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Original poster

Honestly who’s broken lockdown at least once?

151 replies

Madwife123 · 08/05/2020 01:23

I’ll start by saying I have. I’m NHS staff so have been back and to at work anyway but my sisters baby was stillborn and so I broke the lockdown to visit her, she needed it and I felt it was more important at that time than the coronavirus risk. In fact her mental health team suggested it so no guilt and no regrets.

I imagine many of us have had situations where they have done the same for various reasons? Which makes me wonder how effective it really has been.

OP posts:
Waxonwaxoff0 · 08/05/2020 07:51

I am planning on going for a socially distant walk with my mum this weekend though so I'll be rule breaking. My mum suffers with depression and she separated from her husband in January but hasn't been able to move out yet so they are stuck living together. She's also run off her feet as an NHS keyworker and doing shopping for my grandad who is isolating. Seeing me and DS will be good for her, she hasn't seen us in 7 weeks.

TeddyIsaHe · 08/05/2020 07:53

Yes I have. My father died 2 days ago and mum is coming over today for coffee in the garden and to see Dd. He is her ex husband, so it’s support for me.

Greentrees33 · 08/05/2020 07:56

I’m so sorry for your & her loss. You made the right decision.

I lost my baby shortly after his premature birth in February. I lasted until Monday when I drove to stay with my family (45 minutes from me). My husband is working from home and has had very busy days and I find myself having disturbing thoughts and crying most of the day but here, I have my siblings and parents around me. I still cry several times during the day but I’ve also had some peace. Bereavement midwife is aware.

Myfriendanxiety · 08/05/2020 07:56

You are allowed to visit family members to provide care, which should include caring for someone’s mental health just as much as physical.

I took my 1 year old round to my mums the other day and let her have a crawl around the garden while my Mum sat on the doorstep. I was going there anyway to take her prescription but she was desperate to see the baby so I took her along.

I think dropping in on relatives that are alone, or need some mental health support is fine, as long as you maintain your distance and keep it short.

I got talking to a lady in the queue for Asda the other day- she was 82 and had come out to get some non essential bits because she couldn’t cope with staying in the house any longer. She hadn’t left for weeks, had no family nearby and so a community group were leaving food parcels on her doorstep. She desperately needed to see other humans.

bez91 · 08/05/2020 07:57

We went to our storage unit to collect our washing machine that we put in in anticipation of our house extension beginning (were going to use families as an interim measure which we now obviously can't) so yes I suppose we did break the lockdown.

Other than that we have only been out to work, to my daughters nursery and for essential food

Makeuptherules · 08/05/2020 07:58

I haven't and won't but I know I am lucky because locked down with husband and son so can't say I wouldn't if I was on my own. Although I def wouldn't go inside that's actually a risk but garden stuff and keeping distance is really not that bad. As for your situation, do what you have to do, no guilt. Sorry for what you're going through

Leafyhouse · 08/05/2020 08:02

Our next door neighbour died of C-19. We opted to drive the grieving widow 2 hours to her Sister's house. Couldn't leave her there on her own. He had been in hospital for two weeks before dying, so hopefully she was clean.

Shockers · 08/05/2020 08:04

My exercise has taken 2-3 hours every day. I live on the edge of the countryside though, so I see hardly anyone as I walk or cycle. I want to go and sit in my friend’s garden with her and talk, but I’ve decided not to, even though I know we could do it safely.

Morgan12 · 08/05/2020 08:08

I've been seeing my mum from the start. She was with me every day prior to lockdown. She visits every day. My DH does her shopping so she goes from her home to mine. Minimal risk.

countdowntonap · 08/05/2020 08:08

Yes. Key worker, and I’ve left my dog at my parents’ house on longer days so that it doesn’t destroy the house. My dog has never been left alone in my house, and is usually dropped of at my parents every work day, so this has continued.
Open front door, let dog run in, shut front door and leave.

Tatapie · 08/05/2020 08:11

Yes, to walk with my FIL who lost his wife a month ago. (Needed to be done. )Also to have two friends pop in the garden for an hour ( not proud of that one) and drop off non essentials to a couple of friends ( think if you're careful then nice gestures help keep our spirits and determination up).
Also, shopped for food 3 times a week( big family, rubbish at planning I guess!)
Not done very well have I Confused but it's still feels like a huge loss of liberty

Oldraver · 08/05/2020 08:18

I had to go out to collect a prescription as IH hadn't ticked the right one on my repeat and just knew it would be easier ME doing it.

