Or maybe it's me who's misunderstood?
"The Rules" are not intended to prevent the spread they are intended to slow it to a level where the NHS can cope with ICU admissions. So far, we have done that, new beds have been created quicker than they have been filled.
If we slow the spread more than necessary (I.e. so that there remains spare capacity) the crisis lasts longer than necessary. No additional lives are saved, the deaths are just more spread out in time and it's longer until we can get back to normal.
The restrictions were never intended to stop us getting ill, just to stop us all being ill at once. It won't be over until there is a vaccine (years?) or until "enough" people have had it that it no longer presents a substantial threat to the NHS.
The obsession with having rules followed/tightened, beyond what is necessary to protect the NHS just means the whole thing lasts longer, which is why, the rules are deliberately set up so that there will still be some, but reduced, transmission.
Why do people keep asserting that if we all follow the rules to the nth degree it will be over quicker.
FWIW I am following the rules, wfh, daily exercise, occasional essential shopping, but I'm frustrated with people who want to insist the exercise shouldn't be allowed, or that people in non essential jobs who can't wfh shouldn't be allowed to work, or that all non essential deliveries should be banned. It makes no sense.