People uneccessarily self-isolating are annoying me AIBU

[Alialialiali]

self isolation is different to social distancing

self isolation you enter when you or anyone in your family develop a cough or a high temp or you/family member are in a vulnerable group

social distancing is what we should be doing as a minimum all the time. ie. minimise going out.

All those people self-isolating at the drop of a hat you are causing the problem. For self isolation, you WILL need to stockpile food etc because you want to eliminate going out for 14 days.... But if we all self-isolate then we are all going to need to stockpile which is what everyone has just done last week. ie. why the government didn't mandate it in the first place... cause of crazy people.

We are in week 2 of this and we need to have the stamina to get through to month 18. You are not going to do this by self isolating for all that time.

So, people self-isolating and therefore stockpiling are annoying me... AIBU?

You annoy me

My friend is self-isolating and there was no stock piling involved. She already had some food in and I did a sensible shop for her and left it on her door step. I know this isn't an option for everyone but I should imagine it is for a fair number of people so no need to the capital letters, bold type etc, no need for the insinuation that self isolation and stockpiling inevitably go hand in hand. There are also gousto meal delivery boxes etc. Yabu.

Also I'd prefer someone to be self isolating instead of making no changes whatsoever as if the rules don't apply to them.

@Ironfloor269

If you’re SI as someone in your household has symptoms, you shouldn’t be leaving the house at all. Germs you spread whilst running can stay on pavements, walls etc for 72hrs, which will infect a lot of people.

We’re a family of 5 self isolating due to symptoms and haven’t stockpiled. We have however meal planned and bought a sensible amount of food to last us for 14 days (luckily did a shop before waking up to find one of the children had a cough). We shop fortnightly anyway so not sure how it’s any different?
The fewer people out the better. It’s as simple as that.

I don't think anybody self isolating is doing so unnecessarily. We know from the likes of Idris Elba that you can have the virus and be asymptomatic.

Everybody who is self isolating are helping as less people outside = less people to spread/catch the infection.

This is where people are getting confused about self-isolating. You ARE allowed to go out to get food, whilst maintaining distance from others, hand sanitiser, masks (if you can get these). Those in Countries on lockdown are following these rules. There’s no excuse for stockpiling.

@Alialialiali
Christ, where did i say you should not be self-isolating. I even provided a link to the govt website saying you should be self isolating.
I mean, jump down my throat by all means if you're having a bad day.

You said it in your opening line:-
All those people self-isolating at the drop of a hat you are causing the problem.

@Alialialiali you are 100% right.

In fact I think it's become a competitive sport. It's ridiculous.

The more people that self isolate the better in my opinion. If you don't have to go out then you shouldn't. Supermarkets are working hard to increase capacity for online orders/delivery and click and collect services to enable more people to get essentials we should see an increase in availability over the next week.

@selmababies
You said it in your opening line:-
All those people self-isolating at the drop of a hat you are causing the problem.

Fair point. Not my opening line and I did say this before:
self isolation you enter when you or anyone in your family develop a cough or a high temp or you/family member are in a vulnerable group

The words I should have used instead of "drop of hat" were "without reasons given above".

The point remains, if the entire country rather than the specific group defined by the gov go into lockdown, guess what they do just before? They descend on the supermarkets. And if you listen to Vallance, this is exactly why they avoided sending that message out. But everyone here seems to have thought they know better.

@Hippydoodledoo8
This is where people are getting confused about self-isolating. You ARE allowed to go out to get food, whilst maintaining distance from others, hand sanitiser, masks (if you can get these).
*

Actually, I think you are the one getting confused. Self isolating DOES mean not going out at all, or having any visitors to the house. Not going at all.

Social distancing is staying at home for all but the most essential outings such as shopping as infrequently as possible. When we have lockdown, no doubt there will be further restrictions to social distancing such as resticted dog walking for example

As someone who has been self isolating for nearly two weeks now, I believe there is a huge difference between the two.

Availability of food should eventually level out, as more and more people no longer "need" (whether the need is real or not) to stock up.

