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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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:
fizbosshoes · 27/03/2021 12:11

I think theres a difference between people breaking the rules out of sheer desperation and those of the "I dont want to be told who I can see" camp.
If someone had said they ignored a t and t notification to isolate because they had only just finished an isolation and risked losing their job, or couldnt afford to pay bills I'd have more sympathy than the ones who say I want to do x y and z, simply "because it's been a year." Nothing magically changes on day 367....

paininthearm · 27/03/2021 12:12

What a lovely sneery thread OP at people just following the law.

What exactly was the point of your thread?

Nyfluff · 27/03/2021 12:13

People who were friends pre-covid have shown themselves to be selfish fuckwits, so I'd like to say how heartened I am to read this thread filled with socially responsible people. I'm glad the majority are not like the OP who thinks allowing teens to meet in large groups and have people indoors is OK. I'm vulnerable and have had a really tough time with it. I've found it upsetting that ex friends and relatives were frequently breaking rules and not giving a shit about other people, so it's nice to see others who really do care about society as much as themselves.

Harryo · 27/03/2021 12:14

Because its the law. Because I don’t want a fine.

Mostly because I have worked in ITU having twice been redeployed since this time last year and it’s horrific. I don’t want to work there again. I don’t want to put my family and friends at risk.

I do want to get back to as near normal as possible though. I really miss seeing my family and friends.

Confusedandshaken · 27/03/2021 12:15

@SoupDragon

Is it because you're scared of Covid, or scared of your neighbours, or scared of breaking the law by mistake?

It's because I'm not a self-important twat who thinks only what I want matters.

👏🏻❤️
Longingforatikihut · 27/03/2021 12:15

A) Because I work for the NHS which means I don't have time or energy left to do anything which would constitute breaking the rules.
B) I see first hand the effect having covid has on both the ill and those close to them and wouldn't want to be responsible for inflicting it on someone else.
C) It's the law.

redglobox · 27/03/2021 12:16

Because I dont want to be fined

Harryo · 27/03/2021 12:16

Oh, also because I caught it this time last year. Whilst I wasn’t hospitalised, it was not a fun experience. I was extremely scared and at one point did become close to asking for an ambulance.

Mabelann · 27/03/2021 12:16

It’s because it spreads from person to person. So if your kids catch it (through you letting them socialise in a way that’s not currently permitted) and your kids give it to mine at school, I may become seriously ill / die (even though I’ve followed all the rules).

I think people who are following the rules are doing so becauSe they aren’t selfish dicks.

Bluesheep8 · 27/03/2021 12:19

*Because

  1. It’s the law
  2. I don’t want to get it
3 I don’t want to pass it onto my family and friends, or indeed strangers 4 because I am thinking bigger picture, and am prepared to do what’s necessary for the good of all of us 5 because we are nowhere near out of this, and people like you make me cross*

Same here.

ittakes2 · 27/03/2021 12:19

Because there are people who want to be vaccinated who are not vaccinated yet. I was scared before my vaccination and it would be incredibly selfish of me now I am vaccinated to not want to do my bit to protect the people who are waiting for their jab. We are a society. I bet if you had a family emergency and there was not the medical availablity for their proper treatment because of the long covid patients you would be appauled. We live in a world of finite resources with a whole bunch of people who feel they are entitled to everything.

ClarkeGriffin · 27/03/2021 12:19

Cases in scotland aren't very low, we are the highest in the UK now

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-56541037

Probably because of people like you. I'm not bothered though, if you can be selfish so can I. Means I don't have to go back into the office anytime soon so thanks. I like wfh.

JackieTheFart · 27/03/2021 12:20

Because it costs me nothing to follow the rules?

And I’ve had two speeding tickets so make of that what you will Wink

Armi · 27/03/2021 12:20

I hate it when people sneer at other people for following rules, in any circumstances, not just during a pandemic. It’s like being 13 again. I follow the rules because they are in place to help reduce transmission and prevent people becoming unwell. People who are ignoring the rules are twats, whatever their special excuse is.

