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Deaths everywhere, yet we are still going to work this morning. Why?

532 replies

TwirpingBird · 21/01/2021 06:56

I am sitting here watching BBC breakfast with another harrowing video of ITU nurses at breaking point, ambulances lined up outside, 1800 dead yesterday, and headlines of 'lockdown isnt working', 'people arent complying' blah blah blah. Its all 'you need to follow the rules, you need to stay at home. I am seething.

My husband is leaving for work in an hour where he will enter 5 houses today to do completely non essential work because the government deem him a 'key worker'. My best friend will go to work in her office in a interior design company because she is a 'key worker'. Her husband will go to work giving quotes for kitchens in people's houses because his boss deems him a 'key worker'. None of my friends are on furlough. We are all seeing nobody outside of work. We are all sticking to the 'rules'. But how could we possibly expect the rules to work when everyone is still getting in their cars this morning?

I am raging angry. I am SICK and TIRED of being told 'follow the rules'. WE ARE!!! The rules make no bloody sense. And people are still dropping like flies, and experts are saying the lockdown isnt working, and the public are still being tarred as 'lacking empathy' because we are killing people. We are going to work! Kids are still in school! And then we come home and we do what we can but its never going to be enough. I am starting to wonder why I am bothering to hide myself away, managing a 2 year old and a newborn alone 5 days a week, naively thinking I am helping to manage transmission, when in reality its not helping at all because people are still at work.

OP posts:
MiniTheMinx · 21/01/2021 16:27

2020canfuckitself sorry to hear about your mum. In your situation I would feel the same way.

I am sick of it all now. I go to work with clients whose behaviours put me and colleagues at greater risk of catching it. We take every precaution to protect them whilst they couldn't give a shit for doing the right thing. Houses full of neighbours, visitors and family that are non resident. I go home, I don't break the rules, I hardly go anywhere and plan my week so avoid unnecessary shopping trips, and I don't see any friends. Today I had to go and pick up a parcel and get petrol. I parked at the parcel office and just sobbed. I came home, no parcel, no petrol. My parcel wasn't pretty shoes, it is lightbulbs. Its the only thing I have ordered off of the internet in all this time. Should I buy from Amazon to protect people's jobs, or not order to protect their health? Not sure really.

DH goes in on the train to his essential non essential job every day into a hot spot to a company that has no measures in place to protect its staff. He is pragmatic and I am pissed off with him down playing the risks. I am fit, and thin, and healthy, and bloody minded and careful. He is 52, puffs like a tractor, couldn't run for his life......I worry.

The problem is that people are catching it doing the activities that are mandated necessary in the environments the government deems necessary. The guidance to work from home where you can was directed to workers, and should have been guidance to employers stating they must facilitate home working or furlough staff, except where the business is a critical business.

I have had the first jab, yeehoo except I feel like a guinea pig and might not even get the 2nd. I might be 33% less likely to be ill, or maybe perhaps less ill by 33% or 33% less likely to catch it......who knows. But I am lucky.

But more than lucky I am bloody angry with this government and their shambolic handling of this. Highest European death rate, highest death rate per million of any country in the world.

They are neither protecting life or the economy. Some from the Kings Fund have pointed to "their mistakes" and said that questions need to be asked. Yes, but these are not mistakes, these are supposedly carefully worked our decisions based upon knowledge and data, evidence and careful argumentation. Even if they are not rational or reasonable decisions they are still decisions with consequences, consequences fully set out to them by both the office for budget responsibility and other economic advisors and SAGE. Shame Boris can't do detail otherwise he might have realised by now that there will come a point where people want his head on a stick.

lockeddownandcrazy · 21/01/2021 16:48

Surely a short, sharp lockdown is better for the economy than this half hearted effort that drags on and on. Close the borders and stop everything for a couple of weeks is better than months of dribbling around.

MiniTheMinx · 21/01/2021 16:51

Yeah, the office for budget responsibility has stated that the impact upon our economy has been greater because of this governments failure to bring in a short, very sharp, strict lockdown earlier in the pandemic. They dithered and then implemented ineffective measures.

rowmaccerd · 21/01/2021 17:33

@lockeddownandcrazy

Surely a short, sharp lockdown is better for the economy than this half hearted effort that drags on and on. Close the borders and stop everything for a couple of weeks is better than months of dribbling around.
Agrew completely. People won't do it though even if instructed
PortChee · 21/01/2021 17:43

What is a 'short sharp lockdown', what do you mean by 'stop everything'?

Because obviously we can't stop everything, even for a few weeks. There will still be KWs going to work, meaning children in schools, people still need to buy food and go to medical appointments etc... there is no way to lock everyone up for even a 'short sharp' time. The virus will still spread.

And because a 'sharp' lockdown where everything is closed is not sustainable for any real length of time (how are people supposed to earn any money and pay their bills?), Things will open back up before long to allow people to work again and we're back to square one.