I don't think people should feel guilty for self-isolating. Better to be overly cautious than to put yourself and others at needless risk. Too bad if it annoys you.

My hope is that this experience will inspire more people to keep a reasonable supply of necessities at home at all times, for their own sake. You never know when an emergency will disrupt your life, and if enough people already have a little cushion, it will take some of the pressure off the supply in the shops.

DH and I are isolating (this is Day 10). We both have respiratory problems which would involve hospitalisation if we got CV so why wouldn’t we stay in and not be part of the problem??

Also FYI OP we went shopping on Thursday 12th and bought a weekly shop because the madness hadn’t started. Luckily we have a delivery slot on Monday 30th when we might get some of the vultures leftovers.

Please tell me what I am doing that bothers you so much???

Why would people staying in their own homes annoy anyone? Odd. No, they don't annoy me at all, whatever their reasons for staying indoors are.

People like my mother annoy me far more. She's a teacher (not UK), currently home and no online working, schools are shut. Wages are paid. She's 55, has some health probs at the best of times. She bitches and moans about 'idiots' roaming about, she bitches and moans about 'stupid' government over there (who are not brilliant overall, but doing surprisingly ok during this crisis). Yet yesterday she went through all the shops in her town for no particular reason (no food shortages there) and went to get her nails done. As you obviously need some fucking fancy shellac or whatever it's called (never had it) when sitting home.

Just own up to it then. Say, I'm one of those 'idiots', I don't give a shit about others' and my own health and I'll do as I please. Don't moan and spread faux concern.

I'm 32, perfect health, no issues, no smoking, fit, slim. I would (probably) be ok, if I catch it. I'm not fully isolating, but going to the (vast) park only and keeping my distance from people. Work from home, so no need to go anywhere else. I did stockpile some in february, not a crazy amount, but I have enough food and don't need to go to the shops now. The reasons for my isolation are: 1) I'm not panicking, but I'm not actively trying to catch it either, 2) I'm generally a dickish person and selfish, but not so selfish and dickish that I'd want other people to die, so I'll try to do my bit for this to be over, and for less people to die. What the government asked me (all of us) to do.

I'm in Wales, 7 people died here today. And I saw photos from Snowdonia, hordes of folk roaming about together. It's just wrong, it is. Look, it's not the end of the world to sit tight and keep your distance for a few months, or even a year. Yes, it's not fun, I like pubs, shopping, cinemas, etc as much as the other person. But no one died from not having their shellac nails done for a few months.

@Selmababies
Actually, I think you are the one getting confused. Self isolating DOES mean not going out at all, or having any visitors to the house. Not going at all.
That's your opinion, not govt advice. See below

As someone who has been self isolating for nearly two weeks now, I believe there is a huge difference between the two.
I agree but there's a reason why they've asked us to do one or the other. If you're only socially distancing yourself, you can go shopping whenever so no need to stock up. If you're self-isolating, I would want a big shop.

From the govt website:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

Ok it doesn't mention a mask but it does say you can go out if you must.

Stay at home
You and all household members should remain at home. Do not go to work, school, or public areas, and do not use public transport or taxis.

If possible, you should not go out even to buy food or other essentials, other than exercise, and in that case at a safe distance from others. The 14-day period starts from the day the first person in your house became ill.

If I wake up with a temp, I either get someone to get me food or I get a delivery or I wear a mask and go out myself to stock up for 14 ACTUAL days of no going out.

No

You don’t go out. Wtf

I’m self isolating for 12 weeks, severe asthma and an autoimmune condition. Technically I guess I should be social distancing instead.

Absolutely none of your business what I choose to do OP. I didn’t have to stockpile, I could survive for six-eight weeks from home before corona.

I do a big shop twice a month and will continue doing just that.

I would rather people choose to self isolate than the behaviour currently going on in the UK.

