Is everyone else really confused by Boris/government mixed messages?

[annabel85]

One day it's everyone get back to the office and pack out rush hour trains again and back to Pret and Costa for your morning coffee and lunchtime sandwich. The next it's talk of lockdown and quarantines and 'let's be careful out there'. Why not just continue to advise to work from home then where it's possible and productive to do so?

One day it's 'it'll all be over by Christmas' the next it's 'second wave will be here in two weeks'.

One day it's all get back to the shops and let's support the retail industry, the next it's compulsory masks.

We could list a whole bunch of other conflicting advice from the government and cognitive dissonance from Boris Johnson.

It's a confusing time for everyone and Boris has an impossible job in many ways but they really aren't helping matters with such confusing mixed messages.

I understand they're blindsided by events and changes (I thought they were proactive for once with the Spain quarantine tbf) but their strategy is so confused. It veers between complacency and panic on a daily basis. People don't know whether they're coming or going.

My OH's boss thinks he's been told by the PM to get the troops back to the office.

OH and his colleagues think they were told by that same PM that they can continue working at home.

We're invited to a picnic with about 8 or 9 other families next week. Is that allowed or not? I've lost track. I have this idea there's not meant to be more than 6 at once. Is that over now?

I'll delegate one of the kids to look it up tomorrow.

@ChavvySexPond

The new northern lockdown that affects 5 million sounded like but can't honestly be "don't see your mate at your mate's house but you can go to the pub with as many people as you like. "

And why do they so often put changes out late in the day?

I think going down the pub with your friends was earlier. Now you can only go with your household but if the people that you were going to invite over also happened to be there on a different table, along with lots of other people who you don’t know that’s fine. This is obviously less risky than having those people over for a socially distanced gathering in your garden.

I fear whoever wrote these may have already been down the pub.

We're invited to a picnic with about 8 or 9 other families next week. Is that allowed or not? I've lost track. I have this idea there's not meant to be more than 6 at once. Is that over now
Afraid not. If you are in england
It is up to 6 people from different households outside
Or
2 households of any size (so if you have a single household and a family they class as one) can meet inside or out but maintaining social distancing.

I think people have got confused with the maximum 30 people as I have heard lots of talk about "well as long as there are no more than 30 it is all ok"

And this is what is confusing

Obviously the above is different if you are in one of the areas with new restrictions

Anyone 'meeting with 8 or 9 families' is a fucker imo.

Argh yes!

Boris wants us to get back into the office, even if you can work from home. My office is in Greater Manchester, but I live outside that area. So technically I am advised to unnecessarily get a train into Manchester each day and mix with my colleagues in an office, yet many of my colleagues are no longer allowed to invite family to their gardens!

Luckily my company more sensible than the government and we have all decided to work from home indefinitely.

I think going down the pub with your friends was earlier. Now you can only go with your household but if the people that you were going to invite over also happened to be there on a different table, along with lots of other people who you don’t know that’s fine. This is obviously less risky than having those people over for a socially distanced gathering in your garden.

I fear whoever wrote these may have already been down the pub.

This tweet from Keir Starmer sums up the last night’s antics for me...

No one would argue with putting in place local action to reduce the transmission of coronavirus.

But announcing measures affecting potentially millions of people late at night on Twitter is a new low for the government’s communications during this crisis.

I give in.

Another fucked up thread moaning about shit changing, in a situation were shit changes very day!

It's advice and some legal obligations. It is freely available on many sites. You do what is a legal obligation and make your own mind up about the rest.

So go to a pub and have a socially distanced drink if you want to, don't if you don't want to. It's a balance between being safe and sensible and getting the economy back up. You choose what you can and cannot do in your own life.

As for Twitter etc... not sure I can get worked up about that! As Starmer is well aware, meetings go on until late at night and if BJ or whoever wants to use social media to informally announce to the media and/or public then so what! There would also have been a formal briefing.

And no, the guidance doesn't want you to go to the office if working from home remains viable. He justs wants your employer to have the option of reopening the office if that is what the business needs. EMployers who choose to leave staff working from home don't know better than BJ, they are following government advice!

