I just broke the rules

[OntheWaves40]

I doubt I’m alone. There is definitely a feeling of Do as I say and not as I do defiance going on.
I hadn’t seen my boyfriend in ages, we went for a walk in the park, it’s just not enough. So I went to his house and spent a few hours with him.
The risks are relatively low, as in he works from home etc but after being so diligent with the rules for so long I’m now totally disheartened by people just doing what the hell they like and now I’ve become one of them.

[Floralista]

I did exactly the same thing yesterday 🙈

[Redannie118]

How nice for you. I had surgery for invasive ductal carcinoma( breast cancer grade2) on Wednesday. I had a very bad reaction to the ga- i was shaking, sobbing in pain and couldnt stand, but i had to go home as i was in too much risk of catching Covid if i stayed. I bet you thought you had a right to see your bf as you had been "good" . I had a right to stay in hospital after having surgery for cancer. But hey - at least you had fun ! Im fucking delighted for you.

[SqidgeBum]

We broke them today too. We had the day from hell yesterday with our 18 month old, both of us were mentally broken, so we went to meet his parents for a walk. They are in their late 50s, healthy, been at home for the past 7 weeks bar going to Morrisons once a week. DH's Mom hugged us and our daughter. It was the best hug ever. It did stem partially from the PM's attitude over the past few days. It was the straw that broke the camels back. We felt like fools for sitting in our house since mid March, seeing nobody, going nowhere. I thought I would feel guilty but I dont really. Dominic Cummings and the PM encourage us to 'use our common sense' so we did.

[Realitea]

I’m sticking to the rules despite my dh’s mother sobbing down the phone because we are following advice and all her other children are letting her go round.
It makes me angry that others aren’t sticking to the rules but there’s nothing I can do.

[Tentatively]

This won't go well.

[espressoontap]

I was discharged the morning after my emergency appendicectomy - and I was septic. I am in agony and pregnant too. You're an idiot.

[SqidgeBum]

Here is the issue; we are turning on each other. The government have decided there is no need to promote the idea of 'we are in this together'. They have told people to go back to work (including me. I am pregnant and am going in to teach 40 kids a day in the next few weeks), they have stopped saying 'stay at home', they have one rule for us and another for themselves, and they have given the people no solid plan for seeing the people they love. The government arent idiots. They know we are going to break under these circumstances, some faster than others. If they didnt want us to break, they would have had different policies, especially as all other countries in Europe have taken way more precautions.

We are now each others enemies. We are now blaming each other. We are now so miserable and broken that we are angry with everyone else who is also miserable and broken. Please try not to forget that many people are reacting to the government's policy of 'go back to work, but dont see your mother'.

[pollyhampton]

Well done to you and the pp. As long as you feel better that's all that matters? You are quite right to not give a fuck about the rest of us.

[Realitea]

Did you post this to get some reassurance that you’re not the only one? To upset people who could die if the infection spreads to more people? (The rules are there to protect lives) To rub it in the face of people who are really suffering and just want others to stick to the rules?
I don’t understand why you’d post this.
Just stick to the rules. Yes it’s tough, we’re all finding it tough but it’s not forever

[pollyhampton]

No @SqidgeBum. Most of us are just being sensible and following health guidelines. You are saying people are turning against each other to justify your actions

[ToffeeYoghurt]

I predict the most popular baby boys names next year will be Boris and Dominic.
Both are clearly very popular. So many people want to be just like them. Do exactly what they do.

The 'If you can't beat 'em, join them' nudge is going well today...

Meanwhile other countries have or are taking the simple measures required to ease lockdown with less risk to economy and lives.

[Mumoftwo0357]

I’m protesting Cummings’ actions by sticking to the rules because I feel that’s the opposite of what he wants me to do.

Can totally understand why many felt like breaking the rules though and I don’t blame you.

[SqidgeBum]

Maybe @pollyhampton. I am feeling incredibly angry at the government. But I know my personal reasons for why I did what I did. I dont really feel like they need listing here for someone else to judge whether they are good enough. I just feel its a sad situation that many people are quick to say those around them who are also massively suffering are the enemy. Its a sign how hard everyone is finding things, no matter their circumstances.

[Mumoftwo0357]

But if you really want to defy them, sticking to the rules they never wanted to introduce is the best way

[Mumoftwo0357]

The other way to defy them is to stick together and see each others’ point of view instead of falling out. Don’t let them divide and rule us

[Clemmieandareallybigbunfight]

News for those of you loving the rules - sorry no medal in the post.

The purpose of lockdown was to reduce social contacts. We locked down too late and we've left it going too long. Our economy is flattened and our elderly decimated. Our mental health and relationships are all we have left. Let's look after them.

[Legoandloldolls]

50% of people will agree with you OP and 50% will say they performed their own open heart surgery to check infection risk below zero.

I haven't broken the rules. I know of want to as my life has zero point and zero joy and I sometimes think about what's the point to life anymore which I never have before.

The only thing that is 100% acceptable is that your in a race to the bottom of a pit of misery.

So, applying that logic yabu as it's made you happy.

A 1000 Angel's will die in heaven now.

Feeling joyless is the new normal we are all preparing for.

I also wonder if anyone who catches covid now has the pitchforks aimed at them. As surely the new victims are staying in, dettoling the air and eating paint and plasterboard?

I so want to see my aging mum. She will die of old age before the rules change. I will suck up the rules but the are stupid when I can do other more risky shit around strangers.

[81Byerley]

@Redannie118 That is awful for you. I'm so sorry you're going through this, you're entitled to feel bitter and angry, and I agree with you.

[Legoandloldolls]

Reminds me of when I worked for a global IT industry and someone was working on his laptop all the way down to theatre. He was renowned as the company hero we should all aspire too. Nothing more important than getting your priorities wrong in the face of death. What's amazing and inspired to some is as sad as fuck to others.

OP enjoy your life, safely and continue to risk assess your own life carefully. It's not 101 worthy that's fir sure

[PumpkinP]

I’m not sticking to the rules anymore, I’m going to a friends house tomorrow, those that make the rules don’t even follow them.

[pinkrocker]

@SqidgeBum I thought pregnant women were to self isolate?

[moonset]

Honestly it's just been a waste of the last few months of distancing if you're going to act like this.

There is definitely a feeling of Do as I say and not as I do defiance going on.

Take personal responsibility for your own actions and just because others have flouted the rules doesn't mean you should. Whether they are a cabinet minister, adviser or neighbour there is no reason to copy their selfish stupidity?!

[Andi2020]

Can anyone honestly say what their teenagers have done when they met up.
This scares me cause I know I can't keep them locked up forever but scared to let them out. Oldest is out today I don't really want to see her when she comes home as I'm on morphine and high blood pressure tablets. I know she will definitely have xx her bf because she said it would be hard not to