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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

If there was no end in sight for ending lockdown would you protest?

126 replies

GreyFrenchique · 12/02/2021 00:12

Disclaimer: I'm not organising anything of the sort and have no plans to attend one.. I'm a regular poster which MN can verify but I've NC.

My post is prompted by a conversation I had with my friend tonight who is, like many of us, sick and tired of living this way.

If the 'roadmap' set out on Feb 22nd is bleak and offers no encouraging plans to end lockdown, would you attend a protest if there were one? Wearing a mask obviously.

YANBU - yes
YABU - no

OP posts:
WanderingMilly · 12/02/2021 08:48

It doesn't bother me over much and no, I wouldn't protest at all. If it was just me I'd carry on relatively happily for years if that's what it takes (although I do miss cream teas and coffee shops). I do worry for my adult kids though, as they find it harder not to socialise or go to gyms and suchlike....so far they have jobs but I'd worry about that too. Not enough to protest though, no.

AStudyinPink · 12/02/2021 08:49

A thousand people died of Covid yesterday.

A thousand deaths were announced where covid was present yesterday. That isn’t a thousand people dying of covid yesterday.

We mustn’t lose sight of the fact that everyone dies. I genuinely think some people have forgotten and think lockdown is ‘saving’ them from death. No, it isn’t. In some cases it is putting off death, in others not.

That isn’t me being callous about the deaths. But ultimately, even if we all live through this whole century in a purgatorial half-life where nobody hugs anyone or goes for dinner or has sex with a new person or holds anyone else’s hand when they die or learns anything worth learning, we’ll all still die.

AStudyinPink · 12/02/2021 08:51

So what does it tell you about the magnitude of the risk that it could knock the Tories off their usual path that's all about wealth and individualism?

I know the magnitude. They’ve made the necessary decisions so far given the progress in the vaccine and available medicines. But it can’t go on forever and they know that.

LakieLady · 12/02/2021 08:52

@DaisyHeadMaisy

PicsInRed

You can already tell by the lax attitude of people who have had thier vaccine, several times this week I have had people get far too close to me and my children when I am trying to social distance, it's like now that covid is not a risk to them, they don't care if they can pass it to anyone else. If this was an illness that affected children, only schools and soft plays would be closed, only children and most likely mothers would be under house arrest.

People can be very selfish. I've had my first vaccination, but am just as cautious as I was before, because it's not all about me - I could still pass it on.

And I'll continue to be as cautious after I've had my second vaccination next month. I'd be mortified if anyone got ill because I was too selfish to wear a mask or keep my distance.

Chimeraforce · 12/02/2021 08:54

Well I'm considering ram raiding tk maxx for a browse.... 🤔

StealthPolarBear · 12/02/2021 08:54

I agree. lots of people will die of covid during lockdown having not seen their loved ones for a very long time. But hey ho that's collateral damage isn't it against prevent every death ever again?

Echobelly · 12/02/2021 08:54

No, because it's not use protesting against a virus.

Trust me, this government, and no government, is enjoying being on lockdown and the expense and the lack of income. They won't be imposing lockdown rules just because they fancu it.

And no one 'wants' lockdown either, but the more patient we are now, and if we can delay our own gratification until infections are lower and more people are vaccinated, the better the rest of the year.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 12/02/2021 08:56

@SarahBellam

A thousand people died of Covid yesterday. Why the fuck would I go on a protest? It’s hard enough getting people to follow the fairly shit basic rules we have now, without herding them all into Trafalgar Square or whatever, which it why we’re not containing it. These chat boards are jammed full of people who are still doing online dating (how many times have I seen, “We went for a socially distant walk and one thing led to another and we ended up back at mine shagging our brains out”, or “It’s ok because I’m in a bubble with my mum, my mother in law, my aunt, the cat’s vet and Norma the next door neighbour”). We are never going to control this until we catch ourselves on and follow the rules properly for a month or so.
Except even if everyone followed the rules for a month or so we still wouldn't control it. Most people I know who caught Covid caught it at work. And we can't stop working.
StealthPolarBear · 12/02/2021 08:56

So once the vast majority of elderly and vulnerable are vaccinated (+3w) what will we be waiting for?

