Will you be giving people space in queues from tomorrow?

[Florelei]

Freedom day is upon us. COVID is no longer a threat to us and we can now get on with our lives.

I’m just wondering what people’s plans are re distancing in queues. Are you planning to maintain some distance between you and the person in front?

I know that, @TheVampiresWife. But by staying at home we are essentially helping to protect these people.

The only positive side of this has been social distance for me. Sod off with standing half an inch behind me, you aren't getting there any quicker. In the days when travelling abroad was easy I excelled in the use of luggage and handbag to create my personal bubble.
Masks I'm not so sure about. Distancing was way better where I live before the compulsory mask rule came in.
The evidence seems to be that covid is air transmitted rather than surface. I hate hand sanitizer as it aggravates my eczema while soap is ok.

Well in a few minutes covid laws will be a thing of the past

I'm sure there will be solidarity for the first few days, but by this time next week I really think the masks will be gone for the majority

Once you are out without it a few times it will become second nature . I've kept some packs just in case they are brought back.

The message is clear....personal responsibility... so stay safe everyone.

Yes, I will be carrying on as if restrictions are still in place. Socially distancing, mask wearing etc I'm double vaxed but I do not want to catch covid or pass it to others.

@NannyAndJohn

I know that, *@TheVampiresWife*. But by staying at home we are essentially helping to protect these people.

Oh stop that nonsense. I work in a factory and you staying home does not "protect" me, I still have to go to work regardless. All those people that gleefully brag about only shopping online don't seem to realise that someone still has to get those orders ready and deliver them. I'm sick to the back teeth of the virtue signalling.

magsbagsfags

“ will. I just hope other soap dodgers do! I've been incensed my whole adult life when someone stands so close to me I can feel their breath on my neck.... so I step forwards to get away from them... so they step closer.... so infuriating!!!”

I’ve not really said much to anyone throughout all of this but had to ask two young women to step back while queuing last week. Felt a bit mean because they were very jolly and from their shop I imagine they were meeting with friends. One kept walking past me to pick up extra items and each time she returned they shuffled closer and closer, in the end close enough to kick my heels. I eventually said “please would you give me a bit more space”. They looked surprised and one said “if you’re that bothered, why don’t you move away from us?” I replied “I have been but you just move with me” . She just replied “oh, sorry”.
I think a lot of people just don’t realise what they’re doing.

(Like your username: hope they’ll be a new series soon)

It actually is probably safer for people to shop online vs going in store for the community overall. Let’s say you have a child in school who brings home the virus (& is asymptomatic) and you catch it. It might be picked up on a LFT and it might not. If it isn’t and you are wfh/ get deliveries/opt for a takeaway instead of eating out/don’t invite people into your home etc then you will have less chance of passing it on to anyone. Obviously if you work in a warehouse/factory then once that has an outbreak your risk isn’t changed at all but the idea of reducing/minimising contacts is always going to make it less likely the factory will have an outbreak. I’ll keep distancing and mask wearing and minimising indoor contacts and shopping online because at this point we are all pretty used to it, it’s overall not an inconvenience and it isn’t making us unhappy so I see no point deliberately increasing our risk of transmission just because we can. We will continue to see my parents lots and socialise in the garden/at the park/the beach and we will still have the odd meal out particularly if we can sit outdoors but I figure every individual that is able to keep contacts reduced and does is some minor help to Community transmission. I recognise we are fortunate to have the option to do things this way and that not everyone does. All the more reason we should do it really because lots of people can’t for various reasons.

@NannyAndJohn

I know that, *@TheVampiresWife*. But by staying at home we are essentially helping to protect these people.

How, exactly? By making them do your bidding?

The gall of people who are 'doing the right thing' at the expense of others' safety is astounding. And as ever it's those on the lowest incomes with the most precarious jobs who pick up that risk for them.

Shows how much you really care, for all your posturing on here.

@whatkatydid2013

It actually is probably safer for people to shop online vs going in store for the community overall. Let’s say you have a child in school who brings home the virus (& is asymptomatic) and you catch it. It might be picked up on a LFT and it might not. If it isn’t and you are wfh/ get deliveries/opt for a takeaway instead of eating out/don’t invite people into your home etc then you will have less chance of passing it on to anyone. Obviously if you work in a warehouse/factory then once that has an outbreak your risk isn’t changed at all but the idea of reducing/minimising contacts is always going to make it less likely the factory will have an outbreak. I’ll keep distancing and mask wearing and minimising indoor contacts and shopping online because at this point we are all pretty used to it, it’s overall not an inconvenience and it isn’t making us unhappy so I see no point deliberately increasing our risk of transmission just because we can. We will continue to see my parents lots and socialise in the garden/at the park/the beach and we will still have the odd meal out particularly if we can sit outdoors but I figure every individual that is able to keep contacts reduced and does is some minor help to Community transmission. I recognise we are fortunate to have the option to do things this way and that not everyone does. All the more reason we should do it really because lots of people can’t for various reasons.

I couldn't care less if people want to stay home but I'm sick of being told that they're doing it to protect people like me. It's self righteous bullshit.

Some space is important yes but I see people giving what looks like 15m space from others, it just seems unnecessary.

