Life during lockdown

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More stupidity!

Can't you understand, we've been hit by the most serious epidemic since Polio, or the "Spanish 'flu"?

It is wrong, bordering on wicked to encourage any non essential situations where people meet up in public.

For the avoidance of doubt, unless it is your intention to hurt and kill Londoners, it is the job of the Mayor's office to discourage all non essential travel, all non essential public events.

PLEASE STOP TRYING TO KILL LONDONERS. 

IF YOU DO NOT STOP THIS STUPIDITY, YOU NOT ONLY WILL BE OUT ON YOUR EAR AT THE NEXT ELECTIONS, BUT MIGHT BE PROSECUTED.

Yes, I am very angry as I see your stupid policies killing a lot of people.

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It's difficult to say what I'll feel comfortable doing till we know what will happen. If the virus is eliminated, as in New Zealand, or if there's an effective vaccine, then I'll plunge back into London's cultural life with joy. Theatre, concerts, choirs, evening classes are what I really want back. Not bothered about pubs and restaurants really, don't give a damn about shopping. 
You don't ask about transport - I need to use the the Tube to get into central London, so I need to feel that that is safe.

In the meantime, we need massive investment to support the cultural industries and all those who work in them - most of whom are freelancers. Otherwise there will be very little left to return to.  

A vaccine and track and trace that works better than current system. Social distancing and compulsory wearing of face coverings enforces at crowded indoor venues.  Social distancing at pubs and restaurants. 

I support theatre, live music, grassroots arts and music, community arts and museums. Appreciate your efforts to save London’s creative industries. But government needs to do much much more and put a concrete plan with funds in place. The actor Ian McKellan is putting up to £40,000 of his own money in a matching scheme through crowd funding.  You don’t see such generosity from the government.  Many new freelancers in the arts are unable to access funds through the current schemes. We are one of the world cultural capitals and the arts contribute  to our well being and community as well as bringing in money locally and from abroad. For me Shopping is not important and pubs only if not too crowded.  I understand that the hospitality industry is suffering but also need to feel safe when going out for a drink or meal. Thanks 

I will only feel safe & comfortable attending a cultural event/venue inside when a Tested and proven Vaccine to Covid-19 is widely available. 

Meanwhile, I would be happy to attend an outside event/venue when the following criteria are met by the venue:

-       The number of people attending is controlled so that it is possible to stay 2 Metres apart

-       Deep cleaning of all communal areas e.g. toilets, food areas (bars, tables, chairs) etc

-       Proper hand washing and toilet facilities are available

-       Face masks worn by public and staff

On a government Level:

-       A clear message from the government on how to stay safe ie use of face coverings, social distancing etc  We all know that everyone has a different level of social awareness and common sense.

-       Track and Trace  is managed & coordinated by appropriately trained staff & held on central records.

-       Regular, coordinated Virus Testing of all NHS Staff and Care workers with reporting held on central NHS records

-  Honesty from the government regarding reporting of R number and deaths in all settings. So far reporting has been ambiguous.

Being over 70 I will not feel safe until there is a vaccine or a cure that works. For months the government told us that masks were of no use. Now they are supposed to be mandatory on public transport. People are not observing social distancing, particularly staff in supermarkets. I cannot see the point of pubs opening if distancing has to be observed. People go to pubs to meet friends, not sit alone drinking, so might as well stay at home to drink for far less cost

I cannot see how theatres etc can open. To have proper social distancing, they would need to be only a third full, so wouldn't be financially viable. Not to mention the actors, dancers, musicians etc who need to be in close contact. So for me, lock down will have to continue indefinitely

Why is there no enforcement on wearing face masks on any public transport! Obvious flouting of the rules like taking off masks as soon as you have entered a tube station or just not wearing masks on buses. It needs to be sorted!

happy to get out and about with decent safety provisions. 

Well managed and enforced to protect the nhs those at risk. 

Slow infection rates

Whilst trying to give business a way out of huge mess from lack of early lockdown. 

Lets not waste 3 months of discomfort. Another lockdown in winter will be horrible so let’s be sensible and find a way for us to feel comfortable in getting back out in the real world until a vaccine arrives hopefully soon.

its not just about me it’s about nhs capacity and those at risk.

Whilst finding a way for people to feel safe enough that they will spend money on cultural events keeping them viable for the future. 

The younger generations will need work in the future so it’s in their interest to think about the bigger picture. 

