Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu? Are you really following lockdown rules?

490 replies

CoronaOneSoz · 08/11/2020 13:36

I work and kids are at school but I've been following the lockdown rules. Not met anyone. I know I could bubble up as I'm a single parent. Anyway i spoke to my sister and parents today and they have all met up together. Sister has 2 kids and a husband, the kids go to school and they both work. My parents are still relatively young and work, no health issues. They also still have my other sister at home who also works. I was abit shocked but they just laughed and said they don't care they will still meet up. I'm not pissed off I'm more disappointed with them. Aibu for feeling like that? Just been told I need to lighten up as i told them they are breaking the rules.

OP posts:
JanQi · 10/11/2020 12:51

I followed the rules for the first lockdown (even though none of my neighbours did) and only went out to a pub/restaurant three times over the summer. But I'm in an area which has been on local lockdown for a long time already and I broke those rules by sitting in my in laws garden. The horror!

So far I have not broken second national lockdown rules but I don't see why sitting in a garden 2m apart is any different from sitting on a park bench 2m apart (which is allowed). I'm not a Covid denier but I think the whole thing has got ridiculous and I don't believe the government have got a clue what they're doing.

Belladonna12 · 10/11/2020 13:12

@HunterHearstHelmsley

I'm not following them anymore. I did but I've been really unwell since March and can't get any proper diagnosis or treatment because covid. I wish it was socially acceptable to punt kick those who say I clearly don't care about others because of it.
So how will not following the rules help you get treatment? If cases go up and the NHS is overwhelmed you are less likely to get it. My treatment has been delayed too and I understand the frustration but can't see it as a good reason for not attempting to reduce the risk of infecting people.
33goingon64 · 10/11/2020 13:46

We are 95%. We had an architect round for an initial consultation on day 1 of this lockdown - the appointment was in the diary already, she wore a mask and wasn't in the house for long. I've been over to see elderly neighbour who had an accident and needed to be checked on (which I believe we're allowed to do anyway). Other than that we haven't been anywhere except taking DC to school and going for walks/runs.

bemusedmoose · 10/11/2020 20:57

Following rules here!

We would be out of this a lot bloody quicker if people did what they were bloody told and the government didn't give such wafty vague advice! Look at the places that are already covid free - they locked down completely and fast as soon as this blew up and now they can carry on as normal. But Boris is pretending to do something with these pathetic excuses for lockdowns while actually going for his initial herd immunity crap. It's a bloody disaster.

If people had done it properly the first time and we had stayed locked down longer - we wouldnt be doing another one now, which again isn't long enough so no doubt will get shoved in to a 3rd in Jan!

CustardyCreams · 10/11/2020 21:21

I’m following the rules. I don’t know anyone who is admitting to breaking them.

Minibea · 11/11/2020 09:40

We followed the rules in the first lockdown to the letter but since the second lockdown was introduced my previously shielding mother fell and broke her hip in the garden. She’s home now and she and my DF are planning on visiting us this weekend to get her out of the house for a bit as she’s going stir crazy. We can’t meet for a walk at the moment and if she wasn’t on crutches they would have been our informal childcare bubble. Strictly speaking this isn’t allowed, but her mental health and that of my DF also matters and it will give us all a lift to see each other for an afternoon. If this year has tought us anything it is the importance of family and if you can’t have tea and cake with your poorly mum then what is the point?

Fluffybutter · 11/11/2020 09:48

We are . One of us does the weekly shopping on a Friday and that’s it .
Both work from home and dd also learning from home as her year group are self isolating.
I’d really like to see family at Christmas and was hoping this would bring the numbers down enough so that we could do that but looks like we’re the only mugs doing it!

Gillian1980 · 11/11/2020 09:49

We’re following the rules, yes.

With family I would call them out but probably not with friends or acquaintances etc.

I know a few people not following the rules and also some who don’t believe in Covid / conspiracy theorists etc.

LindaEllen · 11/11/2020 10:00

@Strawberrypancakes

I think everyone needs to stop concerning themselves with what everyone else is doing.
It's easy to say that, but I'm in a similar situation of my family meeting up, and it's causing problems with us because I refuse to.

I can't even imagine what Christmas is going to bring when I won't meet them if it's not in the rules at the time.

LindaEllen · 11/11/2020 10:03

@HunterHearstHelmsley

I'm not following them anymore. I did but I've been really unwell since March and can't get any proper diagnosis or treatment because covid. I wish it was socially acceptable to punt kick those who say I clearly don't care about others because of it.
Why aren't you getting a diagnosis or treatment? The NHS is still absolutely open to those who need it. Contact your GP and ask to be referred for whatever tests you need. If you've been 'really unwell' since March and there's any chance it could be serious, there's no way you would be denied what you need.

Also, if you are unwell, that's all the more reason to avoid covid.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 11/11/2020 10:33

I eventually managed to get a doctors appointment on Monday after 6 months of begging. I've been to A&E repeatedly and cannot get anyone to help me. The NHS may be open where you are but my area has been beyond poor. I actually started attending A&E in a major city hospital in the hopes that someone somewhere would help me.

Belladonna12 · 11/11/2020 10:43

@HunterHearstHelmsley

I eventually managed to get a doctors appointment on Monday after 6 months of begging. I've been to A&E repeatedly and cannot get anyone to help me. The NHS may be open where you are but my area has been beyond poor. I actually started attending A&E in a major city hospital in the hopes that someone somewhere would help me.
If you haven't been able to get an appointment with your GP for six months, despite being really ill then you should blame your GP, rather than the NHS as a whole and certainly not lockdown. An increase in infections is certainly not going to increase your chances of getting an appointment.
Newmumatlast · 11/11/2020 11:04

I am even though I think it is a nonsense that I cannot meet up with my family if I am not seeing any friends or strangers bar when I go to the supermarket. I barely go anywhere and my family is tight knit - just my parents and my siblings family. No in laws. No other family around. Parents were doing childcare. We were effectively living in our own little bubble anyway and pretty much always have due to work. Seems bizarre that they could all theoretically go for walks with random friends as many times as they want as long as only 1 more person yet we can't see eachother together even outside. I genuinely cannot see how that would be a greater risk than multiple meetings of various friends one at a time which would be allowed.

