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Original poster

To think society is on edge

81 replies

Shekinah1 · 06/11/2020 11:14

Maybe it’s just me or just in London. But it seems like all I’m seeing on social media is people getting into violent altercations. Last night for example my feed was full of youths in Hackney firing fireworks at police for no particular reason.

A lot of this was before the second lockdown but the lockdown seems to have exacerbated it.

In my deprived part of London I cannot describe the feeling but it feels like things are slowly breaking down. I wouldn’t be surprised if we have disorder by Xmas.

I didn’t feel this way in April/March.

OP posts:
MsPeachh · 06/11/2020 13:00

Totally agree. Remember when we were all out as a community clapping for the NHS? I had tears in my eyes, it moved me so much. That feels a lifetime ago. There's also a lot of generational anger, as many young people feel screwed over with regards to house prices and wages even before lockdown. Now they're having the economy wrecked and job losses thrust upon them too with the message of "don't kill granny". Students even fenced in like animals in Manchester!

annabel85 · 06/11/2020 13:01

The irony of possible civil unrest is that it will only exacerbate the very situation the people are protesting against.

Ultimately they're protesting against a virus and protests play into the viruses hands if it means more people mixing.

Happyheartlovelife · 06/11/2020 13:03

I think peoples stress levels are just on a constant high.

The proble with that is this is what a happens. I know it happened a bit after world war 2.

Some woman made me cry who worked in tesco in the first lockdown. Since then I've noticed it more and more. More road rage. More altercations. Lots of things. People are becoming incredibly selfish. Etc.

JorisBonson · 06/11/2020 13:04

OP, if it's any sort of consolation, kids throw fireworks at police officers every year. I'm a police officer and can vouch for that!

Wildswim · 06/11/2020 13:08

The irony of possible civil unrest is that it will only exacerbate the very situation the people are protesting against.

The right to protest is a fundamental human and civil right and even a virus shouldn't stop it. Nor should the authorities, and as soon as we see people being arrested for peaceful protest we will know we have entered a dark place.

Alys20 · 06/11/2020 13:15

It's like a long, drawn-out labour. Just when you think you can't take any more pain and pressure, it's over. Change is inevitable, keep the faith and stay off Twitter xxDaffodilDaffodilDaffodil

annabel85 · 06/11/2020 13:16

The right to protest is a fundamental human and civil right and even a virus shouldn't stop it.

It is. No matter how futile it is to protest against a virus. Covid won't listen.

BefuddledPerson · 06/11/2020 13:20

I agree op, there has been a noticeable little spate of assaults/fights locally, it just feels like people are a bit on edge.

At a big work meeting yesterday everyone was a bit grim-faced. I'm glad there's been a nice team announcement today as everyone needed a boost I think.

GintyMarlow2 · 06/11/2020 13:26

The right to protest is a fundamental human and civil right and even a virus shouldn't stop it
Try telling that to the virus. I'm sure it will respect your fundamental human and civil right.Hmm

Pollynextdoor · 06/11/2020 13:28

The right to protest peacefully and civil unrest is two different things. What are you protesting against? The virus? The virus would be delighted to be invited to a mass gathering I am sureSmile

annabel85 · 06/11/2020 13:55

I agree op, there has been a noticeable little spate of assaults/fights locally, it just feels like people are a bit on edge

Town centres are usually a warzone on a Saturday night (to the extent there's plenty of fights, or worse, and the police are kept busy).

With pubs and bars shut, that aggression will just come to the surface elsewhere, rather than from pissed up lads or lasses in bars.

FreezeFloodlit · 06/11/2020 14:12

Obviously people are not protesting against a virus, that would be moronic. I'm pretty sure they are protesting against the government's response to the virus.

Pollynextdoor · 06/11/2020 14:15

@FreezeFloodlit, I would love to know what their response would be then and if they are against protecting the NHS, will they agree not to use it at all come what may if they get Covid?

BefuddledPerson · 06/11/2020 14:17

@annabel85

I agree op, there has been a noticeable little spate of assaults/fights locally, it just feels like people are a bit on edge

Town centres are usually a warzone on a Saturday night (to the extent there's plenty of fights, or worse, and the police are kept busy).