I don't actually think a short 3 week lockdown would be enough to bring numbers down enough, personally.

And practically, how do you put it in place? There would need to be a lot of financial support for all those people who can't work for even a few weeks when you 'stop everything'.

Peppafrig · 21/01/2021 17:45

@lockeddownandcrazy

Surely a short, sharp lockdown is better for the economy than this half hearted effort that drags on and on. Close the borders and stop everything for a couple of weeks is better than months of dribbling around.
Couldn’t agree more this should happen or our kids will be off till Easter. If we had this sooner chances are they would have been back at school by now.
Againstmachine · 21/01/2021 17:51

These short Sharp lockdown people do not actually realise how many people are actually required to keep country running, I am sick of seeing it.

rowmaccerd · 21/01/2021 17:54

@PortChee

What is a 'short sharp lockdown', what do you mean by 'stop everything'?

Because obviously we can't stop everything, even for a few weeks. There will still be KWs going to work, meaning children in schools, people still need to buy food and go to medical appointments etc... there is no way to lock everyone up for even a 'short sharp' time. The virus will still spread.

And because a 'sharp' lockdown where everything is closed is not sustainable for any real length of time (how are people supposed to earn any money and pay their bills?), Things will open back up before long to allow people to work again and we're back to square one.

I don't actually think a short 3 week lockdown would be enough to bring numbers down enough, personally.

And practically, how do you put it in place? There would need to be a lot of financial support for all those people who can't work for even a few weeks when you 'stop everything'.

Much smaller than UK but I have just done one on the Isle of Man.

Pretty much everything that didn't need to be closed just over two weeks ago. They have just announced that if it carries on at the rate it is no (0 new cases for a few days now) then we are back to no social distancing, no masks, no restrictions apart from borders from 1st Feb.

Its been tough. I have been out of the house once and barely seen a vehicle outside., but break it and you go to jail.

If we hadn't done it we would still be docking around with masks etc at Easter and beyond

MarshaBradyo · 21/01/2021 17:55

@PortChee

What is a 'short sharp lockdown', what do you mean by 'stop everything'?

Because obviously we can't stop everything, even for a few weeks. There will still be KWs going to work, meaning children in schools, people still need to buy food and go to medical appointments etc... there is no way to lock everyone up for even a 'short sharp' time. The virus will still spread.

And because a 'sharp' lockdown where everything is closed is not sustainable for any real length of time (how are people supposed to earn any money and pay their bills?), Things will open back up before long to allow people to work again and we're back to square one.

I don't actually think a short 3 week lockdown would be enough to bring numbers down enough, personally.

And practically, how do you put it in place? There would need to be a lot of financial support for all those people who can't work for even a few weeks when you 'stop everything'.

Yep

People got short sharp lockdown happy when circuit breakers and firebreak were being discussed. It didn’t help Wales much in the end. It takes ages to get numbers down.

rowmaccerd · 21/01/2021 18:03

@PortChee

What is a 'short sharp lockdown', what do you mean by 'stop everything'?

Because obviously we can't stop everything, even for a few weeks. There will still be KWs going to work, meaning children in schools, people still need to buy food and go to medical appointments etc... there is no way to lock everyone up for even a 'short sharp' time. The virus will still spread.

And because a 'sharp' lockdown where everything is closed is not sustainable for any real length of time (how are people supposed to earn any money and pay their bills?), Things will open back up before long to allow people to work again and we're back to square one.

I don't actually think a short 3 week lockdown would be enough to bring numbers down enough, personally.

And practically, how do you put it in place? There would need to be a lot of financial support for all those people who can't work for even a few weeks when you 'stop everything'.

Melbourne also did one recently. It needs public buy in.

People stay home, they sacrifice income etc for a few weeks in the knowledge that everyone else can be trusted to do the same and you all benefit in the long run

EatingAllTheCookies · 21/01/2021 18:06

Dh works in a garage. The amount of non essential works that get booked in.
Mots etc can understand.
But other stuffike services not essential to most
One old lady goes every Friday without fail to check her oil and tyre pressure. And she prob only does 10 miles a week travel. Going by her milage.

They have been solid fully booked since the lockdown. And full diary for then next 4 weeks.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 21/01/2021 18:08

But other stuffike services not essential to most

Services are essential to maintain a warranty though

raspberrysundaes · 21/01/2021 18:09

@EatingAllTheCookies

Dh works in a garage. The amount of non essential works that get booked in. Mots etc can understand. But other stuffike services not essential to most One old lady goes every Friday without fail to check her oil and tyre pressure. And she prob only does 10 miles a week travel. Going by her milage.

They have been solid fully booked since the lockdown. And full diary for then next 4 weeks.

But garages aren't open solely to provide essential services.

