Does it feel like this in other European countries? (COVID)

[OrrAppleCheeks]

Just that really - feels like things are out of control and the government has no strategy and no skill. Endless u-turns in education, veering between tiers/lockdowns, health services struggling to cope, wondering whether the vaccine will manage to roll itself out, people chanting outside hospitals...

Is this just England/my view of what it’s like here? Or do other countries in Europe feel equally edgy? (And I know we’ve left the EU, just can’t think how else to phrase it). I think what I’m asking is this - does it feel like this because of our government/something particular about England or is this what it’s like for other countries?

Sorry about the lack of spell check pressed send instead of preview

I don't think the uk feels out of control at all. It's no worse here than elsewhere and if anything i think that u turns show responsive leadership- the virus is unpredictable and it's a brave government who changes tack. I am not a Tory and not a fan of Boris but I think they've a hard job to do and there's no miracle answer.

Spain has huge numbers and they locked their population up - clearly the wrong thing to do in hindsight.

A lot of European countries have much higher rates than the UK. While official policy is laxer in some countries, people's behaviour varies a lot. For example, apart from the loud anti lockdown movement in Germany, most people are very rule abiding. British people see them more as guidelines.

If you call Mumsnet or the national media the UK then yes, we are currently a scary place to live.

But step away from online and it seems to me that most people are following the spirit of the guidelines and trying to find ways to stay positive. No one knows the path out yet although some are pretending they know the way (it's all a conspiracy open up everything! or lockdown everything we are all going to die!)

There is definitely a vocal minority of people who want us all to feel we are going to hell in a handcart. It appears as if they are attracted to the control fear creates. When you are scared yourself the first thing you seek is to control the situation.

I agree Emeeno1.

And I have never seen anyone in a shop or on public transport without a mask so don't recognise that level of resistance.

I had a holiday in Germany in September. Felt much more in control then, especially as face coverings were worn without exception.

There are no automatic exemptions to mask wearing in my part of Germany. It has to be agreed by a dr and even then can be overturned by local authorities.
I think the German government has locked down much earlier in both waves too. It’s not just based on mumsnet either, you just have to look at the figures. There was panic here when numbers went above 100/100k, I can’t believe the UK figures are so high without a national lockdown.

Thanks everyone - so interesting to hear everyone’s views, and from so many countries. I certainly get what people are saying about perceptions drawn from the media/Mumsnet and my own experience is that most people are just getting on with it fairly stoically, maybe with a bit of rule bending here or there (eg going for a walk with two people not just one). Like many though, I do know people who are just ignoring the rules, often very vocally, and the husband of one of my friends seems to be absorbing more conspiracy theories daily.

What I’ve found striking though is that even my most Tory friends and family have become really scathing about the government’s capacity and direction since the summer. They wouldn’t go so far as to support Labour though... but I certainly get a sense of a loss of leadership.