The health of others and a way to keep business alive. Otherwise nobody will have faith or reassurances in going out. If others don’t respect distance and masks. Then another lockdown with greater job losses will happen the government can’t afford more furloughs and we will have to pay for it in the future anyhow. 

So lets keep it sane. Lets be safe  reduce infection. create barriers to the virus but find a way to a normal that will work.

otherwise we just say the virus can do as it pleases. The nhs will be placed under strain, those workers we all clapped for will face huge hardships. People will die.

Some feel they don’t mind taking a risk but they are not thinking of others when they say this. Business will only thrive when we all feel safe and find a way to progress with the situation  

We can ramp up freedoms as we get more on top of the situation. We clearly haven’t as yet

What will it take to make you feel safe and comfortable again attending a cultural event or venue?

The availability of an approved vaccine and more widespread testing.

The public demonstrating sensible behaviour once the initial release from lockdown has calmed.  Then I want to see people wearing face masks in crowded spaces and making an effort to be considerate and respect social distancing whenever possible.

What are the types of cultural organisations or activities you would feel most or least comfortable visiting when they re-open, and why?

Concert halls, galleries and open air events not involving huge crowds would be in my "most comfortable" category as they can most easily allow good social distancing

Restaurants, Theatres, cinemas are medium risk once face masks are in general use

Crowded indoor venues and pubs are in my "least comfortable" category as the risk of poor behaviour and interpersonal consideration is least likely.

Why isn't the wearing of masks on public transport being enforced?

Yet another example of Khan's incompetence.

Just a few Transport Police and a few quick prosecutions would make all the difference.

Hospital has told me when coming in next week to avoid public transport.

The government should immediately make it compulsory to wear face masks on any public travel services and busy indoor places, due to some not adhering to guidelines. This helps protect yourself and other vulnerable people. Going forward l and many others want normality back but we cannot just ignore what is happening and we need to learn from other countries that are keeping numbers down with the virus. I and many thousands are in the vulnerable category and this virus will not go quickly, we are in for a second wave as things turn to normal again. The government need to lay out easy steps that people understand I.E 1,2,3,4,5 etc I do not expect the government will make it compulsory to wear masks but if they want us to get back to normal then WHY have they not put this in place? Do they want many to die ??

Some things have worked surprisingly well online: my art class has become more of a supportive community; I don't have to travel to work meetings as we can do them OK via Zoom.  But I really miss the whole "going out" experience: getting dressed up; a glass of wine in the bar; discussing the performance in the interval; and so on.

The two things that put me off going out in the limited way we can: wearing a face covering (I feel as though I'm suffocating) and the closure of public and store toilets.  I understand the necessity of wearing a face covering on public transport.  I haven't yet tried visiting a museum or gallery wearing a mask and I'm not looking forward to it.  I think this will be a big limiting factor on my cultural activities.

In the winter of 2008/2009 80,000 died in the UK from avian (bird) flu.  No lockdown or other restrictions then so why now with Covid 19??  Why is that avian flu never referred to??  We should not call Covid 19 'corona virus' as a common cold is a corona virus and there are many corona viruses.

Diesel cars should be banned. They are completely unnecessary and encourage people to buy vehicles that are far larger than they actually require. Keep diesel on the farm! Also, please consider the elderly and disabled who cannot cycle and may be unable to walk far, if at all. It's OK to improve cycling facilities but please keep cyclists safely separate from pedestrians who are vulnerable to the minority of cyclists who are idiots.

Please open London's libraries and archives. People need to be inspired by books more than ever! I work as a freelance writer/researcher and since the libraries closed in March I have been unable to complete any commissioned work nor take on any new projects. This also means I haven't earned any money. I am not eligible for Universal Credit and so it has been very, very difficult financially. I am certain that libraries/archives could run a system whereby the staff don't have to come into close contact with the public - books, documents, etc., could be ordered using chits and libraries could set a limit on the amount of people admitted (supermarkets have been doing this since March). Archives could operate a booking system (many already do this.) Access to books is so important for people of all ages so please don't deprive us any longer.

We can't live in lockdown forever. The NHS is past the peak and are no longer in danger of being overwhelmed so it is time to get the economy back on track. I fear the long term economic impacts of an extended lockdown on many people. The government does not have a bottomless pocket to keep paying furlough programs particularly as more businesses fold, people lose their jobs and the tax revenues dry up. It's time to open things up, get public transport back to full service and get all children back to school. I for one am willing to take on some risk in exchange to live life...in real life, not online!