They are open because they are essential. It's not the same thing.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 21/01/2021 18:11

People stay home, they sacrifice income etc for a few weeks in the knowledge that everyone else can be trusted to do the same and you all benefit in the long run

All very commendable but how do you expect people to pay their bills?

ZoBo123 · 21/01/2021 18:14

How many millions of people would still need to leave the house if we had a short sharp lockdown? I can't see how it would work. Without thinking in too much detail you have all the NHS staff needed to treat sick people, plus the associated support for anything that might need repaired in the hospital (broken lift for example). Then you have the police, fire brigade. What about all prison staff? Care Homes etc. Then all the school staff. The water and sewage, telecommunications, shops, food. Delivery drivers. The army, border control. Bin collections. Floods officers. There are so many people I have only scratched the surface.

SueEllenMishke · 21/01/2021 18:14

People stay home, they sacrifice income etc for a few weeks in the knowledge that everyone else can be trusted to do the same and you all benefit in the long run

Jeez the lack of understanding of how people live day to day is astonishing.
There are many, many people who cannot afford to sacrifice a fees worth of income. They simply could eat or pay their mortgage/rent.

gamerchick · 21/01/2021 18:15

People stay home, they sacrifice income etc for a few weeks in the knowledge that everyone else can be trusted to do the same and you all benefit in the long run

I'm sure people will forgo feeding themselves and heating their houses for the greater good. What could possibly go wrong? I'm sure all their creditors and what not will freeze all bills for a few weeks.

Fabulous idea.

MarshaBradyo · 21/01/2021 18:17

People stay home, they sacrifice income etc for a few weeks in the knowledge that everyone else can be trusted to do the same and you all benefit in the long run

A few weeks is nothing given how high out cases are. How long did it last in Melbourne from a much lower number?

Crazy typing for the sake of it

Vintagevixen · 21/01/2021 18:19

People stay home and sacrifice income for a few weeks!

Clearly this is the mind set of someone who is financially secure and has a nice, cosy, warm stable house.

Not someone who wouldn't be able to feed their kids because of these few weeks of "sacrifice." Or would end up being unable to pay their rent.

Privilege much?

rowmaccerd · 21/01/2021 18:19

@PinkSparklyPussyCat

People stay home, they sacrifice income etc for a few weeks in the knowledge that everyone else can be trusted to do the same and you all benefit in the long run

All very commendable but how do you expect people to pay their bills?

Well I can't pay mine this month because I haven't earned anything.

The plus is that next month we are back to normal.

The community also pulled together. People popped up where people in financial difficulty van ask for help with food and bills and other people who were better off contributed and it was divided out by committee.

Its a community thing that takes buy in from everyone (nearly, always the odd dick about) for the greater good.

I guess the UK is just to big and everyone would know other people were taking the piss and be tempted do the same?

We also send people to prison which helps a deterrent. A car had a minor bump Saturday. The guys in it were from different households. Four weeks in jail each.

It makes younstay home and not take the risk

Redrivershore · 21/01/2021 18:19

@EatingAllTheCookies

Dh works in a garage. The amount of non essential works that get booked in. Mots etc can understand. But other stuffike services not essential to most One old lady goes every Friday without fail to check her oil and tyre pressure. And she prob only does 10 miles a week travel. Going by her milage.

They have been solid fully booked since the lockdown. And full diary for then next 4 weeks.

If he hadn't got the work, maybe they would make him redundant, is this what you want
rowmaccerd · 21/01/2021 18:22

@gamerchick

People stay home, they sacrifice income etc for a few weeks in the knowledge that everyone else can be trusted to do the same and you all benefit in the long run

I'm sure people will forgo feeding themselves and heating their houses for the greater good. What could possibly go wrong? I'm sure all their creditors and what not will freeze all bills for a few weeks.

Fabulous idea.

To you and the others saying the same i haven't paid any bills this month, and 723 overdrawn and have used a charity for food.

Had I gone to work I would have been arrested (I work in peoples houses)

raspberrysundaes · 21/01/2021 18:23

People stay home, they sacrifice income etc for a few weeks in the knowledge that everyone else can be trusted to do the same and you all benefit in the long run

Are you going to feed all those people and pay their bills?

raspberrysundaes · 21/01/2021 18:24

Had I gone to work I would have been arrested (I work in peoples houses)

I work in people's homes and have gone to work as normal. Why can't you go to work?

Lockdownbear · 21/01/2021 18:24

People stay home, they sacrifice income etc for a few weeks in the knowledge that everyone else can be trusted to do the same and you all benefit in the long run

Who's out working just now that's not essential?

Manufacturing could be a minefield trying to close it, as so many things might not appear essential on the surface but be used in another product that is essential.

Closing construction, civil engineering needs to go ahead usually they are safety related projects. Building works we have a housing shortage, can't stop that again for months, even if £1m houses seem a luxury that's freeing up houses further down the chain.