Yes, I know it is shambolic and I know it is uncomfortable, no end it sight is bloody scary. And I know they change their minds on things like local lockdowns... but that is a good thing, they haven't stuck to A Plan, they are always reviewing, changing and, in this instance, explaining why.

We probably have another year of this heightened awareness and then more time of less focus. The best thing you can do for yourself is get your head round that fact and stop looking for a whipping boy.

That will all happen later. You can scream for blood and vengeance then!

@PurpleDaisies

This tweet from Keir Starmer sums up the last night’s antics for me...

No one would argue with putting in place local action to reduce the transmission of coronavirus.

But announcing measures affecting potentially millions of people late at night on Twitter is a new low for the government’s communications during this crisis.

Absolutely. I worked in public sector comms for over 30 years. Announcing major change on a minority medium is a case study in poor practice.

There’s clearly no communication strategy or anyone with a clue what they’re doing in No 10. Just when you think the shot show can’t get any worse ...

Shit show, even!

No, I don't find it confusing at all. That's because I find it easy to use my common sense.
I also refer to the government's own website if I need something clarifying, rather than asking people on mumsnet. That helps a lot.

I'm not, because I'm in Scotland and nicola sturgeon makes much more sense, she's direct and tries to be as uncomplicated as possible.

Boris Johnson is a fool.

I'm not saying NS is perfect but she's a damn sight easier to follow than Westminster.

The manner of the announcement is inexcusable.

@labyrinthloafer

Anyone 'meeting with 8 or 9 families' is a fucker imo.

Well the person organising it believes she is operating within the rules given that it's outside and we can go to the pub or work or get on a bus or go to the cinema etc with a far larger number of people.

Well the person organising it believes she is operating within the rules

She’s wrong.

Prob been said.
But I don't understand the tackle Obesity yet encourage people to go get a mac ds for pennies. 44p a burger!
Not everyone has will power to not eat that and will see that as cheaper to buy that than cook a meal.

The obesity is up too despite those places being closed..

And please don't think I'm preaching or whatever its just things I've seen (I am overweight and love fast food on occasions.. But un likely id go now anyway)

@ssd

*I'm not, because I'm in Scotland and nicola sturgeon makes much more sense, she's direct and tries to be as uncomplicated as possible.

Boris Johnson is a fool*

No! No! NO! You're doing it wrong!

NS is playing party politics by dealing with the pandemic, and vile Scots 'separatists' are refusing to die of Covid-19 purely to spite Westminster and make Boris look bad!

Get with the programme!!!

@ChavvySexPond Whatever they think, they're wrong.

I think they handled it appallingly from the start.

But it's not mixed messages now.

He's been clear what the road map was and clear that the brakes would be out on if necessary.

Last week we continued along road map. This week brakes are on.

It's like all the people who booked a cheap deal to Spain 2-3 weeks ago who when holiday came around were told self quarantine or had it cancelled - all saying "if we'd known this could happen ".

Well it's hardly a surprise. I knew it could happen. So did many of my friends and family.

If you choose to only read, hear and digests the boys you want to hear then you'll be surprised when things you ain't want to happen - happen.

[quote labyrinthloafer]@ChavvySexPond Whatever they think, they're wrong.[/quote]
Just been reading something else and it is 30 people outside, so clearly I owe your friend who doesn't care what I think an apology

@labyrinthloafer I had no idea if she was correct or not. I've completely lost track. So no apology necessary.

I saw another newsflash today. I don't know if this is the same one we were grumbling about or another later one.

Looks like things have changed again. Announced Friday p.m. to take effect on Saturday.

"The further easing of lockdown restrictions in England - due to come in this weekend - has been postponed for at least two weeks, amid concerns over an increase in coronavirus cases."

"Casinos and bowling alleys will remain shut, with Boris Johnson saying it was time to "squeeze the brake pedal".

Wedding receptions of up to 30 people were meant to be allowed as part of the changes but cannot yet happen.

Face coverings will be mandatory in more indoor settings, such as cinemas.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53609467

Who was it was saying they found it easy to keep up with government changes?