Lockdown is where middle-class people hide and working-class people bring them stuff

[havanacabana]

I’ve seen this quote on twitter a few times and realised there is actually a lot of truth to it. IRL most of the people I know who are truly able to ‘hide away’ are the middle-class, privileged ones who are currently on furlough or working from home. People I know on minimum wage are the ones having to go out and mix at work in supermarkets, takeaways, warehouses etc. to keep everything going.

@Uiseag,

And who is well paid is a lot more complex than their sex-there goes the gender pay gap.

And who people discriminate against is far more complex than race- there goes racial discrimination.

The reality is that statistical analysis has value in forming policy decisions, regardless of the exceptions.

What the OP says is demonstrably true. What implications it has for policy (if any) is a separate argument.

That’s an Illogical statement, plenty of middle class people go put to work or go to the supermarket because they don’t want or can’t get delivery slots. Plenty of working class people don’t and have their shopping delivered or use Amazon.

Isn’t the lock down bad enoug with out this sort of nonsense?

@TheKeatingFive

Yes of course it’s more complex, but as a rough marker it’s pretty accurate.

Most of the services that facilitate people staying in their houses (delivery and so on) are done by those on low pay and poor conditions.

It’s not accurate. Yes those are working class jobs, but to suggest only the middle class use Amazon, home delivery or supermarket delivery is rather bonkers.

@Fattydoggy

I think that when we come down to analysing the figures, we will see a dreadful statistic. I think many more working class people have died than middle class.

I see much concern over teacher welfare (not a pop. Love you guys) but I also see that nobody is starting petitions about the safety of supermarket workers, warehouse workers, bus drivers etc. I am working class, have worked in a building of 100 plus every day since the pandemic started. Nobody gives a shit. I know my role is essential but it does seem that some of us are more valuable than others.

I think most of it comes down to unions. Teachers have a very strong, influential union that has lots of membership. As do nhs workers and nurses who fight on their behalf to to improve their conditions. Many of the largely overlooked professions, warehouse staff ect don't and suffer as a result.

Yes those are working class jobs, but to suggest only the middle class use Amazon, home delivery or supermarket delivery is rather bonkers.

I didn’t suggest only the m/c use them, but I’m fairly certain the data would show over representation of the m/c using these services. More disposable income would play a role for starters.

Well, this is a marvellous start to my day.

Delighted to discover my social class has been bumped up.

Yesterday I was very definitely working class but apparently my ability to hide away increases my social standing.

Is there some kind of secret password now that I'm in this new middle class club? I'm hoping there is.

@TheKeatingFive

Yes those are working class jobs, but to suggest only the middle class use Amazon, home delivery or supermarket delivery is rather bonkers.

I didn’t suggest only the m/c use them, but I’m fairly certain the data would show over representation of the m/c using these services. More disposable income would play a role for starters.

Don’t be daft.

It’s also true that “working from home” is mostly a middle class privilege. It’s hard to clean an office from your own home.

Don’t be daft.

How is it daft? Stands to reason.

It’s also true that “working from home” is mostly a middle class privilege. It’s hard to clean an office from your own home.

Quite

The statement isn't factually completely true....doctors, teachers being obvious examples.

However, if you look at the 'choice' factor, I think it becomes clearer how the more comfortably off can choose for one partner to cut their hours to stay safe. I was thinking of this when a friend told me that she was nervous of the start of a new nannying job. She said she wished she could WFH. If they were more comfortably off, perhaps she would have stopped work and stayed at home with her eleven-year-old until the infection rates become lower.

Public transport is an obvious example of how those who can't afford cars are exposing themselves greatly to the risk of infection. Even if the buses are especially busy one day and you can say: 'Wait. I'll jump in a cab, just this once', that is a choice that others couldn't afford.

