Why ending all COVID restrictions surrounding football is so important

[ABZHFC]

https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/dons-ordered-to-make-covid-safety-improvements-after-fans-spotted-hugging-on-pittodrie-return/

Aberdeen City Council being utter clowns and demanding better security at Pittodrie on Sunday for the crime of fans ‘hugging’ at their game on Thursday night against Hacken. This isn’t about party politics, if you give any authority greater power and control they will seize it with both hands.

Nobody wants to watch football like this. It is absolutely imperative that all clubs put maximum pressure on the Scottish Government and their local council to ensure that from the 9th of August, stadiums are able to be completely full and there are no COVID restrictions whatsoever. The future of Scotland’s game depends on it

[CMurdoch]

It's not a case of hugging randoms at the football being a crime but it is irresponsible in a pandemic.
The other aspect is the council no doubt received lots of complaints from folk directly and indirectly about it so are responding.
People complain and demand action about everything as you yourself are doing in this thread.
The difficult part is that folk on all sides of the argument complain and it is impossible for our elected representatives to make them all happy.
It's best they make the right decisions rather than responding to hyperbole, loud voices or pressure.

[PatHead]

If, when I was at the game on Thursday, people were hugging and spreading Covid around I would have not been too happy.
This hasn't gone away by any stretch and we still need to be cautious.

[Springbank]

if viruses didnt mutate then this OP would be a cracker

but viruses do mutate

the original mutation was getting under control in Scotland 13 months ago (June 29th 2020 headlines read that Scotland had its 8th consecutive day without a single Covid fatality, way ahead of other nations)

the problem was others did not have the virus under control (first Kent, then India) so the new variants emerged that spread quicker and hit you harder, potentially even being immune to existing treatments as they mutate.

the World Health Organisation has queried the lifting of all restrictions during the current phase (in England) as being "exactly what you would do if you wanted to create a new mutation that is resitant to the AZ & Pfizer vaccines" making for a full *new* worldwide lockdown and back to square one.

You may have guessed, given that, I disagree with the OP and I wish our irresponsible next door neighbour England was not playing fire with a mutating virus

[Sir David Gray]

Football should be played behind closed doors if hugging is so dangerous at the football.

Expecting people not to hug others when their team's just won 5-1 in Europe after 16 months away is just not realistic. When a goal is scored fans don't even think about hugging the people they're with it's an instinctive reaction.

[Jay]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

If, when I was at the game on Thursday, people were hugging and spreading Covid around I would have not been too happy.
This hasn't gone away by any stretch and we still need to be cautious.

I got lots of hugs. Hadnt seen these people for well over a year..

[WhileTheChief..]

^^Is this from an SNP advert or something?!

Scotland were brilliant and England are doing it all wrong!

[WhileTheChief..]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Football should be played behind closed doors if hugging is so dangerous at the football.

Expecting people not to hug others when their team's just won 5-1 in Europe after 16 months away is just not realistic. When a goal is scored fans don't even think about hugging the people they're with it's an instinctive reaction.

Absolutely nothing wrong with that.

A married couple share a bed all night, drive to the game in the same car but aren’t allowed to hug each other at the match???

[marinello59]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Football should be played behind closed doors if hugging is so dangerous at the football.

Expecting people not to hug others when their team's just won 5-1 in Europe after 16 months away is just not realistic. When a goal is scored fans don't even think about hugging the people they're with it's an instinctive reaction.

Totally agree.
Our Goverment has had totally unprecedented control over our lives for around 16 months. When that happens the hardest thing is for them to give that power up. Moving on to micro managing things like this is a step too far for me. It’s time for them to let go a wee bit.

[SteveHFC]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Football should be played behind closed doors if hugging is so dangerous at the football.

Expecting people not to hug others when their team's just won 5-1 in Europe after 16 months away is just not realistic. When a goal is scored fans don't even think about hugging the people they're with it's an instinctive reaction.

t'm half expecting Edinburgh council to make a similar statement soon.

[SteveHFC]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Totally agree.
Our Goverment has had totally unprecedented control over our lives for around 16 months. When that happens the hardest thing is for them to give that power up. Moving on to micro managing things like this is a step too far for me. It’s time for them to let go a wee bit.

Spot on.

You can have folk in your house and hug them much as you want but it's dangerous to hug at a football stadium.

[Phil MaGlass]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

if viruses didnt mutate then this OP would be a cracker

but viruses do mutate

the original mutation was getting under control in Scotland 13 months ago (June 29th 2020 headlines read that Scotland had its 8th consecutive day without a single Covid fatality, way ahead of other nations)

the problem was others did not have the virus under control (first Kent, then India) so the new variants emerged that spread quicker and hit you harder, potentially even being immune to existing treatments as they mutate.

the World Health Organisation has queried the lifting of all restrictions during the current phase (in England) as being "exactly what you would do if you wanted to create a new mutation that is resitant to the AZ & Pfizer vaccines" making for a full *new* worldwide lockdown and back to square one.

