Do we use our common sense or do we stick to the rules?

[StealthPolarBear]

Because as far as I can see it's not possible to do both

[Abbccc]

That's true Stealth! Although I don't agree with Rhyming that "meeting me and my child is no more likely to pass on the virus than just meeting me", unless of course you have both been isolating together.
Hmmm yes it's not always easy to interpret thw rules, is it?

[StealthPolarBear]

Abbcc, you can't do both in situations like rhyming rabbit describes. As a single parent (I aasune) she can't meet someone out of her household one-on-one in the park

[RhymingRabbit3]

I think if more people had common sense rules wouldn’t be that necessary.

Agreed

Unfortunate that people couldnt use their common sense that first weekend and realise that if the national trust car park was overflowing, it wouldnt be a good idea to go in there.

[RhymingRabbit3]

I'm using my common sense. Technically I can't meet one other person because I would have to bring my child, so whoever I meet will be breaking the rule by "meeting" two people from another house.

However common sense is that meeting me and my child is no more likely to pass on the virus than just meeting me, so I'm still going to see my mum socially distanced in the park.

[okiedokieme]

I've used common sense combined with knowledge of how viruses transmit, advice from experts etc. (I personally know, yes I'm fortunate) the official advice is muddled, simplistic and discriminatory against those who do not live in standard households. As my ex is on advisory panels I trust his advice over the government.

[Oopsiedaisyy]

Common sense. And risk analysis.

[Abbccc]

I can't see why you cam't do both.

[StealthPolarBear]

Mynameiscalypso, completely agree. And that is common sense but against the rules

[Dowser]

I’m with riftgibbons

I follow rules which are logical and practical, and which are beneficial to myself and others. In cases where rules are in place for the sake of rules then I will look at common sense.

We’ve got to come out sometime. It’s never going to go away anytime soon. So as someone up thread said, better to start meeting up now than waiting till October and the weather changing and more chance for anything to spread.

However we will know soon enough , if the congestion on the tube has caused cases to spike up again.

[alittlerespectgoesalongway]

Problem for me is that it's common sense not to give the vague 'instructions' which have been issued this week. It's also common sense not to suggest in mid-march that you can only catch the virus through prolonged contact with someone and suggest a the end of March that walking past someone and spending 1s less then 2m away puts you at risk of catching it. It's common sense not to say 'go back to work if you can't work from home' and then at the same time not allow pubs, restaurants, hairdressers etc to open as this is where lots of people work.

I'm all up for doing what we can to prevent the spread. Just would like some actual real clarity on what that is.

[Pinkblueberry]

I think if more people had common sense rules wouldn’t be that necessary.

[mynameiscalypso]

I think when it comes to babies, they shouldn't be treated as a person when it comes to gathering with others. As far as I'm concerned, DS spends so much time trying to eat my face and stick his hands in my mouth/eyes that we've either both got it or both haven't. As he's not mobile, I don't see why I can't meet my mum with him in his pram and we all socially distance.

[IHaveBrilloHair]

Im in Scotland and going for common sense.
If my daughter needs me, she needs me, she may be 18 but sometimes you need your Mum.
So far only once in almost 8 weeks so not loads, but she can come to my house if she wants, at any time.

[ludicrouslemons]

The government didn't want to lockdown at all.

Now they're lifting it and setting it up to blame ordinary people if numbers spike, rather than being held accountable themselves.

Just like how benefit cheats were somehow made the biggest boogie men of the financial crash.

[Alsohuman]

if everyone visits every relative and friend they have we're all fucked

Or we get the second wave over and done with in the summer, when hospitals are least busy and we stand a much better chance of recovery. We’re probably not fucked if it happens now but we will be if it happens in December or January.

I’m going to see my son now we can travel. We’ll meet at a wide open space and take a walk together because that’s common sense and the rules allow it. Just like they allow you to visit your mum. There are no prizes for martyrdom.

[NewAccountForCorona]

I have to agree that your new rules are bloody confusing,

I've decided in the last few days that common-sense and conscience may go hand in hand. So those with little conscience and little care of anyone outside their own bubble will be applying their common sense rules (or lack of them) rather differently than I would choose to.

I'm afraid to join in on the mask-wearing thread - the number of people on there who are saying that they aren't going to cover their faces because they can't be arsed/don't see why they should/it won't protect them anyway/they wouldn't be able to breathe etc etc is amazing. They don't seem to get that if mask wearing isn't to protect the wearer, if we all use our common sense we will see that other people wearing masks protects us, in return we should cover our faces for them.

In the same way I could visit my mum in her garden safely (we've both not been out of our houses for weeks), but if everyone visits every relative and friend they have we're all fucked.

[Bluebellpainting]

@ginsparkles absolutely and that is where common sense applies but according to the advisor they had on the radio this morning it is breaking the rules.

[Alsohuman]

The rules as they currently stand and common sense are a million miles apart.

[ginsparkles]

@bluebellpainting I think that as both DM and DD and I have all been in our houses alone for the past 2 months the risks in us going on a socially distanced walk together is pretty minimal. DM would be at the same risk with other people if she walked alone. The biggest risk is my DD wanted to hug DM but it's been explained and I would remind her as we arrived and hold her hand to stop her.

[Sparklingbrook]

You don't need to do that. You can stay 2-3 meters apart and not have to shout.

I and my parents are happy with me at the bottom of the drive. It's 5 minutes tops. If i get any closer I might want to hug them even more.

[81Byerley]

Use your common sense. I haven't even bothered to watch the advice given, or updates. If something is outside and it wants to kill me, I'm not going out there. As for the people desperate to get back to normal, and pushing the boundaries, they should take a look at this cartoon.

[Sparklingbrook]

Well people on this thread have already shown a lack of common sense so there’s your answer. The difference between dropping off shopping to going in for a cuppa is that going inside means you’re in a more confined space so more likely to spread germs, you’ll be touching things within the house, etc, etc. This is why we need rules.

Which is why I don't do it, because I would worry. but thanks anyway. I have a conscience and common sense!

[Bluebellpainting]

@ginsparkles and @littlepoppet1. I feel the same. Very torn. I’m a rule follower but when I’m stuck at home with my baby so can’t meet someone I think some common sense should apply. As someone said on the radio this morning we can take them in the shop as we count as a unit but not to meet someone else as that isn’t one on one. I know one is for food but if this rule has come in for mental health of people- why do single parents and parents of young children seem not to matter?

[Lweji]

I dropped some food to my parents yesterday and we did our usual yell at each other from the bottom of the drive. I dropped the shopping there for them to pick up when I drive off.

You don't need to do that. You can stay 2-3 meters apart and not have to shout.

It's safer to be closer outside because the air tends to disperse faster.
Inside, it's less safe, unless you open all the windows and create air currents. Even if you stay apart indoors you'll have gone through the same areas to get to where you sit.

It would be safer if you went for a short walk together.

[Littlepoppet1]

Same here ginsparkles I am planning on meeting my mum later in the week for a socially distanced walk and I’ll have my 18 MO DD in her pram. Sticking to everything else though and I am not planning on driving anywhere to exercise either I will be staying in my local area.