people, please, stay home if you can

[Lua]

Most places that have eased lockdown measures, are seeing an increase in the number of cases. So there is no way around it (at least in the short-term), live a "normal life" and increase the risk for everyone (there are no "personal risk" in a pandemic).

I see a lot of people in mumsnet saying that we suffer too much to save the lives of 80 year olds. While I find this cold assessment horrible on its own, there are so many case of under 60s suffering badly. This is a harrowing picture of 63 year old woman:

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jun/25/from-cold-to-coma-to-homecoming-one-womans-100-days-of-coronavirus

Sure, the risk is low. Sure, we deal with risks all the time. But we also try to mitigate risks all the time. We use seat belts, and we look before we cross the road, we use helmets, etc There are many reasons why someone needs to go into work, and those are understandable. But do people "need" to go to raves, beaches, cinemas? do we really need to go into shops and buy a new summer outfit?

Life needs to be different, and we need to find new ways to make our economy tick. Lots of opportunities in new fields. Lets support each other and look for new ways to make the world go around.

[LastTrainEast]

EmperorCovidula you slept through the last few months? This must have been explained 100s of times.

[zafferana]

Well said @StrawberryPea. I agree. People will make the best decisions for them and their families and if that includes going back to work and sending their DC to school, they will.

Matt Hancock said last night on Peston that the most recent evidence suggests that 70-80% of people who catch coronavirus don't show symptoms. The news this morning says the antibody tests are duds and that even if you have antibodies it doesn't mean you have immunity.

Time to start living again. Sounds like many more of us have already had this thing anyway, if so many don't show symptoms.

[Roussette]

I still don’t understand what people think will happen if they stay home. Do you seriously think it will just go away? It’s surely best to keep infection rates as high as it is safe to do so in the hopes of burning through it ASAP

That's fine to say if you're a fit 30 year old. We are both more than double that age. It would be like Russian roulette for us, and particularly my DH (who was in hospital for a spell last year), the chances are he could be very afflicted with it.

I have to say, we are going out a bit (he is not officially shielding) but we are being very careful. Went to B&Q yesterday

Interestingly, my best friend says the same. I just find it odd because she looks after her 86 year old Mum so as much as she thinks... let's get the numbers and immunity up.. it's strange when it could be catastrophic for her DM

[Everanewbie]

No thanks OP. Would rather die free than live as a prisoner. I'll respect your wishes and do the whole 2 metre thing but I have a life to live.

[FizzFan]

Or another question @Jaxhog just how long do people need to stay locked up, not earning a living, their and their kids MH suffering, and kids not getting a proper education, to protect you?

You’re making out people have done nothing. The vast majority of people have complied with the rules meaning the number of infections has dropped greatly, often at great personal sacrifice. Is that not enough for you?

[Roussette]

The beach photos are designed to make everyone look closer than they are

Of course taken at a distance they look extremely close up. But I've seen photos taken within the crowd too and they were close

[LastTrainEast]

Maybe it will be survival of the most sensible. God knows I won't miss the "I'm too dumb to understand it so I'm going to do what I like" crowd.

[StressedMom4]

Sorry op but whilst your intentions are good how do you solve the problem that if everyone continued to avoid cinemas and pubs how are the minimum wage staff meant to get paid? Hours will be reduced because they aren't reaching sale targets. People will be staying home for different reasons then just this virus (I.e unemployment)

No what people need to do is slowly get back to normal but be aware your distancing and if you don't feel well whether it be a cold or just a migraine, stay home and get well.

We can't continue to live in isolation, we need to find new ways to work around this virus.

Unfortunately the country stopped still but our bill's and other illnesses didn't.

[employeewoes]

I am with you OP. You won't find me in a shop, cafe or restaurant, on public transport or anywhere indoors for a very very long time.

People are selfish. And we have been made to see think that our current economic model needs saving. It doesn't. It needs ripping up and chucking away.

[Jrobhatch29]

I wont be rushing into shops but only because I have 2 kids and a newborn and would have to drag them along. My 4 year old actually licked a lamp post on our way to the beach yesterday and has to be physically restrained from running up to old people to say hello. Not so great at social distancing!
However I love seeing people enjoying life again after months of misery. I had a baby in the middle of the peak and she had a cuddle off grandparents this morning. Was lovely!

