Anyone just have no interest in socialising in places with the restrictions in place?

[User135644]

I'm not saying there shouldn't be restrictions at all, just that I don't see the fun in any of it. Being forced to sit outdoors in several layers of clothes to keep warm, so you can have a glass of wine, a pint or some food. Having to put a mask on to go to the fucking toilet. Sit here, don't sit there, one way systems, yellow tape everywhere, remain seated or put your hand up to go to the toilet, wear a mask on any public transport, the hassle of shopping.

I can understand people have been out to go to the pub or shop this week and had a great time and see it as a step back to normal. I just find it too demoralising to be doing these things for fun. i can only be bothered when it's essential, like a weekly shop.

Agree. I’d rather wait to do optional fun thing till there are no restrictions. The restrictions take the fun out for me. Not to say I don’t agree with them, I’d just rather wait atm.

I agree. I do freelance work and have just started to get busier after very little work over the last year. I’m too afraid of test and trace to go to restaurants etc just yet. The last think I want is a text telling me I have to stay home for 10 days, I’d have to cancel work and no meal out is worth that much to me! Much prefer to get a takeaway and sit in the garden with friends.

Agreed. I don't want to follow a rule book to spend my money!

If people don’t like wearing masks then why bother.
You aren’t going to get tasered you know.

This only stops when people don’t comply
You know.
I’ve never worn one

@User135644

I'm not saying there shouldn't be restrictions at all, just that I don't see the fun in any of it. Being forced to sit outdoors in several layers of clothes to keep warm, so you can have a glass of wine, a pint or some food. Having to put a mask on to go to the fucking toilet. Sit here, don't sit there, one way systems, yellow tape everywhere, remain seated or put your hand up to go to the toilet, wear a mask on any public transport, the hassle of shopping.

I can understand people have been out to go to the pub or shop this week and had a great time and see it as a step back to normal. I just find it too demoralising to be doing these things for fun. i can only be bothered when it's essential, like a weekly shop.

Won't be going ! Hi was chased down the car park by a landlord to wear a mask outside ... can't be arsed

@newstart1234

Agree. I’d rather wait to do optional fun thing till there are no restrictions. The restrictions take the fun out for me. Not to say I don’t agree with them, I’d just rather wait atm.

Don't wait for no restrictions. That might be ages.

@Kiitos

I agree. I do freelance work and have just started to get busier after very little work over the last year. I’m too afraid of test and trace to go to restaurants etc just yet. The last think I want is a text telling me I have to stay home for 10 days, I’d have to cancel work and no meal out is worth that much to me! Much prefer to get a takeaway and sit in the garden with friends.

If you don't turn on contact tracing on the app and only use it to check in to a venue, you won't be getting any notifications from it asking you to self isolate. This is from the FAQs about how it works:

"Venue check-in
When you check into venues using the app and official NHS QR code posters, this data is held on your phone.

If it’s identified that people who were there on the same day have since tested positive for coronavirus, you may get an alert with advice on what to do. The venue check-in feature works independently of the contact tracing feature. If you get a venue alert it will not tell you to self-isolate."

My understanding is that the advice might be to be extra careful with social distancing, or to make sure you get a test if you get symptoms. It will also be advice, and not something which you are obligated to do.

@Dowser

If people don’t like wearing masks then why bother. You aren’t going to get tasered you know.

This only stops when people don’t comply
You know.
I’ve never worn one

Sadly the virus isn’t stopping so won’t be ditching the masks as whilst personal risk can be taken there is the wider society to to think about.

Yes I do agree with you to some extent OP. I’m not too bad with the outdoor stuff that’s open at the moment, where you just pop a mask on to order or use the loo. We’ve been making the most of the gym/pool and outdoor attractions that have reopened this week, and it’s been nice - certainly not normal, but generally fine.

Happy to do coffees and lunches outside and have been enjoying these, but not in a hurry to do evening meals/drinking until the weather warms up a bit.

I think the main difficulty for me will come when more indoor stuff opens in May. I love museums, galleries etc but I just can’t see myself being able to enjoy them with masks and other restrictions in place. I can’t relax or focus properly when masked, and my peripheral vision and depth perception are terrible. Ditto when theatres and music performance get going again - not paying West End prices to sit in a soulless, half empty auditorium in a mask.

As for shopping, my thing has always been bookshops - bloody love them usually - but I took DD to Waterstones to finally spend her birthday vouchers last week and I couldn’t wait to get out again. I just can’t browse in a mask, and was hot, flustered and fed up within a few minutes. I will continue to support physical bookshops because I’d be devastated if they closed for good, but shopping for pleasure elsewhere, especially for clothes etc, just won’t be happening for as long as masks are still mandated.

And, boy, do I miss spontaneity - a week in and I’m all booked out already.

