Realism over rules going forward as people won't comply

[User133847]

January was a horrible month and into February. 1000+ deaths every day just from Covid in the UK, weather was terrible, NHS on its knees. Once the lockdown was announced the majority of people naturally followed the advice to stay at home as much as possible.

The vaccine roll out really picked up pace though and that's obviously our way out of this. Once the over 50s or at least 60s and most vulnerable have had at least a vaccine shot by Easter time, the weather picks up and it's 12 months since the first lockdown then good luck getting people to comply.

It's half term this week which has coincided with better weather, more mild and slowly starting to get lighter. You're starting to get kids out socialising again with their mates and once it starts it quickly becomes the norm again and then extends to older demographics. I'm not hear to judge them for that at all because people are bound to have had enough.

Point being, the government can come up with all the rules they want, but they have to take people with them. They can keep hospitality shut but if we have a nice spell of weather again March for example, and over Easter, then people are going to pack out to the parks and even beaches again. They simply won't be able to enforce "you can meet one person outside". It just won't fly with a lot of people when the weather picks up.

They can keep hospitality shut but if we have a nice spell of weather again March for example, and over Easter, then people are going to pack out to the parks and even beaches again.

No outbreaks in the entire world have been linked to packed beaches.
Kids playing outside together is a good thing.

You’re worrying about the wrong things. People meeting in wide open spaces is very low risk.

I really can't imagine anyone (whether govt, public or whoever) seriously think the one person meeting outside will stay - like last Summer, meeting outdoors etc (and smaller numbers indoors) will be one of the first relaxations.

For larger groups etc., it'll again be up to venues to enforce rules re social distancing, restrictions of numbers of groups, giving details on entry etc. Councils/police can "control" venues and close down if they're not complying (like they did last Summer).

Govt know what restrictions can be enforced (councils/police) such as venues, and which can't (such as mixing socially in homes and outdoors). No point trying to enforce restrictions which can't be enforced!

I agree - I’m seeing it already. Kids out playing together, etc. Everyone I’ve spoken to recently is reaching a point where they’ve really had enough. I’m firmly against restrictions once the most vulnerable have been vaccinated. I feel that, for many people, compassion is eroding away - we’ve been desensitised to the situation and have been prevented from doing basic human things for too long.

People being annoyed about kids playing together outdoors is so sad.

I agree, they need to be realistic about what people with comply with. They need to factor in that people will be seeing their family and friends again both inside and outside. Sensible rules would be to allow meeting one other household inside and outside, I’m sure most people would comply with that for the next couple of months.

@PurpleDaisies

People being annoyed about kids playing together outdoors is so sad.

Agreed!

The weather has not picked up where I am! It’s pretty much rained or hailed all week.

The lockdown restrictions are inbuilt with the expectation that a certain percentage won’t obey. At the same time, there are a lot of mental health worries with people who are too scared to go out and who are likely to stay in even once rules are relaxed.

@PurpleDaisies

They can keep hospitality shut but if we have a nice spell of weather again March for example, and over Easter, then people are going to pack out to the parks and even beaches again.

No outbreaks in the entire world have been linked to packed beaches.
Kids playing outside together is a good thing.

You’re worrying about the wrong things. People meeting in wide open spaces is very low risk.

I'm talking about the rules though. At the moment you're only allowed, by the rules, to meet one person outside your own household.

Even if the rule of 6 comes back outside for hospitality, as suggested, for when it eventually opens; there's no way people are going to be sticking to that in parks, beaches or other public spaces. People will be getting together in groups one way or another.

Why are you so bothered about what people are doing outside?

I really can't imagine anyone (whether govt, public or whoever) seriously think the one person meeting outside will stay

Obviously not through summer, but i'm talking more over the next 2 or 3 months. British Summer Time is only a few weeks away.

@User133847 6 people is a group though. I do think there needs to be some restrictions for the next few months but they need to allow some household mixing. It’s needs to be sensible but realistic so that people get on board with it.

@PurpleDaisies

Why are you so bothered about what people are doing outside?

As I said in the title and pointed out in the post. They've got to have rules people will mostly stick to because if people are breaking rules outdoors then they'll break them indoors as well, it's a mindset. A minority have always broken them anyway.

The daily Mail has a draft roadmap, presumably for the gov to garner opinion. Google “daily Mail roadmap” (if you can bear to!)

They've got to have rules people will mostly stick to because if people are breaking rules outdoors then they'll break them indoors as well

That doesn’t necessarily follow.

[quote Racoonworld]@User133847 6 people is a group though. I do think there needs to be some restrictions for the next few months but they need to allow some household mixing. It’s needs to be sensible but realistic so that people get on board with it.[/quote]
Yeah, exactly. They've got to find the balance to have rules most people will stick to and keep people with them.

It will change in the next government announcement. They are obviously trailing permission to do stuff outdoors. Who'd have thought we need permission to have a picnic. It really depresses me when children are told to keep their distance in playgrounds, there are more subtle ways of directing kids away from close contact.

@Lemons1571

The daily Mail has a draft roadmap, presumably for the gov to garner opinion. Google “daily Mail roadmap” (if you can bear to!)

I gather the Daily Mail has been consistently right about many of its predictions about the government’s response to covid in recent months. Will look up the roadmap because I expect this will follow the pattern and be what is announced next week.

All the kids on my street today are playing out, it’s lovely to hear and it’s lovely that it’s still light enough to do so, even if it is freezing!

@BlueTimes I particularly like the proposed new slogan. Never thought I’d be thinking “bring back Cummings”

Think outdoor sport should be earlier and also I think that dates should be left off. Easter isn’t far away for things to be opening

OP are you worried about something?

Yes, I'm sure people will meet outside. You may get caught by a copper if you are unlucky but I doubt those fines you will stand.

All sorts of things are going on because people are human. I was part of an outbreak of chatting on the Tube today. Hopefully it will not be reported as planned socialisation!

@LunaHeather

OP are you worried about something?

Yes, I'm sure people will meet outside. You may get caught by a copper if you are unlucky but I doubt those fines you will stand.

All sorts of things are going on because people are human. I was part of an outbreak of chatting on the Tube today. Hopefully it will not be reported as planned socialisation!

Chatting on the tube?! Whatever has Covid done to people?

They've got to have rules people will mostly stick to because if people are breaking rules outdoors then they'll break them indoors as well, it's a mindset.

I don't think this is true at all. An awful lot of people think outdoors=safe; indoors=not safe.

Our local Facebook is full of people complaining about groups (it's normally teens in groups of 4 or 5) meeting outside. It's the groups meeting inside that no one sees that we need to worry about.

No they can’t and won’t get people to comply. No bad thing that they find out what the population think of their restrictions, they are meant to run the country on our wishes, not the other way round.

Spodge at the start of this I had two lovely chats with men on the bus.

I don't normally act friendly when strange men start talking to me but it is a very odd world right now.

People are chatty in the supermarket too, I find. The weird bit is when you can't hear them because of the mask but can't be arsed asking them to repeat it. They could be suggesting setting fire to something and I'd just be nodding away 😂