Seems like a lot of people have ended the lockdown themselves this weekend....

[Smithtylater]

I went to work today (am on maternity but returning on Monday) to meet my manager (NHS, working an on call weekend shift). I drove past Hampton court for the first time since i have been on maternity leave. You would have thought it was a normal sunny weekend day? Ice cream vans, hoards of people all close, hundreds of people on bikes, people sitting with their feet in the river, kids running around.
There is loads more traffic, more people around and even my own brother has gone 3 hour drive up North for a 40th birthday party?! I was angry at him and he said that the host said that the lockdown is 'ending tommorow so what is an extra day'?

I have seen on twitter about London Fields today (literally 1000s of people sitting there) and lots of people are under the impression its all ending on Monday ?!

But can you really blame people when you look at the headlines of all the papers? Boris should have adressed the nation before the weekend imo.

[Mummyoflittledragon]

@EdwinaMay

[Igneococcus]

I read (don't post anymore) on a German parenting site and there is massive division between the users about lock down, schools and shop colusres, and distancing. It's simply not true that all those stereotypically compliant Germans are happily sitting at home following the rules to the letter without any complaint.

[springiscoming12]

Igneococcus the video is clearly fake, but I’m not denying that these protests happened. I’m sure anyone can see that the number of protesters in the video is significantly greater than the photo that most news sites, including the Der Spiegel, are using?

[Godzillasonice]

Round here apart from people going for walks everyone seems to be sticking to the guidelines. I do think people (like the government said they would) are growing tired of it and even my 82yr old nan told me yesterday that she would rather die of this than carry on living this way for much longer.

The papers aren't helping with their constant speculation either.

[CherryValanc]

There were protests in Berlin, but there were far fewer people than the link showing the mass gathering of people in Warsaw suggests.

[springiscoming12]

And for anyone still doubting that the video is fake, here it is, posted 3 years ago on YouTube...

m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=Q3coznziPKE

Our biggest threat at the moment isn’t really Covid-19, it’s the sheer ignorance of some of you to things that really matter and believing in the stupid things you read on Twitter by people you’ve never heard of is a perfect example of that.

[LellyMcKelly]

The old, the sick and the stupid are being culled. This is Dominic Cummings’ wet dream.

[Peggysgettingcrazy]

But I’m not clear what the situation was with VE Day parties. I’m not sure if they were encouraged by government?

No they weren't.

There was a poster on facebook. No one knows where it came from. But people keep referring to it as though it was an official event they had been invited to. I even saw people post that it was Boris' idea.

Tbh, I don't think the parties were a bad idea as such. We need to get use to social distancing as a new normal.

Just a shame, that so many people appeared to forget the social distancing part of it.

[Biscuit0110]

The old, the sick and the stupid are being culled

This comment is staggering and utter hogwash. No they are not! The old and the sick are being sent a letter to confirm another three months of isolation!!!!!

The stupid have always had their place in society. Quite frankly most of them will bounce back after CoVid anyway if we are to actually look at the statistics.

[Igneococcus]

Yes, that video is fake, or from some different protest rather, but the news itself isn't, there are protests happening in many cities in Germany, some people got arrested. One fake video doesn't prove that there are no protests.

[Chokablok]

Well, given the virus appears to affect obese people and those with low vitamin D, I think most sensible people are getting out in the sun and exercising.

This. And they are the same people being called "idiots".

I personally think the ones shutting themselves and their children indoors for months are the idiots...

And I believe people who have no access to private gardens should be allowed to sunbathe in parks (socially distanced) as much as they want to.

Absolutely idiotic to limit being outside when it's becoming clearer that being fat / having low levels of Vit D increases your chances of being badly affected.

[rawlikesushi]

The idiocy of the British public is dismaying. Even on this thread, so much will full ignorance and willingness to believe misinformation and social media randoms if it fits with your worldview.

The government message hasn't changed. I watch the briefing daily, and follow the various departments on social media, and it has been consistent : announcements on Sunday, very slow gradual easing of restrictions.

A pp said that the peak passed in March so why are we locked down. I suggest you read something about virology.

Others saying 'some people aren't worried about getting it' and 'it's their choice' - well no actually, in a society, you should also be thinking about who you might inadvertently pass it to, or the services you will need if you become more ill than expected.

People are blaming the media and the government and mixed messages, and believing conspiracy theories and sm bullshit, as a way to justify doing what they want to do : going out or meeting friends because they want to and they're not used to being told that they can't do something that they want to do.

It's depressing really. You're not being asked to go to the trenches, just stay at home.

