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Original poster

How long do you think the public majority (IRL) will put up with this for?

356 replies

Quit4me · 31/01/2021 17:00

How long do you think public opinion and action will continue to support not seeing friends and family?
I’m asking based on your real life experiences (not mumsnet views)
I’m not after ‘I’m giving up my life for as long as it takes’ views here, or ‘I’m happy watching tv and hugging my yoga mat for years.
I’m asking for realistic views of 2021 and public opinion as the year goes on.

OP posts:
Onedaysomedaynowadays · 31/01/2021 18:10

*starved without

Fuckinlonely · 31/01/2021 18:10

Some people consider breaching lockdown to be selfish. Some people consider isolating a cancer survivor in his 80s to be selfish. I'm happy with my morals. Glad you are too. Best wishes to your dad xx

Lastbonestanding · 31/01/2021 18:10

I have a bad feeling that people will put up with anything.

AlexaShutUp · 31/01/2021 18:10

Why don't you go chat to alexa?

Sorry, your point is?Confused

Dustyspringfield10 · 31/01/2021 18:10

We dare to say we don't like restrictions and they scream at us and call us all sorts of names, taking out their anger and jealousy on us. Seriously grow up fast

AlexaShutUp · 31/01/2021 18:12

We dare to say we don't like restrictions and they scream at us and call us all sorts of names, taking out their anger and jealousy on us.

I don't think everyone minds you not liking restrictions. I don't like the restrictions either, but I accept that they are necessary. It is ignoring the restrictions that people are criticising. Strange that you can't see the difference.

redsquirrelfan · 31/01/2021 18:14

@IcedPurple

A shame that what could have been an interesting discussion has turned into a childish spat.
Anyone who uses the word "selfish" has lost the argument in my view.

Reasoned argument please, not keyboard warrior allegations of being selfish.

Along with the words "resilience" and "safe" it needs to go in the bin in the context of covid.

AlexaShutUp · 31/01/2021 18:16

So what words are we allowed to use, redsquirrelfan? Only ones that fit with your own personal narrative, or are there acceptable ways of saying that we think it's right for people to make some sacrifices for the greater good?

Shelovesamystery · 31/01/2021 18:16

The vast majority of the people I know (well enough to know whether they are following the rules or not) are not following the rules. A few of them don't give a shit at all and are doing whatever they want but most of them are being careful but still seeing immediate family and a couple of friends. I only know 1 person IRL who doesn't want the schools to open ASAP and pretty much everyone thinks they will be fully open by Easter half term. MN often feels like a completely different world to my real life.

So based on my RL rather than mumsnet I would say not long, if not now. I see very little support for the rules amongst the people I know.

Parker231 · 31/01/2021 18:18

I don’t know anyone who wants the lockdown and restrictions to continue a minute longer than necessary but surely everyone now understands the reasons? What is the alternative?

PicsInRed · 31/01/2021 18:19

@Lastbonestanding

I have a bad feeling that people will put up with anything.
Even the Russians will only do 100 years. I'm surprised we've done 100 days.

Time's up.

IcedPurple · 31/01/2021 18:20

@AlexaShutUp

So what words are we allowed to use, redsquirrelfan? Only ones that fit with your own personal narrative, or are there acceptable ways of saying that we think it's right for people to make some sacrifices for the greater good?
This discussion isn't about how wonderfully selfless and concerned about the 'greater good' you are, or think you are.

It's asking opinions on how long the majority of the population will continue to put up with this, not about whether they are in your view, 'selfish' or not.

Ilovemycat13 · 31/01/2021 18:20

I will do it as long as is necessary. But I am struggling. I live in a one bed flat, joint living and kitchen and no garden. I may be okay otherwise but it is tough and I do get sad.

blackice · 31/01/2021 18:22

@tatutata

I don't really have an option. I can hardly break into the swimming pool, or turn up at school and demand my child is educated. And I can't go on holiday with my mum in the UK if they set up roadblocks and checks and fine us £200 each for living our damn lives. I do t agree with the withdrawal of freedoms that many people died to establish over centuries. There is a price to that too. But in answer to your question, as I'm a law abiding citizen, I will carry on doing whatever bollocks I'm told.
This. I don’t like living this way but we can't just unilaterally decide to go against it all
LizFlowers · 31/01/2021 18:22

I hope for as long as necessary. We wouldn't be in such difficulties if we'd had a proper lockdown earlier and if people didn't go mad when restrictions were lifted.

