To think that the years of I'm alright jack are now coming home to roost

[eachtotheirownnow]

The tories have eroded public services and promoted self reliance heavily and this has made society into one where people look after themselves and it's every person out for themselves.

We are seeing the impact of this first hand more now as we all think more about me first and sod the rest

I'm seeing the opposite, WhatsApp and Facebook are full of offers of people to go and fetch us supplies,

I haven't seen any of this locally at all.

Nostalgia is a powerful thing though @lmcneil003. According to some, the entire war was spent holding hands fondly singing along to Dame Vera whilst dispensing largesse to the less fortunate, but to the actual less fortunate it was shit.

FFS people are just entitled and selfish now that goes from the richest to the poorest nothing to do with political leanings .

Years? Centuries more like. Or, when you said Tories, did you already mean Whigs?

Hopefully this is downfall of individualism

Are you saying that it's other people who are I'm alright Jack but you're a paragon of virtue?

Or are you going to wear sackcloth and ashes because you've suddenly the light, and you're as selfish as all "the others"?

I agree with @StylishMummy there is a big sense of community here. But to be honest here in Scotland we have always pulled together when things have got tough, certainly that is what I have seen. Don’t get me wrong we still have toilet roll CF issues.

I'm just hearing complete silence from the 'classic liberals', the small state advocates, the smug 'no regulation here, thanks' supporters. All too worried about the lack of critical care beds in the health service they've helped to bring to its knees perhaps...

I haven't seen any of this locally at all.

Is that because you're far too busy out there yourself being Mother Teresa?

Look, people are doing the best they can for their family, and dealing with their own personal challenges like losing their job or their 3 jobs that they had to do to keep a roof over their head.

Is now really the time for kicking everyone when they're down?

Of course communities are stepping up! Because most people are decent. It's a shame they're not being guided by a strong and reassuring leadership.

Also, I don't believe many would share their LAST pint of milk, loaf of bread, etc with a neighbour.

Well no, of course if my kids were sat hungry I wouldn't wander off with the last more of food and donate it to the neighbour. That doesn't make me not community spirited does it for goodness sake.
We're still helping people where we can and making an effort to order from local businesses for pick up/delivery.

@Verily1 really???. Yes we need to grow community spirit but individualism is very important unless you think we should be introducing Totalitarianism

Plenty of community spirit where I live. Go on OP tell us about all the good deeds you are doing in these trying times. Lead by example.

@eachtotheirownnow

I'm seeing the opposite, WhatsApp and Facebook are full of offers of people to go and fetch us supplies,

I haven't seen any of this locally at all.

There’s tonnes of support here - even in our little street! Local businesses using vans to deliver to the vulnerable, taxi drivers, local residents in general.

I do think that British people are acting uniquely selfish in this situation and that makes me sad.

It confuses me that we have a sense of pulling together in small communities and on Facebook but when it comes to holding the government accountable for the wellbeing of the vulnerable (and the NHS), suddenly that all goes away.

And yeah I'm sure the "Oh sure blame the Tories" crowd will turn up, but yeah I do blame the Tories. They've been in power for a decade and made a right pigs ear of it. I dont know why people seem to think they should be immune from criticism.

I do think that British people are acting uniquely selfish in this situation

They aren't unique.

sportinguista , I agree with you . Independent shops in my area offering orders and free deliveries , an area site with so many people volunteering help to those who may need it . People need to stop arguing and complaining , that achieves nothing ~ however hard it is at this time , we need to dig out our positive side and work together.

Nope. We are trading food and medicine at work.

Offering to take food home to people who are missing items.

Obvs there will always be selfish people ...the type to stock pile toilet roll.

I'm seeing the opposite too. I'm locked up at home with a cough at the moment. My local area have started a Facebook group to help people and when I said I could send letters to the local care home via email as I can't go out I had loads of offers to bring me things round including a coffee. I declined but was shocked at how much everyone has pulled together.

I don't think the tories are to blame. I think many people have begun to take things like plenty food, nice holidays, freedom of movement, NHS that copes reasonably well for granted but as soon as something happens like this where NHS us having to really prioritise, movements are restricted, your told you can't do this or that, for very good reasons, many just can't adjust, they panic, feel bewildered by it all and get quite a shock that what was once seen as the norm, what now is taken granted are in fact luxuries and not actually essential to life at all. They have never really experienced enough hardships to appreciate how easy they have it and now everything is restricted and life is stripped back to a more modest way theyre shocked and Co e across as entitled and spoilt.
I probably haven't explained my self well but I read a great article explaining he panic buying etc and it explained what I have said just much better, if I can find the link I will post it was in bbc news website.

All very well laying into politics and every person for themself, quite justified indeed. What gets me though is the fact that people keep voting for that. Again and again.

Very boring indeed that anyone uses this crisis to blame the Tories. All countries are in the same situation. The fact is no government, anywhere, plans for such an extreme event. I'm just thankful they are the ones in charge now when we are so challenged.

No I wouldn't give away my last of anything as I have a 2 and 3 year old to feed. But I absolutely have arranged nappy collections for poeple who are struggling, local bakers are doing free deliveries, local butchers doing the same, even if it's a pint of milk/tray of eggs. There's people offering a 'listening ear' to anyone who's lonely/vulnerable so they're not cut off, we're sharing EYFS resources for ideas to keep the kids entertained. Some of us are looking at this and thinking we can all help one another, some are desperate to tear down & add to the negativity

It's not the individualists you need to worry about. We're happily tucked up at home, bothering no one.

More self sufficiency is required, not less. The people bleating about a lack of community spirit are often actually bleating about a lack of attention/resources for themselves and their families.

A fantastic community group has been set up here. People have been getting shopping for those self isolating or housebound, and baby milk and Calpol for those who need it. Local restaurants and cafes have set up meals on wheels services, a grocer has announced they will be delivering boxes of fruit and veg to those who can’t get out.

It’s actually very nice to see. Hope it lasts beyond the pandemic.