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Original poster

Keep calm and carry on. Why?

37 replies

Lua · 13/03/2020 12:33

Sure, keep calm. But why carry on?

I am from a different culture and am really trying to understand why are we all supposed to behave like nothing is happening? Can anyone explain why this is such a strong thing here in the UK?

If we were fighting a war, or terrorists, I do understand that showing it does not affect our behaviour is important. But this is a virus! It doesn't care how optimist we remain?!

I received message from PTA today asking to help in an event planned for next week, which involves 1000s of people. It is not going to happen,or at least it really shouldn't happen. Why do we all have to keep carrying on?

Have been shot down on PTA mailist, and expect will be here too; but can anyone explain the rationale for this approach in relation to an epidemic, where avoiding unecessary contact is the best we can do to protect the vulnerable?

OP posts:
Pickpick101 · 13/03/2020 12:39

I'm not sure anyone has said behave like nothing is happening. There are guidelines about washing hands etc. People make there own choice to go to large gatherings or not. Don't forget Mumsnet isn't really representative of the population as a whole. People come on here to chat endlessly about it even if they have anxiety about it , I'd suggest that isn't healthy but most people I meet don't mention it. In the workplace I here the odd comment but not much.

TheMemoryLingers · 13/03/2020 12:42

But this is a virus! It doesn't care how optimist we remain?!

I think you're right - people are missing this. It's as though they think they are in a cartoon walking off the edge of a cliff - as long as they don't look down, they won't fall.

Original poster
Lua · 13/03/2020 13:01

A week ago I ask my boss: Should i continuing doing non-essential visits across the country? I know that I am likely to be fine,but it is unethicalforme to criss cross the country and help spread virus, no?

Answer: Official advise is business as usual.

In other words, to act reasonably and adjust our behaviour in response to current circunstances (i.e skype instead) is perceived as a sign of panic or weakenss. Seems utterly madness to me,and I do not understand.

Head of said PTA has COPD....why would she want to beinvolved in organizing anything at this point? and why invest on buying things for the event when there is a high likelihood it will be cancelled?

OP posts:
TooTrueToBeGood · 13/03/2020 17:34

It's not about optimism, it's about not panicking. My grandad was in the merchant navy and worked the North Atlantic convoys during world war two. He survived being sunk 3 times. He used to drill it into us as kids that the only thing panicking does in a crisis is to massively reduce your chances of survival. One example he used was a tragedy that occured a long time ago in our hometown where a fire in a cinema caused the deaths of dozens of children. The fire was a non event and not the cause of any fatalities itself - it was the panic and subsequent crush that lead to all the deaths. My grandad told us that whilst others panic you keep calm, assess the situation, wait until the panickers are out of your way and then get yourself out of there calmly. I've been in a few situations in my lifetime where that wisdom has very possibly saved my life.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3t8Xcpk6MYKcDd5Xkps2Qk2/the-glen-cinema-disaster-scotland-s-forgotten-tragedy

The80sweregreat · 13/03/2020 17:40

I'm fed up with this ' it'll be ok ' attitude.
My sons g/ f is a nurse and has this ' oh well, only the old and people with underlying health issues ' will die etc.
It seems they really don't care!
I'm fed up with everything at the moment. Can't see my old dad as his care home is in lockdown ; they've put his fees up too ( for very basic care)
Probably won't go on holiday either :
I know it's nothing but I am worried people are being so cavalier about it all.
Maybe I'm the one in the wrong here?

Hazelnutlatteplease · 13/03/2020 17:43

only thing panicking does in a crisis is to massively reduce your chances of survival.

Did he also advicate waiting for the ship to go down before you act as a sensible survival technique

cooperage · 13/03/2020 17:55

Humans need normality to be able to cope.

Encouraging the majority to keep things as normal as possible in a crisis helps children and those of nervous disposition to stay calm, which is much more helpful than charging about shouting and screaming that we're all going to die.

TooTrueToBeGood · 13/03/2020 17:56

Did he also advicate waiting for the ship to go down before you act as a sensible survival technique

No, but he did coach me not to rise to the baiting of fucking idiots.