I'm hoping for a better summer. Time passes, it won't be that long.

AlexaShutUp · 31/01/2021 18:25

What is the alternative?

I haven't yet heard a good answer to this question. Usually some sort of shit gets rolled out about the vulnerable shielding while everyone else pretends that the pandemic isn't happening, without much care for the fact that it has been well established that this approach would not work. I haven't come across a single credible suggestion, but I would be very interested if anyone has one.

Sadly, I think we know that the real alternative would be to let the virus run wild, let the NHS collapse and let many thousands more people die due to a lack of access to medical care, whether with covid or non-covid illlnesses. Many schools and public services would probably cease to function as sickness levels would be through the roof, but hey, at least we'd all be able to hug our grannies.

Parker231 · 31/01/2021 18:27

Alexa - exactly. At present there isn’t an alternative.

NoonesHero · 31/01/2021 18:27

I'll continue as long as it's deemed necessary by the scientists that are advising the government. I don't feel I'm qualified enough to question that with me not being a scientist or expert in virology.
I'll continue because my mental health, as shaky as it is because of lockdown, would be far worse if I pass it on to a family member or friend I shouldn't be seeing, or take it in to a unit full of other people's family and friends, because I've done something against the rules or guidelines, who are all vulnerable to this. And if I did, I'd probably be torn limb from limb by the public in general, probably some of which will think I'm a lockdown lover to start with - such is human nature.
I also can't afford a fine.

AlexaShutUp · 31/01/2021 18:29

This discussion isn't about how wonderfully selfless and concerned about the 'greater good' you are, or think you are.

It's asking opinions on how long the majority of the population will continue to put up with this, not about whether they are in your view, 'selfish' or not

You might not think that people being concerned about the greater good is relevant to the discussion, but I think it's central.

You're right, it isn't about me personally, it's about society as a collective. The vast majority of people would not choose to live like this, but I think most are currently prepared to make sacrifices for the greater good. The extent to which they will continue to make those sacrifices will determine how long they will continue to put up with this.

TwirpingBird · 31/01/2021 18:31

Mid march I think. People have mentally prepared themselves for a winter of hardship, not a spring and summer. Once the weather gets better people will be sitting in gardens, going for walks with friends and family, letting kids play in the park together, and then that will inevitably lead to sitting indoors, and then that's it.

Dubiousdebbie · 31/01/2021 18:33

It’s too cold to riot but just you wait till summer

WalkingOnStarshine · 31/01/2021 18:40

A lot of people I know have stopped caring and are having lots of get togethers, visiting family and friends, etc. Makes you feel a bit stupid for following the rules but I think I'll give up in a month or so.

TableFlowerss · 31/01/2021 18:42

March/April and once the clocks go back and it gets warmer. People will be having BBQ’s, drinks etc in their garden.

The above coupled with the fact the most vulnerable will have been vaccinated by then, will be enough for people to say enough is enough

visitorfromtheplanetzog · 31/01/2021 18:43

I can't speak for other people but for me, well I think we are just going to have to keep calm and carry on. I hate it all as much as everyone else, but if we want to beat this thing, then I don't think we really have a choice.

Loopylobes · 31/01/2021 18:44

Are those saying they intend to break the rules considering a scenario in which a junior doctor is in an A&E packed with people dying of Covid and having to decide who is treated and who is sent home, not because they wouldn't survive treatment but because there isn't a ventilator available?

How about trucks driving down residential streets collecting the bodies which have been left outside front doors for days, as happened in Ecuador?

It doesn't seem like a reasonable price to pay for freedom from lockdown to me.

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