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People ignoring restrictions will hasten lockdown...london example

116 replies

Inkpaperstars · 18/03/2020 14:51

Have just driven back from a hospital appt through South london, streets busy, Costa coffees full of big groups, cafes full etc.

I am worried that people not obeying the rules will force the govt to enforce total lockdown sooner than otherwise.

Definitely think that if we shouldn't be in cafes etc they must be forced to close. They know it is coming so of course they are going to try and get money and custom up to the last minute if they can. I don't blame them, I am so sad for some of my local businesses. But if it has to be done we'd better do it properly.

I have a horrible suspicion that a lot more people are ill in London that we thought, and many probably aymptomatic or presymptomatic, sitting in Costa...

OP posts:
fascinated · 18/03/2020 14:53

Of course you are completely right

This is crazy

Seventyone72seventy3 · 18/03/2020 14:56

Absolutely. This is what happened in Italy.

LizziesTwin · 18/03/2020 14:57

West London is pretty empty, low traffic volume & not many people on the streets. I think people understand that voluntary lockdown is better than compulsory.

Duchessofblandings · 18/03/2020 14:58

You’re right.

NanSlayer · 18/03/2020 14:58

The government won't forcibly close the shops, cafes and stuff because that would leave the government legally liable for renumeration, they are going to watch them bleed out and offer long term loans.

lubeybooby · 18/03/2020 14:59

absolutely right. The government needs to get tougher on this otherwise we are about 3 weeks away from ICU overwhelm and it's probably very close to already too late.

MrsHoolie · 18/03/2020 15:01

It feels very busy here in SE26. I think because not many are commuting into town?
The shops and high streets are really busy.

Baaaahhhhh · 18/03/2020 15:04

Interesting. All offices seem to be closed, or running virtually empty, our DD home as are all friends, all to work from home. DH office closed. Actually don't know of anyone still out and about and working in London.

Baaaahhhhh · 18/03/2020 15:04

All these DC were living there too......they've all come out.

CeibaTree · 18/03/2020 15:12

I had to pop into work in Central London to get a couple of things to wfh - the streets and cafes are deserted, as was my usually busy commuter train this morning. So a lot of people are taking this seriously 🤷🏻‍♀️

CadburysTastesVileNow · 18/03/2020 15:13

There will be a London lockdown very soon i think

Inkpaperstars · 18/03/2020 15:15

I think central London is much quieter, yes I suppose people are more staying in zones 2 and beyond but it all just looked too much like business as usual, other than a few people in masks. I was really surprised.

I also heard someone ring into LBC this morning saying he is a TFL bus driver who has had clear symptoms but has been going to work as can't afford not to.

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HonestlyItsFine · 18/03/2020 15:16

I think it will be sudden, too. They won't want people leaving the city and going all around the country.
Getting people to work at home clears a lot of commuters out.

Fanthorpe · 18/03/2020 15:17

I’m in a European city on near lockdown. Everyone here sees it as their duty to close their business when told to, it’s for the good of public health and national security.

I’m really disappointed in the apparent general reaction in the U.K., it’s seems like it’s a personal inconvenience rather than the serious threat that it is.

InYerFace · 18/03/2020 15:28

People are most certainly not taking this seriously where I live. Cafes as packed as ever, although admittedly mostly in outdoor seating areas.

Even the school aren't taking it seriously. They have asked parents who are self isolating to 'pop into the office' by Friday to pick up a home learning envelope. Um, ever heard of email?

PatchworkElmer · 18/03/2020 15:33

Astonished by how few people are taking is seriously here, too. Local fitness chains saying that their classes will still operate as they are key to the wellbeing of the nation 🙄 I get that it’s their business and they want to keep it going, but:

  • I can’t believe that people are actually attending.
  • Classes still running gives a false sense of security about how bad this situation is.
  • If we don’t all follow the current guidance, we are heading for full lockdown before long anyway.
jay55 · 18/03/2020 15:49

Where I live some people are moaning about the gym being closed, just bizarre to me as it seems a no brainier.

Fanthorpe · 18/03/2020 15:50

And just to be clear I’m not panicking, just following advice here. I can’t believe it’s so different there. Haven’t stockpiled food either, a couple of days on low rations will be fine.

Inkpaperstars · 18/03/2020 15:53

Good luck @Fanthorpe

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midwestspring · 18/03/2020 15:54

This is what happened in Chicago, the local government waited a weekend, saw the social distancing was being ignored and shut pretty much everything down.

Savingshoes · 18/03/2020 16:01

It's not a case of if you get the virus, it's a case of when.
The most vulnerable/at risk people need to avoid contact with the healthy population so that the services are in place for when they get the virus.
Healthy people not getting the virus now will mean developing the virus when the vulnerable people need the healthy people's physical help and heard immunity.
And if healthy people get really sick on the next wave, they fill the beds up that are generally needed for our most vulnerable patients.

Baconrollandalattee · 18/03/2020 16:07

I work in a Gregg's shop I thought it might be quiet today but my colleagues say it's as busy as ever. It looks like no one is listening to Boris.

Myshinynewname · 18/03/2020 16:07

Savingshoes - if all the healthy people get ill now it will totally overwhelm the NHS, even if every single high risk person had self isolated. Even if it is a case of when not if, everybody should be trying their hardest to avoid being infected at the minute.

ivykaty44 · 18/03/2020 16:09

I’m working in a non important public facing role atm

We’re packed - it’s ridiculous

Hoping for lockdown now to keep me safe and bugger the mortgage

buttermilkwaffles · 18/03/2020 16:13

London lockdown imminent according to the FT. Possibly by Friday.