It's quite straightforward

[RunBackwards]

If you are positive (unwittingly or otherwise) every contact you avoid reduces the R number.

Yes, you may still pass it on at work or school but if you don't have drinks with the neighbours or have kids over for tea, you won't pass it on to them and therefore the R number reduces.

Not perfect but it will help...unless everyone keeps saying it's all pointless and no one complies.

If that's what you're doing, you are the problem. Last time, people largely complied because they wanted to be seen to do the right thing. Now we seem to have created a situation where it's perceived to be a bit wet to follow the rules.

[Ignoringequally]

Oh for god’s sake. Another ‘let me tell you how it works’ post.
People know how it works. If they are choosing not to follow the rules for whatever reason, reading a patronising post from a random on Mumsnet is hardly going to change their mind, is it?

[Ignoringequally]

And before I get pounced on, I am following the rules. My children go to school and that’s it, we have no other social contact because I will do anything to keep them in school.

[loobyloo1234]

Tedious posts like this aren't helping OP. Do YOU understand that? We're not the fucking problem

[Jrobhatch29]

If only we were all as wise as you OP

[RunBackwards]

It worries me that so many people saying it's all pointless is self perpetuating is all.

[Armi]

You say ‘people know how it works’, but I don’t think they do. You see loads of posters who post along the lines of, ‘I’m mixing with 2000 people at work. If that’s ok, it’s ok for me to visit my mum.’

People really are that stupid.

[BlanchflowerTulip]

Whaaaaat??? You can spread it to other people through contact with them!!!!!! Thank you so much for this razor sharp clarity.

[Justmuddlingalong]

There are those following the rules, those bending them and those ignoring them. I think after 7 months everyone knows which one they are.

[Itisasecret]

The issue is people will not put up with it. They are made to work in unsafe workplaces, pack their kids into school. Socially distancing is utterly pointless whilst all that is going on.

People have literally had all the pleasures in life taken away, whilst having to carry on, nose to the grindstone.

People will not do it and I don’t see why they should, it’s really shitty what the government are doing to people. They have lost all trust and respect and that’s a huge thing with compliance. People are human after all.

[Coriandersucks]

And you think this post is going to help how?

[CountessFrog]

I’m surprised your post doesn’t contain ‘I’m afraid’

[Funkypolar]

Followed the rules and still got bronchitis. Despite social distancing and wearing a mask. Barely leave the house anyway!

[Ignoringequally]

@CountessFrog

I’m surprised your post doesn’t contain ‘I’m afraid’

Or end with ‘sorry’.

[KatherineJaneway]

@RunBackwards

It worries me that so many people saying it's all pointless is self perpetuating is all.

Some people will convince themselves of anything so they can do what they want:

It's a hoax
You can't tell me what to do
Look at Dominic Cummings getting away with it, I will too
This Government has no idea, I'm going to crack on as I see fit

[WindChimeTinkle]

@RunBackwards Don't blame people. It is a fucking virus, evolved to spread from human to human. Please don't demonize people for wanting to live a normal human existence.

[BlanchflowerTulip]

So, can I clarify, is it unsafe for me to attend an illegal rave in the basement of a disused warehouse so long as I face the wall and take some dettol wipes? I haven't seen any government guidance on the underground techno scene and thought you might be able to help.

[Armi]

[quote WindChimeTinkle]@RunBackwards Don't blame people. It is a fucking virus, evolved to spread from human to human. Please don't demonize people for wanting to live a normal human existence.[/quote]
There’s wanting to live a normal existence, which we all do, or just big fat doing it anyway and to hell with everyone else because it’s what I want, boohoo.

[MilkTwoSugarsThanks]

Whoa. Stop a minute. Can we please all just take a moment to appreciate the cleverness of the OP. Not only for having such unique understanding of the virus but also the amazing ability to completely miss the other thousands of threads stating this exact same thing.

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Lesser mortals now before your wisdom.