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Covid

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

90 replies

ItsMyIssue · 20/03/2020 09:18

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.

OP posts:
JuanSheetIsPlenty · 20/03/2020 11:37

So, because the government trusts us to have common sense and follow their advice it's their fault?

No- what’s their fault is the dithering, initial lack of clarity, stalling and insufficient implementation of appropriate measures. Quite simply they’re guilty of doing too little, too late.

Would you prefer they told you what to do?

In a global health pandemic? Yes- that’s exactly what all governments should be doing. It’s part of their role.

Do you want to live in a police state?

During a period of extreme risk to public health and the long term economy when they have shown no signs of desiring total population control to date? Yes, of course. It’s absolutely fine.

The government is doing it's best

They simply are not.

to deal with a situation that no-one has dealt with before and that is changing rapidly.

Other states have dealt with it in the last 4 months, have provided a wealth of information and guidance on what needs to be done and have implemented those measures themselves. It’s all there for the U.K. government to use. They aren’t.

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!

Totally agree- you won’t see anywhere where I haven’t taken personal responsibility. I have shut down my business a week ago leaving my single parent home entirely without an income, whilst other businesses have merrily carried on and some even profiting from the crisis. I have kept my children indoors for a week despite no health reasons stating they need to be, whilst they hear from their friends who are out in town having a great time. I have done one grocery shop and bought enough food to hopefully last is 3 weeks so I don’t have to go out again. And while I was out I passed elderly people having a chinwag in coffee shops, hairdressers, people in clothes shops, nails salons, McDonald’s. Standing a hair’s width apart from each other. I’ve told my parents and grandmother I won’t be seeing them for the foreseeable. There really is nothing more I can personally do to prevent the spread of this virus.

Nonnymum · 20/03/2020 11:39

I would guess golf is OK because you can play and not be close to anyone. Going to the oub less so

Nonnymum · 20/03/2020 11:41

And to previous question. Yes the Government should tell people what to do. This is a crisis. They have the facts and scientific advice based on that they should tell people what to do. While it is all just advice some people will not take it seriously.

LoveIsLovely · 20/03/2020 11:42

The UK is going to be the next Italy

Far too many people thinking the rules don't apply to them or it's just a lot of fuss over nothing

Quite unbelievable when you've already seen it play out in China, Korea and Italy

I honestly think British people are a bit thick, it's sad really

EvilPea · 20/03/2020 11:48

Builders, carpet fitters cutting the carpet on the pavement

Last time I checked work was considered essential, this also isn’t work you can do from home.

Jaxhog · 20/03/2020 12:09

Other states have dealt with it in the last 4 months, have provided a wealth of information and guidance on what needs to be done and have implemented those measures themselves. It’s all there for the U.K. government to use. They aren’t.

Like Italy, you mean? NOONE knows what to do for sure!!!

No- what’s their fault is the dithering, initial lack of clarity, stalling and insufficient implementation of appropriate measures. Quite simply they’re guilty of doing too little, too late.

Ditto. Or do you have some special insight into what to do?

I really hate these 'let's bash the government' remarks. Why wouldn't they be trying their best? I'm guessing that you're not a Tory voter, so they can 'obviously' not be doing a good job!

QuimJongUn · 20/03/2020 12:36

If you don't have a car you need to use public transport to get to food shops/pharmacies. I had to get the bus into town and back on Tuesday to pick up a prescription, and on Monday to buy food. I'm in a high risk group but it wasn't possible for me to completely self-isolate - now DH is wfh it might be easier because he can go to the shop. But anything he catches, he'll bring home to me.

We're only going out for short walks now just for exercise - that's all apart from food shopping. But honestly, I don't know what we'll do when we need a bigger shop and we're not supposed to use public transport. One bigger shop a week is surely more sensible than 4 separate supermarket visits? Oh I don't know. I've no idea what to do for the best.

JuanSheetIsPlenty · 20/03/2020 12:49

Like Italy, you mean? NOONE knows what to do for sure!!!

Are you under the impression italy is the only other country dealing with CV?

Ditto. Or do you have some special insight into what to do?

No idea what you’re trying to say here. I’m thinking you haven’t read any of my posts on the thread.

I'm guessing that you're not a Tory voter, so they can 'obviously' not be doing a good job!

We don’t have the tories in my part of the U.K.

I’m guessing you’re not very bright. Just a hunch.

