My town is NO different today

[Glaceon]

So nothing except the gym and maybe the weatherspoons has closed.

Heaving full market, shops busy.

Police say they wont be checking or enforcing anything at all.

So what was the point?

The problem in my local area is that it has (allegedly) not been struck by any fear yet. One person has been hospitalised : a reasonably young woman who spotted signs of pneumonia and was out a day later. This is quite a populous county. This makes locals think no one round here has it because they are thick

Add in to this the lack of supplies in shops and everyone is driving around manically to lots and lots of different shops and advising each other to go to busy markets for veg. It's a nice day so people are out walking and there are no cinemas etc. to occupy.

I am afraid the shit will have to hit the fan before the penny drops. excuse mixed metaphor!

I will say the charity shops are all closed as far as I can see from the carpark outside ours. That's a relief as most of the workers in them here have conditions that often coincide with a weaker immune system. (Not assuming, I talk to most of them and they have told me).

The carpark is still rammed now. I can see people driving round looking g for space.

I've told my local police force via their messenger that I WILL be reporting any pubs opening tonight and I DO expect it to be enforced

We drove through our small rural town in Scotland, and a couple of similar ones, on the way to find a deserted country lane for a walk. It looked the same as usual, folks chatting in the street, shops open, one or two pubs had their doors open, couldn't see any difference at all really. All the twats ignoring the rules should have their hands stamped (as in India re CV) to say they agree to opt out of NHS assistance should they contract the virus.

Don't be ridiculous Alexa. Old people are specifically identified as vulnerable so shouldn't be out doing a bit of fannying around non essential shops.
Sorry if that annoys you.

Noeuf. So all these young people thronging bars that we see in the papers don’t annoy you then? It’s just the ‘oldies’ fannying around that aren’t listening that are pissing you off? You said nothing about your concern that they are vulnerable in your original post. Like I said. Blame the elderly for everything.

@Piggywaspushed I'm in derbyshire and we have one of the largest confirmed number of cases outside london. I think it was 53 last night but I had mirtazapine after a few weeks off so I'm a bit wobbly.

The areas with the lower number of cases seem to be the ones taking it most seriously. I've already seen derbyshire described as a new hotbed. This is why.

Surely non essential shops will be shut soon?

Non-essential shops can't shut until the government tells them to because they're allowed to be open and most won't be able to claim on their insurance if they close voluntarily.

If people have been at work all week it is probably their only chance to get essentials.

The Abbey Road cam shows quite a few people milling about

Really busy in my town too, shops like card factory etc are busy so not just essential shops

It is Mothers Day tomorrow

The areas with the lower number of cases seem to be the ones taking it most seriously.

Not doubting what you say about the Derbyshire mentality but I can assure you that you are not right about the bit I have coped!

I am in Bedford. People here think they are made of some sort of anti viral forcefield.

Actually, reading this thread it strikes me that London is taking it the most seriously, which makes sense.

DS is out doing some bits and pieces for me and is astonished at the number of people chatting in the street and says the local shops are all busy . Some people are so arrogant and self entitled that they think the rules don’t apply to them which - I think- means that in a few days Boris will say that there has to be a total lockdown because people simply won’t do as they are told .

@LonginesPrime I'm serious. Our police force certainly dont need to be seen failing yet again to keep up with neighbouring nottinghamshire. It's disgusting how far behind derbyshire constantly trail compared.

And most businesses wont be able to claim on their insurance even under full lockdown because most of them dont have the correct cover. So it's not an excuse. Everyone is going to lose massively in this situation and they need to accept it's going to be worse the longer they stay in denial about "insurance" and choose to actively spread this disease instead.

Alexa it's everywhere that old people are vulnerable - kind of assumed people knew that ?

And actually if they don't self isolate as they've been told by the government and get it they will probably need invasive treatment. So staying in would be better for them and the NHS.

I've already said people don't listen and we are moving to lockdown.

For the first Saturday ever I've not gone to the shops , I've had a quick stock take of my cupboards and freezer and I have enough for a couple of days . I could do with a bottle of wine so I maybe pop to the corner shop near me in a bit but the thought of going to the supermarkets makes me depressed. All this panic buying no need at all .
I wish people would just get what they need for a couple of days , I understand they are worried that they maybe ill and not go out but if you are well it's not necessary.
I think the government needs to bring in rationing that way everyone gets their share .

Old people are specifically identified as vulnerable so shouldn't be out doing a bit of fannying around non essential shops

Nobody should be out fannying around. We’ve all been told to stay at home. Our local pub was stuffed with young people having a last hurrah last night, despite having been explicitly told not to.

Why do we seem to be a nation with so many stupid, ignorant, arrogant fuckers?

Non-essential shops can't shut until the government tells them to because they're allowed to be open and most won't be able to claim on their insurance if they close voluntarily.

Do you think that will soon happen? Being forced to close?

I wish people would just get what they need for a couple of days , I understand they are worried that they maybe ill and not go out but if you are well it's not necessary.

Tbh , this bit of panic shopping is the bit I get. I am now SI. From the minute you feel ill you cannot go out anywhere. If I had thought about this in advance I would have got in two weeks shopping for everyone not just ended up with three year old sausage rolls and McCoys crisps.

Amazed Wetherspoons have capitulated. Was expecting them to be touting pints in dingle-use plastic glasses.

Anywhere that sells alcohol has to comply really, he was clear that alcohol licenses would be used to make sure they do. Probably to make sure that Wetherspoons did...

I'm furious. We are isolating and people are carrying on the same? Why? Don't they watch the news? Do they think they won't get ill?
Sons girlfriend is a nurse helping to save lives and they are getting their eyelashes done! Madness.

I'm in Cheltenham and haven't been into town centre for about 2 weeks so no idea what it's like there. I went to Waitrose this morning for essentials only (and to pick up a prescription). It wasn't quiet as such but certainly quieter than your average Saturday.
The streets seem empty, only people really out are about are dog walkers and runners.

I’ve walked my dogs and the local park was heaving with families,I usually walk and hardly see anyone ,today ,people every where

DH has just gone to our nearest town (we live arse end of nowhere), has gone for vital animal feed, some fruit and veg (baby weaning) and to tank the spare car and get cash in case we need it. After that we will remain home until more urgent things needed. I’ll be interested to hear how busy it is though.

We are lucky that we have several lovely rural pubs doing takeout via the window so we will use that plus have farm shops nearby for absolute basics (and milk vending) so can avoid town for a long time.

I’ve just been for my daily (socially distanced) walk around the park.

Groups of people playing tennis and football. Big groups of parents and children in the playground. Groups of runners. Others meeting up with flasks and cake to sit around the picnic benches.

I had to walk around the park on the grassy areas because the path was packed.

If its going to be like this everyday now I will have to find somewhere else to walk.