Lockdown? What lockdown?!

[Notcontent]

My office is closed, small restaurants and shops are closed and going bust, and my dd is unable to continue with her sport, but otherwise, at least where I am (London) it seems that nothing has changed. Lots of “essential” shops are open, and the high street was leaving with people at the weekend. Lots of groups meeting up in the park. I just walked through the park and there was a large “mummy and baby” exercise class taking place - about 20 or so women.

I understand that people are sick of the whole situation but it feels like some sections of society and the economy are being penalised while for others it’s business as usual, meaning the whole thing will drag on.

Yup.

Agree, feels like business as usual in my neck of the woods.

Yes, it's really sad to see. I makes me think this thing will drag on for even longer.
That said, in my local town people seem to be abiding by the guidelines so if it goes back to tiers after 2/12 hopefully we'll be in a good place by then.

I'm a key worker so working as normal. I couldn't believe the amount of traffic on the roads Thursday and Friday last week. It was just like a normal day. So different to the first lockdown, when there was barely any traffic at all. And driving through the town there were plenty of shops open and loads of people around.
Doesn't feel like the last lockdown at all , its a completely different vibe.

I think people cared so much the first time because they were afraid. Now I reckon many people don’t give a shit possibly because they know a few people who had it and recovered just fine or they believe the conspiracies on SM or perhaps they just don’t think they’d get that sick if they caught it.

Whatever the reason, a lot of people aren’t bothered about it anymore and want to carry on like normal. The government lost a lot of footing with the Cummings fiasco and I don’t think they ever really recovered.

Two keyworker jobs here, so nothing changed there. For me the things that have changed are no meals out, little social life (my friends are mixing a lot less and outside anyway) and no exercise classes.

Just wondering what area your in OP. I'm in the south west, and in our particular region people adhere strongly to the restrictions. I worked over the weekend and town was dead (my colleague joked it was busy outside as she could see three people!).

We went out for a walk yesterday at a countryside national trust place. It's got plenty of parking and because it's november there is parking on the road leading to it too, The car parks were full, the place was packed. On a normal November day there would possibly be a couple of other dog walkers about.

It's about a 30 minute drive from us which means driving through the town between us, we had fun trying to work out how certain stores were claiming to be essential to open, I really think one or 2 of them are pushing claims to be certain things to the extreme.

It's SO busy here, and our rate are very high.

It's because schools are on. People know that there's no point locking down.

It probably varies in different areas. Most non essential shops in my nearest town seem to be closed.

It’s so busy here-kids squeezed into bus stops, buses, trains, schools. Commuters packed on trains and shops jam packed as well. If you close some shops, the ones that are open get busier!

It really isn’t a lockdown-just some venues being closed.

Life is carrying on here as usual, and I for one do not think it is a bad thing at all. I am sad restaurants are closed and we can't see friends, but apart from that everyone is working, many/most shops are open, kids in school - it is nothing like the awful lockdown in the spring.

I should think it is perfectly possible to spend the winter like this, provided it stays like this - and does not become any stricter. We all know we can't stop the world like we did last time, we just can't afford to, so everyone I know is working around it - and I am happy with things as they stand now.

It does feel more like lockdown here. Most shops are closed. The playgrounds are closed. People were out and about doing daily exercise this weekend in ways I haven’t seen since the first lockdown.

All the baby classes are cancelled or moved to zoom. DS’s sports training is cancelled, as are the events planned for November. He’s got a home training plan to follow again.

We booked and went to national trust sites this weekend. The cafes were closed or takeaway only. There were one way systems in place. The playgrounds and toilets were closed. None of it feels in any way like normality.

Oh god not another one.

Definitely feels like a lot of people are ignoring the rules here, people still having people in their houses, walking in groups from more than their bubble allows. Hardly social distancing. The rates here are rising quickly and you can see why. people are sick of it after the last one.

@Ignoringequally

Oh god not another one.

Was this directed at me?

I am not even saying whether a lockdown is the right approach or not. I really don’t know. I guess I just feel, on a personal level, that at the moment we have quite a weird situation with inconsistent rules and it doesn’t feel very fair.

Another example is that some playgrounds are open (the one near me in North London was open and full of kids) while others are closed, and some schools have extra curricular activities and others don’t.

Very busy here. On my normal dog walk during the weekend was very busy. Groups meeting up, lots of groups playing football, Atleast 10 people playing cricket together. London certainly very busy

I should think it is perfectly possible to spend the winter like this, provided it stays like this - and does not become any stricter.

Easy to say if you've got a family or partner, the lack of human interaction is really hard for some people.

So busy here as well and so many markets/shops open! Seems a bit of a kick in the teeth when DP isn’t allowed to work providing tennis lessons to children 1 at a time which are naturally socially distanced!

Just so I am understanding properly - people out and about are observing people out and about and are complaining that the out and about people are out and about. Yes?

@FlibbertyGiblets

Just so I am understanding properly - people out and about are observing people out and about and are complaining that the out and about people are out and about. Yes?

Actually, no.

The point I was making that the way the government has implemented the current lockdown is quite inconsistent and haphazard, resulting in a “different rules for different people” situation. I think that’s deeply unfair.

Life isn't fair op. Lockdown is hard for everyone in different ways, whether that is a lack of interaction, working in a cramped kitchen or trying to cope with so little support and lots of young children.

The restrictions are there to try and cut the spread, it is not there to try and hinder the life of the nation. I am sure things will be easier next year. I personally agree with the restrictions and hope they are lifted soon.

I actually forgot we were in lock down earlier. apart from some things being closed, everywhere seems "normal".
I think unless schools and universities are shut, this is going to go on and on.
makes me furious as I can't see my dd who is severely disabled and in a residential setting.