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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

399 replies

Stressingismyhobby · 10/07/2020 23:28

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???

OP posts:
Original poster
Stressingismyhobby · 10/07/2020 23:45

@themurk Because a pp implied that those who are disregarding guidelines are simply "thinking for themselves" and those of us that are following them obviously aren't. Like people who choose to interpret laws as they see fit.

OP posts:
Destroyedpeople · 10/07/2020 23:45

Well if you make comments to them lie you just did to me I don't blame them.

Destroyedpeople · 10/07/2020 23:46

*like

Original poster
Stressingismyhobby · 10/07/2020 23:46

@Destroyedpeople which comment did I make that offended you?

OP posts:
youhave4substitutes · 10/07/2020 23:49

OP you just asked a question. For clarity, wouldn't get dragged into that one. I've been there!

Original poster
Stressingismyhobby · 10/07/2020 23:50

With respect @Waxonwaxoff0 it's not just your personal risk at stake, it's others you come into contact with. And the problem is when everyone decides to make their own risk assessments and some are far, far stricter than others.
Also, yes, there's not been a second wave after the beach gatherings but that's due to luck not calculated decision making and risk assessment by the beach-goers!

OP posts:
Original poster
Stressingismyhobby · 10/07/2020 23:50

Thanks, think you're right @youhave4substitutes !

OP posts:
TheMurk · 10/07/2020 23:50

@Stressingismyhobby but they aren’t laws.

People are allowed out. Children are allowed to mix. Shops are open, pubs are open, businesses are open.

How you can possibly liken people starting to return to their normal lives to someone actively choosing to drive while drunk is downright insulting.

Destroyedpeople · 10/07/2020 23:51

Read it back. You were really rude. If you don't even see that then perhaps your problem is your attitude to other people, not 'the rules '.

Original poster
Stressingismyhobby · 10/07/2020 23:53

@TheMurk ok, so as they're not actual laws, it would've been completely fine to ignore non-mandatory elements of SD the whole time?

OP posts:
elenacampana · 10/07/2020 23:53

Absolutely @TheMurk. Couldn’t agree with you more!

Drink driving isn’t comparable with trying to live a more natural life.

TheMurk · 10/07/2020 23:54

That makes no sense. Sorry.

If it’s non mandatory you don’t have to do it so nothing to ignore?

Waxonwaxoff0 · 10/07/2020 23:54

@Stressingismyhobby I don't come into contact with anyone. I respect social distancing when I'm out so there's no issue.

JammyHands · 10/07/2020 23:56

@destroyedpeople, if anyone is being offensive, it's you.

OP, I am doing my best to keep to the rules, though it's difficult in some places.

Original poster
Stressingismyhobby · 10/07/2020 23:57

@themurk you said yourself, they're guidelines - so I'm asking, as they weren't enforceable by law (except large gatherings) it would've been perfectly ok to ignore SD guidelines altogether?

OP posts:
Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 10/07/2020 23:58

I agree op. I'm shielding so we are following them to the letter here and even once shielding is paused life will be work and home.

You just know that if parts of the country go back into lockdown it will be the same people currently boasting about breaking the rules who will be complaining the loudest.

EnlightenedOwl · 10/07/2020 23:58

People are going to wait to wipe their own backsides until the Government says they can. Hmm

MumW · 10/07/2020 23:58

You are not alone, I'm following the guidelines too but we seem to be in the minority.

Original poster
Stressingismyhobby · 10/07/2020 23:59

But @Waxonwaxoff0 - you said you meet with people who "aren't fussed about SD and neither are you" - so that's the risk. What if everyone did that?

OP posts:
Destroyedpeople · 10/07/2020 23:59

Excuse me?
OP tried to suggest that I had broken all 'the rules' ......as a discussion tactic.

Original poster
Stressingismyhobby · 10/07/2020 23:59

@Destroyedpeople I genuinely don't know what you're talking about. I've said nothing offensive to you.

OP posts:
Popc0rn · 10/07/2020 23:59

@Stressingismyhobby

YANBU. I'm a nurse and have finally escaped from my redeployment to a covid ward, back to my regular role. The number of patients admitted with covid has slowly been creeping up again this week at my hospital, and if I get sent back to that ward again I may lose my mind. So from a selfish point of view, if everyone could stop huddling together for selfies, that'd be great.

I'm not saying hide away in your houses isolated, you can see other people, invite them round, go to the pub beer garden etc, just stay 2 metres away from each other, it's not hard is it? But I get that a lot of people just want to get back to normal, and if I didn't work in a hospital I'd probably think the same.

Chris Whitty did try and stress the importance of carrying on with social distancing for the foreseeable, but I think a lot of people have switched off.

EnlightenedOwl · 11/07/2020 00:00

@TheMurk

I think it’s distressing and sad how many people have developed warped thinking around this lockdown to the point that they are not leaving their house for months on end.
It is. It must be awful trapped like that
EnlightenedOwl · 11/07/2020 00:01

[quote Popc0rn]@Stressingismyhobby

YANBU. I'm a nurse and have finally escaped from my redeployment to a covid ward, back to my regular role. The number of patients admitted with covid has slowly been creeping up again this week at my hospital, and if I get sent back to that ward again I may lose my mind. So from a selfish point of view, if everyone could stop huddling together for selfies, that'd be great.

I'm not saying hide away in your houses isolated, you can see other people, invite them round, go to the pub beer garden etc, just stay 2 metres away from each other, it's not hard is it? But I get that a lot of people just want to get back to normal, and if I didn't work in a hospital I'd probably think the same.

Chris Whitty did try and stress the importance of carrying on with social distancing for the foreseeable, but I think a lot of people have switched off.[/quote]
Here we go. I worked on the covid front line you know... sick of hearing this to be honest.

Destroyedpeople · 11/07/2020 00:01

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