Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Social distancing a thing of the past?

148 replies

Emmas85 · 20/07/2020 22:03

To think that we should still be social distancing. I'm so fed up of seeing my Facebook and Instagram full of people taking selfies/photos not social distancing, indoors and with loads of people, one even being heavily pregnant. I feel like most people have given up. I understand it's hard and it's been a long time but it's really not over yet! To top it off I went to Asda today and they've taken away their queuing system to get in and the one way system in store.

OP posts:
SockYarn · 21/07/2020 09:41

I'm more surprised that people still think someone walking past you in a park is risky behaviour. It's really not.

It's certainly in no way comparable to sitting next to someone in a pub for hours, or sitting at a desk facing someone in a call centre for a shift.

NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 21/07/2020 09:46

Social distancing was contrived during lockdown. Most people didn't really change their habits but occasionally fell in line with what was demanded of them (so the new 'habit' wasn't reinforced properly over time and very regular observation). So as soon as life goes back to normal all those not really learned new behaviours fly out of the window. I don't think people are doing it on purpose but just easily forgetting that it's still a thing they need to be doing. And of course, the fewer people you see doing it, the easier it is to not remember to do it yourself!

DomDoesWotHeWants · 21/07/2020 09:49

@Waxonwaxoff0

Dom like I said, you can't change the behaviour of others. Some people are selfish, nothing you can do about it. Moaning on MN won't do anything. All you can do is protect yourself as best you can.
Your empathy has moved me.

I expect you're one of the people who doesn't socially distance. Everyone for herself, eh? Nice.

LST · 21/07/2020 09:50

I socially distance from strangers but no from my friends and family any more. It's not going anywhere.

Underhisi · 21/07/2020 09:59

We are sticking to it. I don't want to see another March/April situation.

I'm also not particularly worried about covid on a personal level but don't want 14 days stuck indoors with a very distressed teenager who doesn't understand why he isn't going out anywhere.

TimeWastingButFun · 21/07/2020 10:14

We're still very much SDing, as is the rules at the moment. Some people don't know how to follow basic instructions.

PopPopPopPopPop · 21/07/2020 10:25

In the last 7 days there have been, on average, 628 new cases a day in the UK. That's 4396 a week. The decline in new cases has stalled (BBC news today). No surprise given what I am reading on this thread. I'd say we have a window between now and end Aug to get out there and enjoy the summer weather with friends and family before we're all back in lockdown for the autumn and winter. So thanks A LOT all those who are ignoring social distancing.

Yes, I am still following the guidance. Because I'm not a selfish f*er.

frustrationcentral · 21/07/2020 10:27

I still stay away from people, not necessarily 2M, but certainly 1M. I definitely wouldn't dream of touching/hugging anyone etc

I agree though, my Facebook is full of people getting close for selfies, having parties etc

userxx · 21/07/2020 10:30

So thanks A LOT all those who are ignoring social distancing

Oh give over.

userxx · 21/07/2020 10:32

maybe not across the whole country, but in pockets of areas of the country, of course there will be!! Councils now have the authority to implement local lockdowns.

Yep, cases in Oldham have gone through the roof, its been going on for a few weeks - not locked down though have they ?

Michaelschofield · 21/07/2020 10:43

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

DottyDuvet · 21/07/2020 10:51

@userxx don't know, don't live in Oldham. Just because it hasn't been done yet, doesn't mean it won't.

DomDoesWotHeWants · 21/07/2020 10:55

@Michaelschofield

There is no need to SD or wear masks. The numbers have been manipulated. We are being lied to. Why anyone would believe what the government is saying I really don’t know .
Tin hat, anyone?
userxx · 21/07/2020 11:10

@DottyDuvet I don't either, someone I know works there and was talking to a guy testing in a car park. Surely it would have been lockeddown two weeks ago when the numbers were increasing.

I think local lockdowns will be very rare. The government need us out spending and lockingdown isnt going to help achieve that.

userxx · 21/07/2020 11:12

The numbers have been manipulated.

Well yes, we know this. Friend's gran died in a nursing home, they passed it off as covid without testing her and she wasnt suffering any symptoms. I dont think she's the only one by a long shot.

