To say the new normal is risky still but my observations

[FinallyRelief]

So we adhered to all guidelines due to having a shielded (close) family member that is not in our physical household but we could have at anytime been called to help them.

We've been lucky to be an area where we have had online slots (even during the peak) so there has no reason for us to head out. But now as we hit a new normal - My observations:

Supermarkets - cleaning stations and monitoring numbers is great - but staff and other customers rubbish at SD people squeezing past each other etc but shelves full and lots of produce

Hairdressers - interpretation is varied ie some hairdressers wearing just masks and others masks and visors

National Trust places - excellent procedures put in place but honestly it's outdoors and one way systems totally sucks the joy out of the gardens. Nice however to see gardens not so manicured!

Zoo - terrible! They have one way systems but there are lots of animals missing - not advertised - full prices - grounds seem much busier than normal days - no SD - people literally breathing over your shoulders at the most popular animals

Shops - John Lewis shoe fitting for schools is my example - so one way at JL still not adequate JL - shoe fitting staff behind screens but no masks some with visors. Lots of parents trying to control kids and stand socially distanced not working so well!

What am I missing :

Playgrounds - no SD but not expected - some parents are gelling children's hands

Restaurants - local gastro pub - no masks on staff outdoors - no SD between staff -
Waiters waitresses standing too close taking orders -

A national chain- indoors - visors and one way systems - bare tables - hand sanitiser points - staff undertaking regular cleaning at touch points

And holiday abroad - well we managed to get away via ferry to France before quarantine measures. Very good SD mainly on ferry everyone in cabins - SD in restaurants and masks at all times. France all staff wear masks at restaurants inside and out and SD generally good amongst the public.

We literally went from like being totally isolated to putting ourselves out there as safely as possible - I think as humans we are trying but our behaviours are still risky as there will be the people (like in the zoo for example) who just don't care.

Mentally it's a mixed bag I feel somewhat liberated but still sad to see our new world and wonder when all these measures will be removed.

Overall I'm so glad to be out!!

Zoo not having animals U wanted to see & charging full price does not add to your personal risk of getting cv19. Same with 1-way systems at NT gardens. It reads like you want all these control measures except the ones that are inconvenient & expensive to you.

Covid or no Covid, old normal or new normal, life is risky.

You know that millions of us haven't stopped going out, right, we know all this , we've lived through the changes

Just out of interest how do you expect shoes to be fitted if not with close contact between staff and child?

Zoos full price what do you expect do you want a discount because a lion was a sleep or you couldn't go indoors national trust 1 way sounds a dream tbh. And I think jl will just be throwing shoes from 1 metre + on children so all good eh

I'm just providing my observations for people.

Zoos have removed animals but not told visitors.

NT one way is not good it's a quick walk round and slowing down or speeding up depending on people front and back

Removed animals from where which animals ?

I'm just providing my observations for people.

Thanks OP good to know 🤔

@FinallyRelief people have been going out you know ..... you're not the first to leave the house

My take on it is that you don't have to go to shops (unless you work in one) you don't have to go to restaurants, you don't have to go to zoos etc etc so let the people decide now. We need to protect staff but if staff don't want to wear masks etc that's their decision. Life is full of risks and judgment calls, we aren't used to health related ones in Britain (other countries have more deadly stuff not to mention dangerous animals). In all honesty the only time I've personally been ill wasn't my brush with covid in March but when I got Lyme disease from a tick which is endemic in the U.K. I think currently in Devon you are at higher risk from complications relating to Lyme disease than Covid!

Thanks OP, interesting to read observations from some types of places I haven't been to like zoos.

Even people who have been out might not have been to all of those or to have done so recently.

Not sure why there are so many sneery replies.

I think it's cos SOME people can't be sneery to people in real life so because they need to be sneery to someone chose to come on here and do it - no idea why. There is no malice behind my post just my observations.

Reasons the animals have been moved is apparently because of covid but I don't know why because of covid if you see what I mean.

We've lived going to the zoo and local attractions, they're limiting numbers so it's nice and quiet so you actually get to see the animals.

I've found it really nice to be able to visit places and not feel overcrowded and busy. It's made life with a child with ASD much easier when out and about.

You're a bit behind the times - cinemas have been open for weeks, as has (some) socially distanced theatre in London at least. Museums are all the better without the hordes. I like social-distancing on the whole; probably bad for the economy but suits me.

Covid is a reason for many changes

It's also an excuse for other changes

because Covid seems to be the answer to so many things. I realise that some of them are because of things I am not aware of BUT it is a good excuse for so many things.

Can't get through to insurance call centre ... Covid. Covid bollocks