I’ve never worn one

Your life must be quite different to mine then! I tend to have it on 5-6 hours each day, and that’s with my workplace allowing us to take it off for most of the working day.

2h public transport each day
3h at work for the parts where they’re compulsory (no, we don’t work from home where I live)
30 min shop let’s say twice a week
Mask-compulsory streets in my city
Appointments
When I travel for work it can be 12-14h a day
Plus multiple short trips to places that need a mask, talking to the elderly neighbours on the landing...

I’m surprised there are still people who haven’t had to wear a mask (exemptions excluded of course).

I think for those saying they’d struggle to go to a gallery or spend a lot of time in shops because of the mask, it’s clear you have a choice.

When you have no choice, you just get on with it and I may hate it, but it’s honestly completely fine after a couple of days. I don’t get a choice to not go to places that require a mask.

I happen to work at one of the aforementioned venues that will require masks when reopening, which might put people off. Fortunately these people will be in the minority because we trialled these events last month and tickets all sold out within 3 minutes of bookings opening. That was with masks on for 3h+, test just before entry and contact tracing required. Let’s hope we can get all businesses going again.

Yanbu. I point blank refuse to return to my local library until they calm down with the ridiculous rules. They made me follow the world's most complicated one-way system and I was the only bloody person in there.

Well, that's my working day. Any measures in place are less than those I have to enforce day in, day out so it will seem relatively casual.

@firstimemamma

Yanbu. I point blank refuse to return to my local library until they calm down with the ridiculous rules. They made me follow the world's most complicated one-way system and I was the only bloody person in there.

This is true though. I decided not to go to a large library last week, having been pestered to fill a Covid survey in before I got there. Why are library staff so much more vulnerable than supermarket workers?

Completely agree OP! I can't wear a mask at all!! Have tried everything and still can't! Also can't deal with loads of others in them (my issue I know!!) so I stick to click and collect, friends in the garden and online shopping! I do use some local premises who know my situation and accommodate me but the rest! Meh!! I've done without for a year and if I have do go without for another year so be it! My friends want me to go out and about and local businesses are desperate for trade but until masks and tracking are dropped (which I think will be the last thing! Due to their physical reminder) I'll avoid everything including medical appointments!!

I point blank refuse to return to my local library until they calm down with the ridiculous rules

Our local library is by far the worst offender for this too. It’s like Fort Knox at the moment; they clearly don’t want anyone in there. Tried to book a family browsing slot with DD last week and it took no fewer than 5 phone calls across two days, involving three different members of staff. Makes me so angry, as while pushy middle class parents like me will persevere with this stuff, many of the kids who genuinely need the library’s services won’t be able to access them.

I had a hysteroscopy wearing a mask on Friday. I haven't been to a pub or restaurant yet but if I wanted to masks wouldn't stop me. I've no patience with those who aren't exempt twittering on about this not ending until we cease to comply.

I agree. I've enjoyed an afternoon BBQ this weekend but we didn't stay for long as it was too cold even with a patio heater. Hopefully it'll be more enticing in the summer as we've promised catch ups with friends.

I hear you

I looked at the Center Parcs website tonight. And then I read all the rules - booking the pool, not changing, masks inside. That’s not relaxing.

I really hope for the sake of hospitality that restrictions ease

Thanks @RichardMarxisinnocent I didn’t know that. In my area of work test and trace is such a grey area that I just assumed there was a general lack of clarity about it. I obviously have done check-ins at venues where I have been asked to but I didn’t know it was separate from the contact tracing.

Yeah honestly can't be fucked with wearing a mask anymore. Staying home and meeting friends and fam in the garden. Will eventually go out to the shops as need to get my daughter measured for shoes. Everything else - online!!

@Kiitos

Thanks *@RichardMarxisinnocent* I didn’t know that. In my area of work test and trace is such a grey area that I just assumed there was a general lack of clarity about it. I obviously have done check-ins at venues where I have been asked to but I didn’t know it was separate from the contact tracing.

You're welcome. From what I have seen posted on MN since the app launched many people don't realise. I don't think the publicity about it made it overly clear and most people probably don't go digging into the FAQs in the app (and they shouldn't have to)

I had a lovely lunch at the pub this week. It was warm enough with a thick jumper and no coat, and the food was amazing (as were the cocktails!)

I did have to scan in and put a mask on to walk through the pub, but that took 2 minutes followed by a lovely leisurely lunch.

I walked through a student-y area yesterday evening and every pub gardens was full. Some of the nightclubs have also turned their smoking areas into beer gardens and seem to be doing a roaring trade —according to outraged Facebook posts—

Honestly, I think you're being a bit childish and sulky. I went for drinks this afternoon and other than wearing a mask until we were seated (took less than one minute) it was just like a normal trip out. What on earth is the big deal? I presume you want these businesses to be open in the future? We need to support them as much as we're able. Sulking and staying at home just hurts the local economy.