Stockpiling and getting in the resources for 2 weeks are not the same thing. I have had to self isolate because my DH and DS are really sick. I'm pretty sure it's corona. I can't order baby medicine, a thermometer, or any food at all. It's a good bloody job I bought enough extra (of my normal stuff, not a butt tonne of pasta) to last two weeks, or I'd be fucked. I wish some people had held off till they actually needed this stuff but I guess I can see why we didn't.

& shopping in isolation - what?? We were social distancing for the first half of this week and went to the shop when we had to. Now we are isolating. We haven't left the house at all and we won't until it's done. We are very probably infectious. We could kill people.

@Selmababies no I’m not mistaken. The guidance says. It says ‘if possible’ you should not go out to supermarkets. I’m also self isolating but it’s not been possible to not have a member of my household go out pretty much daily to get groceries, thanks to stockpilers.

@Alialialiali

For God's sake use a brain two or two!
The guidelines you are posting has copious amounts of information throughout to stay at home if you suspect you are infected or actually infected! It It's very very clear.
It states that people should plan ahead for what you may need (these actions are what is annoying you)
Then, there is one small sentence that says 'if it is not possible then go get essential supplies and take precautions. Does it not occur to you that the meaning of 'if not possible' is meant to be as a total last resort? An absolute exception to the rule? As in, to stop you starving?
Anyway, this seems rather academic to some extent as they've just just reported that the army is to be drafted in to deliver supplies in this very situation. (I expect lockdown will go hand in hand with this).
Sort of proves my point doesn't it?

@selmababies
lol, you were making a point of it.. and now it's a small point.

Anyway, what's it matter? You're going to do what you think is right. I'll do what I think is right. Hopefully the supermarket situation will sort itself out soon. But the army enforcing a lockdown is a rumour.. has been since thursday.

@Alialialiali
I'm not talking about the army rumours
The army delivering food parcels to those in need was announced in Radio 4 a few hours ago. They're usually accutae with their news.
Do you really think they'd use the army purely as meals on wheels? Of course they'll have other roles as well, such as enforcing lockdowns.

You're going to do what you think is right. I'll do what I think is right.
You'll be left with no bloody 'rights' when the army arrives,, and just as well, given your happy to go out with the covid virus.

@Selmababies
Yep I think they said that yesterday ie. army delivering parcels to the vulnerable. I think that's great.

Honestly, it's one thing saying what im saying ie. what's the point going full lockdown when most people should just be social distancing but there's a whole section of society that will carry on like nothings changed... I mean thats the reality we have to accept. The police or army having to enforce isn't really going to be practical.

someone posted this on the other thread - really good:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51506729

@Alialialiali
Yep I think they said that yesterday ie. army delivering parcels to the vulnerable. I think that's great.
The government could pay the supermarkets to take on extra staff to deliver the food parcels. It would be a much cheaper option too. There's a reason that the army are doing it, and I can't think of any other reason apart from control. Can you?

Honestly, it's one thing saying what im saying ie. what's the point going full lockdown when most people should just be social distancing but there's a whole section of society that will carry on like nothings changed... I mean thats the reality we have to accept. The police or army having to enforce isn't really going to be practical.

Of course there's a point to lockdown!!! It's precisely because 'there's a whole section of society that will carry on like nothing's changed'!
If everyone was willing, and capable of understanding and practising what social distancing and/or self isolation meant, then we wouldn't need to call in the army.
But it seems that many many people are either stupid, ignorant or plain selfish, so we'll need to have severe restrictions imposed.

As for practicality, other countries are managing it, so I'm sure it's possible here. Fining people seems to be an obvious option.

@Selmababies
Yeah but how many troops would you need? I mean, we're not China. In China they literally went around putting iron bars on people's homes.. they built a hospital in a few days.. they tracked everyone down using their mobile phones....
I mean, unless we go full fascist, with Boris in charge then I just don't see how it would work. When Italy and spain did it, they charged 40k odd people on the first day in Italy... Something like that anyway.

I mean, i'm just thinking through the practicalities of it. Everyone would end up in prison and infect eachother there... I don't know.