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Original poster

Public reaction if there is another major lockdown

194 replies

bathsh3ba · 18/04/2021 10:29

My daughters and I have been out and about enjoying the relaxation of restrictions (within the rules). Everyone seems so happy to be out and honestly not many seem to be socially distancing. At first I was nervous and now I guess we are used to it though still distance as much as we can. The impression I get in our area at least is that everyone has mentally had enough and in their heads they have moved on and consider we are on our way out. I really hope we are and it's great to see numbers still consistently going down - but it makes me wonder how people would react if there is another major lockdown. Would most still comply?

OP posts:
poppycat10 · 18/04/2021 15:23

@Overthebow

I'm not even sure why we'd need another lockdown. Surely if vaccines are keeping hospitalisations down it won't be needed?
Exactly. We should now be entering a phase where covid is like flu, and we accept that flu kills people. Not great for those affected but the rest of the population aren't put under restrictions because of it.

I think June is too early to get rid of all restrictions, and I am not so keen on the idea of non-essential overseas travel (but I put seeing elderly family overseas in the essential category). But other than that we should be able to get back to near-normal over the summer.

I think it would be wise to continue mask wearing in busy indoor spaces every winter now that we are in the habit of it.

Alfaix · 18/04/2021 15:36

To an extent, because if things are closed we can’t do them and we have very law abiding friends!
I won’t cooperate with a local lockdown- my area is high as always and I don’t see that changing. It’s the demographic which is poor, built up, multi generational households and vaccine sceptical communities. I live in a tiny affluent rural village on the outside of all that and won’t stop my life again. I will travel to the next town to do stuff if it closes here.
I won’t do home schooling again and will be sending DS in as a critical worker child full time if it happens again, not just the 3 days I actually work, he’s better in school.
They are going to have to think of another way as lockdowns can’t continue.

Alfaix · 18/04/2021 15:38

I do think some restrictions should continue though, like mask wearing. It’s easy enough and if it helps then why not?

Devlesko · 18/04/2021 15:40

No, they just complain and tow the line.
What are they going to do, protest. Unfortunately, not much you can do except for not following rules yourself.

CoffeeWithCheese · 18/04/2021 15:44

I'm not doing anymore. Obviously if stuff's shut - I have to go along with that - but if the kids want friends over, or visiting my parents - I'm not limiting that any longer.

treeeeemendous · 18/04/2021 15:57

I would really struggle but I would follow the rules. As others have said for many things you have to be compliant as they are shit.

However I am absolutely making the most of it now. Meeting friends. Seeing family. Going to the gym, shopping. Eating out. The minute anything else opens up I'll be taking advantage of it.... we have a holiday booked. I am desperate for life to return to normal.

RedcurrantPuff · 18/04/2021 16:03

Lockdowns should be a last resort, they are implemented too readily here. Fair enough when there were no other tools in our arsenal to deal with it but now there are.

GoWalkabout · 18/04/2021 16:08

I was of the firm opinion that only one lockdown would ever be tolerated, but the truth is when the numbers increase exponentially there's not much other option - we comply by and large because its necessary and we understand viral transmission. Just look at Brazil.

RedcurrantPuff · 18/04/2021 16:12

But why can’t we look at wide scale mandatory asymptomatic testing and better contact tracing? Along with vaccines surely these would do the job that lockdown does

People have no backbone in this country sadly to stand up to ludicrous and disproportionate laws and I do include myself in that. We go along with stupid ridiculous inhumane rules even though the government themselves clearly don’t really care about keeping numbers down.

KeeTcat · 18/04/2021 16:15

The expected outcome of another lockdown, for the government, will be sheep lining up for the slaughter.

helpfulperson · 18/04/2021 16:17

I think if we get to needing another lockdown things have gone so pear shaped that people will comply because the alternative is horrendous eg what is currently happening in Brazil.

AdoptedBumpkin · 18/04/2021 16:18

Some would, but I would estimate that with every lockdown, the number of people breaking the rules increases.

lightand · 18/04/2021 16:18

All depends on how scared the government, scientists and the media can make us feel, op.

MarinPrime · 18/04/2021 16:20

Yes I think everyone would comply. Apart from the usual bolshie Mumsnetters of course.

Kljnmw3459 · 18/04/2021 16:21

people always say they wouldn't comply but what choice would you have in reality?

Chatterbox1987 · 18/04/2021 16:24

After constantly using the words irreversible, Boris would have a hard time convincing people to not mix in houses... obviously he could shut things again... would be silly tho at least outside people's homes they have people watching them so may be slightly more cautious whereas you lockdown again people will mix in homes regardless on mass this time.

MotorwayDiva · 18/04/2021 16:26

"if you are that essential live at work"

Wow

Would you stay at work 24/7, and not see your children, what about two key worker children, one a police officer the other a nurse. What happens to their kids?

TustedFormula · 18/04/2021 16:31

It would depend entirely on the situation at the time. If the numbers were high enough to scare people witless again, people would comply

OhShitShit · 18/04/2021 16:40

I think the people that have/ have been able to in the first lockdowns would comply, actually. Maybe resignedly, but I think we’ve now been conditioned to; just look at the amount of covid policing that still goes on on here.

But also the people who haven’t historically complied for whatever reason, some of them completely understandable, won’t.

I also think that it should be a last resort, and mass PCR testing should be deployed more widely, before it gets to that.

RowanAlong · 18/04/2021 16:42

I would comply with lockdown rules, no issue, but not with remote learning again if there was a school closure. Two rounds is enough for us! I’d de-register and do our own thing.

LST · 18/04/2021 16:45

I wouldn't lock down again. I wouldn't obviously go to closed places as I couldn't. But close friends and family I wouldn't keep away from.

MarshaBradyo · 18/04/2021 16:45

I couldn’t bear it but as usual what would go would be what I really value and I wouldn’t have a choice. So I very much hope even pessimistic scientists are right when they say we’ve had our last lock down.

XenoBitch · 18/04/2021 16:46

@MotorwayDiva

"if you are that essential live at work"

Wow

Would you stay at work 24/7, and not see your children, what about two key worker children, one a police officer the other a nurse. What happens to their kids?

I guess cops would not be allowed to mix with the public under this "rule" anyway. Would render them useless. And if you need an ambulance? No chance.. got to wait 2 weeks.
LST · 18/04/2021 16:47

@MarinPrime

Yes I think everyone would comply. Apart from the usual bolshie Mumsnetters of course.
You must have lived a very sheltered lockdown if you think people would comply.
quizqueen · 18/04/2021 16:49

The idea of a lockdown was ridiculous in the first place when people were still allowed to fly in and out. Other island countries managed to close their borders so why couldn't we. The fact that the UK didn't shut its borders told me I didn't have to comply with or trust anything the Government said because people, who had flown in, were just allowed to continue their travel inside the UK until very recently. Also those who came illegally across the channel were allowed to enter. while our own citizens were told to lock themselves away for months.