What's the longest you will put up with restrictions?

[Papatron]

I'm just wondering where people think their breaking point will be with the virus restrictions. If the government extends the furlough scheme beyond April and says we all have to stay locked down, will you obey?
If we're still not free in June or July?
Personally I feel like I could just about take another 3 months maximum.

@shallbe

I'm not sure what you mean, you make it sound like we have a choice. Ok we could refuse to wear a mask, but I can't exactly rock up to Fat Face and say "right I'm over this now, it's passed my personal threshold of 1 month, open up".

I’m with you - it’s a bizarre question that implies an amount of control over a microscopic virus that doesn’t give a shit about personal limits.

It takes as long as it takes. I’m not sure how helpful this constant echo chamber on MN actually is for anyone. You can talk yourself into feeling a certain way and mindset.

My money is on things looking much better come spring and gradual improvements from there. It’ll be slow but I think once we’ve turned a corner with the weather and vaccines on our side we won’t go backwards again. If nothing else nicer weather facilitates seeing other people outside socially.

You sound like your excited about your predictions @Katie517.

It's true that we have no choice to some extent because we can't exactly force pubs and shops to open. But my compliance with the rules at this point is not because I agree with them but because I get the impression that the majority think the rules are worthwhile. There could be a tipping point where people begin by breaking the rules on going to each others' houses, gathering in groups etc. If the majority are breaking the rules and there are few who disapprove then a lockdown will be ineffective anyway and the voices of freedom will drown out the others.
I've still got a job so I will be wary of getting into trouble but there must be plenty of people who have nothing left to lose by being disobedient.

What choice do we have?

I can’t exactly got to my local and demand they open because I’ve had enough.

Sure, I could have a party tonight, if I could find enough people to come round, but I’m risking a fine, so I’m not going to.

I don’t have to wear a mask, I’ve never seen anyone being challenged, but I don’t want to put other people at risk and it’s a bit of a dick move.

I could go round to my parents, they would definitely let me in. But they’re old and I don’t want to risk making them sick.

OP what will you do in 3 months when you’ve passed your breaking point?

As long as it takes to do what?

Eradicate the virus completely? Get it below a certain level? Vaccinate a certain number of people?

That's just a phrase trotted out which means precisely nothing.

Agree with others that it's not really up to me - I can't go and volunteer in a charity shop which isn't open, or get on a plane which isn't there to take me, DS can't have driving lessons if his instructor isn't there to take him, DD can't go to dancing classes which have been cancelled..... It's not me "putting up" with restrictions, I have no choice one way or the other.

@Cornettoninja
-"I’m with you - it’s a bizarre question that implies an amount of control over a microscopic virus that doesn’t give a shit about personal limits."-

You're forgetting that the microscopic virus is not the sole problem in our lives. There will come a point where the detrimental effects of lockdown will outweigh the impact of the virus.

My concern is that people have become so afraid and compliant that actually they will never ever protest no matter what government does

Well I agree that "holding government to account" is no longer a thing but over compliance by the population doesnt seem to be much of a problem either, judging by how freely so many are interpreting the "rules" to suit their own ends.

Anyway, worry about this if you want. I'm certainly not.

@Freshprincess

What choice do we have? I can’t exactly got to my local and demand they open because I’ve had enough. Sure, I could have a party tonight, if I could find enough people to come round, but I’m risking a fine, so I’m not going to. I don’t have to wear a mask, I’ve never seen anyone being challenged, but I don’t want to put other people at risk and it’s a bit of a dick move. I could go round to my parents, they would definitely let me in. But they’re old and I don’t want to risk making them sick.

OP what will you do in 3 months when you’ve passed your breaking point?

I'm not sure what I'll do. It's a real dilemma because I don't want to be responsible for "killing granny" but I do have a breaking point and I think the first things will be

1. Join any protests going
2. See my friends and family as much as I want, in groups as big as I want
3. There are already illegal parties happening, which I'm not joining in. There will be a point where I think fuck it I'm going to attend.
4. Hassle my MP, for all the good it will do.
5. Open a speakeasy 😅🍺🍹

As long as it takes. The alternative is too horrible to think about.

As long as it takes.

I've got no choice but to do it "as long as it takes". My son is shielded and only 6 so can't have the vaccine. If it's true that the virus can still be passed on from vaccinated people then we are well and truly stuffed.

There is no real choice. You can personally decide to ignore restrictions, but the risk is then that you either catch it yourself, or pass it on to others.
I'll continue to deal with the restrictions as long as they are in force.

Again - as long as it takes to do what?

Given my dad with lung cancer has just caught it (we think at a hospital appointment as he’s had no other indoor contact) - I’d be happy to carry on a bit longer at least to protect others like him. I’d like the vaccine roll out to step up a bit though to minimise how long we need to keep being over cautious.

@KarenMarlow3

There is no real choice. You can personally decide to ignore restrictions, but the risk is then that you either catch it yourself, or pass it on to others. I'll continue to deal with the restrictions as long as they are in force.

There will always be a risk of catching it and passing it on. 🙄

Until 1st April 2021 at 00.01

@Lovelydovey

Given my dad with lung cancer has just caught it (we think at a hospital appointment as he’s had no other indoor contact) - I’d be happy to carry on a bit longer at least to protect others like him. I’d like the vaccine roll out to step up a bit though to minimise how long we need to keep being over cautious.

How is he? This is one thing I do worry about because I also have a parent with lung cancer who is currently on chemotherapy.

@FancySomeChips

As long as it takes.

Agree with this - as long as it takes to be safe.

What choice do you think you have OP? What would it look like for you if you didn't "put up with" the restrictions? You cannot force shops, restaurants, hairdressers to open can you?

I really miss having lunch out with my friends and am desperate to go on holiday but I will wait patiently until it is safe to do these things again.

I’m only interested in when can can mix with family again and shops can open. I can cope with wearing masks, other things being closed but not being able to see anyone is getting to breaking point.

There isn’t a choice to follow restrictions.

And I think with the death rate we’re seeing right now, and hospitals being overrun in many areas, this thread is in pretty poor taste. People are being such snowflakes about this. It won’t be forever. If you look at history, pandemics do not last indefinitely.

And I say this as someone who works in a school who will need to go back next week.

See my friends and family as much as I want, in groups as big as I want

So you want to dictate what your friends and family do too? It's all about what you want?

@picklespark

There isn’t a choice to follow restrictions.

And I think with the death rate we’re seeing right now, and hospitals being overrun in many areas, this thread is in pretty poor taste. People are being such snowflakes about this. It won’t be forever. If you look at history, pandemics do not last indefinitely.

And I say this as someone who works in a school who will need to go back next week.

'Pandemics do not last indefinitely,' but how have they been dealt with previously? Exactly like this?

Meaningless phrases such as "as long as it takes to be safe" are not helpful.

Really what these posters mean is "I am happy to go along with whatever the government says, for as long as they say it, and will judge the fuck out of people who won't".

Not great tbh. He’s part way through a course of chemo too. He’s very breathless though difficult to tell if that is lung cancer, COPD, Covid or a chest infection (diagnosed on an X-ray days before the positive Covid test). He’s currently at home though his treatment team are calling every day with the expectation that they will admit him if he deteriorates further. He’s got inhalers and steroids which are helping marginally.

To top it all off DM has had a positive test today and is still caring for him. She seems to have a mild case (despite being on immunosuppressants herself).

Very difficult and testing times, I hope your relative manages to avoid this.

Sorry - meant to quote @borntohula in last message.