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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

If you're still sticking to ALL the rules/guidance - why?

999 replies

RaspberryCoulis · 27/03/2021 10:50

Will start by saying I am not sticking to the covid rules any more. Obviously I can't go places which aren't open. But we have had people in the house, kids are going out with friends probably in larger numbers than are permitted, we're crossing local authority boundaries which is supposedly illegal in Scotland. Why? Because we've been in lockdown for a year, cases here are very low, and some things are more important than Covid.

But on every thread there are people claiming that they are sticking rigidly to every single rule and guideline, never breaking ANY rule. They would probably say I was a selfish covid-denier who was hellbent on murdering their granny.

So if you're sticking to all the guidelines and rules, without fail - why? People who are clinically extremely vulnerable (officially) I can understand in part if they're not vaccinated. But the rest of you? Is it because you're scared of Covid, or scared of your neighbours, or scared of breaking the law by mistake?

OP posts:
Nuitsdesetoiles · 27/03/2021 13:11

@KnowlWay

People who aren’t following the rules are dreadful, ignorant and to be blamed for the extended and repeated lockdown.
Not so. People have been largely compliant. The virus is spreading mainly in workplaces in high risk occupations (I'm in a high risk occupation). However we're still going out to work as we have to to keep society going. Some people ARE breaking rules to go to work as otherwise they may not be able to afford food or rent. This belief about rule breaking being the reason for the current situation is government propaganda that were all lapping up like obedient little robots.

I know of more deaths in the last 6 months than at any other time in my life. NONE from covid. At least 5 were contributed to because of the restrictions Inc someone dying of neglect in a nursing home, family couldn't get in to see him to call out what was going on. X 2 cancer deaths due to missed or delayed treatment, both young people. Other inexplicable deaths, the social isolation is affecting us on a cellular level and killing us. I know very few people who've had it (large city) unless they work in a high risk profession and caught it at work. Everyone I know has been sensible but not rigidly stuck to the rules, very few cases locally.

Nuitsdesetoiles · 27/03/2021 13:13

I am sticking to them myself pretty much as I don't want to lose my job. That's the main reason.

RaeRaeMama · 27/03/2021 13:13

@RaspberryCoulis

Because I care about other people's lives and if they live or die, not just me. Covid has shown how selfish a lot of people are. A lot of people care not a jot if other people survive, it seems.

Conversely, I don't really believe people are so utterly altruistic as they say they are - every sacrifice for the greater good and for the community at large. We're all selfish to some degree, it's human nature. You care about your nearest and dearest far more than you care about random strangers you've never met. That's not selfishness, it's human nature.

I have to take the people who say they are making sacrifices for the greater good or people they will never meet with a huge pinch of salt. Because they're not really, they are either protecting themselves, or their immediate family. Nothing wrong with that - but don't dress it up as something it's not.

I agree with you
User133847 · 27/03/2021 13:13

Rules aren't there to be broken.

Sick of the 'rules don't apply to me' element of this country.

tigger1001 · 27/03/2021 13:13

@SoupDragon

Because we've been in lockdown for a year

I had no idea Scotland had locked down for 12 full months.

Some areas have been lockdown for almost all of that time. Maybe a few weeks in the summer when restrictions were not as tight.
Figgygal · 27/03/2021 13:14

we had the in-laws in our conservatory last week when it was raining and they were dropping off some items for the kids, we stayed in house

We met another family by coincidence while out walking and walked together

We have driven out of local area for exercise a couple times

But yes we don’t arrange to see people outside of the rules, havent seen anyone inside, we do a top up shop once a week, I’m wfh but dh now back In office from furlough which is unnecessary as it’s a tiny office but he’s not got the tech for wfh

I don’t feel I’m special enough the rules don’t apply to me and aren’t in place for a reason

RedcurrantPuff · 27/03/2021 13:14

Agree @tigger1001

User133847 · 27/03/2021 13:14

So if you're sticking to all the guidelines and rules, without fail - why?

In effect? To subsidise the likes of you who break them.

Megan2018 · 27/03/2021 13:15

[quote chocolatesweets]@Megan2018 you don't have kids do you?[/quote]
@chocolatesweets
Yes I do, I was on mat leave for 6 months of lockdown too. It’s not easy but it’s really not worth the hysteria

EasterIsComing · 27/03/2021 13:16

We are currently under a stay at home order. I would bet my bottom dollar that not all the people stating they are following the rules to the letter are still staying at home in the way they probably did last April.

ktp100 · 27/03/2021 13:16

Fuck me, I'm so bored of people like you thinking you know better and you don't have to stick to the rules.

As if a fucking virus gives a shit if you've had enough of lockdown measures or if you think other things are more important!

I guess those of us who are sticking to the rules just have more respect for others than you, really.