I've only just realised I got a bit too close to someone in nurse/ carers uniform but as she was blocking entrance to GP's surgery assumed she was on the door

TerrapinStation · 08/05/2020 08:20

I had a very very slow wander around the supermarket, and I bought things I didn’t need

Is that serious? Neither of those things are breaking lockdown, no one needs to shop quickly and it was clarified weeks ago that you can buy whatever you want.

I've been to work, supermarket and for daily walks, that's it.

Poppyismyfavourite · 08/05/2020 08:21

Technically no.
I did go to b&q though for building supplies - guess it's debateable whether that's essential but the guidance said if shops are open you can use them.

KitKat1985 · 08/05/2020 08:26

No I've been pretty good overall. I've popped to the shops a couple of times for things that I wanted but didn't really 'need' exactly, but that's about it.

Ifailed · 08/05/2020 08:26

I haven't broken the law, as defined by: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020.

I have certainly broken some of the 'rules' made up on the fly by various Government ministers, the Daily Mail or keyboard warriors on social media.

Goatinthegarden · 08/05/2020 08:28

I’m a teacher and after a long day at school last week, gave a colleague a lift home.

She doesn’t drive and had an hour and a half’s walk home in torrential rain. I live two streets away from her. We’d spent all day working together with small children who find it incredibly difficult to socially distance. She sat in the back of the car.

We still both felt really guilty about it though.

SpiritEssence · 08/05/2020 08:29

Nope only work and my work is where I get a food shop anyway Grin

Weetam68 · 08/05/2020 08:30

You people have to get a grip of yourself and truly understand what is really going in here.

Nothing will be the same as before and If you do not believe me then you obviouly have not been paying attention because they keep on reiterating that fact over and over. Yet few seem willing to listen.

Quite astounding and worrying tbh.

mamaof2girls · 08/05/2020 08:31

No but not see anyone for 8 weeks now! 2 weeks left till my due date nephews birthday this weekend so starting to feel like I can't go on much longer. Got a 17 month old all day aswell partner still working so not very much adult conversation 😂😂

LadyWithLapdog · 08/05/2020 08:33

I do more than one shop a week as I buy things on the way home from work from the little supermarket attached to the petrol station. I haven’t been in a big supermarket since lockdown.

Many of the examples above are heartbreaking and totally understandable that you acted compassionately.

redwoodmazza · 08/05/2020 08:34

We haven't broken lockdown. I have only been out of the house for my walk or to be in our garden.
My DH has gone shopping by car on his own and only every 10 to 12 days.

Another couple we know have made excuses to go out [always together] by car every day. One trip was to get their new dog groomed - very essential.

HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime · 08/05/2020 08:35

My parents and siblings live a couple of doors a way. Two of the family members struggle with their MH, ordinarily we live pretty much as one household just with different places to sleep. We have been spending time with each other in the gardens but haven't gone into each others homes. We are as sure as can be without a test that the two keyworkers have already had Covid at the beginning and I've only had to go into school twice all lock down.

Rebelwithallthecause · 08/05/2020 08:36

I sat in the garden of my parents when I collected some supplies they had managed to get for me

I will be doing it again next week

Bluebellpainting · 08/05/2020 08:42

A lot of rules are down to interpretation. Take the shopping one- it does not say only shop once a week. It says shop as I frequently as possible. I’ve gone less than once a week but my mum will drop things to me if there is something I didn’t manage to get when she does hers. But I know other friends are going more often as they can’t 1 afford to do a big shop or 2. Carry it all. I’ve also used my daily exercise walk with my 6 month old to go via my mums (she lives 15 min a walk away), she has stood on her doorstep and we have stood 5m away and chatted for a few minutes. It is kind of bending the rules more than absolutely breaking them. It is a quiet road so not blocking anyone etc. Probably will be flamed for that and I know my reasons are not unique but I needed to for my mental health. OH is armed forces and is still going away so it is just me and the baby during a lot of this lockdown which is why my baby groups and being near my mum was so important to us pre lockdown. Getting to see her even if it is 5m away Is helping me cope. Seeing her make funny faces and make him giggle is lovely for both of us.