Why do people not think that social distancing doesn’t apply to them?

[ItsMyIssue]

Is it because it’s not enforced? a neighbour, couple in the their 70s has a team of decorators in, they started on Wednesday. Another neighbouring couple also retired have just gone out with their golf clubs. There were people in the pub yesterday afternoon when my DH (NHS staff) walked home. For context we live in London.

I don't understand certain people either... If you don't need to go out just stay home.. Why would you take the unnecessary risk?? Madness.

I don't have a choice in some ways as there is no supermarket food delivery service in the area, and not even restaurants deliver, aside from one Indian which is expensive so at some point I have to struggle to the supermarket.

Exactly what Fairnuff said!

but what do you expect to be done about it?

People to use their brains?

So what do you propose should be done to solve this situation?

Other than bringing in the army there is nothing that can be done. Stupid people will go around spreading the virus. Lots of people will die. Because of stupid people.

If everyone followed Government guidelines we'd have a much slower growth of infection spread which would mean that more people could get the medical interventions they need to keep them alive.

It's really very, very simple. But stupid people are too stupid to understand.

I've just driven past a retail park which has aldi, b&m, Burger King etc. Rammed. Not one parking space
People are queueing for Asda literally inches apart

For many of my friends it seems to be a case of "I wont die from it" so they arent worried. Bizarre because I would still like to avoid a horrible virus and possibly passing it on to other people who could die from it, even if I myself am unlikely to die. In a way, publishing a list of those who are high risk has made those who are low risk more complacent.

My job (teacher) means I can't social distance at work but what I AM doing is not seeing friends or family. We are going out as little as possible and keeping away from others. We are happy to do that.

What is fucking me right off is friends (who do not work in schools) telling me I'm overreacting and I won't get it. They just cannot understand that I'm past the point of worrying about getting it myself, I am fully aware that I will be a likely carrier at least! I'm trying to bloody protect them!

Went to the supermarket this morning (day off) and the amount of people getting close to me. One chap coughed everywhere and then cheerfully told his friend he has just come out of self isolation...probably too early from the sounds of him!

I don't have a choice in some ways as there is no supermarket food delivery service in the area, and not even restaurants deliver, aside from one Indian which is expensive so at some point I have to struggle to the supermarket.

Buying food is essential. People are pissed off at those people who are continuing with non essential social contact.

@JuanSheetIsPlenty @Fairenuff

Lots of people never use their brains though. So we either let the problem get worse, or we get the army in to join with police work. Just don't expect it to go without comment. Several of my politically-minded friends have already made comments about the government taking over our personal rights.

Expecting people to use their brains is not an effective method of dealing with things, because people just won't. It's very frustrating when intelligent, educated people don't seem to realise that not everyone is like them. That's why we need laws.

There should have been a full lockdown a week ago.

They are not intelligent, educated people if they can't understand that not everyone is like them are they.

It's all normal out on my road. Builders, carpet fitters cutting the carpet on the pavement. I took my dog out briefly earlier on. Ten minutes round the block with a face mask on. Walked past the park - full of people walking dogs. Nothing any different from a normal day. I am in West London.

There needs to be a full lock down now. People won't listen. People are selfish arseholes.

Everything JuanSheet said. The government has shown no leadership or resolve.

Also, I think the 'Keep calm and carry on' spirit can lead people to think that they must carry on as normally as possible in this crisis. The exact opposite is true - everyone needs to stop their normal activity and isolate.

We need to show everyone what is happening in the Italian hospitals, this will be us in 2 weeks and the Army needs to be brought in and the whole country should be put on lockdown. It is already too late. I despair, I really do.

FWIW, I am observing the other rules. I don’t use public transport. I haven’t been in a coffee shop/cafe/cinema/restaurant/bar/non food shop since corona started. I wash my hands religiously. I practice social distancing.

I have cancelled the oven man. I did think that if we were both asymptomatic, practiced social distancing and rigorous cleaning that it would be ok and helping with a local small business. However, some of the posts on here have helped to see that perhaps it isn’t the best idea. Some of you, on the other hand are just plain rude.

Good for you jackie!! Encourage anyone you know who has similar plans to cancel too. Spread the sense.

Someone in a mums group I'm in posted asking if anyone was up for meeting in the park for a walk with our babies today. I genuinely don't know how to respond to that without offending.

Yep- when I went to C’ward yesterday with DC there were loads of mummies unloading DC from their separate cars and going on walks together in groups.

Thick fucks.

It's ok to meet in the park for a walk provided that you don't use public transport, don't touch anything and stay 6 feet away from each other. Wash your hands before you leave and when you get back.

Because they are selfish knobbers

Umm, no. Don't meet in a park. No public gatherings. If it's not essential, don't do it.

I think a lot of people are just selfish enough to think that the disease won’t harm them so they shouldn’t be inconvenienced. We’re not engaging in any unnecessary social interactions (pretty much everything in terms of work, school etc either has gone online already or will do imminently so we’re basically not seeing anyone in person anymore) and we’re not going out unnecessarily as of today (we’ve stocked up on food yesterday, not panic buying - we already had a lot- but enough to ensure that we won’t need to go to the shops for at least a week (we normally go everyday so a bit of a change). I’m not sure there’s much of a point though when no one else is bothering.

Because the U.K. government has fucked the whole operation up entirely by dithering over what measures they implemented leaving people under the impression it’s not that important.

So, because the government trusts us to have common sense and follow their advice it's their fault? Would you prefer they told you what to do? Do you want to live in a police state? The government is doing it's best to deal with a situation that no-one has dealt with before and that is changing rapidly.

It's up to us to step up and do what they recommend on a daily basis to safeguard the vulnerable in society. Not to selfishly carry on as normal because the government hasn't 'made' us do differently. Take some personal responsibility!