Howtomakeevery1 · 27/03/2021 12:20

I’m not scared, I am just not selfish. I’m not sure why you think you are so special that your wish to
get back to normal means you can do as you please.

LadyDanburysCane · 27/03/2021 12:21

Because I’m generally a rule follower. Because I don’t want to be part of the problem.

MaintainTheMolehill · 27/03/2021 12:22

I liken the situation to lots of people helping push a bus to the top of the hill. Some people get fed up "I'm not pushing the bus because I'm fed up of doing it, what difference does it make" and they may be right, you stand on the sidelines, no longer pushing and it takes slightly longer. Meanwhile the rest of us pushing watch you, slightly resentful that you think you no longer need to help. So yes, you can enjoy socialising again, even though the rest of us would love nothing more.

The bigger problem comes when more and more people see what you have done and decide to follow. Before you know it, there aren't enough people to do the job so the bus goes hurtling right back down to the starting point. It still needs pushed up and people need to start again. If everyone had kept going, the task would have been completed ages ago.

LettyLoman · 27/03/2021 12:22

Because I don’t want today to be the day I get COVID. For doing something unnecessary.

AlexandraEiffel · 27/03/2021 12:22

Because I've realised during this whole thing that not understanding and being able to follow rules really messes with my head. It surprises me as I don't see myself as a big rule follower. I think it's the changing of rules and not understanding norms any more that does it. So it's easiest for my mental health to just follow them. And no one around me pressures me to do any different.

Armi · 27/03/2021 12:23

@MaintainTheMolehill

I liken the situation to lots of people helping push a bus to the top of the hill. Some people get fed up "I'm not pushing the bus because I'm fed up of doing it, what difference does it make" and they may be right, you stand on the sidelines, no longer pushing and it takes slightly longer. Meanwhile the rest of us pushing watch you, slightly resentful that you think you no longer need to help. So yes, you can enjoy socialising again, even though the rest of us would love nothing more.

The bigger problem comes when more and more people see what you have done and decide to follow. Before you know it, there aren't enough people to do the job so the bus goes hurtling right back down to the starting point. It still needs pushed up and people need to start again. If everyone had kept going, the task would have been completed ages ago.

Love this image. This is exactly it.
RuthW · 27/03/2021 12:23

I'm following the rules. I don't want to catch covid and I don't want to pass it on to my family

TangerineCandyfloss · 27/03/2021 12:23

Bloody hell, how selfish can you get?!

Honestly, I've had enough of hearing this. Thanks very much for potentially prolonging these shit times.

ClarkeGriffin · 27/03/2021 12:24

@RebeccaCloud9

I got covid when there were less than 3 cases in my area. Just because rates are low, doesn't mean you won't get it. Oh, I'd had the jab too.
Oh great so the vaccine may not be all that effective, fantastic. That's my wedding cancelled next year then no doubt. Really not optimistic about any normality except maybe in june/july/august.
Marvelwife123 · 27/03/2021 12:24

I completely understand your POV, however we haven’t broken the rules quite as much as you. We have met for a walk outside with one other adult that’s a 20 min drive rather than staying local and when it was the rule of 6 last year we met up as an 8 but it was just two households with two children each and all under 3 (two were actually babies).

Oh we have had another child in our house to look after them for a few hours when the parents were moving house.

We haven’t been perfect and risk assess all situations.

I’m not scared of getting Covid I would rather not get ill and have small children to look after, I would also avoid catching the flu or sickness bugs for this reason.

I don’t think anyone has 100% stuck to the rules after I’ve been in the supermarket no one has ever been 2m apart and it annoys me (that’s another thread).

MrsGulDukat · 27/03/2021 12:25

Because society relies on the sensible ones to protect the stupid ones and we do it because no one else will be responsible.

I prefer being sensible.