Is anyone actually going to follow the rules from spring?

[Cloudsurfing]

It will have been a year since being allowed to properly see friends and family. Even in summer last year you still had to social distance so seeing family was difficult, and some areas had tighter restrictions throughout. Everyone I know is going to see family and friends from spring, regardless of what restrictions there are. I am too. The government do know that most people won’t stick to it from then, right?

Is anyone on here actually going to not see family at that point? I know Mumsnet seems to be full of people who are happy to isolate for years if need be, but are you actually going to?

Shocked that people don't understand bigger picture. If you crack on, this awfulness goes on longer. No argument. Worries about businesses and money go on longer, too. Follow the advice of the experts. Not what you 'think' because you want to.

Next months this bullshit has gone on a whole year.

I will socially distance but will be breaking the rules - enough is enough.

Government have crossed the line anyway depriving people from making a living and no compensating them - ie if you runs ltd company for example.

Utter disgrace, no way am I putting off my life for a virus that has very small chance of affecting me. Selfish yes I don't care care anymore.

Tell hell with this shit, the whole world has done enough for the elderly and vulnerable it's now time to accept the risk. Screw this.

Tell hell with this shit, the whole world has done enough for the elderly and vulnerable it's now time to accept the risk. Screw this.

Imagine if the virus affected children in particular, and so we all locked down to protect them - as we would - and someone trotted out a statement like the above. "To hell with this! The world has done enough for the bloody kids. It's time to accept the risk. Screw this!"

Horrifying, isn't it?

Yes. If we try to ‘crack on’ too soon we could undo all our hard work and sacrifices by allowing the virus to mutate to a strain that avoids the vaccine.

Now is the time to be patient for a little longer if we want to avoid going into lockdowns forever more.

It’s strange that those who proclaim to hate lockdown keep breaking the rules and dumping us in more lockdowns.

We all hate lockdowns! We are all struggling. Many of us want to take steps to avoid more of them.

And of course this dragging on longer by cracking on too soon means worse news for the economy, the nhs and those needing other treatment on the nhs.

Collective responsibility. Bigger picture.

[quote Katie517]@cyclingmad because in the USA they have a rational response and aren’t testing anyone with a little sniffle with highly inaccurate PCR tests. They also aren’t desperately searching for new variants and understand that Covid isn’t the be all and end all and that lockdowns are a huge infringement on human rights! Honestly the way we are handling this is disgusting how is it possible that it has been illegal for some people to see a family member indoors for nearly a year? Yet still people blindly say they will follow the rules for “as long as it takes to be safe”[/quote]
We’re not doing this here either.

Just try booking a test with a sniffle and see how far you get.

I’m interested in difference of opinion but this is just misinformed, inflammatory hyperbole.

It depends more on my family than me - they have been more insistent than I have about following the rules, and going beyond them even when it was allowed to see family, go out to places etc. They are very much rule followers (lots of discussion about exact wording of latest rules) so I think they would still want to follow them precisely even once the older ones are fully vaccinated (all had their first dose now).

Personally I am not bothered about seeing family or friends. My family that matters are DH and my dc, and they're all in my household. I only really care about getting back to organised activities/venues, which I can hardly break the rules for when they're all closed. I was fine with the way they were run during the autumn (everything pre-booked with lower numbers), so if we can manage to get back to that level of social distancing, I'd be able to stick with that.

Financially we've come out with a net increase, so we're very fortunate. The furlough system has worked out pretty well for us, as I'd been planning to step back from work pre-pandemic and now I've been able to and still get paid for it.

Yes I will, unfortunately. It was only a few weeks ago that 70% of our hospital was full with covid patients. 50% ofbtgose patients were under 55. While they were occupying beds and ventilators, people are dying and in pain waitinhbfor surgeries they can't have.

So yes. Even though I'd love to say screw it and carry on as I've already had one vaccine and will have other in a month or so, I can't justify being a part of that. And while some posters will accuse me of virtue signalling, and others will assume I've had a cushy year, neither of which are true, I genuinely can't see kids with cystic fibrosis, adults with copd, every age of people with cancer and trauma patients needing surgery having to wait even longer because I want a coffee with my mates. So more bloody months it is.

