To feel like the only person following the f***ing rules??!!

[Stressingismyhobby]

I know the social distancing rules are contradictory, confusing and mostly bollocks but I don't think I'm above them and follow them as closely as possible.

But hardly anyone else I know does. I've just seen a picture of a friend wearing a mask in a taxi...to go to her friend's house with a load of other friends. All pictured together huddled on the sofa.

A family member keeps posting pics on FB with her kids gathered with all their friends.

And I've been invited to a party in a week's time at someone's house with lots of other people.

Videos of kids running to hug both their grandparents (my kids would love to do that!)

We met with some friends outside a week or two ago who also (without us knowing) invited other people so our group was bigger than 6.

I had to say no to giving someone a lift in my car the other day.

And so it goes on.

I feel like I'm the boring, goody two shoes who's always having to decline invites or say things like "I'm not really sure we're supposed to do that yet" etc only to be met with sighs or rolled eyes. I'm constantly being put in situations that make me feel uncomfortable. I'm made to feel like the bloody fun police who is making live difficult for everyone!

Anybody else feel like this???

I work in high risk healthcare and follow the rules to the letter while treating patients. Out of work I really want to get back to normal. We have always worn ultra PPE to work in and practiced strict infection control due to the high risk from blood born, droplet and airborne viruses, never mind the millions of bacteria we are exposed to daily. I do get very very close to the patients!
Outside of work I would feel very uncomfortable getting as close to people unless closely related. So I’m comfortable with 1m + social distancing. And having read some of the latest scientific reviews regarding Tcell immunity I am becoming more confident that Covid-19 like every other Coronavirus is here to stay and life is just too short to run from it.
I do watch in horror how the general public misuse gloves and masks though, total waste of time for many and they are putting themselves at greater risk by using them, but that’s a whole different thread.

The winner of the Darwin Awards 2020...Th British Public

Absolutely! That's why rates have been falling consistently since mid-April.

No predicted "second spike" after VE Day. Or a Bank Holiday. Or when people went to Bournemouth. Or any of the other events which saw people "flocking" and "flouting the roolz".

Don't listen to the government or the news, get informed and educate yourself. This government has has failed completely to protect the public and save lives, they have wrecked our economy so bad that they are now bribing business and individuals to go back to work before it is safe to do so. They just want the wage slaves to go back to work, pay their taxes and buy shit they don't need. Protect yourself sheeple!

Well you know Doris is now on one about us all going back into the office to save the economy.

Did you see the people’s PMQs or are you just relying on people’s interpretations of what he said and tabloid headlines?

People are being told to go out and spend spend spend to support the flagging economy........but safely. It’s a difficult ask

And this is the stupidity of the government. "You must get out on the high street and spend".

Oh ok then, have you taken into account a fair few have been on reduced income, no income, made redundant or facing it very shortly?

In the same breath, the poster boy Chancellor is saying there are tough times ahead and jobs will be lost. So where is the sense in sending out the message to get out and spend? Absolutely pathetic.

No wonder people are doing their own thing. Does anyone actually trust these morons?

In my opinion the government have back tracked massively on the rules being law to protect Dominic Cummings after he drove to his second home while ill with covid.
If he can use his massively poor judgement then so can everyone else.

You must really intelligent, so I'm going to listen to you instead of the World Health Organisation!

www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Not likely!

@JakeDaniels

Don't listen to the government or the news, get informed and educate yourself. This government has has failed completely to protect the public and save lives, they have wrecked our economy so bad that they are now bribing business and individuals to go back to work before it is safe to do so. They just want the wage slaves to go back to work, pay their taxes and buy shit they don't need. Protect yourself sheeple!

My tin foil hat alarm has just gone off.

People who say "educate yourself" and tell you not to listen to the news, "sheeple" are conspiracy theorists.

This government has has failed completely to protect the public and save lives,

That wasn't the idea of the lockdown. It was to stop a fucked up NHS being even more fucked up.

It was never to protect the public.

I get where you're coming from OP. But I think a lot of people are of the view of "I can't/won't put my life on hold forever" and are willing to take their chances.

It's totally your call if you want to stay in total lockdown, but I think you have to accept that we've reached a point now, where people aren't going to do that. Especially now that the government are opening things up.

