Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

Is the reopening of pubs currently the biggest risk of spreading Covid further in England?

91 replies

annabel85 · 02/07/2020 18:16

It's all well and good if all the measures are applied but social distancing and alcohol do not go together. If there's two things that make Brits lose their heads it's sun and alcohol. At least with sun if people are outdoors the virus is less virulent.

There'll be plenty of pubs that just let people do what they want and there'll be no shortage of people who will just do what they want anyway. And it's not like going to Primark where you're in for 10 minutes and then leave. People spend hours in pubs and even if they sit in the same place they still need to use the loo several times more often than not.

Opening them on Saturday under a big publicity drive just exacerbates the issue, rather than a low key midweek opening. It'll be chaos over the weekend. I certainly won't be going to a pub on Saturday.

OP posts:

StinkySaurus · 02/07/2020 18:20

I think the main issue is being indoors with lots of different people for a long amount of time where ventilation often isn’t great and social distancing probably won’t be fully possible at all times.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 02/07/2020 18:22

It is riskier than anything else that’s opening but probably not as risky as people having parties at home. In a pub there will at least be an attempt at social distancing.

netflixismysidehustle · 02/07/2020 18:26

I'm surprised how English tourists have been welcomed back to places like Spain and Italy when they've worked so hard to get things under control.

I hope the A&E isn't overwhelmed with drunks who have been in fights and injured themselves because of the reopening of pubs.

HerRoyalNotness · 02/07/2020 18:33

They opened the bars in Texas a few weeks ago and have now shut them all again. It’s not worth it. They did introduce take out alcohol to help them have an income a few months back which they’ve kept going.

heyheyho · 02/07/2020 18:35

No because they have to limit numbers and spread out. You can’t stand at the bar and you can’t go in a large group. Did you say the same when 15,000 were crammed together at the protests? That was way worse for spreading it

Original poster

annabel85 · 02/07/2020 18:38

I hope the A&E isn't overwhelmed with drunks who have been in fights and injured themselves because of the reopening of pubs.

I'd expect a lot of fights as well with people released from lockdown. The civil disorder on the streets in recent weeks plays a large part to pent up aggression. Throw alcohol into the mix as well and the frustration of the restrictions.

OP posts:

TipseyTorvey · 02/07/2020 18:39

The plan has been clear from the get go. We all need to get it and 'take it on the chin'. Every decision is about this happening in a controlled way. The govt know full well drunk happy people in a pub won't social distance, but it'll get infection moving in relatively younger people. Any old people are collateral damage. I'm horrified but the more I read the more I think this is the case.

Acatchasingitsowntail · 02/07/2020 18:40

Well the protests were outside, love.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 02/07/2020 18:41

I think the Texas bars were open as normal without social distancing though?

heyheyho · 02/07/2020 18:46

@Acatchasingitsowntail

Well the protests were outside, love.

And? Are you saying it won’t spread if outside? Bullshit. I bet you were one of the ones demonising the beach goers, love.

MarcelineMissouri · 02/07/2020 18:52

Several state Governors in America have explicitly blamed opening bars for their rises in cases. If you look at footage though they seem to have opened pretty much without any restrictions.
So yes I do think they’re a big risk if they or their customers do not follow the rules. Hopefully if they maintain distancing and the other guidelines it will be ok.... Personally I would feel safer in a cinema or restaurant though where people are not trying to get drunk!

Original poster

annabel85 · 02/07/2020 18:59

Did you say the same when 15,000 were crammed together at the protests?

Yes that was completely wrong but how many people will be indoors in pubs on Saturday? More than ten times that and not all of them will be following the guidance and social distancing, any more than all the protesters were.

OP posts:

MRex · 02/07/2020 19:01

People who aren't bothered about distancing in pubs probably didn't distance in March when the rates were much higher than now. I expect many of them already caught covid. Remains to be seen how many more still catch it now. Yes, it's a risk, there will be many who will take no precautions and some pubs will just be chaos. But then some are out holding music festivals, parties etc now, those are dodgy too. We need to try and see if there can be some return to normality or there will be no hospitality jobs left.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 02/07/2020 19:04

I do wonder if part of the thinking is that one way or another people will gather to drink and it is better for them to do it in a partly controlled environment than at illegal raves.

Original poster

annabel85 · 02/07/2020 19:44

@TheCountessofFitzdotterel

I do wonder if part of the thinking is that one way or another people will gather to drink and it is better for them to do it in a partly controlled environment than at illegal raves.

Possibly but there's no live music allowed in the pubs and no clubs allowed open. Combine that with all the restrictions and people will still have their clandestine parties. They'll just go to the pub first.

OP posts:

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 02/07/2020 19:48

True, Annabel85.

Saladmakesmesad · 02/07/2020 20:09

Absolutely - I'm preparing for a weekend of being mortified to be British again.

AlecTrevelyan006 · 02/07/2020 20:12

nellodee · 02/07/2020 20:14

Do you think the bars will be able to get people to stick to the distancing rules? Or are some just going to let them get on with it? And if they do, are the police supposed to step in?

Northernsoullover · 02/07/2020 20:15

I think it will. I also think offices will be risky.

flowerycurtain · 02/07/2020 20:26

I do wonder if part of the thinking is that one way or another people will gather to drink and it is better for them to do it in a partly controlled environment than at illegal raves.

I think there's something to be said about this. There's been 3 illegal raves in a 10 mile vicinity of my farm in 10 days.

Original poster

annabel85 · 02/07/2020 20:27

@nellodee

Do you think the bars will be able to get people to stick to the distancing rules? Or are some just going to let them get on with it? And if they do, are the police supposed to step in?

Some bars will insist on social distancing and rules, some will pay lip service, others will just ignore them. Same with the customers, really.

The police haven't really made the effort to intervene during any big gatherings unless it descends into public disorder.

OP posts:

MinnieMousse · 02/07/2020 20:33

I agree it will be down to enforcement of social distancing which I don't think a lot of pub owners/managers will feel willing or able to do.

HeresMe · 02/07/2020 20:33

Most people haven't got covid it's something.like 1 in 1700 so the chance is no one in pub will have it.

If you don't want to go don't go, just don't try and guilt trip others.

MoreW1ne · 02/07/2020 21:04

Nope. No different or worse than other opening up measures.

Combined together, obviously the rates going to go up a little bit. But I dont see pubs being worse than what's come or about to come in September.

Flip

1 2 3 4