No, once the top four priority groups are vaccinated (plus two weeks for it to kick in), I'll no longer be adhering to the rules. I'm going to set up some playdates for DD and visit family.

@Donoteatthekittens

Most Mumsnetters boast of never answering the door to unexpected callers, having anxiety and no friends. They’ll be in no hurry to end lockdown will they? 😂

If the person at the door is as unpleasant as you sound then not answering the door would be preferable.

This thread pretty much has it all (and is basically a continuation of many other threads recently, but it’s the most recent).

I get pissed off with those vehemently screaming “you’re selfish, etc” at other posters. That really doesn’t help, we are nearly 11 months into this - many industries/businesses are on hold/screwed/collapsing (delete as necessary). Kids not at school, parents juggling working with homeschooling. And, on top of that, NONE of us are supposed to be able to mix normally with friends and family.

On the other hand there are many posters just declaring “enough is enough” Or “this needs to end now” or “I”ll do what I want from X date (not easy if nothing is open).

The total “doom mongers” with their “this will need to go on for years” type posts piss me off because they are doing nothing to help towards what is needed right now.

Equally, the “fuck it, done enough for something that 99% of the population survive” brigade annoy me too. Plus the fact that their posts are CONSTANTLY littered with the words frothing, screaming, salivating over lockdown.

There have been so many “it was supposed to be 3 weeks to flatten the curve”, “it should have been ok by Christmas” posts.

We are now at a stage that many thought we’d never get to - there were so many “we will never have a vaccine for at least two years” posts last summer.

It’s bloody hard, but patience is needed for a bit longer. It’s NOT just about vaccinating the most vulnerable and then “fuck it, I’m doing what I want”. The quicker they can vaccinate all adults, combined with the restrictions we all hate so much, the better. Because that reduces transmission and therefore reduces the opportunity for the virus to keep changing. Because those mutations are what could increase the risk level again. With the vaccines now in-play, we have more of a chance to reduce this chance, but it needs to be in conjunction with SD.

So, for the next couple of months, I don’t think it’s about protecting the NHS or the vulnerable, etc. I think it’s about protecting our “return to normal”. Because vaccine + SD will mean less chance for the virus to travel and mutate. The scientific community have worked so hard to try to give us a way out of this - but we could end up screwing up that opportunity.

I am NOT a lover of lockdown. And I am not trying to minimise everything about lockdown. I haven’t really paid much attention to what the govt have said, as I don’t necessarily trust politicians from any party. But I have tried to understand what the scientists have said, and are still saying.

We’ve got a vaccination programme being rolled-out (which many here doubted would get off the ground), but to reduce the risk of new variants still means SD for a bit longer.

My view, which is probably apparent, is that we hold out a bit longer. But this is tempered with definitely not just “giving up my civil liberties” as I’m damned sure I’m going to demand answers re laws put in place once we move forward, which I really think we will.

I’m hoping for a late spring/summer of being able to see friends in a responsible way while the vaccines continue. And that, by having a tiny bit more of a delay - to vaccinate as many as possible (so as to reduce mutations here) - means that we can all start to move out of this.

No. Time to start prioritising the young & healthy (& I say that as someone who is neither of those things).

The scientific community have worked so hard to try to give us a way out of this - but we could end up screwing up that opportunity.

Going by the government’s track record and many of the responses here it looks like this is exactly what is going to happen.

@TheClaws no it isn't horrifying because our children are the most precious thing we should protect.

I do not think someone who has live a very long healthy life should be protected in the same way as a child who has their whole life ahead - that would be silly wouldn't it.l?

Honestly, anyone who cannot see logic to prioritise children over elderly I think is inherently selfish as fuck.

If this was to save children I'd stay here in as long as necessary.

No. Time to start prioritising the young & healthy (& I say that as someone who is neither of those things).

Exactly this. How is it fair at all to deprive children of this country much longer. They've done enough, it's utterly wrong.