[Kickanxietyinthebeanbag]

There was a massive estate party yesterday and last night ,you could hear men chanting and shouting,I live in a very middle class area ,really nice housing estate ...shocked really

[Bluebellpainting]

There was a poster on facebook. No one knows where it came from. But people keep referring to it as though it was an official event they had been invited to. I even saw people post that it was Boris' idea.

My local council page were sharing that post and their official council page was suggesting stay at home street parties. They are fine when people observe the 2m. Stay in their front garden or on their drive and I think a lot started with that intention. Then throw alcohol into the mix and people’s judgement gets affected.

The problem is that the government have handled this latest part of lockdown very badly. Issues with PPE and whether we went into lockdown too late aside this bit has been a mess. People are relaxing because they think that things are going to be changing massively tomorrow. Partly due to the media speculation but also the way the government have put the message out. Yes nothing has changed at the daily briefings but you have what Boris said at Prime Ministers questions and the fact that it has been made out to be this big announcement on Sunday. If things are only changing in a minor way they didn’t need to make out Sunday to be this big announcement- should have just announced on Thursday when they had to review things by law. I think that they had hoped that we would of stayed in more if we thought the end was coming but it has had the opposite effect really. Not helped by the Welsh and Scottish government making their announcements early.

[SusieOwl4]

I think the culling will be of the idiots who think the virus has miraculously gone away.

It’s not the governments fault that the virus attacks the elder age group plus anyone with certain illnesses.

It’s not the government’s fault that some people can not follow simple instructions.

I feel sorry for the health workers who may have more cases to deal with. In Italy ( who by the way don’t count care home deaths as we are doing now ) they had situations where anyone whatever age might only get treatment when someone died to free up a space .

So when people say they might rather die than stay indoors for a. Few weeks then you may get your wish come true. And even if you survive have risk of blood clots in your lungs and kidney problems.

[Peggysgettingcrazy]

My local council page were sharing that post and their official council page was suggesting stay at home street parties

Then your local council need to answer some questions if you area gets a peak. Because most people could have predicted that some people would have been drinking and there was a risk it would descend in a non social distancing party.

Wasn't that the whole reason they didn't want people in parks even 2 meters away from each other? Because too many people in one area and it goes out of the window.

The guidelines didn't change. It was speculated it would change. If soemone speculated that drink driving was going to be made legal, would you expect people to go out and drink drive before anyone official said anything?

[RedRiverShore]

On BBC just now the doctor answering the questions said that being in a busy park was fine as long as observing the 2m distancing as we should be outside in the sunshine getting vitamin d and exercise.

[KingJarvis]

The old, the sick and the stupid are being culled

They walk among us...

[Standrewsschool]

In our village, street parties were held with people sitting on their front lawns and chatting to neighbours at a safe distance. It was a really nice community affair.

Dh went through the Dartford tunnel yesterday and said he has never seen it so empty, only one car before him.

The big thing I have noticed is supermarkets. Some, social distancing is well adhered to, but another one is a free for all once you are in.

[Sostenueto]

We have a Priminister who is effectively AWOL appearing now and again with soundbites. Of course he's just had Covid and a new baby but we need a strong leader one who actually does some work to lead this country and to keep lockdown strong. People are getting stircrazy and they see others breaking the rules including those in government and their advisors and follow suit.
Boris is a man who does little, has a mediocre cabinet and we are fast approaching June deadline for extension to Brexit. Boris eye on economics not saving lives. P.s. tests for Covid now being sent to USA to be analysed. A sneak peek at our future as we are sold bit by bit to USA.

[Mawbags]

It’s herd immunity by the back door. And on a deeper level, I think the government are realising how traumatised many people are and actually need to ease it considerably if we are ever going to get back to normal.

[rawlikesushi]

"So when people say they might rather die than stay indoors for a. Few weeks then you may get your wish come true. And even if you survive have risk of blood clots in your lungs and kidney problems."

Unfortunately not, or not before they've passed it to innocent people anyway.

One of my neighbours had a party yesterday - she's still going to work as a school cook and he is a carer. It started with a few family members from other households but then various neighbours joined in. I'm sure they'd say some bullshit like I've read on here - "I don't mind getting it, I should be allowed to make my own decisions, it's all ending on Sunday anyway."

But really it's because they're thick and can't understand virology or exponential maths even when explained in simple terms. Oh and also selfish and self-serving, because their need for a little party trumps the needs of the residents and children they're coming into contact with.

[Biscuit0110]

t’s herd immunity by the back door

I agree, they tried the front door and it was slammed in their face.
Back door looks much less risky.

In reality the government are quite open and vocal about their the British people ever complied to this point in the first place. Make of that what you will...

[Biscuit0110]

*Surprise

[rawlikesushi]

"Priminister"

I don't normally point out spelling errors but that made me laugh.