Two metre rule

[Bobthebuildercanitbefixed]

The two-metre social distancing rule can be abandoned by businesses reopening after lockdown if they introduce other measures to reduce the spread of coronavirus, Government scientists have told ministers. So you can go to a pub but not visit parents who are fit and healthy. When do you reckon the whole social distancing will be scrapped? Just interested to know opinions.

[oldwhyno]

runners and cyclists have applied their common sense, and appreciated the fact that transmission is many many times less likely if you're side by side, both facing the same direction and moving. The transmission zone is largely behind you.

[nether]

How do you know AJPTaylor just from looking, who is in the shielded category?

Because of course you can't. So 2m will remain needed outdoors, because unless you are going to suggest that those who need the full distance wear a tabard (or something else easily visible front and back) how would you know to move over a bit further? Not sure that's a route I'd want pursued - but if course it couid be great for keeping space around shielded runners when things like parkrun and other outdoor running events resume

The shielded are very unlikely to be going in to private premises, so smaller distancing there would have no impact.

[twinnywinny14]

It’s interesting that people are bring the WHO into it as it suits their argument. Spain and France do have less than 2m, but they also have mandatory face masks, which would people prefer?

[notalwaysalondoner]

I think we’ll go down to 1m very soon and then I think the advice will shift focus on the key risks which are around no hugging/kissing/handshaking and coughing/sneezing into your elbow while turning around. If you can make people avoid touching each other and create some social shame around coughing/sneezing I think that will go a lot further than making people stay apart, as it’s much harder to stick to. It’s better to have a less comprehensive rule that people stick to than a comprehensive one that people ignore, because when people decide to ignore a rule they tend to then ignore all boundaries beyond that rule (so if someone decides a 2m rule is stupid they then might start hugging people etc.).

[Songsofexperience]

Scrap social distancing altogether I say. It's useless.

[jomaIone]

I'm really not sure why no one is visiting people outside. Surely you have to make the most of things??

I live in the NE of Scotland, no known for its weather but I have still seen my parents in one of our gardens at least twice a week, we have been for walks and it's been LOVELY. Just because you can't touch, doesn't mean you can't spend quality time together.

Obviously this is if you live close by to each other. I live 10 miles from mine so not the 5 mile recommendation but we break this rule for the good of our health. Makes no difference to where we would be treated if we became ill, so seems little to no risk to anyone.

[jomaIone]

How is social distancing useless exactly?????

[TeamRick]

Track and Trace uses 2m and 15 minutes I think as their criteria for locating contacts so someone who runs past you in the street wouldn't count!

Other Countries are using less than 2 metres but as someone else said masks are compulsory and they have effective track and trace systems in place.

We're not doing any of that, I just read on the BBC website that they are failing to make contact with 1 in 4 people who test positive because people don't give the right contact details or don't call back!

We can't have it all ways, less than 2m, no masks, ignore track and trace and expect numbers not to go up again! People need to start taking some personal responsibility!

[pennylane83]

I was watching all the news reports of the shops reopening and what I noticed from that was yes, primark had reopened but the shops in and around it didn't seem to have. That huge, snaking, socially distanced queue that had formed outside the store, with people queuing for hours - where are all the people wishing to go in the other shops in and around it meant to queue seen as though primark had dominated all the outdoor space. It simply isnt practical in the longterm.

[Drivingdownthe101]

I'm really not sure why no one is visiting people outside. Surely you have to make the most of things??

A lot of people don’t live close enough to their family to visit them outside. A lot will require meals/toilets/overnight stays.

[pennylane83]

I think we’ll go down to 1m very soon

And then all those local authorities and businesses etc will be kicking themselves for having spent all that money on the 2m distancing stickers they have been sticking everywhere. In these difficult financial times its money that they really could have done not having wasted.

[jomaIone]

@Drivingdownthe101 yes well I did point that out in my post, but I've seen it on here, on YouTube in vlogs, people I know, those who do live near their family but still moaning then can't see them. Makes no sense.

[Tryingtoslim]

I honestly think soocail distancing will have to be over by October time. Nightclubs etc cannot survive with it and they play a massive part in many cities economy. If the nightclubs go it’s not just the people directly employed but the bouncers, drinks companies, take always, taxis that fold as well. Obviously not for all but for any cities such as Leeds the nightlife, and the students that flock for it play a massive part in the economy

[DomDoesWotHeWants]

Of course it will remain in place. Or should. It helps prevent the spread of the virus.

If Boris reduces it it will be for economic reasons, not science, and that would be a disgrace. But not surprising coming from him. Social distancing is a vital part of keeping the virus under control.

Utterly stupid to contemplate getting rid of it. Those who have been shielded (over 2 million of them) need to be able to feel safe when they do eventually go out. Being able to go to the pub pales into insignificance when compared to the safety of people.

[ACautionaryTale]

The economy and the economic survival of close to half the workforce and their families does not pale into insignificance though.

It is sadly getting to the point where you cannot expect the vast majority of 64 million people to suffer just so 2.5 million shielders dont feel left out.

[DomDoesWotHeWants]

@ACautionaryTale

The economy and the economic survival of close to half the workforce and their families does not pale into insignificance though.

It is sadly getting to the point where you cannot expect the vast majority of 64 million people to suffer just so 2.5 million shielders dont feel left out.

Health has to come first.

You really can't think it's OK to lock 2.5 million people away so the rest of you can play in the sun?

I don't think even Boris would think that was ok. Because it isn't.

[Porcupineinwaiting]

It's not just shielded who will suffer if rates rise again though is it?

Moving to 1m should be about when and if it's safe to do so, not on what is short-term best for business. Look at what's happening in the States right now, they opened up stuff for the sake of the economy and are now getting into a worse mess - more sick, more dying and their economy is still suffering.

Low levels of coronavirus in the population is really good for the economy because it makes so many more things possible. Trying to run a normal economy with huge numbers of your population falling ill and people panicking and losing confidence doesnt help anything.

[Drivingdownthe101]

Do you think the economy and health aren’t directly related?

[ACautionaryTale]

But unless we get herd immunity the only way to keep low levels is strict social distancing

And that fucks the economy for everyone

[DomDoesWotHeWants]

@ACautionaryTale

But unless we get herd immunity the only way to keep low levels is strict social distancing

And that fucks the economy for everyone

Rather social distancing than yet more deaths.

[ACautionaryTale]

Deaths in the vast majority of cases are amongst the elderly

[DomDoesWotHeWants]

@ACautionaryTale

Deaths in the vast majority of cases are amongst the elderly

So that's all right then. Old people don't matter.

Good grief. What's the matter with you?

[ACautionaryTale]

They do matter

But try telling the family who are using up their savings and having their house reposessed because both parents have lost their jobs that an elderly person who they don’t know is more important than their lives

Not many will say it out loud but I bet you most couldn’t care less

[Drivingdownthe101]

Do you realise DomDoesWotHeWants that a fucked economy also leads to thousands of deaths?