Is nobody social distancing anymore?

[LittleMrsMama]

I'm over 39 weeks pregnant and have been isolating for the last 4 months apart from hospital appointments. Over the last week my social media has had an influx of people with their arms around each other, in large groups etc. I thought that maybe I'd missed something but checked online and social distancing is still meant to be taking place.

Many of these people are expecting to hold my baby when she arrives but I know will kick off if I say I'm not comfortable with it.

I feel like DH and I are the only people we know taking the rules seriously. Anyone else experienced the same or have a different perspective?

The people acting like it's all over just don't give a shit and have done whatever they can get away with from the start

I don't actually think that's true in all cases. I think there are people who complied to the letter at the beginning, but are now desperate to see family and friends and go on holiday.

Whereas other people may have been slightly/somewhat more relaxed to start with and gone out more often and bought Easter eggs and wine and daily newspapers, but are still keeping their distance and avoiding crowds now.

I thought I was the only one who had noticed, I see lots of my friends posting pics of them hugging with cocktails etc. And then they want to come and visit me and my baby? Not a chance!!

The last time my bub was held by anyone other than me or DH was February. I have spent the last few days feeling guilty and anxious seeing as my SIL is taking her kids for cuddles with all the grandparents and she is high risk and pregnant! So because of this, I have felt pressure to do the same.

But I won't, because although the risk is minimal, I don't feel comfortable with it still.

"New cases have gone up in the UK but the news only seems to report on deaths now which is strange.'
So how do you get to know that new cases have gone up? I think that is through the news and all the newspapers report deaths and new infections for the day.

Im not. I haven't for months. I don't know anyone who is in real life

However, if it's someone I haven't met up with yet I would always check first what they wanted. If they wish to distance I will.

I distance from strangers but make very little effort because to be honest where I live absolutely no one makes any effort at all, not the general public or shop workers etc. So if I wanted to distance it would be next to impossible.

I am very blasé about covid. Probably too much so

But if I were pregnant, I would take a lot of care. I would distance for sure. I judge no pregnant woman who doesn't but, whilst I have been ignoring lockdown rules for ages, if I were pregnant I would stick to them to the letter.

I have always been absolutely careful with everything when pregnant and this is an illness we know very little about. Whilst it causes next to no issues with kids, pregnancy is different in my opinion and I've never taken any risks at all, not even a slightly runny egg.

Ophelia

“...... whilst I have been ignoring lockdown rules for ages, if I were pregnant I would stick to them to the letter”.

How did you know, whilst you were deliberately ignoring lockdown rules, that you weren’t asymptomatic?
You might have infected a woman in early pregnant, an NHS worker for example who had no choice but to be out, without realising it. Why would it only matter if it were your pregnancy?

We all need to think about everyone else, surely.

I just think it's so unnatural to social distance. When you chat to someone you know, there's a natural distance you keep. By being purposely further away, especially if you are walking together, it just feels very awkward. Socially distancing from people I don't know is absolutely great and anyone who is vulnerable, I totally respect their wishes but for everybody else, there just seems to end an already very natural distance you'd keep anyhow.

@Itsarattrap

Ophelia

“...... whilst I have been ignoring lockdown rules for ages, if I were pregnant I would stick to them to the letter”.

How did you know, whilst you were deliberately ignoring lockdown rules, that you weren’t asymptomatic?
You might have infected a woman in early pregnant, an NHS worker for example who had no choice but to be out, without realising it. Why would it only matter if it were your pregnancy?

We all need to think about everyone else, surely.

Sorry, I wasn't quite clear there

I've never ignored the rules with regards to strangers.

So I've always kept a distance, done whatever has been required in shops / out and about. Which truth be told, has been very tricky where I live as next to no one follows the rules.

So I would not have been near a newly pregnant woman, or anyone else I didn't know. Its also never been 2m - I've always kept further away by far because it's my opinion that 2m is probably bullshit and it could travel much further so I've made sure I've been further away from people (I'm also very much anti being close to people anyhow so 2m feels to close to strangers anyway to me)

When I've broken lockdown rules it's been with friends who have been happy to take that calculated risk.

I have never, and will continue to never, go near others when out, and have followed the hand washing / sanitising etc rules fastidiously. I will cover my face as per the rules when they come in, and have done so far in medical settings.

I have no wish to risk people I don't know and would only take actions that the person I'm with is ok with. You may still have a problem with that which is fine, but I definitely wouldn't risk a stranger

My apologies, Ophelia, I completely misunderstood.

@Itsarattrap

My apologies, Ophelia, I completely misunderstood.

No worries at all. I can see how my original comment could have been interpreted that I've been willfully going around and risking people. I'd never do that.

Mostly the people I see my children have been at school with so I see no harm. But some are from outside of school

With every interaction I've asked the person what they're ok with and vice versa. I have absolute respect for what others what or don't want.

We've discussed this at length with our children so they know that they can't go near strangers as it wouldn't be kind or respectful. They've understood very well.