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Original poster

Hasn't everyone broken the rules at least once?

174 replies

Jourdain11 · 01/08/2020 18:23

I'm not (intentionally) stirring, but genuinely curious. I come across so many people who say, "I've followed every rule" but has anyone actually, literally, done this? I struggle to imagine that anyone can have complied with the letter and spirit of the regulations every minute of every day, since 23 March. Even if it was something as benign as going to the supermarket for non-essentials or going out for an extra, non-necessary walk.

Hmm?

OP posts:
SimonJT · 01/08/2020 22:31

Yes, when we were only allowed outside once a day I went for an early morning run everyday and still went on a daily outdoor outing with my son.

Wishfulthinking1977 · 01/08/2020 22:40

We did a month! Terrified to leave the house even though dh was working right the way through! After a month the mh toll on my family and friends was more worrying than the 'virus' we only did small things to begin with but now pretty much doing our own thing! No massive gatherings, but never did! Not interested in pubs or eating out! But not doing masks, social distancing etc as we have had 1 case! In the whole area I live in and 651 in the whole county and some! The so called guidelines make absolutely no sense we have had a massive influx of people from other areas and still no one in our area has died! So basically I'm going to carry on doing me and everyone else can do them! It's made no difference so far and as far as I'm concerned it won't make any difference going forward!

Topseyt · 01/08/2020 22:44

I didn't stick rigidly to the rules, no.

When I heard it was apparently illegal to sit on a park bench and have a snack then I just thought that was such bollock that I simply had to go out and do it. I wondered if someone would challenge me and I was disappointed. Nobody gave a shit. Sad in fact, someone else came and sat on another bench.

I came close to losing both of my parents during lockdown. Those crises were just about averted. I finally got to visit them last weekend and we didn't bother with social distancing. Fuck that. We all needed a good hug, so we had one.

I would never have reported people to police for any of that, nor children for playing football in a park

ginteaandponies · 01/08/2020 23:04

I've cuddle my mum!! We were isolated for 14 days prior to breaking rules though!!!!!

What a world we live in Blush

MayFayre · 01/08/2020 23:24

I had two walks a day some days during strict lockdown (but live rurally so rarely saw anyone).

I had coffee with friends in their gardens before we were allowed to.

Probably haven’t always stayed 2m from friends on walks.

Hugged a dear friend last week because it was the last time I’ll ever see him again (he’s moving).

IwishIhadaMargarita · 02/08/2020 00:20

@Flaxmeadow

Something I've noticed is how easy it is to forget to put a mask on when walking into a shop. I've done this a couple of times now. I'm sure others must have too

I think it would help us to remember if there was some signs to remind us by the door

All the shops I’ve gone to have it on the door.
IwishIhadaMargarita · 02/08/2020 00:20

I haven’t broken the rules.

Graciebobcat · 02/08/2020 00:28

Shopping for "non-essentials" was never against the rules. That was about the types of shop that were allowed to remain open. If the shop was legally open you could buy whatever it sold.

I suspect I may have been a little too close to some people on the pavement at times, but I'll take my chances with pedestrians instead of stepping into traffic.

I don't know if I have obeyed all the rules as I try not to watch the news most of the time.

Sossen · 02/08/2020 05:38

Ok, I get people simply saying that they’ve stuck to the rules, as that was the question, but to say you’re proud that you stuck to the rules, seriously? Let’s get these people a medal.

WhentheDealGoesDown · 02/08/2020 06:16

I think I didn’t break any but it was probably easier for me than some people as I am retired, no relatives live anywhere near, have no children at home, we don’t see adult DS much anyway, got a weekly Tesco delivery slot and live in a small town so distancing was easy.

WhentheDealGoesDown · 02/08/2020 06:19

I think I may be breaking them soon though as I see in the DM today that Boris is planning on telling the over 50s to stay at home to prevent a national lockdown, fuck that

Snowdrop30 · 02/08/2020 06:24

I have followed them to the letter - I have elderly parents in a house, various friends are shielding, and a pal of mine (who has two young DC) nearly died of it. Even if I didn't have these relationships, it's not hard to get your head around the idea that it's right to abide by rules which are a bit inconvenient to protect others who would die. Is it?

Snowdrop30 · 02/08/2020 06:25

But then I live in Scotland, where the rules make more sense, and there is much more trust in the government.