Reginabambina · 13/03/2020 18:00

Carry on doesn’t mean keep doing what you’re doing. It means remain stoic and do what you must. The entire phrase is about emotional resilience.

Hazelnutlatteplease · 13/03/2020 18:05

Waiting for the ship to sink before you act is pretty fucking idiotic

LambriniSocialist · 13/03/2020 18:10

To be fair, it does feel like things have shifted a bit today. Lots of companies now saying to work from home next week, lots of schools are cancelling events, sporting events being cancelled. It is happening, slowly, which is probably the best way.

SerendipityJane · 13/03/2020 18:12

Waiting for the ship to sink before you act is pretty fucking idiotic

You know something ? I am going to bet that you aren't a Royal Navy sailor. But thank you for your advice anyway.

trappedsincesundaymorn · 13/03/2020 18:20

Waiting for the ship to sink before you act is pretty fucking idiotic

Panicking whilst the ship is sinking helps no-one, remaining calm and following advice, however, means more lives saved.

ViciousJackdaw · 13/03/2020 18:25

Waiting for the ship to sink before you act is pretty fucking idiotic

Perhaps but many of us are capable of staying calm whilst we take action. Can we not just stay sensible, take all necessary precautions and keep a close eye on those who need it.

PaulGalico · 13/03/2020 18:28

....fucking idiotic- does this kind of response really help anyone?

Sally872 · 13/03/2020 18:30

Work are looking at facilitating working from home. Kids football clubs are both cancelled, Emergency PTA meeting due to budget cuts cancelled. Church have been cancelling events this weekend.

I am trying to stay positive and be relatively normal yet cautious. Every where around me non essential events seem to be cancelled. I dont think your experiences are the same as many people.

LennyPugGoat · 13/03/2020 18:30

Our entire HR team are working from home (large UK company) I have a laptop, remote access, company phone etc I could easily work from home and get loads done via teams and con call.

I’m told to show my face at various different sites across regions to avoid a ‘rats leaving a sinking ship” fear at this stage amongst productive that can’t work from home.

I’m not concerned about myself at all and I’m following the hand wash and temp checking but I worry about cross site contamination and bringing anything into the family home. I have anxiety and it’s a struggle, it’s a fear of doom looming all day, not sleeping.

BillywilliamV · 13/03/2020 18:34

Were in the Midlands, 7 cases out of a million or so people! Just saying!

Hazelnutlatteplease · 13/03/2020 18:58

Im sure if i stay calm and wash my hands ill be absolutely fine....

While I'm told i cant take my at risk DS off school because i will be fined.

But it will all be ok as long as i just stay calm and wash my hands....

Original poster
Lua · 13/03/2020 19:24

I do hope we are all fine, and chances are we will. However, we really need to start cancelling allnon essential meetings, avoiding trips and stayinghomeas much as possible!

Herd immunity sounds great for the majority ,but there is a very high cost for individuals to pay,.
I do not want toever feel the guilt of bringing the virus somewhere for no good reason.

Also there are peopleless than 60dying from this.....not clear why some young people succumb but some do.

OP posts:
MaomiMak · 13/03/2020 19:33

The level of hysteria on this site is not seen anywhere else.

It's just you lot.

I don't get it

Pickpick101 · 13/03/2020 20:23

I get why it's just on here , it's a bubble people come on here to find like minded people. If your okay with this you probably won't come on or post as much.

Hazelnutlatteplease · 13/03/2020 20:48

The level of hysteria on this site is not seen anywhere else.

DDs saw her friend tonight. Her friend has medically complex siblings. They have been told by the medical team to prepare to self isolate for up to 3 months they have 3 months of medical supplies in house. DDs friend is now official out of school and isolated.

Perhaps you are fortunate not to know anyone vulnerable. Or Italian

MiniMaxi · 13/03/2020 21:03

Totally agree OP. Govt lack of response is a disgrace. They are fudging the numbers so it doesn’t look as bad as it is. They are stopping testing except for people in hospital. All so we carry on working.

MiniMaxi · 13/03/2020 21:04

For anyone unclear, 800 reported cases is 10,000 actual cases. Number of cases proven to double every two days so by next weekend that’s 160,000 actual cases. Still they will quite the 1-2k number.