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?!

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??

Haha yeah its quite baffling really.

It does seem to be the 'omg you are literally killing people by stepping out of your front door!!!' crowd who are now meeting in groups with no distancing and selfies all bloody over. And oddly, telling others to stop being 'dementors'. When they were the very definition of dementors themselves a month or so back!

@shamalidacdak

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

What an absolutely bl@ody disgusting comment.

Yes people should be adhering to the guidelines. But they are just that....... guidelines.
Most are, and SAGE have factored in that a percentage won’t in their advice as to how far we can go on relaxing things. In fact, the initial compliance was far, far higher than was expected.

OpheliasCrayon

Life as normal here. Like nothing has ever happened. I see all our friends and stuff is just as it was.”

Would really like to understand why you think rules don’t apply to you? Interested in your mindset.

The infection rate in Derbyshire according to the BBC, is 5 per 100, 000. I don't think you will be reading too many obituaries...

Playmysong

The World this Weekend was very interesting today.
They had an American Prof. of Epidemioligy as a guest, I didn’t note his name I’m afraid but no doubt it’s on iPlayer. He was very much of the view that Eastern societies /economies have dealt with this situation far more effectively than Western because of various national characteristics and their economies are therefore in relatively good shape. They tend to have Governments that have (really) been led by science, have acted swiftly and probably harshly in Western eyes (prudently in mine) have the trust of the voters so have taken them with them and, principally, have societies where care and responsibility for others is ingrained. In short, they care about one another.
He then expressed the opinion that in respect of his own nation, they suffer from poor leadership, division and a population that gives not a damn about it’s neighbours. Unfortunately, it’s not hard to reach the conclusion that the same that seems to apply to some extent in the UK (England, certainly).
My husband is extremely vulnerable too. He has carried on working from home throughout, his singular expertise has safeguarded thousands of jobs and pensions and he continues to contribute a great deal by way of income tax. Sadly, lots of people whose lives he plays an anonymous but vital role in couldn’t give a stuff about his welfare as a vulnerable person, as long as they can go to Spoons and fly to Majorca.
It is so sad.

@itsaratrap Brilliant post.

@itsaratrap

OpheliasCrayon

Life as normal here. Like nothing has ever happened. I see all our friends and stuff is just as it was.”

Would really like to understand why you think rules don’t apply to you? Interested in your mindset.

I see friends my daughter's have been at school with What's the difference between them having seen each other between June and now and not now. Other than that I see a few friends but not many others I wear face coverings blah blah blah

I'd say j basically follow the rules but, the question was does it look normal as if stuff hasn't happened my answer is very much so in my area . Pretty much no one has followed the rules here since the start
I keep away from strangers. Have had kids tested for symptoms / isolated etc

But where j live just looks completely normal now. Didn't say I was flouting all the rules Im not, but my life is pretty much as it was. It's the summer holiday, I don't work anyway, kids are seeing who they went to school with. All local stuff is open now so literally nothing is different. It's not me breaking the rules it's just where I live seems pretty much normal

I get you OP. There's a happy half way house isn't there. It's so much better now more has opened up. I'm all for supporting the economy and living your life, just do it in a manner that's going to help keep you and those around you healthy. I think it must have become quite abstract to alot of ppl after so many months if they're not personally affected. It's an issue of personal responsibility; at the end of the day the only influence you really have is over your own behaviour, and maybe partner and kids. I've just come to accept that a subset of other people aren't like minded.

Yep! I'm so confused. And it just makes it harder.

It's the getting so close and hugging everyone. Why cant they keep going our to restaurants and doing whatever but distantly? It's like they've forgotten because like you said, all being posted on sm.

@SouthernComforts

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.

Any soon they will be sick because they didn’t follow the restrictions or worse someone else who is vulnerable will have life limiting symptoms for months or be dead because of the selfish actions of others.

Opheliascrayob

But where j live just looks completely normal now. Didn't say I was flouting all the rules Im not, but my life is pretty much as it was. It's the summer holiday, I don't work anyway, kids are seeing who they went to school with. All local stuff is open now so literally nothing is different. It's not me breaking the rules it's just where I live seems pretty much normal“

I see. Yes, I misunderstood, apologies.