*The winner of the Darwin Awards 2020...Th British Public
*

Easily beaten by the American public.

This assumption that it’s just the UK is is interesting , and somewhat blinkered

Just got back from italy where everyone is walking about merrily (albeit with masks)
Sweden’s fucked up
And we have NO idea on stats as every single country is recording differently

And it’s pretty bloody quiet news wise on the developing economies outside of the EU
What do people think is happening in Eurasia , Africa , refugee camps?

Whilst I don’t like how BJ and co have handled it , the chest beating and berating is a bit ridiculous really

I get it OP - but then I could also be an unintentional hypocrite because I’m working in a school, in early years, and while I can social distance with my colleagues to an extent, the SD is not happening in the classroom! Gave up with that by 9:30 on 1st June.

I’m also getting a lift in with my fellow bubble colleague as we decided this posed less risk than me on my normal bus, as we are sharing the bubble at school anyway.

However I have not set foot in anyone else’s house yet and no one has come to mine. I have met up to 3 friends at a time in the park for picnics. I haven’t used public transport since March and haven’t been more than 5 miles from my home (and that was just for work)

This is not to be goady, just want OP to know that actually they’re not alone, certainly from talking to my colleagues and most of my friends most of us are still following the guidelines closely. I think many people are. I also know many are not.

This has an impact though. I haven’t had a cuddle since March. What I would do just to have my bestie round in person for a cuppa and a natter rather than having to be in public outside (and every time we’ve done this it’s rained in true British fashion) It’s becoming a lonely existence. I live alone, I feel the silence of my house like never before. I still haven’t met my (no longer new born) niece.

Now that most things are open again there is a sense of back to normal, albeit with limited people inside places and social distance markers and hand sanitising, which I support and follow. I have a mask in my bag at all times in case I need it and have worn one in smaller spaces before (eg the tiny corner shop)

I can totally understand why people are starting to crack. Especially as the government are not even telling us to stay home, in fact one of them said something along the lines of hoping the public get out there and spend and get all the salons etc up and running again. I think there is such thing as calculated risk, and being daft. There’s a big difference.

I really dont need the government telling me when I can see my family. I had a baby in lockdown and when he was 3 weeks old I thought sod this I'm going to see my parents. We both decided the risk was worth it. I love how some people have compared peoples natural need to see their family with drink driving etc. People will only put up with social distancing for so long as its not a natural way to live. If people want to stay indoors forever they are welcome to but I am not.

There seems to be a superiority amongst people who don't want to stick to the guidelines. It's like they are the cool kids, who can think for themselves , make their own minds up etc etc. And love to talk down anyone who has followed the guidelines, like they are pathetic and needy. And if you want to follow the guidance you are accused of not going out for months, or told to stay in. Like anyone not shielding is actually doing that.

@ssd I didnt break the guidelines to feel superior, no. I'm not in high school.

I'm meeting a friend for a drink later, then going for dinner with my partner and then taking my kids camping for a few days next week.

All of this is allowed within the 'rules' now.

What's the issue?

There isn’t an issue. You’re following the rules.

So long as you distance from your friend.

@secretllama you decided the risk to your parents and newborn were worth it? So, if they’d got ill, how would you have felt?

@lilgreen you do know there were illnesses before covid right? Every time you see a human being there is a risk you can pass them something that may make them ill. So I dont feel anymore scared now than if I'd had a baby this time last year. Especially as I'm Scotland where there are approx 5-20 new cases a day for the last few weeks. How much lower does it need to go before I can take my baby to see its grandparents?

Oh and I didnt decide the risk for our parents, they did. But thanks for trying to make a new mum feel like shit during a vulnerable time in her life when she needs support from her parents. Luckily I dont care what you think but other new mums might.

So you would have felt terrible. As I thought.But crack on, you know best eh?

@lilgreen nah it felt great introducing my newborn to their grandparents and getting their support. Enjoy hiding in your house for a few years. You do you.

For the record I wasn’t trying to make you feel shit. I’m trying to demonstrate the point that the rules are there to keep you as safe as possible. It’s ok for you to patronise me with “you do know there are illnesses before covid right?”