't get me wrong, I love being alive now.

I just loathe the way that we're being pushed to 'smartphone for everything', and the need to give up your information to anyone and everyone at the slightest excuse.

Hear, hear....With you on that, Martyn.

(I really MUST reactivate our old mobiles...so I can keep one in the car, for emergencies.)

Cheers - Phil.

Quote from: Techno II on 20 July 2021, 06:44:34 AM
(I really MUST reactivate our old mobiles...so I can keep one in the car, for emergencies.)Cheers - Phil.

That's why I got mobliles in the first place! otherwise NOT wanted! If it is a really old one... might KO a Pine Martin on a good throw? 

Quote from: Heedless Horseman on 20 July 2021, 07:02:57 AM
might KO a Pine Martin on a good throw? 

But

a) Its a PoleCat (Save the Polecat one)

b) Pine Martins are protected !

Struggling with the heat at present as it was 33C on the car temperature reading driving back from Wales yesterday. The house was 28C downstairs at 10.00pm and considerably hotter upstairs, in the range of mid to high 30's C, given we didn't cool down at all despite wearing minimal clothing to sleep. Not a breath of wind to cool things down either. I got so hot in fact that I had to cover myself with a wet towel to cool down, which is a first. I think the long hot drive got to me.

Oh and it's only getting hotter here over the next few days!!!

Quote from: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 20 July 2021, 07:17:46 AM
But

a) Its a PoleCat (Save the Polecat one)

b) Pine Martins are protected !

My Bad! Was thinking about the TV 'Compare the Meerkat' ads in my 'haze'! THEY need an RPG! 

Quote from: Steve J on 20 July 2021, 07:40:04 AM
Struggling with the heat at present as it was 33C on the car temperature reading driving back from Wales yesterday. The house was 28C downstairs at 10.00pm and considerably hotter upstairs, in the range of mid to high 30's C, given we didn't cool down at all despite wearing minimal clothing to sleep. Not a breath of wind to cool things down either. I got so hot in fact that I had to cover myself with a wet towel to cool down, which is a first. I think the long hot drive got to me.

Oh and it's only getting hotter here over the next few days!!!

Curious? Is it a 'New Build House? A lass that I know 'hated' the temps in a 'modern' insulated New Build... just couldn't get it to cool. Moved to an older property  as soon as she could... and much happier!