Social distancing... am I misunderstood?

[youcantellthem]

My understanding of social distancing is no unnecessary contact with others. So besides my DP who I live with I haven't seen anybody since Monday. I walk our dogs for an hour a day in an empty field and communicate with my family and friends via text.

However I have had two friends separately messaging to ask if I'd like to meet for lunch or coffee at the weekend. Am I wrong in thinking that this goes against the guidance we have been given?

You’re correct!

Yep you’re right!

Thankyou, I feel like I'm going mad, as if nobody else is quite hearing the messages that are out there!

Your understanding is correct - meeting for lunch or a coffee is "non-essential".

Your friends might have issues on Saturday finding somewhere open. A lot of cafes, bars etc are closing down.
If in London, transport is reduced to minimum services. Probably the same in the rest of the country.

It’s not just contact.
It’s also the coughing.
Viruses can survive on surfaces.

We’ve cancelled a meet up tomorrow. Instead we are staying at home and FaceTiming our meet.

It's bizarre, both people who have asked me have elderly frail parent(s) and I can't understand why they would want to take a risk like this. I hate the idea of lockdown but sadly I think until it comes this will continue....

Yes you’re correct

If we just did this in the first place this would be over a lot quicker!

We are outside of London in a rural area where the local pubs and cafes have had a large push on "supporting local businesses" and driving people into their establishments. It's not a dig at them at all because they are in a hopeless situation and I really sympathise with business owners but I think it's leading people into a false sense of security.

There are perhaps some people who will take the measured risk and go to the pubs and cafes etc, but sadly, it won't be me!

We have a plan to do Skype (other video conferencing apps are available) dinner parties and occasional very widely spaced dog walks on an empty beach. No physical contact, no standing closer than 2-3 metres.

No, people are just not listening we need to go into full lockdown like other countries because people don't seem capable of making sensible decisions for themselves

I think this crisis is Ultimately finding out which of our friends and family are selfish, currently for me my brother and mum but mum has i think realised

The info out there is confusing, I lost it before I commented but I've just seen a Facebook post with a graphic of things you can do, can't do and things to do with caution - in the 'caution' bit was going to a restaurant and meeting up with small groups of friends or family - and saying that this was current WHO guidance.. many people not wanting to cancel their mothers day meal with family on Sunday will take that as an OK to go ahead! Grr

My friend of 30 years is in a huff because I’m not going to a dessert shop with her on Monday

You are right. I think people aren't necessarily selfish, but haven't understood the seriousness of the situation, and the advice from the government has not been explained at all clearly. I'm trying to explain to people non-judgementally that we will be where Italy is in a few weeks time if we don't all take measures.

I do have sympathy with people who live alone and would therefore have no social contract at all; maybe a walk in the park with no physical contact is a good compromise.

I'm going on a dog walk with a friend next week. We will be staying 6 feet apart and shouting at each other. Could you do something similar?

That's what we're doing - both now working from home, staying mostly in, asides from a walk to the local shops for essential items.

From tomorrow DS will be at home too, and we'll be playing in the garden or driving to a remote spot on the beach to play football and run around.

My friend, who despite being told he can WFH, is choosing to go in as it's 'quieter'. He works for the NHS (desk based, admin role)....

You're correct, we're having friends "over for dinner" on Skype tomorrow night as an alternative :)

I've just spend the morning trying to convince a friend who lives in a rural area that coming into London for cinema and dinner (as planned a month ago) isn't going to happen. Everything is open in their village and people in the two cafes there as normal, local supermarket fully stocked. The restaurant we were going to has been shut for two days as have the cinemas, tube stations now shutting, but they just weren't having it. I had to send them a picture of a brawl going on in the queue to get into Poundland in my high street to convince them.

I faced something similar. I don’t care I’m coming. I’m over reacting. The usual crap. The last hour has been draining. I’m cancelling everything now for the next two weeks, unless it’s vital.

Told someone
Ok. Come. Have you checked the hotel hasn’t cancelled your reservation? Worked out how you are getting from station to hotel? Double checked time’s and stuff.

If I hear anymore I will let you know 🤣