Attitudes changing?

[CathyandHeathcliff]

Has anybody noticed attitudes changing over the past few days?

It seems to have gone from Facebook comments on articles calling for a stricter lockdown and so on, to calling for lockdown to be lifted sooner rather than later, comments about the economy failing and weighing up the balance.

[ClientQ]

@BirdieFriendReturns but the people shielding can't always choose with regards to work. We need to pay our bills and rent/mortgage the same as anyone else, so I really don't know how it will work
People who are shielding are probably going to have to make the choice and take the risk to go back to work or lose their job/home
I'm ok at the minute but if I have to shield for months, I really don't know. I'm alone and can't hug or touch anyone or have a face to face conversation or even go for a walk so my sleep pattern is messed up too

[sanealaddin]

The police guidelines which were very relaxed from the 'there is one simple instruction, you must stay at home' have I believe caused people to behave differently. Along with the beautiful weather. Where I am in London people seem to be going out frequently and there are lots more cars on the roads now people have been told they can drive for exercise. A friend drove to a garden centre about 15 miles away to collect some plants. Some neighbours took their kids to the coast at the weekend (just over an hour's drive away). People are going for drives to pick up takeaway coffees. The government really needs to make it clear whether we're still lockdown or not.

[DominaShantotto]

Incidentally the 7 year old is the most resilient little creature I know - there aren't many kids aged 6 with severe dyspraxia and vision problems who keep going and going and going to the point they manage to ride a bike, and just keeps trying until she does anything she's struggling with... but emotionally this is hurting her badly - she'd just got into such a good place with school and it's all been removed from her. She puts a brave face on it - then falls apart heartwrenchingly.

It's most definitely not us "wanting to go the beach". I fucking hate the beach - sand sucks.

[BirdieFriendReturns]

ClientQ - I understand that’s difficult for you. What I don’t understand is a PP saying people are “throwing her and her family under a bus.” We can’t all stay at home for a year because some people are shielding. That isn’t selfish. We can’t put our lives on hold once the government says we can go to a drive though Costa again or go to work to appease people who can’t do those things.

I truly hope the government comes up with a solution for people shielding. But I won’t be staying inside because Sarahinaccounts tells me to.

[Springersrock]

Most people round here are shouting for a much stricter and longer lockdown

If anyone dares suggest anything else they get accused of “literally spreading death”.

Anyone mentioning mental health problems gets shouted down and told it’s not important right now

People seem to think the virus will vanish on its own accord if everyone stays in and anyone buying a bar of chocolate with their weekly shopping or walking their dog on the beach will make the whole thing last longer.

[rookiemere]

Thanks nellodee that's a really helpful post - I hadn't considered the capacity issue in that way before but makes perfect sense.

[Bitofeverything]

People round me are “bumping into each other” on walks. There have been v v few cases in the local hospital. People aren’t daft - there’s basically no chance of catching it off someone who’s been isolating in an area with no infections. People have had enough.

[Romeojuliet]

KazzyHoward - that’s not actually the case. Setting up a dental practice costs a fortune - and that, unlike gps I believe, is personally funded. And nhs payment rates are not high. So no, in much the same way that a restaurant worker can’t just go and set up a restaurant - neither can a dentist.

[Bitofeverything]

I’m very sorry for the PP who will have to shield long-term, but if she is taking the correct precautions, it doesn’t really matter to her what the rest of the public gets up to. It’s a nightmare, but we can’t stop everything because some people will have to stay home (given that they will have to stay home either way!).

[Tootletum]

I find it hard to accept more lockdown if in the same breath I get told I can forget about any holidays this year.

[GrimmsFairytales]

People round me are “bumping into each other” on walks.

I know a couple of people who have done the same. I don't see a problem with it providing they stay the require distance apart. Seeing a familiar face in real life can be the difference between a good day, and a day where you feel like shit.

[meditereb]

Yes people are getting fed up with the government not communicating their exot plan
The 5 "rules" or pillars or whatever they call them
Are bullshit . No risk of a second peak is one of them ? How are they going to define thay why cant they share it with people ?

[TabbyMumz]

"You don't get to throw my DCs under a bus so you can go to the beach."

That's a bit dramatic. There wont be crowds of people at the beach, and people can still self distance.

[YouokHun]

Yes OP that’s my sense too on social media. A lack of clarity about how plans might look over the next few months seems to have meant that people are changing their behaviour and relaxing. I live by a fairly busy A road, for weeks it’s been dead but in the last few days the traffic has steadily increased and today it’s as busy as it ever was before lockdown, commercial traffic and people in their cars.

[TabbyMumz]

"goshdarnitjanet

I don't think a 7 year old should have to "build some resilience"

We all need resilience, including 7 year olds. In fact, youth is when it's best to build resilience.

[handslikecowstits]

Increase in traffic on my road today. Lots of white vans, trade vans and lorries. Yesterday it was dead. Looks like some have thought, fuck it.

[Russellbrandshair]

@Justgivemewine

I’m sure you were joking but I just feels it’s a bit disingenuous to suggest people only want lockdown to end so they can have time apart from their kids!

I know a lot of self employed people who are really struggling to get government help and are desperate to start working again because their incomes dried up literally overnight. I know two people whose businesses have collapsed due to this and they have no idea what they’ll do for money now. Anyone whose income has just stopped will of course be desperate to get back to work because they have no money.

If you are furloughed or on a secure wage every month of course it’s far easier to say lockdown shouldn’t end because it’s not affecting you as much is it?!

[pussycatinboots]

hands agreed. more vehicles on the road today than there were when we went out on tues. And there were more this tues compared to last tues.

[SarahInAccounts]

Sarah or we could argue that you are being selfish wanting us all to suffer.

But not die - there is a difference. But it isn't you dying is it?

Sarahinaccounts - I feel your frustration but soon we will be able to go back to work and see family.

I think it's a lot further away than some here seem to think. I hope so. This country doesn't discard the old, the sick and the weak. Lock down will stay until the government thinks we'll all be as safe as possible. You need to get used to that idea.

[SarahInAccounts]

That's a bit dramatic. There wont be crowds of people at the beach, and people can still self distance.

But they don't you must have seen the photos. Dramatic not wanting my kids to die? I guess so.

[MimiLaRue]

Yes, it was inevitable that people would tire of lockdown and get restless.
I completely agree with PP that the governments weird reluctance to discuss exit strategies is contributing to people thinking eff this, I need to get back to work. If they could just give us some kind of plan, or right at the end of the tunnel it would help people to stay motivated but they arent.

People are becoming pissed off and fed up with being told what to do, with being told they cant earn an income and being policed and micro managed. I'm not suggesting lockdown wasnt vital- it was. But you cannot lock people down indefinitely and expect them to comply like lambs. Its not realistic and it shows a real lack of insight into human nature.

[TabbyMumz]

Weve just driven to a local walk, then took the car for a bit of a run to help the battery. We will probably do another walk later. Fair few people walking on the main roads and cycling.

[GrimmsFairytales]

Lock down will stay until the government thinks we'll all be as safe as possible.

There's no way of keeping everyone in lock down until everyone is as safe as possible. Some are always going to be more at risk. Keeping the vast majority locked away, when the risk to them is minimal, would be far to damaging.

[SarahInAccounts]

Keeping the vast majority locked away, when the risk to them is minimal, would be far to damaging.

Damaging to whom?