You may have guessed, given that, I disagree with the OP and I wish our irresponsible next door neighbour England was not playing fire with a mutating virus

This 100%, but there's only so long folk will accept being in lockdown and will take matters into their own hands.

More than 10,000 people have died in Scotland.

[Sir David Gray]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Totally agree.
Our Goverment has had totally unprecedented control over our lives for around 16 months. When that happens the hardest thing is for them to give that power up. Moving on to micro managing things like this is a step too far for me. It’s time for them to let go a wee bit.

Agree completely.

[500miles]

Stop hugging each other, you love starved weirdos.

[mal]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/dons-ordered-to-make-covid-safety-improvements-after-fans-spotted-hugging-on-pittodrie-return/

Aberdeen City Council being utter clowns and demanding better security at Pittodrie on Sunday for the crime of fans ‘hugging’ at their game on Thursday night against Hacken. This isn’t about party politics, if you give any authority greater power and control they will seize it with both hands.

Nobody wants to watch football like this. It is absolutely imperative that all clubs put maximum pressure on the Scottish Government and their local council to ensure that from the 9th of August, stadiums are able to be completely full and there are no COVID restrictions whatsoever. The future of Scotland’s game depends on it

"Council officials have reportedly told Aberdeen FC to address issues around queuing, social distancing and stewarding after fans were spotted hugging and not wearing masks on their return to Pittodrie."

So, not just hugging then.

Fans are gradually being allowed back into grounds. Severe outbreaks caused by irresponsible behaviour could easily result in that being reversed. What would "the future of Scotland's game" be like then?

You sound like one of those Covid sceptics who likes to pretend that the rules are the problem, not the virus.

[ABZHFC]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

It's not a case of hugging randoms at the football being a crime but it is irresponsible in a pandemic.
The other aspect is the council no doubt received lots of complaints from folk directly and indirectly about it so are responding.
People complain and demand action about everything as you yourself are doing in this thread.
The difficult part is that folk on all sides of the argument complain and it is impossible for our elected representatives to make them all happy.

It's best they make the right decisions rather than responding to hyperbole, loud voices or pressure.

18 months of restrictions, it has to be over now. We simply have to go back to normal, and considering 2% of Scotland attend football matches every week, that cannot be treated any different. Boards simply must call for it and call for it now - total, 2019 normality from the 9th of August onwards, with no going back from that either

[ABZHFC]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

"Council officials have reportedly told Aberdeen FC to address issues around queuing, social distancing and stewarding after fans were spotted hugging and not wearing masks on their return to Pittodrie."

So, not just hugging then.

Fans are gradually being allowed back into grounds. Severe outbreaks caused by irresponsible behaviour could easily result in that being reversed. What would "the future of Scotland's game" be like then?

You sound like one of those Covid sceptics who likes to pretend that the rules are the problem, not the virus.

I’m not a COVID sceptic, I recognise the tragic nature of this virus and I believe that (initially) lockdowns were reasonable as we did not know the full scale of this virus. We now have fantastic vaccines, we have them in the vast majority of people’s arms, we have given up 18 months of our lives in order to protect the vulnerable. We have done all we can, England will be having full houses on the first weekend of their season (rightly), whilst we may well be stuck twiddling our thumbs and begging Edinburgh City Council for an extra 2,000 fans to be allowed in.

It’s pathetic. Full crowds, masks optional, away fans in. Nothing less will do

[mal]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

18 months of restrictions, it has to be over now. We simply have to go back to normal, and considering 2% of Scotland attend football matches every week, that cannot be treated any different. Boards simply must call for it and call for it now - total, 2019 normality from the 9th of August onwards, with no going back from that either

Do you seriously think that the virus will cease to exist, cease to mutate, cease to infect, cease to kill, and cease to leave people with debilitating long term side effects just because you demand it?

[AugustaHibs]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Do you seriously think that the virus will cease to exist, cease to mutate, cease to infect, cease to kill, and cease to leave people with debilitating long term side effects just because you demand it?

Virtually everyone who wants a vaccine, has one by now.

What do you suggest? As you say, covid isn’t going anywhere. Time to get on with it

[mal]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I’m not a COVID sceptic, I recognise the tragic nature of this virus and I believe that (initially) lockdowns were reasonable as we did not know the full scale of this virus. We now have fantastic vaccines, we have them in the vast majority of people’s arms, we have given up 18 months of our lives in order to protect the vulnerable. We have done all we can, England will be having full houses on the first weekend of their season (rightly), whilst we may well be stuck twiddling our thumbs and begging Edinburgh City Council for an extra 2,000 fans to be allowed in.

