People doing these things already

[Gruffaloandmouse]

Yesterday I was walking through the local park and saw a group of about six people sitting together having a picnic...so clearly people are already doing the things set out in the ‘roadmap’

Yes they are.

And it’s not until the 8th you can even meet one other person outside for socialising.

Outside risk is low though and I don’t think this is being policed

Yes, it's really broken down in the last week or so round here. Not sure why especially, but it it really noticeable. Everyone has basically gone back to rule of six (or more). Not sure what that will mean for this rule map - not much point in the five week delay if everyone's been doing it for a while already.

They probably are in many places. The government never expected 100% compliance, they and SAGE have said so quite often. They only got heavy handed when the number of people in some places was not enough.

Outside gatherings won't be much of a risk. It's the indoor ones that cause most of the problems. Which is why so many people get het up about schools, nothwithstanding that the reasons for that aren't based purely in infection rates.

They might have been a family ! If I was to have a picnic with my family who I live with people wud think I was breaking the rules because we look like friends 🤷‍♀️
I do stick to the rules personally but if people are having a picnic I don’t think it’s the end of the world you have to make your choices and let others make theirs. X

The whole "only allowed out for exercise, must keep moving" thing is ridiculous anyway, always has been. We've been sitting down and having something to eat (our household) on our walks whenever the weather has been dry enough.

🤷 not bothered anymore tbh

Yes, people are definitely doing this now the weather is getting better.

The correct response is as follows (gleaned from a survey of local data)

1. If it's an extended family group, you mutter under your breath but decide to leave it on the off chance they are a support bubble or live together

1. If a mixed group of parents/children you tut at them and complain to your friends about how no one is following the rules

1. If it's a group of teenagers you post liberally all over local Facebook, normally with blurred pictures that subsequently have to be deleted, and set forth a tide of vitriol against them.

Hope that clears things up for you.

Our local park was packed with large groups over the weekend. I guess some were household groups, some weren't. Can't bring myself to begrudge anyone doing this and I've given up getting annoyed about it as it does nothing except make me miserable. Transmission outside seems to be minimal anyway.

How nice that somewhere's had weather good enough for people to be able to enjoy the great outdoors

We sometimes take the children to a Forrest walk thing a mile down the road and there have been groups of people all the way through, families meeting up with children, groups that look like a family with grandparents, grouped waiting for each other to arrive in the car park.

There are some people who have never stopped meeting up with friends and family in groups.

(I'm quite the people watcher nosey cow).

@Shelovesamystery

The whole "only allowed out for exercise, must keep moving" thing is ridiculous anyway, always has been. We've been sitting down and having something to eat (our household) on our walks whenever the weather has been dry enough.

If you picnic and fidget a lot does that count as keeping moving?

3. If it's a group of teenagers you post liberally all over local Facebook, normally with blurred pictures that subsequently have to be deleted, and set forth a tide of vitriol against them.

Bonus points if they were wearing hoods or smoking.

Good for them.

I can't begrudge small groups of people meeting outdoors. The risk is so tiny. I don't think it jeopardises the 'road map' at all.

We have been shielding and only go out to the local woods really. We cheerfully give keep other people a massively wide berth generally when we go out and I can't be bothered with what other people are doing.

You'd have to actually be out there looking to even notice this stuff, surely?

@RedskyBynight

Yes, people are definitely doing this now the weather is getting better.

The correct response is as follows (gleaned from a survey of local data)

1. If it's an extended family group, you mutter under your breath but decide to leave it on the off chance they are a support bubble or live together

1. If a mixed group of parents/children you tut at them and complain to your friends about how no one is following the rules

1. If it's a group of teenagers you post liberally all over local Facebook, normally with blurred pictures that subsequently have to be deleted, and set forth a tide of vitriol against them.

Hope that clears things up for you.

🤣🤣 Is that law or just guidance?

Just enjoy your walk and stop obsessing over whether strangers might or might not be 'flouting' the rules.

I have stopped obsessing over whether or not people are flouting rules. They probably are and I hate them. In fact, I hate most adult humans. I don’t want lockdown to end, and I’d much rather steer clear of other people.

And?

@Silverthorny

I have stopped obsessing over whether or not people are flouting rules. They probably are and I hate them. In fact, I hate most adult humans. I don’t want lockdown to end, and I’d much rather steer clear of other people.

You do that.

@Silverthorny

I have stopped obsessing over whether or not people are flouting rules. They probably are and I hate them. In fact, I hate most adult humans. I don’t want lockdown to end, and I’d much rather steer clear of other people.

With that attitude I doubt you're inundated by people desperate for your company, so should be no problem for you to barricade yourself at home as long as you wish.

@Silverthorny

I have stopped obsessing over whether or not people are flouting rules. They probably are and I hate them. In fact, I hate most adult humans. I don’t want lockdown to end, and I’d much rather steer clear of other people.

You can stay locked in your house forever. Not everyone is like you though.

I think everyone would much prefer that people like you remain locked down for life. Please feel free.

By the way, that was aimed at @Silverthorny and not the OP.

@Hairobsessed123

They might have been a family ! If I was to have a picnic with my family who I live with people wud think I was breaking the rules because we look like friends 🤷‍♀️ I do stick to the rules personally but if people are having a picnic I don’t think it’s the end of the world you have to make your choices and let others make theirs. X

If you were having a picnic with your family at the moment you WOULD be breaking the rules. It's not allowed.

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I just wish everyone would stick to what they've been told, for just a little bit longer. If people start to mix earlier, cases will go up again, and the 'back to normal' date will be pushed back. And there's no blaming the government for the fact that they gave us sensible rules but people then decided to break them.