@TheVampiresWife exactly. I work in a factory selling non essentials. During the first lockdowns people had the audacity to berate others for going out shopping for non essentials but were happy to order non essentials online (we have never been so busy). But apparently I should be grateful to others for staying home to "protect me." No. I'm not even classed as a key worker but have been working out of the home throughout.

Exactly, total hypocrites. This has given some people the opportunity to declare that they’re soo altruistic and all about protecting others when really they couldn’t care less.

'And as ever it's those on the lowest incomes with the most precarious jobs who pick up that risk for them'

I know, it's awful isn't it! so please when on buses or when shopping think of the staff if not other customers, please still be considerate and responsible and use face covers and of course social distancing.

Yes for sure! I preferred having space myself even before Covid so I really hope people give space now!

@JaniieJones

'And as ever it's those on the lowest incomes with the most precarious jobs who pick up that risk for them'

I know, it's awful isn't it! so please when on buses or when shopping think of the staff if not other customers, please still be considerate and responsible and use face covers and of course social distancing.

For once I agree with you. With the caveat that some people are unable to wear face coverings, obviously (can't say exempt any more because there's no law to be exempt from).

[quote Waxonwaxoff0]@TheVampiresWife exactly. I work in a factory selling non essentials. During the first lockdowns people had the audacity to berate others for going out shopping for non essentials but were happy to order non essentials online (we have never been so busy). But apparently I should be grateful to others for staying home to "protect me." No. I'm not even classed as a key worker but have been working out of the home throughout.[/quote]
I know someone who worked in an Argos/Sainsbury's distribution centre through the first lockdown. They had to wear headsets all day which, at the end of each shift, were thrown into a box without being cleaned for the next shift to come straight in and put on. There was no SD in place and no ventilation/windows to open. No sanitiser stations or anything like that. They had to take on extra staff to meet demand for tat like barbecues and paddling pools on top of the hugely increased demand for groceries so it was rammed. Of course the place had several outbreaks and a few of his colleagues died.

But at least saints like N&J stayed at home to protect them (while eagerly awaiting their next online order).

@Kitten189

Exactly, total hypocrites. This has given some people the opportunity to declare that they’re soo altruistic and all about protecting others when really they couldn’t care less.

Exactly.

And they paint those who take responsibility for themselves and their own shopping as the selfish ones.

We had an outbreak at work in January where 20% of staff caught the Kent variant. Everyone recovered fine thankfully. Unfortunately it delayed production. You'd think people would be more understanding that we physically can't produce these items with 20% of staff off but no, all we had was moaning that their orders were delayed.

Covid aside, I hate it when people encroach on my personal space. As if shuffling closer to me will make a queue go quicker!

@CataclysmicVariable

I can’t believe some of you needed a pandemic to persuade you to back off the person in front of you in a queue

This!!! I've always hated random strangers breathing down my neck

having people keep a respectful distance for the last year made it shocking to me when a woman yesterday in the shops decided to stand directly behind me. I mean that in the sense that she literally couldn't have stood any closer if she'd tried. Luckily the queue was short and I was out quickly or else I'd have had to politely ask her to back off.

If we return to people doing this regularly, I think I will start asking people to step back tbh. Covid or no covid, I don't want to be able to feel your breath down my neck!

I won't be changing my behaviour at all today, it's really not a big deal and rates are sky high.

Humans tend to socialise with like minded people, so saying "Everybody I know will keep wearing masks" or "Nobody I know will wear a mask" is quite meaningless. I personally won't wear one in a shop or supermarket, there is plenty of room to avoid being in anyone's face. In a pub, I will happily mingle at the bar if they allow it, if it looks to be more structured/table service only I'll obviously go along with that too. I do wonder what will happen if a rowdier crowd wander into a more cautious venue, which is bound to happen, and if it will cause problems with this all being guidance rather than law. The clubbers looked very happy at midnight last night! Very glad I'm too old for all that though

Wow so it's people unwittingly ordering stuff that has killed people working in factories now?
Is this what the billionaire bosses of boo hoo said when it was discovered that their staff weren't working long hours for less than nmw in cramped not covid safe conditions?
Not their problem people should save the workers we subjugate by stop ordering our clothes?

@Lemonmelonsun

Wow so it's people unwittingly ordering stuff that has killed people working in factories now? Is this what the billionaire bosses of boo hoo said when it was discovered that their staff weren't working long hours for less than nmw in cramped not covid safe conditions? Not their problem people should save the workers we subjugate by stop ordering our clothes?

Oh come on, you know it’s about the hypocrisy of saying that ordering online is saving lives while those who go to shops are selfish reckless arseholes who don’t care about the well-being of retail staff. But I suspect those making those arguments know exactly how antagonistic and easy to argue against their posts are, and they want people to respond accordingly.

@Lemonmelonsun

Wow so it's people unwittingly ordering stuff that has killed people working in factories now? Is this what the billionaire bosses of boo hoo said when it was discovered that their staff weren't working long hours for less than nmw in cramped not covid safe conditions? Not their problem people should save the workers we subjugate by stop ordering our clothes?

People don't order stuff 'unwittingly'.

Your other points, I agree with.

It doesn't alter the fact that people claiming they're 'doing the right thing'/keeping themselves safe by having all their needs catered for by low paid/high risk distribution workers are passing the responsibility for their safety to others.

As a PP said you lose all claims to the moral high ground when you pass on what you perceive as a risk to your health/life to those in low paid, precarious employment.