It’s pathetic. Full crowds, masks optional, away fans in. Nothing less will do

You clearly are a Covid sceptic based on what you have written above. Try reading some actual scientists instead of whatever halfwits you are allowing to influence you.

[GreenCastle]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Do you seriously think that the virus will cease to exist, cease to mutate, cease to infect, cease to kill, and cease to leave people with debilitating long term side effects just because you demand it?

What’s the end goal ?

What’s the plan ?

Majority of the vulnerable double vaccinated in Scotland - do we just sit about waiting (waiting for what??) or can we accept that daily live involves risk and let people get on with their lives - especially those who need to see a doctor / get a hospital appointment for other conditions like cancer. Not trying to be smart but I keep hearing folk say don’t do this or that and haven’t told us when we actually can live properly again.

[BlackSheep]

Covid passports (including those who are seriously medically exempt) would make some people think harder.

So many view it as a way of controlling the population, but in my opinion Covid Passports would stand as a firm point that getting a vaccine is the strongest way to fight this virus, starve it of hosts whose bodies cannot fight it and soon it will be gone.... leave it to have its way around the unvaccinated populous and we will be riding this wave for a long time.

[BlackSheep]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

What’s the end goal ?

What’s the plan ?

Majority of the vulnerable double vaccinated in Scotland - do we just sit about waiting (waiting for what??) or can we accept that daily live involves risk and let people get on with their lives - especially those who need to see a doctor / get a hospital appointment for other conditions like cancer. Not trying to be smart but I keep hearing folk say don’t do this or that and haven’t told us when we actually can live properly again.

Maybe part of living with this virus DOES include mask wearing and other restrictions, this in fact could be how we live properly from now on.

Perhaps those who are so against the restrictions may have to concede to them in order for society to get back to some form of normal.

I think those who think we will go back to how things were, Pre-Covid, may be in for a surprise.

[Lago]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

t'm half expecting Edinburgh council to make a similar statement soon.

And if they do a lot of folk will just say stuff it & be lost to football forever.

[ElginHibbie]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Covid passports (including those who are seriously medically exempt) would make some people think harder.

So many view it as a way of controlling the population, but in my opinion Covid Passports would stand as a firm point that getting a vaccine is the strongest way to fight this virus, starve it of hosts whose bodies cannot fight it and soon it will be gone.... leave it to have its way around the unvaccinated populous and we will be riding this wave for a long time.

Needing a Vaccine Passport to get into a match being considered for the Premier League down south, not sure how easy it would be to actually enforce but think it could well end up being the way forward for the bigger events for the immediate future

[tamig]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

It's not a case of hugging randoms at the football being a crime but it is irresponsible in a pandemic.
The other aspect is the council no doubt received lots of complaints from folk directly and indirectly about it so are responding.
People complain and demand action about everything as you yourself are doing in this thread.
The difficult part is that folk on all sides of the argument complain and it is impossible for our elected representatives to make them all happy.
It's best they make the right decisions rather than responding to hyperbole, loud voices or pressure.

Well said sir

[Stuart93]

Hearts allowed roughly 4,500 in tynie on Sunday. Whereas Motherwell are allowed about 7,000 in a stadium that holds about 7,000 less.

These rules/decisions by the councils aren’t making any sense anymore

[Jay]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

What’s the end goal ?

What’s the plan ?

Majority of the vulnerable double vaccinated in Scotland - do we just sit about waiting (waiting for what??) or can we accept that daily live involves risk and let people get on with their lives - especially those who need to see a doctor / get a hospital appointment for other conditions like cancer. Not trying to be smart but I keep hearing folk say don’t do this or that and haven’t told us when we actually can live properly again.

100% I had a scan booked a month ago and had to cancel because I was in contact with someone who had covid, I'm double vaxed and tested negative but still couldnt go to the scan. I dont even have an appointment through yet. This is to see if my cancer has returned. How long can I wait and hope? The staff would have been double vaxed unless they had chosen not to be and the whole place is cleaned after me. I wear a mask and am in the room around 10 mins.

[AgentDaleCooper]

This basically boils down to emotions v science.

[O'Rourke3]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Hearts allowed roughly 4,500 in tynie on Sunday. Whereas Motherwell are allowed about 7,000 in a stadium that holds about 7,000 less.

These rules/decisions by the councils aren’t making any sense anymore

At Tynecastle home and away fans are forced to use entrances in the same area. The away end at Motherwell is nowhere near the other entrances so there is a huge degree of separation.
We have the same problem at ER. North and East exit to the same area as does the South and West The surrounding areas are part of the problem and impacting numbers.

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk