Is social distancing over?

[Trunkella]

It’s coming to the end of summer holidays, so I thought I’d take DD to the zoo - first family trip out for a while. I assumed guidelines would be in place, numbers limited - and people would be socially distancing. People wore face masks in designated areas, but no one was keeping to the 2m distancing. If I waited back, people would push past me - or just go in front of me. This was the vast majority of people - and children were allowed to crowd against windows in groups.

@Namechange2021 you’re right! I guess it was the first time we’d tried a bigger attraction. Sadly it was the children and families who weren’t following the guidelines who probably got the best experience out of the zoo - while I was pulling my children away when others started to crowd round us. Even when out on a walk, people walk happily down the centre of the path - forcing others who want to socially distance to the side.

@Clive222

I must admit not really, given up on seeing depressing story after depressing story, has done wonders to my own mental health.

Inside shops etc, we social distance, and I don’t take my children anywhere inside really, outside in playgrounds we haven’t told the kids to social Distance but I check with the other parent/adult that they are happy with our children to play together.

@OverTheRainbow88 I’m afraid i completely don’t agree with your stance. Your mental health may take a knocking, but how about the health of an elderly or vulnerable person who catches the virus from this general attitude. Also - asking another parents if they are ‘ok’ with it puts them in a difficult position. It’s difficult to say ‘no’ - when it may be what they feel.

In theory, SD is still in place (although another website pointed out that it's never been in law - it's merely a "polite request"). I expect the govt will never officially say "SD is over"; they'll just wait for people to "forget" it, so they can blame the public later.

But it seems that the spin machine has ruled that it's no longer "fashionable" to keep talking about it. The government admitted early on that there was only so long people would stick to it, and even if they tried to do another "campaign" on it now, lots of people would say "yeah, whatever", or wouldn't even notice it. So the government picked masks instead, when they knew people wouldn't follow SD any more, or when opening up situations when SD is harder. When masks are no longer fashionable, it will be something else, like "safe trick or treating" (how many virus costumes are we going to see this year?), and no doubt they'll invent some silly slogan for the festive season.

I don't know why people find staying 2m away from others so difficult. It's 2 metres, it's really not that far. But then, I'd happily socially distance from most people forever, I can't abide people being too close to me in queues etc.

And the children who have not been taught about social distancing by their parents are going to find it hard in September. And yet the teachers will be expected to do it all - again the attitude of ‘its someone else’s responsibility’.

@Trunkella

“I’ve given up” was a reply about watching the news... I’ve stopped watching the news. But I speak to my dad most days as he likes to fill me in on the stats anyway!

I’ve not given up socially distancing when shopping and inside etc..

The playground is a bit different in my opinion.

Not over but definitely not seeing as much

And the children who have not been taught about social distancing by their parents are going to find it hard in September
This is true but k see it in a different way. We live in the country so aren't out and about.our kids as re going to find it difficult because they dont have practice in it because practice would have involved bringing them places!!!

Doesn’t mean you can’t teach something though? Whether it’s from a YouTube video or a book - or acting it out with puppets...

Just because you can see a real elephant, doesn’t mean you can’t teach about an elephant...

Seems to be. Places aren't enforcing it either in my experience. Even in the supermarkets.

We recently went to a family theme park and zoo and NOBODY was social distancing. Some people wore masks (not many though) but they were only "mandatory" in certain areas and they did temperature check everyone upon entry. They were apparently operating at a reduced capacity (60% allegedly...my arse 🙄) but some of the rides and attractions were closed and the rides that were open were operating at a reduced capacity and stopped for cleaning every 30-60 mins (didn't actually witness this happen once) So the reality was the ques were all really really long meaning everyone was stood close together for long periods of time. Even if you tried to keep 2m from 1 group, you'd end up too close to another no matter how hard you try and that doesn't stop other people barging past you.

Children under 11 don't need to social distance apparently x

@Trunkella

But the complacency is leading to second spikes - countries in Europe are on the rise. You should still adhere to the guidelines outside or not *@PurpleDaisies*. It’s not just about personal risk, it’s about protecting others.

I agree, but complacency from visiting friends and family inside their houses and having parties. Not meeting outside.

I wasn’t talking about personal risk. The risk of catching Covid for everyone outdoors is absolutely tiny.

Yep. Arseholes everywhere.
I find it really difficult not to let being pissed off annoy me.
These places are trying their absolute best to cling on and stay open, but these twats are spoiling it.

@PurpleDaisies one of the main reasons why transmission is lower outside is because it’s generally easier to socially distance. However if you and your family are interacting/touching objects with other families there is a higher transmission risk.

And if we all take the attitude of ‘well I’ll do what I want, I’m ok” and blame government/others/expect teachers to do it all - then we are in the shit. We are all accountable and we are all responsible.

@Trunkella

However if you and your family are interacting/touching objects with other families there is a higher transmission risk.

What do you suggest then?

And great - just had a text about a spike of cases in my area....

No it’s not over but many aren’t bothering anymore which puts others at risk. Many never taught their children to do it at all. It’s still 2m or 1mplus with other precautions where not possible.

Staff at attractions need to enforce it otherwise people just won’t go or someone will report them for not following the guidance etc.

I suggest adhering to guidelines @OverTheRainbow88

I suggest adhering to guidelines

Some people just refuse to. No idea why, it's not that hard ...

@IceCreamAndCandyfloss completely agree - but I despair of others needing staff to help them enforce what should be common sense.

I think places (especially fun ones) are struggling to find the balance for staff, to encourage people to still go and come back.

But it will back fire as people who do want to do the right thing just won’t go back.

one of the main reasons why transmission is lower outside is because it’s generally easier to socially distance

No, it’s ventilation. People weren’t socially distancing on beaches, at black lives matter protests etc. There wasn’t a spike afterwards because they happened outdoors. Look at where all the transmission is happening now. It’s households meeting other households indoors.