@TheClaws

Tell hell with this shit, the whole world has done enough for the elderly and vulnerable it's now time to accept the risk. Screw this.

Imagine if the virus affected children in particular, and so we all locked down to protect them - as we would - and someone trotted out a statement like the above. "To hell with this! The world has done enough for the bloody kids. It's time to accept the risk. Screw this!"

Horrifying, isn't it?

Quite. But this situation certainly brings out the swamp dwellers with their utterly reprehensible opinions about the elderly and disabled. As the famous meme goes...replace the word elderly with the word Jewish, or black, and ask yourself "do I sound like a fucking Nazi". I expect some Mumsnetters have their jackboots polished though, tbf.

[quote tootsytoo]@TheClaws no it isn't horrifying because our children are the most precious thing we should protect.

I do not think someone who has live a very long healthy life should be protected in the same way as a child who has their whole life ahead - that would be silly wouldn't it.l?

Honestly, anyone who cannot see logic to prioritise children over elderly I think is inherently selfish as fuck.

If this was to save children I'd stay here in as long as necessary.
[/quote]
@tootsytoo I agree with your post so much.

QED..
I do hope the contempt shown on this thread for the elderly and disabled, the terminally ill etc isn't translated into your real life behaviour. But I expect when it comes to your own elderly relatives it's all about the othering.
Bile is easy to spew from a keyboard.

[quote tootsytoo]@TheClaws no it isn't horrifying because our children are the most precious thing we should protect.

I do not think someone who has live a very long healthy life should be protected in the same way as a child who has their whole life ahead - that would be silly wouldn't it.l?

Honestly, anyone who cannot see logic to prioritise children over elderly I think is inherently selfish as fuck.

If this was to save children I'd stay here in as long as necessary.
[/quote]
I agree with you. We need to prioritise the younger groups now. It’s not fair for the very low risk to be asked to give everything up anymore. I know we can’t completely shield the vulnerable as it isn’t practical, but there needs to be some sense of personal responsibility where you stay in if you’re at risk and/or worried and everyone else can get on with it.

How is it fair at all to deprive children of this country much longer.

You think it would be fairer to deprive children of their parents because they have died or are seriously ill? And what about the parents who have other diseases that they are not now being treated for? I know children in this situation, whose parents have died. Even in normal times one in 30 children have a parent die before they are 18.

@Lemonsyellow I’m young and relatively healthy, I’m low risk. I have a very, very small chance of dying from this and leaving my child. There is more chance of me dying from many day to day activities than this. Most young children have parents who aren’t at risk. Those who are vulnerable will have been vaccinated.

Having read most of this thread, I do think what it comes down to is the majority of people aren’t willing to be kept from seeing their family and friends. It seems most can continue with other restrictions longer term but people need to be able to see others. I’m hoping the government realise this and allow mixing soon, and they’ll probably find that there is much greater compliance going forwards of it is allowed.

@Furries - could not agree more.

We have to hang on on there for a couple of months, let the vaccine roll out have a chance to have an impact, and then gradually go back to doing all of those things that we are all so desperate to do.

If people decide to take matters into their own hands and ignore the SD rules then the last 12 months will be what our 'new normal' will become.

Calm and patience is key.

You think it would be fairer to deprive children of their parents because they have died or are seriously ill?

The risk of this is low for that age group. Whereas the problems caused by lockdown are significant.

Of course I'll still be following the rules. I don't want to see a repeat of the numbers we had after Xmas and I certainly don't want to think I am contributing to any of those deaths due to being fed up.

I am beyond frustrated at the government's ineptitude at handling the whole situation but given that they are so shit it just makes me think that we've all got to rely on each other to do what we can to keep everyone safe. Therefore it's even more important to stick to the rules because we can't look to those in charge to protect the population and we have to take the responsibility on ourselves.

Of course I'd much rather not. I want to see my friends and family, I want to interact with them properly and not on bloody zoom, I want to go out for coffees and drinks and see concerts and galleries and have holidays and day trips and I miss all of those things so much. But, this is where we are. And I'm not going to make it worse for everyone by acting the arsehole.