To think it really doesn't matter what the rules are now?

[Ultrasoft]

No-one's going to follow them.

I am a real rule follower. I've done everything by the book since day one and despite all the hysteria about people breaking rules, so has almost everyone I know.

But when the man who effectively runs the country and wrote the rules makes it clear they don't matter I feel like something of a mug for having been so "good".

I haven't seen my parents or been anywhere outside my town in weeks but he was fine with travelling all that distance with symptoms to see his.

AIBU to think whatever the next/current phase rules are it will be very difficult to get the public to comply?

Isnt there something that the rules were 'optional' or did I mishear that?

@Pedalleur does it matter? Most of the rules weren't statutory but if you want them to have any credibility or the public to comply, those issuing them surely need to be seen to comply.

Here’s Handcock telling us (the plebs) that Stay At Home is an instruction.

I have followed the rules but have to admit I'm getting sick of it now. As I'm on maternity leave there is no end in sight. I'm now very tempted to go and see my parents(at a distance) but I would never forgive myself if they got sick. It's difficult when you see others, especially those in power breaking the rules.

I've followed them. Won't be bothering now. Within reason.

@Rosebel If you saw them at a distance it wouldn't do any harm. Do it, it's important.
My DM passed away during this I hate that I didn't see her for 4 weeks before as we were all isolating. I wish I wore a mask and visited daily staying 2 meters.
Bring a bucket to pee in.

If we all did what we wanted, we would be in the same place as Brazil or Italy

We’re not in the same place as Brazil or Italy, we’re worse

The government is steadfastly defending Cummings. Bugger the lot of them, I'm going to do what I want from now on, they can stuff the lockdown, I've been stuck in a room for 2 months.

And this - quite understandable - reaction is exactly why we need tone from the type and it leaders and senior figures leading by example

(tone from the top)

As I said upthread, I would have done the same as DC. However, I am a private individual who can do whatever they like.

Well - except you can’t and are still subject to the law

Millions of parents have been desperately struggling because the government told them grandparents can’t help with childcare, even if grandparents live down the road. But Dominic Cummings can travel 250 miles to avail himself of grandparental childcare.

^
Completely agree with this.

It’s ‘do as I say not do as I do’.

If we all did what we wanted, we would be in the same place as Brazil or Italy
It is much worse just not televised. Those horrendous images of coffins leaving in army trucks in Italy not such images from the UK. The UK death toll tells a different story your comment proves people are not seeing the impact.

He will not be fired nor will he resign. I was shocked to see ministers defending him on Twitter. The professor modelling the effect of the pandemic resigned because his lover travelled across London to see him while she was symptom free but DC felt fit to travel such a long distance while displaying symptoms. He would have stopped along this journey and purchased fuel or for a toilet break and snacks.

They will close ranks and ignore and deflect. His response that I dont care if it doesn't look good is a slap in the face. Deny, deny, deny is their game. It sucks being gaslit by your government, I'm starting to think I'm the crazy one but the law and government advice said

"Do not leave your home under any circumstances if you have symptoms"

That advice is still current.

Am I mad?

Those who are afraid of catching Covid will social distance. Those who are unafraid won't.

Other than that the rules will mean nothing from now on.

What has not been mentioned anywhere (as far as I've seen) is the fact that DC has rendered the lockdown we've all been through and the furlough scheme pointless.

The reason to follow the rules is to protect yourself. So if you think you won’t follow the rules because he didn’t then you must be a bit dim or a risk taker.

I’m going to follow, and enhance, them because I don’t want my vulnerable loved ones to die from a vicious virus.

I will follow the rules - because I'm worried about catching the virus.

But I see many around me, daily, who are not afraid at all. Already.

The irresponsible actions of these 'risk takers' will increase massively now. Of course they will.

What has not been mentioned anywhere (as far as I've seen) is the fact that DC has rendered the lockdown we've all been through and the furlough scheme pointless.

Yes.

How is the government supposed to manage their carefully staged lifting of lockdown now that we have all been told that we should just do what we think is best?

They’ve released this now to cover up the Acuri/Johnson misbehaviour.

Just watch as Cummings conveniently swamps the Sunday papers today...

I agree OP. Now that we know each person is allowed to use common sense to determine if they should travel to another place or adhere strictly to the guidelines, I will be doing just that.

Like you, I have been strictly adhering to the guidelines and staunchly defending their existence. I feel like I've had the wool stripped from before my eyes and I can now see what a pathetic sheep I was.

I will of course be sensible, maintain social distance, for DD is medically vulnerable. But I won't be housebound anymore and I will exercise personal judgement as to where my boundaries are.

We have had the defence of DC from the cabinet. Now with the new accusations that he broke lockdown 3 times we wait for the offence.

It’s ok as long as your parents have a separate property in their grounds where you can self-isolate. Common sense.

It’s ok as long as your parents have a separate property in their grounds where you can self-isolate. Common sense.

And if they don't, you can just stay with them and self isolate in their house because that is the next best thing and the government has said we just have to do our best. Common sense.

And if you can't self isolate in their house, well you did your best. Common sense.

But it's now coming out that it wasn't a seperate property. Not sure how true that is.

The thing is... every single press briefing has guilt tripped the general public. Every day it's all about 'doing the right thing, Stay at Home to protect the NHS and the vulnerable and everyone else'. On and on and on.

By and large the majority have kept to that sometimes at great cost to themselves and their family.
Yet, this arrogant twat can just do what he wants.

I am watching Grant Shapps coming on soon on Sky News. Sophy Ridge has provided him with some of the questions in advance so that he cannot say 'I don't know'. Clever tactics!
Here they are...
When did Mr Cummings first display symptoms?
On what date did he travel to Durham?
Did he stop on the journey? If so, did he comply with the 2m rule at all times?
When was the Prime Minister made aware that he had made this journey?
Did Mr Cummings remain in self-isolation for the duration of his time in Durham?
Did he only make one trip, or multiple?