(I am also incredibly curious about your Username .... another thread, I guess 😁)

Would help if I’d spelled it correctly 😊

@itsaratrap

Opheliascrayob

But where j live just looks completely normal now. Didn't say I was flouting all the rules Im not, but my life is pretty much as it was. It's the summer holiday, I don't work anyway, kids are seeing who they went to school with. All local stuff is open now so literally nothing is different. It's not me breaking the rules it's just where I live seems pretty much normal“

I see. Yes, I misunderstood, apologies.

(I am also incredibly curious about your Username .... another thread, I guess 😁)

It's fine no worries

My username = two completely random words that came into my head she's ago when I was asked for a username for something else. It has no actual meaning whatsoever! Purely random

I am deeply disappointed 😂

I'll think up something better and get back to you!

I ate dinner at a restaurant outdoors with my two neighbors. Idk why I went, I regret it (not gotten sick...yet). It was outdoor seating but one of them didn't put her mask on when not eating. I felt kind of pressured to go (guess I'll die before I stop ppl pleasing ).

Hoping it turns out okay, but I'm in the two week wait! I've been super good up until now... and still wonder...was it super dangerous?? Idk

You are unlikely to catch Covid eating dinner outside.

I wasn’t aware that you have to cover your face in between bites of food.

Hoping it turns out okay, but I'm in the two week wait! I've been super good up until now... and still wonder...was it super dangerous?? Idk

Not super dangerous, no. Not totally 100% risk free either.

You can read about how virus are transmitted outdoors, just Google it. It sounds like you would have to pretty darn unlucky to catch it while social distanced outdoors in the sunshine.

Why would I need to use anti BACTERIAL hand gel against a VIRUS when I am washing my hands? that will be the alcohol love.
@cologne4711

We will soon lose the cherished freedoms we worked so hard to get back because of these people.

So depressing.

@FluffyKittensinabasket she took the mask off immediately at the table, and didn't put it back on until leaving, while we all put on before food arrived and after finished. We're not in the same family unit, just neighbors so I wish she would put it back on, but felt to awkward to say so.

[quote birdy124]@FluffyKittensinabasket she took the mask off immediately at the table, and didn't put it back on until leaving, while we all put on before food arrived and after finished. We're not in the same family unit, just neighbors so I wish she would put it back on, but felt to awkward to say so. [/quote]
It's such a British thing isn't it? (sorry, assuming nationality here.... 😬) not to want to feel awkward. My husband's had to ask people multiple times to move away from him when he's in the supermarket. But then he doesn't mind being awkward 😂. I'm normally quiet and shy and don't want to upset people but even I've made the odd comment when other people are making me feel uncomfortable, you have to do what you can to make yourself feel safe!

This is exactly what happened in the US in May. Hospitality opened, people started having gatherings and socialising in an unregulated way, and the numbers slowly crept up...then they really shot up. Hospital admissions increased significantly and hospitals started turning away covid patients. Surprise surprise, bars and restaurants were then forced to close and the masses got nervous again and stayed at home. School reopenings became under threat. It’s not rocket science or some unlikely prediction. It’s just what happens when people like to pretend that there isn’t a pandemic going on.

Priority is that schools go back full time. Yes that’s more important than a holiday or a big birthday bash. And no we can’t have everything, there will be tradeoffs in order to reduce the overall number of interactions and keep infection rates low during winter.

[quote birdy124]@FluffyKittensinabasket she took the mask off immediately at the table, and didn't put it back on until leaving, while we all put on before food arrived and after finished. We're not in the same family unit, just neighbors so I wish she would put it back on, but felt to awkward to say so. [/quote]
I did not know that masks were required for outdoor (or even indoor for that matter) restaurants. I've been to my local pub and restaurant not seen a single person sat with a mask on.
The thing with social distancing is its completely unnatural to us, we are not solitary creatures. A lack of social distance is probably done more without us realising as its instinct to us to get close to others.