Escaping London ‘Lockdown’ before ‘too late’ ?

[Stircrazyschoolmum]

Since the announcement at 17.00, I’ve been pinged by 3 different mum friends/associates telling me they are escaping SW London to Norfolk / West Country whilst they still can. (There seems to be an opinion that London will lockdown imminently although that wasn’t how I read the press conference.)

To be fair, they all had plans to be away over the Easter holidays but now are saying they will go ASAP (one already packing car) and won’t necessarily return until the peak in London dies down.

I kind of thought avoiding non-essential travel meant you weren’t supposed to travel and misguidedly (?) thought restrictions on pubs/theatre etc wasn’t just a London thing? One family is staying with parents (healthy but still?)

I’m not passing judgement as everyone has to do what they believe to be best, just curious whether I’ve misinterpreted the guidance!

No the people you know are selfish twats.

This is what happened in Spain - people fled to the coast which was unaffected and spread it there. Tell them to get back in the house and calm down.

Its what happened in italy

This is how bubonic plague was spread across the country in the 17th century - the rich people trying to run away from disease but taking it with them instead.

NB: coronavirus is not comparable with plague, it is the counterproductive behaviour that I'd the

*that is the same.

Selfish idiots. This is exactly what happened in Italy and Spain and caused numerous additional hotspots.

Selfish Fuckers

Great idea to spread the virus to small coastal areas and really test the health services there 👍

And where are they going to stay?

I would pass judgement if I were you. It's an extremely selfish and irresponsible thing to do. I live in London and have already resigned myself to not going up to Newcastle (home town) any time in the foreseeable future.

Ffs. Idiots

That's what happened in Italy. Difference is they've done test there. Stupid and inconsiderate.

Here we go.

Idiots.

Tell them Cornwall doesn't want them! Our hospital can't cope at the best of times & we have a huge 'over 70' population that may need hospital treatment.

Very selfish in my opinion.

I have a question regarding this. DH and I are supposed to be going to Dorset this weekend. Obviously today's announcement has put a stop to that, but where do I stand about getting money back (I haven't been able to speak to the company yet)?

I can't afford to lose £400 as we won't be able to rebook if we do but I can't see how I'm going to get a refund as the government has only advised against non essential travel, not banned it.

(I know this is a first world problem and there are people far worse off than me before anyone feels the need to say anything!)

At the beginning of Stephen King's 'The Stand' the security guy escapes the army base where the fatal virus has been released and ends up spreading it everywhere!

Again, not quite the same but....

Idiots but personally better for me fewer in London

These are the people who will speed up the spread.

Tell them country folk are unlikely to welcome them. Think The Wicker Man.

Very selfish, but I know families planning the exact same thing. They’re off to Cornwall and Wales, spreading the love.

I can understand your disappointment Pinksparkly. Maybe it would help to look at it slightly differently. You’re not losing the money. The money is already spent either way. What you’re losing is the experience of going away for the weekend. It’s disappointing I know, but, as you acknowledge yourself, there are worse things happening.

I hope you get your money back of course.

TbH there are a lot of cases in the SW already with very few hospitals. Plus they aren't testing anywhere

I am losing the money though as I won't be able to afford to rebook so that's it gone. Yes it was spent, but it's now just been basically given to a holiday company!

We've booked with them many times before so we're hoping for some goodwill but who knows. If they won't do anything it'll be the last time I book with them.

Selfish idiots, unless they are going to self isolate once they get there. I don't think they are alone though, I was looking out for my very late Ocado delivery and saw some neighbours packing up their car with suitcases, boxes and the kids. I imagine lots of uni students in London will be heading home now that they are closing.

My father is in a high risk group in a tourist area. He's self isolating but more people from more infected areas will increase his and others risk. Selfish. People should now stay where they are - this was made clear in the press briefing