Why does no one know what 2m is?

[FinnyStory]

Slightly lighthearted.

I haven't been a big worrier about Covid, just followed the rules to the best of my ability, mostly for the benefit of others.

However, a change in DH's health means that I'm still trying to be "careful" to protect him, whilst getting on with life as much as possible.

So, I'm still shopping as infrequently as possible, avoiding indoor restaurants etc but attending social things outdoors, which is actually lovely as the weather here has been mostly good for weeks.

I'd be completely comfortable with this, except everyone else sees to have relaxed so much now. People stand closer than 1m for a chat, let alone 2m and I'm constantly stepping backwards.

From next week I'm going back to work (education) and actually, I'm happy that if the RA is followed, in my role, all will be fine, except that adults don't seem to know how to stand 2m apart anymore. I was also in work before the summer, but people were generally being careful and keeping their distance at that point.

Are you still stayng 2m apart? Why are so many people finding it difficult? Is it that they find it hard/forget or have people made a conscious (or subconscious?) decision not to bother now?

As I said, slightly lighthearted....until things start going wrong in our area, as they have in others. Maybe that's it, we seem to have very few case here now, are people being more sensible/considerate in areas where risk is higher?

The social distancing has been reduced to >1m since 14 August for some parts of U.K.

I don’t know why but people don’t seem to be able to manage it. I was out with my toddler and two dogs outside my house. She is just walking but I tried to pull her to the verge & out of the way as much as possible (she was practicing walking)

People repeatedly walked really close to us, even closer than before the pandemic! It happened a couple of times & I just don’t understand it. The road is very quiet so stepping into the road wouldn’t have been an issue and usually I would do it but a just walking toddler and 2 dogs made it a bit harder so I went for the verge🤷‍♀️

Yes 1m plus, with the plus being other precautions I.e. a mask?

Yes, it used to be that if you met others coming the other way on a footpath, everyone would go single file, but not anymore. Although I have to admit I've never been convinced there's a risk from passing someone fleetingly outdoors, so that one doesn't worry me.

Hugging seems to be creeping back in too....

Because for a million years men have though this >———————< is 6 inches!,
Getting my coat now

You are right but I have to admit, I'm not keeping 2m apart from friends and family anymore. Still trying to with people I don't know.

I think I've just reached fatigue with it all and can't sustain it all for another year. Plus the infection rate is very low in my area right now.

I think a lot of the problem is that 2m is impossible in supermarket aisles, pavements, tow paths etc and we're generally doing as far as possible rather than strict 2m...

Shops etc you can't distance from cashiers as you need to reach the contactless thingy or be in the right place for the microphone on the screens!

How often do we congregate in open spaces where 2m can be judged freely?

I'm quite good at judging 2m as it's one of the distance lines in my sport. Doesn't help when 2 m is in the canal, or the other side of a door!

I think a lot of people don't care, but I also think a
Lot
Of people don't actually have ANY idea just how far 2m actually is.

Many people may have heard 1m (and not the +(masks etc), when not POSSIBLE)

Numbers won't stay low if people stop SD & acting like before the pandemic.

Ok but don’t you need to be close for several mins in order to be at risk? So does it matter if you pass closely if it’s only going to be a matter of seconds? Genuine question. I understand for queuing that it’s important.

Doing 2m inside, outside less bothered. Playground no distance between kids.

Genuinely couldn't mark out 2m if you held a gun to my head, but I know I'm 1.5m(ish) so if I can lay down in the space between me and someone it's not far off being right.

However a lot of people think that covid is either a hoax, that we're worrying for "just a flu" or that the pandemic has conveniently disappeared contrary to evidence so they're just not being careful enough.

My city has seen a steady increase in positive cases since the hospitality industry was allowed to reopen. It's still out there, but thankfully the mortality rate is fairly low at present in the UK. Doesn't fill me with confidence sending the children back to school though!

1m+ means 1m with mitigation, which isn't just masks, it can mean outdoors side by side rather facing, keeping interactions short. 2m can be difficult both logistically and socially, most are doing their best as far as I can tell but no longer being rigid as it makes things too difficult. I didn't mind it short term at the height of things but am not prepared to do it all the time indefinitely.

Because nobody really cares anymore.

Thank you for caring about others OP.

@JudgeRindersMinder

Because for a million years men have though this >———————< is 6 inches!, Getting my coat now

In Sainsburys this morning and I muttered something under my mask at a bloke about 6" he was way closer than 1m, never mind 2.

It’s hard to keep up being mindful of it 100% of the time, especially when you have to work with no social distancing. People just have other things on their minds.

Personally if there is a large dot to stand on, I stand on said dot.