With pubs and bars shut, that aggression will just come to the surface elsewhere, rather than from pissed up lads or lasses in bars.

Yes, but that's not the sort of events there have been. More heated altercations amongst older people.
BefuddledPerson · 06/11/2020 14:18

Oh, and nowhere near town either Confused

Original poster
Shekinah1 · 06/11/2020 14:24

It’s not just the fireworks though. It was just the example on the top of my head.

This is just a general feelings that social cohesion is wearing away.

OP posts:
FreezeFloodlit · 06/11/2020 14:26

No, people are allowed to peacefully protest any decisions the government makes. This does not forfeit their other rights as citizens. For really obvious reasons, the government should not be in charge of deciding what issues can be protested.

dameofdilemma · 06/11/2020 14:42

South London here (and not a posh bit).
Can't say I've really seen much of a difference. There's always been road rage, firework incidents etc. There's also always been friendliness and courtesy etc.

Somebody stopped to let me know I'd dropped something today. Someone moved out of the way to let dd and I down a busy pavement (with a pleasant you're welcome) yesterday.

The most angry ranting I've seen is on social media. No change there.

MelodramPatheticism · 06/11/2020 15:02

I'm seeing a lot of angry driving and there was the third fatal crash on a stretch of road in my area this year.

Lots of anger and irritability in the shops as well. I've given up on tesco because of the main demographic who go there - they are very intimidating and scary and the security guard was stabbed a few weeks ago.

Wildswim · 06/11/2020 16:06

Try telling that to the virus. I'm sure it will respect your fundamental human and civil right

The protests would be against the lockdowns and government. I'm amazed that that needs explained!

Wildswim · 06/11/2020 16:07

@FreezeFloodlit

Obviously people are not protesting against a virus, that would be moronic. I'm pretty sure they are protesting against the government's response to the virus.
Yes, exactly.

Some of the responses on this thread are themselves quite angry.

Rosehip10 · 06/11/2020 16:26

@MelodramPatheticism what "demographic" is that then?

annabel85 · 06/11/2020 17:45

Yes, but that's not the sort of events there have been. More heated altercations amongst older people.

Maybe. I haven't seen anything to that effect.

annabel85 · 06/11/2020 17:49

@Wildswim

Try telling that to the virus. I'm sure it will respect your fundamental human and civil right

The protests would be against the lockdowns and government. I'm amazed that that needs explained!

But there's no easy solutions. How is protesting going to help the fight against a virus?

The point was, protests just make the situation worse by getting more people together to help spread the virus which inevitably leads to further restrictions.

We're not in lockdown. People are free to come and go as they please. They just can't go to the pub.

liky · 06/11/2020 20:30

@Ijustcantcope

I’m feeling very very angry and completely despondent about life, and we’re comfortable and middle class.

Before this is suppose I was naive that, in a crisis, the government would come through and would protect people as best they could. That we would all pull together as a nation like you hear about during the war.

None of this has happened and I have seen that people generally do not give a fuck about each other as long as they are ok themselves. And neither does the government who expect me to send my vulnerable children to school to bring Covid back to my extremely vulnerable family. And will fine me if I don’t toe the line.

I have completely given up on people and society. Before this I used to do lots of volunteer work, donate to a lot of charities and food banks, help out in schools etc. Well no more. No one has given a fuck about us during all this. I will never help anyone out again. I will never vote again - they are all as bad as each other. I will do what I want during this lockdown - although as I’m not stupid we will see grandparents outside on their smallholding. I will never donate anything again, I will put myself and my own first without a care for anyone else. If I have to screw someone over to benefit us I will have no qualms about doing it.

I have a 2% chance of dying if I get this. I’ve made peace with this now as no one is bothered about protecting me and won’t let me protect myself. If my vulnerable child dies then I can just kill myself, job done. My will is done. Everything left to the children. If I die their life will be screwed but nothing I can do about that.

If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em

Wow just wow! Maybe use this time to develop some resilience and a sense of perspective.