Emeraldshamrock · 12/02/2021 08:56

No. I'm hoping it is not much longer I wouldn't like to be responsible for protesting with the risk of increasing further spread it would be foolish at this point.

PicsInRed · 12/02/2021 08:56

@DaisyHeadMaisy

PicsInRed

You can already tell by the lax attitude of people who have had thier vaccine, several times this week I have had people get far too close to me and my children when I am trying to social distance, it's like now that covid is not a risk to them, they don't care if they can pass it to anyone else. If this was an illness that affected children, only schools and soft plays would be closed, only children and most likely mothers would be under house arrest.

Boom. Nailed it.
StealthPolarBear · 12/02/2021 08:57

Oh we can all stop working. Build bunkers and die in them. Whatever it takes to stop this dreadful disease

AStudyinPink · 12/02/2021 08:57

The government’s data summary of daily deaths has 167 as the number yesterday - I think that’s actual deaths, not reported deaths. Not sure how they know, but it’s not 1,000.

About 1,500 people die every day anyway. That’s sad, but we can’t change it.

Emeraldshamrock · 12/02/2021 08:58

I regret not going to a very important protest this year due to fear of catching the virus. If another similar protest was arranged I'd be there to support it.

poppycat10 · 12/02/2021 08:58

I don't care about lockdown per se but if we don't get schools and outdoor sports activities open as a priority, then I will do something. I would have written to my MP weeks ago about sixth form colleges being closed except that he's useless.

Education is important and we also know that obesity is a risk factor for bad outcomes with covid so for goodness sake let outdoor sporting venues reopen. They should be open now for half term (with apologies to areas of the country that might be on half term this week - where I am half term starts this weekend).

AStudyinPink · 12/02/2021 08:58

Build bunkers and die in them. Whatever it takes to stop this dreadful disease

Because you can’t protest against a virus! 😆

Kljnmw3459 · 12/02/2021 08:59

No, I would book a flight to visit my family abroad after they've received their vaccinations.

Emeraldshamrock · 12/02/2021 09:00

this was an illness that affected children, only schools and soft plays would be closed, only children and most likely mothers would be under house arrest 👏

TitusPullo · 12/02/2021 09:02

@AStudyinPink - I didn’t explain that very well. By continuing as I have been, I mean by assessing the risk. If cases are very very low then I would start expanding what I was doing. I am very uncomfortable with the restrictions in place but I also understand the point of them at the moment. Would I protest? I’m honestly not sure. Whilst I hate this government I don’t think they are wanting to keep things in lockdown forever, they are self serving and this lockdown doesn’t help them or their voter base. Maybe my trust in this case is misplaced, but I just don’t see this as a great coup ala Donald.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 12/02/2021 09:02

It's not about "protesting against a virus" it's protesting against our children being forced out of school, banned from working and seeing our families, with no clear plan from the government of how to end this.

AStudyinPink · 12/02/2021 09:03

TitusPullo

That’s fair. No, I don’t see it as a plot or anything. Apart from anything else, Boris ain’t that smart!

Emeraldshamrock · 12/02/2021 09:04

once the vast majority of elderly and vulnerable are vaccinated (+3w) what will we be waiting for? I am envious it is a disastrous roll out in Ireland

Fuckingcrustybread · 12/02/2021 09:08

@StepOutOfLine
You have no idea what restrictions I'm living with.
Clue: Italy
You have no idea what rules the U.K. is living with: Clue, you don't live here so keep your disgraceful racist opinions to yourself.

Sirius99 · 12/02/2021 09:11

Would people accept the government saying it will start reducing lockdown from the 8th March, then having to cancel it and suggest it might be another Month, or is it best to keep quiet untill a definite date is known?

WhatHaveIFound · 12/02/2021 09:12

No I won't be rioting but to be fair life is not as restricted as some other European countries. There's no curfew for a start and if I need to travel for work I don't have to show proof.

My DD is overseas living in a city where the rate per 100,000 is just 50 and they're still extending their lockdown and closing the borders to neighbouring higher rate areas.

That's not to say I'm not frustrated by the current lockdown. My DS should be in school taking GCSEs this summer and seeing his friends, not sat in front of his computer for online lessons but wouldn't rioting just bring further restrictions to our daily life and prolong the lockdown?