Snowdrop30 · 02/08/2020 06:26

Elderly parents in a home

CarrieBlue · 02/08/2020 06:46

I haven’t broken the rules.

Bluebellpainting · 02/08/2020 07:30

@WhentheDealGoesDown

I think I may be breaking them soon though as I see in the DM today that Boris is planning on telling the over 50s to stay at home to prevent a national lockdown, fuck that
I think it is more of a personalised risk approach than a blanket over 50 stay at home. The article talks about personalised risk assessments so age will be a factor in it, but it will depend on your underlying health conditions. I have heard that they are working on a risk stratification tool where you age, health characteristics and underlying characteristics are combined to give a you a risk score and then your advice re measures to take given accordingly. But when the tool will come out who knows.
squeekums · 02/08/2020 07:37

I'm in south aus and I assume I've broken the rules at one point or another. I never followed close enough to be sure of them really
Last week I went to the footy, with 20,000 others so I assume the rules lax. I vaguely heard a reminder about social distancing but was largely ignored as our team lost, we wanted out of the ground lol

WhentheDealGoesDown · 02/08/2020 07:41

Oh thanks Bluebellpainting, I obviously didn’t read it properly, I’m probably fairly lower risk being white, female, no known underlying illness just I’m early 60s. DH would be higher risk at late 50s, male, slightly overweight and high blood pressure. Though if the tool is like the app I doubt it will be anytime soon

Sooverthemill · 02/08/2020 07:44

I have followed the rules explicitly. But I'm shielding and haven't left my garden except to walk 4 doors down twice to leave bags outside a neighbour who has done some odd bits of shopping for me. I will continue to shield and not leave my garden until the R number is down significantly. My shielding pause letter actually tells me to stay at home as much as I can unless it's for Covid safe work, food shopping or daily exercise. It's a bit boring but I am at risk and so is my DD so I will stay safe. I live in a place overrun with tourists at present so it's simply doesn't feel sensible as no one can keep to the social distancing with the number of people here, our population has trebled in the last few weeks

Bluebellpainting · 02/08/2020 07:56

@WhentheDealGoesDown Yes frustrating that we don’t know when it is coming. I heard about it from a Endocrinologist who specialises in diabetes. I’m hoping that it what the article is hinting at when it says personalised risk ratings.

Grottyfeet · 02/08/2020 07:57

I was very compliant during the "full" lockdown, I even worried if my supermarket trip included non essentials but I never went out only for non-essentials.

I was furious with Cummings and his people and felt a real mug for not realising I could have done "what was best for my family" but I still complied.

Now, I am being very careful to be "sensible" and I believe I am following the spirit of the rules but not the letter of them. For example, I will attend a socially distanced outdoor gathering of 10 people from 5 households today. Against the guidance but not the law and not, IMO very risky.

I've really struggled with being asked to use common sense at the same time as being told there are still rules. Which is it?

I'm also finding it harder and harder to keep proper social distance as other people have relaxed about it so much. There were always some, but I'm finding very few people move aside on a footpath, or stand back during a conversation or keep clear at the supermarket anymore.

Grottyfeet · 02/08/2020 08:00

If we have personalised risk assessments, that mean some people over 50 and others with specific risk factors are advised to stay at home, there's no way schools can reopen, so that wont happen.

labyrinthloafer · 02/08/2020 08:03

@Grottyfeet

If we have personalised risk assessments, that mean some people over 50 and others with specific risk factors are advised to stay at home, there's no way schools can reopen, so that wont happen.
Also my personal risk may be deemed low by the state but doesn't mean I'm happy to swim in covid germ pool!
Amber0685 · 02/08/2020 08:06

We have followed the rules.

whiskybysidedoor · 02/08/2020 08:06

I haven’t broken the rules, but then I’ve had to go out to work everyday & DH’s job is pretty full on.

None of our neighbours have stuck to it though, funnily enough after initially being terrified and getting me to get shopping for them to having full on bbqs for the whole family in the garden when I’m trying to sleep. Sad

It reminds me why I’m not a lefty anymore though. People are all share the wealth and help each other until it inconveniences them and lockdown clearly demonstrated that. Would be happy to see the back of high taxes and the nhs. People are shits.

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