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

[Quit4me]

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.

I do think it's worth pointing out that I don't divulge anything that I get up to to the couple of people I know that are quite militant about lockdown and about the rules. I cba with them preaching at me or with getting into an argument. And, likewise, during the first lockdown more people seemed to be quite militant (they've calmed down now) and I didn't talk to them about who I'd seen etc.

Also I know a lot of people who would tell anyone that asked that they are sticking to the rules and will gladly moan about rule breakers but actually they have about 6 different bubbles 😂 A support bubble with their friend, a childcare bubble with their parents (which basically involves going round to their house for the afternoon a couple of times a week), a work bubble (eh we're already in a bubble so no harm in socialising a bit out of work ), a bubble with someone that lives on their own etc etc. They genuinely believe that they are obeying the rules and don't see how hypocritical they are when they complain about others.

So just because everyone that you know tells you that they are sticking to the rules it doesn't technically mean that they are.

@GreySkyClouds

As long as the government says is required; why wouldn’t they/we?

Because people have minds of their own and are not just robots. Emotions and feelings about their quality of life and their economic well being - as well as that of the country generally - will lead them to question whether these measures are effective, and worth it.

@Mydogdoesntlisten
A genuine question though for those who say 'as long as it takes'- would you cope with another year, two years, until you lose your job, your home? What realistic end point do you have in mind?

I genuinely don't know - I left my job, as I had to care for ds who has complex needs and is medically vulnerable, so has been shielding for most of the year. We are possibly going to have to move out of our rental, so are trying to work out what is the best solution there. So far, ds's Drs have said he wouldn't be eligible for a vaccination, so until there is something suitable for medically vulnerable 10 year olds, we are just taking it a day at a time.

I travel for essential work abroad and have done throughout the pandemic except during the initial outbreak. Its meant numerous Covid tests, every 5 days whilst at work ( away 3wks at a time ) prior to travelling and again 5 days quarantinig after returning. Its not fun but at least I have a job and essential supplies continue to be delivered.
Personally I've not managed to see my parents in over a year since they live abroad, its hard especially when on of them was taken ill and in hospital for several weeks and the other was home alone without support.
Everyone has had there fair share of annoyance, frustration and difficulty from this virus. Hopefully tbe public will stay strong and help tbe nation get over this hurdle until vaccinations will allow some sort of normality to return but are unlikely to protect against every future strain mutation.
I feel fortunate to continue in work and know some have lost jobs, businesses and loved ones along the way that keeps me motivated to do my bit and stick to the rules. Our children deserve their childhoods to return as soon as practically possible.

Me and nobody I know wants to pass the virus on to anyone else / kill our parents or grandparents/ friends

Sooo yeah we will all be continuing with this til it’s safe.

You don’t get to decide you’ve had enough or your not doing it anymore tbh. It just makes you selfish tbh

I really want o get some freedoms back by March I mean little things. Maybe rule of six

Not above schools tho. That's my priority

Allowed to see a few people in small groups

Shops and sit down restaurants reopen

I'm happy for some things to remain closed such as bars night clubs

If it doesn't happen I will probably crack and break a few rules in order to do this.

I still follow most of them but I'm not nearly as in the "stay at home" mindset as I was back in March. I go for as many walks as I please, I frequently drive to my local beach for a run(three miles before I get screamed at) as well as walking the dog, I pop to the shop for non-essentials like wine without feeling ashamed and I see my daughter who I don't live with. (However, don't consider this is a rule break as she is mentally ill and was suicidal last lockdown so anyone who wants me to stop seeing her can do one!)

Once my parents are vaccinated (both doses and after the time needed to be effective) I will see them. There is a general consensus around all of my friends that once the vulnerable are vaccinated, our duty to 'stay home and protect the NHS' is done.

Ironically I know no one who has died of COVID, but three attempted suicides and one successful. However, I recognise the death rate for COVID is high.

I think lockdowns will last forever and most people will go along with it as they have been terrorised.

I also don't believe it's a united effort of 'staying strong.' We're in different positions- mentally, where we live, access to gardens, living with good or bad family, employed, unemployed, well off, not well off, young and old... It's not unreasonable that some people- after a year- can no longer see only those in their household and still retain their mental capacity.

I think people make case by case decisions. I went for a walk with a friend and our under 5s recently. My child fell into a puddle and was utterly soaked in mud and water. So yes, I went in her house to get him dried off and some clothes. I've had covid recently and we've both had the first jab so the risk felt minimal that either of us could pass to each other. I would not have done the same with my vulnerable in-laws, as the risk felt less. I understand the risk isn't zero but is less. People make decisions on that basis. It's the first time I've broken a rule and I felt quite resentful that I felt quite nervous about it.