JuanSheetIsPlenty · 20/03/2020 12:50

One bigger shop a week is surely more sensible than 4 separate supermarket visits?

Yes. If possible book online delivery slots. They are pretty booked up but keep checking.

TheMemoryLIngers · 20/03/2020 12:50

Close the fucking pubs and clubs, Boris!

hairyxmasturkey · 20/03/2020 13:34

Went for a walk with my children this morning. Avoiding others etc. Everyone in the park appears to not have even see the news, or if they have they were actually mocking people who were following the guidelines.

YgritteSnow · 20/03/2020 13:42

If West London is anything to go by no one is socially isolating in any way. I'm baffled, genuinely. Traffic the same, shoppers and pedestrians the same, parks full of dog walkers, everywhere still open. I honestly don't know what to think any more.

QuimJongUn · 20/03/2020 13:51

@JuanSheetIsPlenty there's nothing to be bad for weeks, and there's hardly anything available anyway. I tried to to one on Monday (first delivery slot was a fortnight hence) and was overjoyed that they had some of the items I needed - when I went back to add to it later, they'd gone.

I'll have to decide whether one/two bigger shops plus four bus journeys a week is less of a risk than 4 or 4 small ones, and walking.

ElizabethMountbatten · 20/03/2020 13:54

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the request of the OP.

EvilPea · 20/03/2020 14:03

I tend to agree Elizabeth. It gets away from civil unrest if we can’t be trusted to do the right thing.

EvilPea · 20/03/2020 14:04

Yes. If possible book online delivery slots. They are pretty booked up but keep checking

Sainsbury’s are urging people to shop in store if able and leave slots for those that can’t.

GirlCalledJames · 20/03/2020 14:11

People also need to do less to avoid putting additional pressure on the nhs. As few car journeys as possible to limit the number of accidents arriving in a&e.

TeaAddict235 · 20/03/2020 14:14

Because my DM thinks she is invincible and the virus won't get her.

DMIL is enjoying not having to leave the house or babysit SIL's sprog.

JuanSheetIsPlenty · 20/03/2020 14:18

there's nothing to be bad for weeks, and there's hardly anything available anyway. I tried to to one on Monday (first delivery slot was a fortnight hence) and was overjoyed that they had some of the items I needed - when I went back to add to it later, they'd gone.

I know, it’s really dire. All you can do is your best and limit your contact with others as much as possible.

Sainsbury’s are urging people to shop in store if able and leave slots for those that can’t.

Which is entirely arse about face. Sainsbury’s should be recruiting drivers hell for leather right now to create loads of more delivery spaces. Not encouraging people to leave their homes, travel on public transport and be in contact with countless others. People are crying out for work so they’d fill the roles no problem.

BriefDisaster · 20/03/2020 14:20

My dad (71) is going out to fit someones (family friends) new boiler this week. He had already committed and won't let them down but ffs! I'm annoyed with both him and the people who wouldn't think to say 'hey it can wait a few weeks you stay at home!'

BubblesBuddy · 20/03/2020 14:22

Car accidents are not that huge in number. It’s more elderly ill people.

Social distancing could include golf. It’s a walk in the country with golf clubs and no close contact has to be made. Club houses are closed. A walk outside has been declared ok as long as people stay separated by 2m and are not displaying symptoms. I think this is clear.

Socialising where you cannot distance yourself should be banned. However unless it is policed, then it won’t happen. Around us it appears to be older folk in the pubs.

Having just seen stats in the Times on London cases, three boroughs are more affected than others. They are close together but it seems odd that it’s these three. DD lives in one so I’m a bit concerned now.

GirlCalledJames · 20/03/2020 14:23

Elderly ill people can’t help getting ill. People can avoid unnecessary car trips, risky sports etc.

BubblesBuddy · 20/03/2020 14:24

No good recruiting drivers if you don’t have the vans to drive!!! Honestly it’s not that simple. Only the elderly or vulnerable should have delivery slots at the moment.

BubblesBuddy · 20/03/2020 14:25

I agree they can avoid risky sports. Some people can actually avoid getting ill - eg dime diabetes, smoking related diseases and over weight problems - but they don’t!

JuanSheetIsPlenty · 20/03/2020 14:26

Van hire. There are van hire companies all over the country.

They can also purchase new vans. Loads of companies selling those too.

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