[FizzFan]

Exactly @StressedMom4. Personally I’m not planning to go to shops, pubs or gatherings for quite some time, I want infection rates to continue to drop so my kids can get back to school.

[Ibake]

Or maybe @roussette the 86 year old chooses to live what years she has left? My in-laws same age and at least they have each other unlike so many elderly on their own. We've kept them safe as MIL not great health wise but our local numbers very low now, so they're coming for a BBQ this afternoon and they're going to start doing little jaunts out. They miss us and they miss their GC. Existing is not the same as living. I also think easing up a bit now when we can be outside might shore us all up a bit mentally just in case they do have to retreat a bit come the autumn if numbers locally start to rise.

[TheGreatWave]

Too late OP, just on the way back from the beach. From a distance the 'main' section looked really busy, but once you were in it, everyone was well spaced. It was lovely and so normal.

[zafferana]

It's not either stay at home or go and sit on a beach 6 inches from a family of strangers. The economy will never recover and millions of people will lose their jobs if we don't all return to some semblance of normal life, while observing SD. Keep your distance where possible, wear a face mask in shared indoor spaces and then crack on!

[FizzFan]

Most people have stayed home for 3 months. They haven’t seen family or friends, their kids have not seen friends or had a proper education, many have lost jobs or otherwise not worked at all. They haven’t had medical treatment they might need. They have done all this which has helped greatly in suppressing the virus. And now because they want a bit of their life back and to earn some money they are selfish? Fuck that shit. Did the last 3 months not happen for you people?

[ComeBackIntoTheGardenMaud]

I rarely respond to these threads, but no. I will follow the law and the government guidance to the letter (and I won't be doing all of the things that potentially I could do, within the current guidance) but I won't follow the diktats of amateur epidemiologists on MN or anywhere else.

[zingally]

I do, sort of agree.

But I also feel like a time comes where you have to just make the choice for what is right for you and your family.
My 3 year olds are back in nursery (have been for 3 weeks now), my husband has worked throughout, while I've been out of work during this.

I shall be re-opening my private tutoring business from Monday 6th July, and already have clients waiting, and potential new clients making inquiries. I'll be following the 1m social distancing rules, and good hygiene practices. But I need to get back to work. I can't sacrifice my family's financial long-term security any longer.

[Drivingdownthe101]

People are scared and that comes out as anger sometimes

I am neither scared, nor angry. I am just cautiously and sensibly going back to living my life.

[Roussette]

Bournemouth?

Well, there's a major incident there at the moment, just popped up on my news feed. Emergency services are 'completely overwhelmed'.
Their words.

[Aloethere]

I'm in Ireland and we had 5(I think) new cases yesterday. It might make a come back but staying inside until a vaccine is made just isn't an option. I have a business to run, children to look after, a life to lead basically. If people choose to stay home grand do that but don't dictate to others what they do. If restrictions are brought back in I will abide by them but until then I have shit to do.

[Mother40]

I agree too OP. I won't be going to a.restauraunt, cinema or clothes shopping etc for some time yet. This isn't over.yet,.However much we want it to be. Not sure what the answer is for the economy but for me having a.pint in a pub.is not worth the risk.

[Snailsetssail]

You just do you.

My children have suffered enough now. My 3 year old is desperate to play on a playground and see his friends.

I understand people in sea side places don’t want an influx of tourists- but we can’t all be lucky enough to live and places like that and are all entitled to come for the day and visit. Otherwise the whole of the U.K. would move to the seaside and it would look like inner city London with the tower blocks!

We are being cautious and sensible, but we need some normality back.

[Roussette]

*lbake Yes. Although it isn't the 86 yo who is particularly wanting to just go about normal life, it's her daughter.

It's a bit like me being wary, I'm ultra careful because of my DH

[DisobedientHamster]

Just so selfish (can you find another adjective, that one is growing so tedious) to want to keep the roof over your head, feed yourself and your kids and put clothes on your back, I know.

Economies can just run on wind and our singing Kumbaya with masks on, and all these 'lots of opportunities' in 'new fields'? What fields are these, Elysium?

[DisobedientHamster]

@Drivingdownthe101

People are scared and that comes out as anger sometimes

I am neither scared, nor angry. I am just cautiously and sensibly going back to living my life.

Same here. It is what it is. The air is full of flying glass. This is another shard to try to navigate.