MinnieMousse · 21/07/2020 11:13

I wonder if the people who are ignoring all social distancing are the same ones that want schools open as normal in September. Schools will only be able to operate "normally" if people practice social distancing rigorously everywhere else. Otherwise the likelihood is a rise in cases when schools start back with localised closures.

Glitteryone · 21/07/2020 11:40

I’m not social distancing and neither are any of my friends/family.

We will continue to be very thorough with hand washing and sanitation but beyond that life is completely normal.

Scruffyoak · 21/07/2020 11:41

We still are. I thought we were meant too?

PopPopPopPopPop · 21/07/2020 12:13

@Scruffyoak we are still meant to. Good for you. Seems like we are in the minority.

I hope those who aren't will put their hands up and take responsibility of this thing starts growing again. Not just for the human loss but the economic disaster it will bring about. As if that wasn't bad enough already.

@userxx "Yep, cases in Oldham have gone through the roof, its been going on for a few weeks - not locked down though have they?"

No they havem't. Lockdown means businesses failing, people out of work, schools shut, kids missing even more education. Deaths or lockdown - a tough decision to make.

Come on people. It's still 2m. Or 1+m of you are wearing a mask. That's the advice, it's not hard. Please follow it for everyone's sake.

somewhereovertherainbutt · 21/07/2020 12:26

For all those talking about hand washing, there's more evidence that COVID is airborne in droplets, so masks are pretty good stopping a spread.

Indoors is worse than outdoors, but if you consider that it's airborne droplets + viral load (so less likely to catch it from someone with a brief encounter - where the 15 min rule is from), then you can see how important everyone complying with SD and masks is.

For those talking about keeping the economy going, the govt is clear that we should do so safely. Potentially (very) sick people don't go wild in the aisles, and a second wave with no furlough will kill the economy faster than safe, cautious re-emerging of consumers.

H&S manager here btw.

BarbedBloom · 21/07/2020 12:39

I mentioned my walk in the park as it is an example of people who no longer think social distancing is required. Being outdoors with someone briefly passing does mean the risk is very small, but it is just a representation of how things have shifted. My husband until this week was doing shopping in a supermarket as even shielding, I struggled to get slots for delivery. He says in the last few weeks most people have completely stopped social distancing, even indoors.

When he was in the supermarket people were crowding around him when he was taking stuff from the shelves, standing way too close in queues, even a few who were coughing. The supermarket staff were doing their best, but people were pretty abusive. Thankfully we have found we can get next day delivery from Iceland whenever we want, so are doing that now.

Some people are fed up, some people were ignorant before all this and don't care about others, some don't see the point in social distancing when they are back in work, some of them in small offices. This is the problem and I think it is why the government are encouraging us to get out there now, enjoy the summer and spend some money. I expect they have already discussed future lockdowns if cases do absolutely sky rocket again and with the combination of usual winter bugs, almost buckle the NHS. I know in my mother's civil service office they are already anticipating things shutting down again and there are plans being made.

I don't know if that will happen, but given the photos I have seen online in pubs and similar, plus the beaches, it is quite possible that things will get bad again. We will have to wait and see. But I do think it is telling that both mine, and friend's consultants seem to be telling those shielding to continue to stay inside, even when the government say we can go out.

Bloops · 21/07/2020 13:02

Well, I'm still doing it. If nobody else wants to, that's their problem. I will just carry on doing what I'm doing - going for essential shopping, going to work and going for nice, secluded walks.

PopPopPopPopPop · 21/07/2020 13:09

Looking at the posts here, about 75% are still following the guidelines. Well done you. If a second wave is averted then take a bow. Thank you for your sacrifices.

CaptainMyCaptain · 21/07/2020 13:24

I mentioned upthread that people in my area seem to be sticking to SD and have been pretty sensible from what I've seen. The local hospital has, today, been declared covid free, long may it continue.

PopPopPopPopPop · 21/07/2020 13:53

@CaptainMyCaptain

I mentioned upthread that people in my area seem to be sticking to SD and have been pretty sensible from what I've seen. The local hospital has, today, been declared covid free, long may it continue.
Really brilliant news!
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.