Are people you know IRL actually taking this seriously?

[HouseElfy]

Because the people I know generally really aren't. There seems to be a massive disconnect between mumsnet, social media in general, the actual news and what people IRL are doing. Yes, a lot of them are working from home now but other than that they are going shopping, to cafes, seeing friends etc. Just had a phone convo with a work colleague and she said even though the schools are closed now, "of course" they will still have playdates and so on because "kids would go mad" otherwise. My 76 year old granddad and his wife are still queuing for their pensions at the post office and going to their bloody bridge club. My FIL is still playing golf. My father says he is self isolating but then is still inviting visitors round for dinner. My own mother seems incapable of staying indoors longer than a couple of hours at a time and is currently out mooching about the shops.

Is it just me and people I know?!?!

Havanananana because you’re talking like Boris’s approach to it is our fault.
Many of us are self isolating because we know exactly what the situation is like in other countries, and what we need to do to contain it. Yes there are reports of people who are not taking it seriously, just as there are in our media about people in other counties flouting the rules (the man in Spain walking a toy dog, for example).
Many of us are expecting full lock down and are prepared for it. All the pubs and restaurants in my area have shut, and have issued statements saying they felt it morally wrong to continue to open when the government advice is to not go into pubs and restaurants.
We have access to the news. We have access to the figures. So many of us are taking responsibility and doing what needs to be done. But it seems that a lot of people on here from other countries are accusing ‘the UK’ of not taking it seriously enough. Tell that to my friends who have just closed their businesses down knowing they will probably never open again.

Dad has heart failure. His cardiologist has already said exercise is vital in his being able to live a long healthy life, but that he needs to follow strict hygiene protocols. He keeps 2m away from others at all times. Sanitizes as soon as he comes home then hand washes and has a shower. He was still doing shopping until recently but has stopped that now - instead my sibling who lives with them does it and disinfects packages before he handles them.

actually,.the fact that mumsnet takes such a hard line on this makes me feel better. This site always goes completely off the deep end about things (Brexit eg) and they never come to pass.

As Mumsnet are running around saying the sky will fall in, this whole thing will almost be done and dusted by the summer.

@NanSlayer Wow that's sweeping generalisation of a entire nation ! On that basis I assume everyone of your nation is incredibly rude.

Lockdown will come. They're just trying to soften us up first.

But in Italy & Spain people can still go out to buy essentials - they're not as lunatic as us, not panic buying, just using local shops & buying what they need. I'm not sure it'll be like that here

The only way to stop people socialising in cafes/bars and restaurants is to lock them down. Say no more opening. I get that he to some extent doesn't want a full 'lockdown' in terms of having to stay at home but people are ignorant and selfish. He needs to close everything down now before it is too late

I am having to shop for bits most days (our set up means trying to have anything longer term organised is tricky) but I'm in and out, I do the hand set so I don't interact with anyone in a queue for a conveyor belt, don't talk to anyone, don't get close to anyone if I can help it. The only thing I touch is what I buy, my own plastic bags and the trolley, and I have hand sanitiser in the car (I bought it months ago, long before this all started) which I use as soon as I have taken the trolley back.

The rest of the day I am at home, alone, until the rest of the household comes home from work (none are able to work from home, unfortunately, and they are in essential roles). That's about the best I can do.

There is the perfect 'ideal', and then there's the best a person can do. I'm not socialising, I'm not going out, I'm not meeting friends. I guess it's one step away from total self-isolation - but thankfully, we haven't had many cases at all locally (less than double figures) and no one I know directly, so just trying to be sensible and do as little possible, with the greatest productivity as possible.

I'm sure some will have a go at me for even that (I've been shocked at the way people have been torn apart on here - although admittedly some have deserved it through abject stupid ignorance) but that's the best I can do right now.

@HoffiCoffi13

But it seems that a lot of people on here from other countries are accusing ‘the UK’ of not taking it seriously enough.

Nobody is accusing anyone of anything. I am comparing the responses that I am reading in the British press, the messages I am getting from people in the UK and numerous posts on this thread and others with the situation where I am.

The OP was 'Are people you know IRL actually taking this seriously?' Based on numerous responses on this thread, the answer as far as the UK is concerned appears to be No, 'not everybody.'

For balance, although everybody here has complied voluntarily without the need for a compulsory lockdown, this voluntary approach clearly didn't work in France, where a compulsory lockdown was necessary, or in Spain where the compulsory lockdown appears to have come too late.

Sorry, meant to say (whole point of thread - duh!) that I'm taking it as seriously as I can, and the people I know are too, within the limits of their essential occupations.

Agree it's half and half. I know a lot of my friends like me taking this seriously, strictly social distancing, staying home etc, but equally I know a neighbour whose husband went to work this week with a fever, and she invited me and my kids over for a playdate (I declined funnily enough!). I also saw people sitting in a coffee shop in friends when I took my DS to the nearest Common for a walk (funnily enough we only saw one other person out walking their dog and they were quite a way off in the distance!, but normally it's so busy over there!).

