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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What does STAY ALERT mean to you?

380 replies

Weallhavevalidopinions · 10/05/2020 10:21

The new slogan - Stay Alert....

Alert to what? Is the virus going to break into our homes?
Listen out for someone coughing then run a mile from them.

What on earth does Stay alert actually mean?

At least Stay home made sense stay alert means nothing at all or AIBU?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
18
PigletJohn · 11/05/2020 06:49

Glummy

Did Boris tell you that's what he meant?

user764329056 · 11/05/2020 06:57

It’s nonsense, someone needs to tell BJ to stop ‘addressing the nation’ as if it’s a party political broadcast and just speak some sense for a change, what a crock of shit

RichPetunia · 11/05/2020 07:03

People are making mountains out of molehills. Stay alert. It’s not hard to understand.

Oblomov20 · 11/05/2020 07:18

I actually thought it was quite clear. Go to work if you can. Still adhere to distancing rules.

What does STAY ALERT mean to you?
Velvian · 11/05/2020 07:19

twitter.com/RealMattLucas/status/1259566662791106569?s=09

Matt Lucas has it. Grin

BarbaraofSeville · 11/05/2020 07:23

It would have been better if the 50 page guidance document, which he didn't really mention (he only said that there would be more information given in parliament today) was released at the same time as the speech.

Pluckedpencil · 11/05/2020 07:34

It's a dangerous shift in message. When I heard it, without the context, I assumed the message would be "lockdown is over, you no longer need to stay at home but maintain a distance between you and others". If that's what they want, then they are nuts, because there are more deaths at present than there were when the UK went into lockdown. The message in my opinion should be "only go out for work, shopping and exercise, and no change to social contact". Unambiguous that way.

CherryPavlova · 11/05/2020 08:11

Contrived ambiguity to abdicate responsibility when it goes ducktail up.

GlummyMcGlummerson · 11/05/2020 08:35

Did Boris tell you that's what he meant?

No but I think it's quite obvious what "stay alert" means

Frozenfan2019 · 11/05/2020 08:41

It's as clear as mud

What does STAY ALERT mean to you?
Ilikeviognier · 11/05/2020 08:50

I agree- they’ve made a mistake losing stay at home. People may interpret that as a green light to go out. It needs spelling out to people what it actually means- not sure if that’s to follow or not.

CasperGutman · 11/05/2020 08:51

I am the only one who doesn't understand all the sneering around "Stay alert". It means stay alert when you socially distant, don't get too close to others - people are getting complacent and standing closer together I've noticed.

The problem is not so much that people won't know what "stay alert" means, it's the impression that people will get from the fact that the core message is no longer "stay home". This gives people the idea that staying home isn't important or required any more.

You can be "alert" anywhere, while doing almost any activity. It's as if the government doesn't want to take responsibility for changing the rules, they just want people to stop following them so stringently.

Ilikeviognier · 11/05/2020 09:58

Totally agree with the poster above!

SnackSizeRaisin · 11/05/2020 12:19

they’ve made a mistake losing stay at home. People may interpret that as a green light to go out.

Well that's because it IS a green light to go out. They have encouraged us to take unlimited exercise and sunbathe in parks. Maybe you don't agree that this is the right time to make this change - but the message is completely clear. Go out, keep 2 m away from others, stay outdoors

SnackSizeRaisin · 11/05/2020 12:21

It's a dangerous shift in message. When I heard it, without the context, I assumed the message would be "lockdown is over, you no longer need to stay at home but maintain a distance between you and others". If that's what they want, then they are nuts, because there are more deaths at present than there were when the UK went into lockdown. The message in my opinion should be "only go out for work, shopping and exercise, and no change to social contact". Unambiguous that way.

The new message is different, and it is clear. Not agreeing is different to not understanding.

TARSCOUT · 11/05/2020 12:24

I prefer it. It seems to highlight the seriousness of the situation.

BogRollBOGOF · 11/05/2020 12:49

Stay Alert means don't get complacent (especially if you're in "new normal" mode)
Restrictions are going to ease over the coming weeks and months and for some people that will feel very close to a pre-lockdown normal. For others, far less so.

It's not healthy to be in a prolonged sense of heightened fear, and it is easy and natural for people to relax about the spread of the virus if it feels quite detached from their lives. For the majority, the virus is an unpleasant, temporary inconvenience. We don't want to to spread out of control for those at higher risk of complications. So we need to balance returning to an increasingly normal way of life yet bearing in mind that we don't want to risk exponential spread of the virus.

PigletJohn · 11/05/2020 14:24

I don't agree that the new message is clear.

When I looked at a "Boris clarifies the message" page it said

go back to work if possible

avoid public transport if possible

maintain distance if possible

work from home if possible.

What if you can do (1) but only by not doing (2) and (3)?

Or you can do (2) and (3), but only by not doing (1)?

if you don't do (2) and (3) then you are exposing yourself to avoidable risk. Should you? If not, then why say "if possible?"

Rezie · 11/05/2020 14:29

A few American doctors have been in the media saying " be alert, not anxious" catchphrase for a while now.

Rezie · 11/05/2020 14:30

Stay alert, not anxious*

The80sweregreat · 11/05/2020 14:35

Stay alert : had to shop today at a big supermarket and there were more children around ( not judging at all here) and more cars and just more people about at bus stops etc.
I think it's filtered through that lockdown is ending ? It's not ending of course , but today was so different to how it's been last few weeks.

EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 11/05/2020 14:35

Drink less wine? Wine

Leflic · 11/05/2020 14:56

The risk of catching the virus has dropped, Stay Alert means just that, Stat Alert to risk factors and don’t let the odds go back up.

It’s not Stay Home because if you want to go out a bit more you can - as long as you are sensible.

I’m surprised how alert I have to be in town now. Half the time I can’t tell who is in the queue and who is just vacantly looking at the aisle , what shop people are in line for or who wants to get past but feels they can’t.I totally cut up a woman in the bank, as she was well away from the normal, queuing area, to one side. Despite clearly their being no risk being closer as both customers being served had their backs to us. In fact she was causing more issues by squishing the queue into a corner.She didn’t say anything and it was only when I realised I went behind her. I find there’s less talking and more glaring/ tutting.

NotEverythingIsBlackandWhite · 11/05/2020 15:02

It means don't become complacent to the dangers of the virus by not keeping with the social distancing measures.

'Stay' being the relevant word as in remain or continue to be.

BaileysforBreakfast · 11/05/2020 17:59

Leflic The risk of catching the virus has dropped,

Has it?

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