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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Covid-19 and purity spirals

684 replies

DreadPirateLuna · 09/04/2020 13:54

Covid-19 is a very serious illness which threatens our most vulnerable and risks overwhelming the NHS. We should all do what we can to flatten the curve and save lives. People whose behaviour risks lives (e.g. urban residents traveling out to holiday homes in rural communities) should face criticism and sanctions.

However, I can't help feeling that some of the outrage at some behaviours is less about reducing the spread and more about getting caught in a "purity spiral".

Take all the outrage about people in parks. Fresh air and sunshine is good for physical and mental health, it improves the immune system which is particularly important during an epidemic! Many urban residents have no other source of open space except the local park. The ability to get outside can be lifesaving for victims of DV. Risks of contracting disease are very low if you keep your distance from others outside your household.

Yet I've seen photos of walkers and family groups in parks, keeping far away from others, but accused of selfishness and killing the elderly and disrespecting the NHS. Parks in London have been closed, meaning more congestion of other areas and residents confined to homes, which is damaging for reasons outlined above.

And it's usually (though not exclusively) women and esp mothers who get blamed. Those selfish Karens and their broods.

A more sensible solution would be to allow restricted access to the parks. Maybe allow only locals in nearby flats without gardens. But it seems we're not doing sensible these days.

OP posts:
Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 10/04/2020 13:22

Dances

The rest of the world is looking at South Korea and Singapore to see how they've managed this so well. The way they've done it is through testing, tracking and contact tracing.

Every report that I've seen has said that has to happen in order to exit lockdown. That until a vaccine is developed, likely to be years away yet, then the only way to manage this is by testing, contact tracing and quarantine.

Dances · 10/04/2020 13:22

What would be on the Prohibition List then Hooves?

What is non essential? Let me guess, anything that has any slight risk of bringing joy. Because we can't fucking have that, can we?

TheProdigalKittensReturn · 10/04/2020 13:20

I saw that, Dances! I believe that the suggestion was that puppy pads be used rather than taking to dog out a second time it it's bladder and/or bumhole refused to obey orders.

Dances · 10/04/2020 13:19

I wonder/suspect Hooves would be a fan of the Identity card?. And forcing people to download apps so that they can be tracked? I have also seen the suggestion that those without smartphone should be provided with one so that they too can be tracked.

And they wonder why there is pushback?

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 10/04/2020 13:17

I don't think they will check shopping baskets, I think they will just prohibit what shops can sell.

Why do you think we are still allowed to take exercise and leave the house without papers then, Hooves?

Because I think behavioural scientists advised that, at the time of introducing lockdown, the public wouldn't accept it. I think as time goes on, if rates don't come down as quickly as they need and when health services start to really struggle due to staff sickness, exhaustion and pressure from other areas of medicine that are affected they will tighten the rules. They've given it a go to see if we would comply voluntarily. I think this weekend will be the make or break.

TitianaTitsling · 10/04/2020 13:16

@dances explain your thinking goes very well with 'do better' and 'educate yourself' doesn't it! Eeeeshk!!

user1635896324685367 · 10/04/2020 13:13

1/10, inventing statements the person didn't make is generally considered bad form

That's pretty much all I ever see that poster doing. Jumping from thread to thread and topic to topic inventing hyperbolic nonsense to attack and wind people up.

Dances · 10/04/2020 13:13

Eresh
I have seen some posters saying that the dogs should shit in the house etc, use the bloody cat tray etc. Yes of course its bloody stupid but they are serious but stupid

Ereshkigalangcleg · 10/04/2020 13:12

Poor kitty!

Ereshkigalangcleg · 10/04/2020 13:12

Do you think these rules were just made up? No scientific basis for them, the ministers just sat in the COBR meeting and plucked random rules out of the air for a laugh?

Why do you think we are still allowed to take exercise and leave the house without papers then, Hooves?

TheProdigalKittensReturn · 10/04/2020 13:11

We need to check your thinking. And your shopping.

When I went out to buy essentials last week (don't panic, thinking checkers, I haven't been to the shops since) I also bought chocolate, mochi, and a selection of green tea. I also added extra treats to my cat's online food order because she fell and hurt her leg and has been feeling a bit sorry for herself. My basket has failed the test.

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 10/04/2020 13:11

TheProdigalKittensReturn

How do you think they will manage the level of infection then, if lockdown is ended just because people won't accept it? So, not because clinically and scientifically it's the right time to ease it but just because the public don't fancy doing it anymore?

Ereshkigalangcleg · 10/04/2020 13:10

I agree with you, Kittens. I can't see them bringing in at this late stage that you have to have papers to leave the house for food shopping and can only take your dog outside to toilet it.

Dances · 10/04/2020 13:09

Jesus, it's just tedious

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 10/04/2020 13:09

It doesn't matter why they are out. If they are doing something that increases the risk of transmission then it should be discouraged. What about elderly people who don't live near a park? What if they are isolated and just want to be able to see their friends and family again? The longer this goes on, the longer they are in isolation.

Do you think these rules were just made up? No scientific basis for them, the ministers just sat in the COBR meeting and plucked random rules out of the air for a laugh?

TheProdigalKittensReturn · 10/04/2020 13:08

A visit from PC Gul! In spirit anyway.

TheProdigalKittensReturn · 10/04/2020 13:07

Why is your need to emotionally blackmail posters on the internet more important than

That is rather the ongoing question, isn't it? Don't expect that it will ever be answered.

Given the current level of pushback I don't see the lockdown in the UK getting much stricter. I think it will last for at least another month or two and then be phased out gradually, and possibly reintroduced again at a later date if there's another spike in cases. Realistically the level of lockdown a given culture will tolerate will vary quite a bit.

Ereshkigalangcleg · 10/04/2020 13:06

We need to check your thinking. And your shopping.

AutumnLeavesSeptember · 10/04/2020 13:06

YANBU! Critical thinking about the actual risk is going out the window. People are saying if the parks re-open there'll be blood on the council's hands. They need to get a grip.

Dances · 10/04/2020 13:05

"Explain your thinking" Holy Jesus

Dances · 10/04/2020 13:04

For a start, they might be sitting on a park bench because they are elderly, and need a little rest for a moment.

Why is your need to emotionally blackmail posters on the internet more important than an old person getting a little exercise and fresh air, or to

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 10/04/2020 13:03

I'm asking you to explain your thinking. Do you think that an individual's right to sit in a park trump's another's right to hospital treatment?

Ereshkigalangcleg · 10/04/2020 13:03

Realistically I don't think the lockdown will be tightened further by law to Spanish etc levels as they surely would have done it before this sunny bank holiday weekend.

TheProdigalKittensReturn · 10/04/2020 13:02

1/10, inventing statements the person didn't make is generally considered bad form.

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 10/04/2020 13:00

TheProdigalKittensReturn

Can you explain then why a person's want to sit in a park is more important than my need to re start my medical treatment?

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