Stop going out!

[CurtainWitcher]

Watching today's update and the cars usage graph shows that people are starting to drive for non-essential journeys again.

WHY?

Why can't people just stay at home?! Stop driving around! I see people shopping twice a week or more, regularly. WHY?!

People needing to go out/going out for good reasons will mostly have have those needs all along. So they don't explain the rise in activity. The rise I would guess is mostly not caused by people with adequate reasons.

Unfortunately we can't just say 'oh, we've done our time, we've had enough'. We have to see this through or it won't work. The reality of the virus and the numbers are a reality no matter how people feel.

People are not just going to work, they're going shopping and even visiting people

You know this how? have you stopped them all to ask them?

People go out for a whole host of reasons, none of which they have to share with you.

I see people shopping twice a week or more, regularly. WHY?!

I simply do not have the space to keep a week's worth of milk in the fridge for my autistic son.

The past 7 days we have been out to:

Take food to mil (DH)
Go back as she was stressing about the phone bill. (DH)
Return again as stairlift had stopped working (me) I then popped to a shop to buy food and a 90th birthday card.

Walk, buy milk. (DH and I)

Drop food at mil (DH)

Shopping - various needed bits and pieces, food for the autistic one (brand specific)

Drive for walk, drop 90th card in whilst having walk, stop at shop.

So yes a few trips but all within the rules. MIL has now been told that she has to have a proper list and can't just keep ringing up every day with another item.

But yeah I'm stupid, bored (somehow, still working full time), or just plain evil. Maybe all three, who knows

The NHS employs 1.5 million people. I bet lots drive to work.

I’m beginning to think that going out for a drive and then a walk in the country doesn’t hurt anyone. I live in the countryside and want a change. We shop twice a week. I’m social distancing and not going near anyone other than when shopping and I will continues to do that.

The virus isn't going to just disappear regardless of lockdown though. It isn't a game of hide and seek where it gets bored and goes away if we stay in our hiding places for long enough. It only slows the spread. It doesn't stop it and it isn't feasible to continue lockdown for another year or two as some are suggesting, or anywhere near that long.

I think OP is a parody, and this thread isn’t first time I’ve thought that.

People are very quick to assume that the reasons for this must be terrible thoughtlessness, but I think it could be, for example, some smaller businesses may be finding safe ways to work again after a period of working out how to.

You can go to the shop for food. It’s not specified that it has to be once a week.
You can go to work if you can’t work at home.

I'm shopping every few days - very very small amount of storage, no car, can't carry much home + an eating disorder. DD has intolerances and allergies, and sometimes I can't find anything she can eat. Plenty of reasons for people to go shopping multiple times a week.

The numbers aren’t dramatically higher. Some people prob just fancy a drive around. Listen to a bit of music, wind the windows down. I’m not quite sure where the risk is unless everyone does it.

Live webcams in individual towns around UK.

Most places look extremely empty of humans or moving cars.

I am driving 10 miles to take non-essential food to an elderly grandparent tomorrow, just nice things they have requested. Another relative is doing their normal food shop for them but also has a person shielding at home so doesn't want to go here there and everywhere looking for things. I will get to talk to my grandparent at the door, it's been 5 weeks since I saw them, I may even take my child with me. I know the risks but there are risks to social isolation too.

“cars usage graph shows that people are starting to drive for non-essential journeys again.“

It cannot possibly show that. All it can show is an increase in traffic. It’s jumping to conclusions to say that the increase is due to non-essential journeys.

To reply directly to your thread title, OP: No, I won't.

No.

I still have to go to work every day.

The NHS employs 1.5 million people. I bet lots drive to work.

I took ds for a MRI last week, the barriers on the visitors car park were up and the car park was pretty much full. I am guessing at 7.50am it wasn't visitors on the whole. So more staff than normal must be driving in.

More companies are finding ways to implement social distancing now that the lockdown will be longer.

it's none of your business what other people are doing or why. get a life

My DH will shop more than once a week as one DC has autism and unfortunately ARFID (Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder) so will only eat certain types of food. DC becomes upset if we change brands and we may have to travel to a few different shops if we can not get these items or we are limited.

@PlanDeRaccordement Bang right.

OP can you point me to the guidance that states I’m only allowed to shop once a week?

No, thought not.

More people are back to work so I dont think it’s just down to unnecessary journeys

There is absolutely no rule or law that says you can only go to the shops once a week. None.

Why can't people just stay at home?!

Because they don't want to.

I see no reason why people can't go for a drive to relieve the boredom of shielding. If they stay in the car and only get out somewhere deserted then I don't see a problem. We haven't yet but we are getting to the point where we may for the sake of our mental health.

We haven't been out since it started. Apart from DH picking up our meds. I love our garden but I would like to see something else.

We haven't yet but I can understand why people do and if they stay away from people there is no risk.

amp.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/31/no-10-slaps-down-shapps-over-shop-once-a-week-comment-coronavirus

Have a read of that OP.