Once my mum and dad have both been vaccinated I'll be seeing them more than I do now. I think I'll let my dc socialise with their friends before I do with mine. Learning at home is one thing but keeping them from their peers long term is not acceptable when the weather is better if they want to go to the park, play football or go for a bike ride with a few friends then they can.

I think there needs to be some relaxations in 4-6 weeks otherwise people will start doing what they like. Cases are plummeting, more and more had first vaccination. March 8th needs to be primary schools back and some relaxation of meeting outdoors/sports etc. Maybe restaurants/cafes/museums but in household groups only towards end of March.

I usually avoid pure "crystal ball" threads, but just wanted to link this from SAGE, where they consider the number of possible collateral deaths resulting from restrictions. In fairness they include their opinion that actual Covid deaths would be even worse without them, but all the same it's pretty grim reading:

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/957265/s0980-direct-indirect-impacts-covid-19-excess-deaths-morbidity-sage-december-update-final.pdf

I find it astonishing that people are prepared to put up with this ‘for as long as it takes.’

If this is your opinion, can you put a time on it?

Can you say one more year, 18 months, two years etc?

There are certain things we have no control over. Other things more so. For example, as it gets warmer then I’m happy to have friends in the garden. If we are all vaccinated, I’ll have them in the house.

April is my limit.

Easier to read (if less data heavy) version here: metro.co.uk/2021/01/30/uk-lockdowns-could-lead-to-100000-non-covid-deaths-13993016/

It's not terribly good, but then neither is the Mail's version

The messaging was pretty heavy on, "Don't kill granny." So once granny's vaccinated, I imagine compliance will start to fray.

I think support is already falling as is opinion in support of lockdown measures and restrictions. By Late spring I feel it will have dwindled further. I think there will be a minority who will continue to follow the rules or preach to us all to follow the rules and the costs to society don’t matter.

Whilst many I know are following the rules as best they can many have suffered devastating financial implications with some already losing business and home, relationship breakdowns and mental health problems never experienced. All feel very angry and overlooked.

Something I don’t understand - if the vast majority of older people are vaccinated, why do we need to keep up with this all year?

What’s going to happen? Some people will catch covid, the vast, vast majority will be fine recovering at home. There will be exceptions, there always are.

I’m not prepared to give my life up for exceptions any longer. I’ll take my chances. All adults vaccinated by September but still restricted?

Nah.

Easter.

The area I live in many people already do not follow the rules. At the moment, the weather is helping but as soon as it gets better, it will get worse. There was many a boozy picnic in the first lockdown. Lots of pubs opened for 'takeaway' beers and people congregated nearby.

Kids will struggle more with homeschooling once the weather is nicer and being outside is more appealing. They will want to be outside, play, etc.

I think we will all be exercising our own judgement by April.

Spring then the riots will start

A question for the ‘as long as it takes’ people.

Don’t you have elderly relatives who probably don’t have much time left, Covid or no Covid?

Are you prepared to just forgo all that time? What if cancer, dementia, strokes, heart disease or another of the other myriad of things that can kill people, strike in the meantime?

People act like lockdown is a pause button. It isn’t. It’s time you don’t get back.

I think it's pretty disgusting that people are willing to put their family members at risk in the midst of a pandemic. And others, too.

You wouldn't know we were in the middle of a pandemic where I am. Roads are heaving with traffic, supermarkets are mobbed, McDonald's, KFC & Starbucks drive throughs have queues of up to 100 cars at a time, people are visiting family & friends.

I don't know anyone who has had covid & as far as I'm aware no one I know knows anyone who's had covid. I'm sure there will be lots of others the same - it's difficult to see the point in following the quite frankly arbitrary rules if the disease they are supposed to prevent hasn't even remotely affected your life.

I'm sick to the back teeth of it now - all I do is work, housework, eat, sleep, repeat! The highlight of my week is the food shop & an appointment at the bloody tip.

@CountessFrog

Something I don’t understand - if the vast majority of older people are vaccinated, why do we need to keep up with this all year?

What’s going to happen? Some people will catch covid, the vast, vast majority will be fine recovering at home. There will be exceptions, there always are.

I’m not prepared to give my life up for exceptions any longer. I’ll take my chances. All adults vaccinated by September but still restricted?

Nah.

Total joke. No point having vaccinations if restrictions not lifted