Belladonna12 · 11/11/2020 11:15

@Newmumatlast

I am even though I think it is a nonsense that I cannot meet up with my family if I am not seeing any friends or strangers bar when I go to the supermarket. I barely go anywhere and my family is tight knit - just my parents and my siblings family. No in laws. No other family around. Parents were doing childcare. We were effectively living in our own little bubble anyway and pretty much always have due to work. Seems bizarre that they could all theoretically go for walks with random friends as many times as they want as long as only 1 more person yet we can't see eachother together even outside. I genuinely cannot see how that would be a greater risk than multiple meetings of various friends one at a time which would be allowed.
Restrictions are for the population as a whole. What do you expect them to do? Make exemptions for people whose family never go anywhere? How they define that? I'm pretty sure you can see your parents if they're providing childcare anyway.
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 11/11/2020 13:21

Why aren't you getting a diagnosis or treatment? The NHS is still absolutely open to those who need it. Contact your GP and ask to be referred for whatever tests you need. If you've been 'really unwell' since March and there's any chance it could be serious, there's no way you would be denied what you need.

The NHS isn't open to those who need it. If it was my friend would have had the cancer treatment they needed and not be wondering whether or not it's spread.

My GP wouldn't even start the referral process about a cyst on my ankle so I'm nowhere near a waiting list to have it removed despite hardly being able to walk sometimes.

Belladonna12 · 11/11/2020 14:02

The NHS isn't open to those who need it. If it was my friend would have had the cancer treatment they needed and not be wondering whether or not it's spread.

Some people are getting cancer treatment. However the benefits and risks will be different than previously as many treatments suppress the immune system.

MonaCorona · 11/11/2020 14:06

@HunterHearstHelmsley

I eventually managed to get a doctors appointment on Monday after 6 months of begging. I've been to A&E repeatedly and cannot get anyone to help me. The NHS may be open where you are but my area has been beyond poor. I actually started attending A&E in a major city hospital in the hopes that someone somewhere would help me.
Same here, Hunter (unfortunately). Bloody Covid.
Bluesheep8 · 11/11/2020 14:26

I think everyone needs to stop concerning themselves with what everyone else is doing.

People (like me) who are following the rules can't help getting pissed off with people who aren't. Because people who aren't will cause people who are to have to follow the rules for longer. And they STILL won't stick to them...and on...and on we go Hmm

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 11/11/2020 16:13

Some people are getting cancer treatment. However the benefits and risks will be different than previously as many treatments suppress the immune system.

And too many people aren't getting treatment.

If I was going to die of cancer without treatment but may live if I had it I'd rather risk getting Covid and actually have the treatment.

oneglassandpuzzled · 11/11/2020 16:14

@33goingon64

We are 95%. We had an architect round for an initial consultation on day 1 of this lockdown - the appointment was in the diary already, she wore a mask and wasn't in the house for long. I've been over to see elderly neighbour who had an accident and needed to be checked on (which I believe we're allowed to do anyway). Other than that we haven't been anywhere except taking DC to school and going for walks/runs.
Neither of those are breaking the law. THe architect can only do that part of her work outside the office and checking on an elderly person is fine, as you say.
Chicchicchicchiclana · 11/11/2020 16:56

I slightly despair. There's someone on my local FB page asking if anyone knows a nail salon that is open or a nail tech who can do a home visit because she wants her gel nails taken off! She's had lots of suggestions in the comments too and anyone whose said "hang on a minute, we're making a tremendous collective effort to get the R rate down, your nails can wait" is getting a mouthful of abuse. Unbelievable.

WanderingFruitWonderer · 12/11/2020 05:15

I'm following the rules. But I know lots of people who aren't. I don't judge or blame them though, as this is an odd lockdown, with lots of inconsistencies & confusions. I guess I feel mild frustration at those blatantly flouting the rules, but no more than that.
Also, I live in an area with a very low infection rate; one of the lowest in the country, which I think affects people's behaviour. I still wish people would follow the rules, to prevent the rate rising, but c'est la vie...

I have to say that people were great in the last lockdown. Virtually everyone did the right thing then. But people are wearied now, and this lockdown is so much lighter. I wish we'd gone the way of Wales, and had the firebreak at the same time. That would have made more sense...

Frownette · 12/11/2020 05:25

Yes, I think so. Probably do too many shop trips but I'm a natural social distancer. December might pose a bit of a dilemma though if lockdown is extended/we're put in a high tier as I want to pick up a friend from hospital after his cancer appointment, and also travel to see one of my girlfriends to drop off her xmas present.

WanderingFruitWonderer · 12/11/2020 05:28

Oh gosh Chicchicchicchiclana that's shocking.
Funnily enough, I got a bit of stick from a friend, when they discovered I'm diligently following the rules. They seemed disappointed in me! Which is an odd way round. But I have to have a good relationship with my own conscience. I don't want to think I've had any part in contributing to Covid rates rising. Even if I end up being the last person left in my area following the rules, follow them I will. It sometimes feels like I am the only one round here... Hey ho

Clockstop · 12/11/2020 05:29

I haven't even bothered checking what 'the rules' are. DC go to school and nursery still, I work still, all DD clubs have stopped and we go shopping so not hugely changed. Is the rule of 6 over now? It doesn't really affect us as we are too busy with work to socialise outside of the school run.