DontJumpInTheFountain · 27/03/2021 13:16

The frustrating thing, OP, is that when they decide what restrictions are required they have to factor in the knowledge that there are people like you who will choose not to follow them. That means that they impose greater restrictions than would be needed if they could be certain everyone would follow the rules. It means that the restrictions I am following are greater than they need to be in order to allow for people like you.

Airyfairymarybeary · 27/03/2021 13:17

Because I’m not selfish. And also educated.

Figgygal · 27/03/2021 13:17

@ktp100

Fuck me, I'm so bored of people like you thinking you know better and you don't have to stick to the rules.

As if a fucking virus gives a shit if you've had enough of lockdown measures or if you think other things are more important!

I guess those of us who are sticking to the rules just have more respect for others than you, really.

Yup this too
Robin233 · 27/03/2021 13:17

@RaeRaeMama

t. Let alone anyone that has died. So I’ve found it very difficult to believe that there is any sense in this continuing now that we have had the majority of the most vulnerable vaccinated. I don’t care about the potential consequences, I think we need to open everything up and crack on with living. I don’t care if the numbers go up. I just don’t care. I don’t think I’m alone in feeling that way, but people don’t say it
^^
For goodness sake ...
The first wave not so much, but the second wave I've known loads of people catch it and some who's died though not close.
One a vulnerable son 39 who died.
This is REAL people.
His parents both had it , probably thorough mums job - TA.
But it also tore through dad's work places.
It only takes 'one' person.
Like pp upthread this all started with a few people coming in the county - patient Zero so to speak.

AtiaoftheJulii · 27/03/2021 13:18

Because I would hate to be responsible for passing it on to anyone - stranger, service user, colleague, friend or family member - and causing them to be seriously unwell or have long term consequences (or even die).

cyclingmad · 27/03/2021 13:19

Because despite thinking im healthy who knows if I have an undiagnosed underlying health issue and I don't want to catch it and be left with any long term problems.

If everyone just followed the rules we could be out of this quicker but people are inherently selfish until the consequences hit them like losing their jobs.

Whattheduck · 27/03/2021 13:20

Because despite it getting me down it’s the right thing to do
I’ve had covid (possibly caught it through work nhs) and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone it’s horrible
I’d rather stick to the rules now so things can get better sooner

justasking111 · 27/03/2021 13:20

Well as granny I have received the blessing, as a carer for grandkids, I can pick up two families of little ones from school and care for them until parents have finished work, have done this for a year, long before vaccines, so five grandkids in three different locations to be collected, we have had a few colds but not covid, OH has had two jabs, I have just had my first. No-one has had covid. I have stuck to the government rules, go figure.

Derbee · 27/03/2021 13:20

I bet a lot of these sanctimonious rule followers are actually breaking rules without realising/meaning to. The guidance is getting so bloody ridiculous now

Dianeisabighead · 27/03/2021 13:21

OP what makes you think you know better than scientists? Are you one of those people who always thinks they know better? Sometimes you need to admit you don't know enough and just follow the rules. Don't die of arrogance.

oblada · 27/03/2021 13:21

We respect the clear rules - not met with our own friends for over a year for instance.

But no I don't follow the so called guidance that isn't even in the law so in England that would be all this staying local bullshit. And I never cancelled my cleaning lady or any other work in the house (maybe apart from the very first lockdown) as it was pretty much allowed throughout.

We have also allowed the kids to socialise with one family but we relied on the bubbles so that would be within the rules.

I have allowed the kids to play in the park with their friends, that's possibly against the rules, not sure and don't care tbh.

Otherwise we're working from home, getting shopping delivered etc and I don't socialise at the school gate. Mostly because I don't want to though. We only go out to go for walks with the kids and for me to volunteer as part of the 'covid fight'. So on balance we're doing our bit :)

We've also had my parents come over several times from France but again it wasn't prohibited anyway, once they were here they became part of our household.

Alsohuman · 27/03/2021 13:21

@PanamaPattie

I have followed the rules because I am not a selfish twat and I believe that there is nothing more important than beating COVID.
Nothing more important? Not the economy, mental health, undiagnosed life threatening illnesses, education? None of that matters more than bloody covid? This virus has made some people lose all sense of proportion. Especially since it’s pretty obvious it will never be beaten and is here to stay.
NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 27/03/2021 13:22

Not so. People have been largely compliant. The virus is spreading mainly in workplaces in high risk occupations (I'm in a high risk occupation).

This is so true. Everyone I know who has had it got it from an unavoidable activity Eg child picked it up at essential childcare needed to allow parents to work, a few people I know picked it up at necessary hospital appointments, cousin caught it in workplace where they cannot wfh.

Ohnomoreno · 27/03/2021 13:22

Because I am terrified of the police and teachers. That's the only reason.