I rang DM earlier as I usually pop in on Mothers Day. She is only popping out for milk when needed, but keeping distance and only to local shop. They have had home deliveries for food. I am not going round this year. She is taking it seriously, She is 74. Her DH 82.
I work in retail, although I have a DH with comprised immunity we are not covered by current guidelines. I am one of a number of staff members in the same position. Meanwhile round here it is business as usual. Large retailers, DIY and Supermarkets car parks rammed. Family outings to go shopping.

Some of my friends and family have been less than smart about it (e.g: Cheltenham races🙄) and shared the attitude “it’s just the flu” “it will blow over by summer” etc.

Thankfully I can say they majority of them are taking it seriously and socially distancing/self isolating, only going out for essentials etc.

It baffles me that people can’t bare to stay indoors, if you needs fresh air go into your garden/balcony, stand by an open window.

Read a book, colour in, play video games, watch tv, learn to knit/crochet, take up a hobby, draw, paint, there’s so much people can do indoors.

If people don’t have access or can’t afford to buy any of the above they could put a plea out to friends/family or on social media for anyone to donate anything they aren’t using like puzzles, old books etc.

People aren’t realising it’s not about them and what they want but it’s about protecting each other, especially the vulnerable from becoming severely ill.

Maybe Havanananana a quick glance at this thread will show you that in the main, people who aren’t taking it seriously are being shot down by the majority on here.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/3851237-To-think-mumsnet-is-making-more-fuss-of-corona-than-anywhere-else-on-the-Internet-or-in-general-society

Everything seems pretty normal here apart from supermarkets running out of things & being busier than usual. Only myself and one other lady had gloves and scarf in the supermarket (I know it’s supposedly useless anyway but still). The high street looked busy as I drove through with lots of people & elderly walking about. Also saw pregnant women and people pushing small babies in prams. My kids home from school now and I’m only going to go out to the local shop when I have to get essentials. Went for a 5am run this morning wearing mask & gloves as I fear for my MH if I don’t do exercise - but if we go the way of other countries that may not be allowed any more.

Family member aged 70 informed me he is still going swimming so long as it’s open - I’ve told him my feelings but he doesn’t care. He thinks it’s all a huge overreaction. My dm and her partner have told me they’re isolating now but she’s still going to the shops every day it seems despite knowing we can drop things off for them (both have health conditions but she thinks they’ll be fine if they wear gloves and scarves)! Isolating yourself is against human nature for most and the elderly especially - the very ones we are trying to protect - are pushing against it. I think the mentality is very much “well if I get it - I get it, I’m not stopping living life”.

People just don’t understand at the moment what’s coming. I think it’s about 50/50 of those taking is seriously and those who think they’re invincible (and who can blame them when the government don’t seem to be too worried either).

I went to local shops today to get a prescription, the roads seemed quieter but the small Boots, Tesco, Greggs as busy as ever. Plenty of people in the hairdressers, barbers and nail salon too. People chatting in the street, standing close together. Just like normal times.

Most people I know are taking it seriously and being sensible, adjusting their behaviour and putting plans in place. I know a few who are being cavalier, but they're the minority.

A real mix.

My boss is immunosuppressed and has self isolated as his kid has a cough. But he's planning to come back into work and thinks it's all overblown.

He's happy for us, small team, to all work remotely, but just because he's happy for remote working generally.

My in laws are in their 70s and are taking it very seriously.

Shops are busy, pubs still busy - people still at the gym...

I'm in the northeastern US and everyone is taking it really seriously. Nearly everyone working from home. All colleges, universities and schools are closed. Restaurants and bars museums and libraries all closed. No one is going out much, no gatherings, no visiting people. I've checked in on the neighbours by phone but haven't seen anyone. I went to the supermarket earlier (and won't go back for several weeks) and people were staying well apart, and the check out people were sanitising everything in between customers.

475 people have died in 1 day in Italy. This is after 2 weeks of lockdown.
I’m definitely taking it seriously.
My dm is now that I’ve told her that it’s an unpleasant death.
My df was going to Morrison’s today.

I just replied to someone informing my cousin that "her friend who works in the government told her that everyone needs to try to get on with normal life until you get symptoms"

Fucking astounded.

This is why we're fighting a losing battle.

Do people not watch the news?

the starbucks near me today turned all the tables over because it's been packed every single day. Even when I walked past and said hi to the lady running it, she said she's had people coming in every 30 mins to complain they have moved to take away only and wanting to sit inside

the pub is now only opening at 4pm but at 4pm there is a queue outside to get in

it is bloody ridiculous. And a lot of people in the pub are men over the age of 60!

@EmpressSuiko I have been self isolating for a week and I am getting pretty depressed. Its not that easy.

Do people not watch the news?

astonishingly many people don't.

Around here it's about half and half.

Lots of groups and classes have been cancelled but all the cafes, pubs and restaurants are open as usual and people are being encouraged to do their bit for local businesses.

The people who are isolating seem to be taking it serious but nobody else really seems to care.

If the advice about isolation and social distancing is coming this weekend, I would rather start now. It's not like a game of tag where coronavirus is giving us a few days head start. It's already chasing us. There is no Saturday morning game where the virus is saying "ready, steady, GO!"