I might be completely wrong about this, but are GPS doing mostly telephone consultations? I think patients who need to be seen for non-emergency complaints, often get to see a nurse or para intermediary medic at the surgery.
I think the healthcare workers who deliver the ongoing, minute by minute care on the ward might have greater and less predictable exposure than seniors. But I believe that all doctors and medics and teachers are brave for carrying on. But perhaps those offering most of the basic care have less opportunity to manage and distance from their risks. Perhaps a burden of risk falls on teaching assistants working one-to-one with the younger kids who don't have understanding to observe distancing rules. ( Especially if their special need makes it hard to acquire such understanding) But I imagine teachers are exposed to much unpredictable personal contact too.

I know a lot of working class who have been furloughed. I'm not sure what "class" most hospital doctors and police are, but they have leaving their homes to go to work throughout.

We could ask Deliveroo and Uber Eats which class orders takeaways the most. That is literally telling a working class person to drive to a restaurant, pick up your order and bring it to you.

Using a fuel-burning moped, so I wonder if all those people ordering claim they are concerned about the environment too.

I find it unbelievable that people are arguing with this thesis. The facts are out there and quite clear.

www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/causesofdeath/bulletins/coronaviruscovid19relateddeathsbyoccupationenglandandwales/deathsregisteredbetween9marchand28december2020

This whole epidemic has demonstrated the shocking lack of understanding of mathematics and statistics among the general population (even those well educated in other fields).

@notevenat20

It’s also true that “working from home” is mostly a middle class privilege. It’s hard to clean an office from your own home.

Most of the cleaners at my office have been furloughed as there isn't the need for a full clean every day when the office is mostly closed.

I'm middle class and live in a middle class area.

In my experience it's true that a lot of my friends are wfh, including me and DH, but I also know lots of people (mainly teachers and HCP, plus one police officer) who are still going out to work.

I hardly know anyone who was furloughed - I think only two people and they're both back at work now.

I know several people who have lost their jobs and are struggling to find another one. Yes these are middle class type jobs.

It’s simplistic, but it is fundamentally true that many people can’t wfh, and that restrictions on in person shopping mean more people in warehouses.

It’s important because the government keep complaining about people meeting for socially distanced coffee, while ignoring the large number of people going into work every day because the rules allow it and they don’t have any other financial option.

It’s really annoying that the police keep tweeting “what don’t these people understand about ‘stay at home’” when for so many that isn’t an option.

@notevenat20

It’s also true that “working from home” is mostly a middle class privilege. It’s hard to clean an office from your own home.

It's a mistake to assume a person's job defines their social class. Anyone who thinks that has a poor understanding of social class in Britain.

My grandparents and in laws are both shielding, sorry, ‘hiding away’. They’re both working class. I would say my DH and I, my DB AND DSIL and my parents are all middle class (two key workers) and are all working and in the community picking up bits for those shielding.

@TheReluctantPhoenix i don't think it's the statistics, it's the suggestion that people are hiding by not going into work. This has connotations of cowardice.

Instead it should be that there are some workplaces which are risky but which have to continue - how can that be made as safe as humanly possible for staff and for the people who have no choice but to use them.

Yeah I'm really hiding in my ICU. As are all my colleagues

@LApprentiSorcier,

Seriously?!

Despite exceptions, you just don’t meet many ex private school pupils working as cleaners, in warehouses, as Amazon drivers (except mainly in Uni holidays) etc.

The class system has changed over the last 30 years, but it is still very much alive and kicking.

I don’t think this is entirely true. I know loads of ‘middle class’ people who have to go to work...accountants, teachers, social workers, solicitors, police, teachers, therapists, admin (in my company get paid much more than minimum wage), estate agents, construction workers (believe it or not they aren’t all working class ), people working for essential utilities, etc etc etc.

It's a mistake to assume a person's job defines their social class

Funny, that’s exactly how social class is determined by the ONS.

While I’m sure there’s the odd aristo moonlighting as a cleaner, broadly speaking its strongly indicative.

@OhDear2200,

I am racking my brains as to why an accountant or solicitor (other than maybe criminal) would have to go to work?

Now I’m working from home as I have been directed by the Government and I am not allowed to go into work (all our passes have been deactivated), is that hiding? I’m working while also home schooling doing the majority of house work (as my middle class partner still has to go into work). I’ve got to say if this is hiding it’s not much fun.