Please tell me it’s not just me!

[Twothousandzerozero]

I feel like I’m going mad. Either that or like I’m living in a completely different pandemic to about three quarters of my Facebook friend list.

Everyday there are people sticking photos up of groups gatherings/meals/drinks/jollies where no one is social distancing - eg all huddling together for the photo, sitting close together etc etc. I’m mid 30s so it’s not all “young” people either; it’s older educated, professional (some NHS frontline!) otherwise responsible people in their 30s and 40s.

I’m genuinely not trying to shame them, I just don’t get it. It’s one thing mixing in groups with absolutely zero SD but I don’t get why people are broadcasting it online, it just feels completely at odds with what’s going on, and yet it seems to be nearly everyone I know..!

Have a lot of people just given up? Has anyone else noticed this, or have I finally lost it?!

I wouldn't worry about it. You'll be seeing some of their obituaries online soon. They're ignorant and selfish.

My area is one that "locked down" on Friday. Not one person appears to have taken any notice, including me tbh. I went out last night with friends, ate a meal indoors, sat in a bar on the same table, loads of people doing the same on SM, went out for lunch today and most of the tables were not households, some were tables of 8-10. It looks like the hospitality industry are ignoring the 1 household rule. Tbh everyone I know is sick of the restrictions.

In April they were calling anyone who walked their dog twice a day all the selfish bastards under the sun and writing preachy statuses ordering everyone to “stay home” and now they’re putting selfies on swigging cocktails in crowded restaurants with groups of mates all huddled round - but NO ONE references this at all??

This.

@ChavvySexPond

Some days it's like I hallucinated a pandemic all on my own.

I feel like this, 'close' friends are posting pictures of themselves at each others houses for dinner etc, no social distancing...they act like Im the mad one wanting to meet outside in a park.

Like Chavvy says sometimes I feel like I dreamt the whole shitshow!

We are in an area where cases are going up though we have not yet been locked down...Something DH said the other day to work colleagues on a call is that 'everyone seems to have forgotten social distancing here, there is just a background noise of people dying'

That really struck a chord with me, it feels so shameful and heartless, I can't believe how selfish so many people are

It’s driving me mad that people just can’t stick to the rules.

Twothousandzerozero Thank you (- not your ones back)

To be honest, I've lost quite a bit of respect for a few of my friends/relatives. Some of them paid not a blind bit of notice to any guidelines, which are there in order to protect others.

If they can't be bothered to at least try to do their bit for the common good then they've really went down in my estimation. It's just the 'me me me and fuck everyone else' attitude.

@SouthernComforts but surely individuals also have some personal responsibility in that respect? It's not all down to the restaurants; how do they know who is and isn't part of the same household? I agree, they should be doing their bit and asking, however people do also have the responsibility to act in a socially responsible manner and stick to the guidelines.

michelle I feel like this, I've lost a lot of respect for friends I really cared for...one of them I counted as a one of my top 3...now I'm thinking maybe they were a friend of convenience and for the good times...like going to restaurants, spas etc...but when it comes to shared values, maybe we there never had them and this pandemic highlights that brutally

Sorry for the typos, didnt proofread before I submitted

Out in the garden (alone!) just now listening to not one but two all day house parties in my street, one of the houses are a black family who were out clapping for the NHS every week... I despair

@TomorrowAlways that's it, shared values. I'm far from perfect but I do try and be a considerate person and I do care about the safety of others. Even though mask wearing is uncomfortable and not being able to socialise with family and friends in the way that I used to is a pain in the bum, I value the health and safety of my fellow citizens above any minor inconvenience which may be caused by said masks and social distancing.

I am definitely rethinking one or two friendships of mine...

Our area has rising stats. Touristy very small place absolutely overcrowded...I am newspaper did a positive piece with 31 photos of A Great Day Out.
Stupid People Stay Home should have been the heading imo.
We have stayed in all week - taking ddogs out after dark !!

@StartingGrid, why on earth would you point out that a black family who clapped the NHS is now having a party? Are you clumsily making a point about increased risk for BAME?

I’ve found it’s the people who were preaching at everyone the most back in April /May especially about the ‘5 MILE LIMIT ‘ in Scotland who are now doing a whole U turn and out partying etc . I got invited to a party via Facebook event the other day and saw 29 people had been invited . When I questioned why so many people were invited I got told they wouldn’t all come and that Covid was practically over !

@michelle1504 yes, obviously people are choosing to carry on socialising, and from what I've seen bars and restaurants are not policing it. I'm not blaming, just observing.

I stuck to lockdown completely. I also worked all the way through looking after KW children as I’m a TA. Whilst I haven’t been abroad or on holiday, I’ve been to my nieces first birthday “party”, been shopping in Primark and my older son has been with his girlfriend (definitely not social distancing!) and my younger son has been playing football with his friends. Tbh I’m sick of the whole thing, the government can’t make its mind up what we are supposed to do. I have to wear a mask to go in a shop to apparently protect everyone else but we aren’t supposed to wear masks in school?? So yes I will be having as nice a summer as I can manage without laying on a sun lounger by a pool like I’m supposed to be. And yes my son will see his girlfriend and my other son will continue seeing his friends because quite honestly it’s damaging all our mental health living how we have been for the last 4 months.

I don't get it!

Isn't that the point? - they will, you won't.

You see, I think the country was split roughly into two groups.

The genuinely shielding plus the worried-well and anxious
And
Those who had no choice but to be straight out there working (there were some who were anxious or very anxious in this group too). These include NHS workers and other key workers incl people who work in schools, social workers, shop workers, some council workers, posties and delivery drivers, utility workers, and so on.

What people in the latter group (including me) found, very quickly was that social distancing was always hocum. You can't (for example) insert a breathing tube down someone's throat from 2m away. Or you stack a shelf in a supermarket without people walking past you or asking you a question. Etc etc etc
So, you do things differently, you don't hug your colleagues, you're as careful as you can be, you change your clothes, you wash your hands more frequently, etc.

Meanwhile the former group is judging (see a gazillion threads on here) the latter group AND some of the former group.

The latter group notice that some of the most vociferous and adamant of the former group are (a) breaking lockdown left, right and centre and (b) a lot of those screaming about not engaging with school (or whatever) weren't that great about doing it before anyone had even heard of coronavirus in any case.

Then add into the mix those who are supposed to be setting us an example driving to beauty spots to test their eyesight, etc.
It becomes a fucking joke.

So when they loosen the restrictions on those who they never applied to in the first place, and all we've lost is the fun stuff and all we've gained is extra stress AND people moaning about us....

And I emphasize again, LOTS of the former group never stuck to lockdown inthe first place, despite many being paid to be at home

No not just you. My SM too is full of people taking selfies of them all huddling together. Somebody I know who is shielding was putting comments on her FB page during lockdown about people not being allowed to come to her door as she's shielding and won't see anybody. As soon as the pubs opened, there she was with 3 friends (so 4 different households) plastering selfies in the pub all over FB every weekend!! She'll be the first one to kick off if she gets it

Same here.
Feel like I'm being a total mug for not hugging my family or friends and meeting up to have summer parties.
One friend posted pictures of her night out and said she was a bit worried that the restaurant was busy but they had good measures in place while the pictures showing her hugging her friends and parents.
It's so hard. And the more people who see people breaking the guidelines the more they will think "fuck it noones doing this anymore I'm.not bothering either "

Not just you OP.. I really don't get it.

If people want to 'observe' the current situation by eating out all weekend, crowding into bars with friends, etc, fine by me. Covii doesn't give a fuck if People Up North Are Sick Of The Restrictions. It kicked my butt and it'll kick some of theirs too. Not judging, just observing

It's not hard to get, it's been about 5 months of this. People missing important events, family, socialising. It's easy for you lot to be up on your high horse but for many others their mental health is deterioting. Plus, restrictions HAVE been eased. I know mumsnet aren't happy about this but the truth is pubs, restaurants and other social areas have reopened and are encouraging people to go out and spend money. Social distancing is something businesses are putting in place but they don't have authority to police it because, its not a rule, its a guideline I know you don't want to hear this but it's the truth.

To clarify, I am not doing any of the above and I have to continue to be careful because of my own reasons but I can understand why others are getting back to their life. This can't go on forever and its difficult on a lot of people, but to say you "don't get it" is a bit disingenuous

@shamalidacdak

I wouldn't worry about it. You'll be seeing some of their obituaries online soon. They're ignorant and selfish.

Yay! Give yourselves a pat on the back.