Are we just been nudged?

[Peakedtoosoon]

And government hope to avoid strict measures because "enough" people have already effectively locked themselves down?

I'll admit I've been reckless this week. I'm thrice jabbed and have had a hell of a year, including DH being in hospital for 3 months with no visitors, then caring for him at home until he died. I have been "keeping busy" as my only way to carry on. I honestly don't know how I'll manage another lockdown.

This is what I have seen. West End on Wednesday, almost earily quiet, lots of empty seats in a sold out theatre

Pub with a band, usually packed on an ordinary Friday night, practically empty the Friday before Christmas Eve.

Restaurant which needs booking weeks in advance, with empty tables at the weekend.

My church has just announced its Christmas servcies will only be on line

My running club has announced it will close early for Christmas

Friends are cancelling arrangements for next week all over the place.

Maybe if "we" do it for them, they won't have to and that's why the messaging has changed over the last few days?

Definitely being “nudged” hard.

It’s also working- most people I know have changed plans drastically this week- including me.
Seems like everyone I know has PCR tested this week for “sniffles” or general feelings of malaise they would have ignored last week. Including me.
My extended family and close friends seem
To all be LFT-ing daily pretty much.

Personally found that in general my family & friends have been careful but quite pragmatic about covid throughout (ie assuming they’ll get it at some point and not panicking, but also not lockdown lovers, all are vaxxed etc), but I would say are being much more careful/risk assessing more appropriately for themselves now than they have done at any point in the pandemic to date (rather than going to the limit of what the rules allow).

I actually think a lockdown at this stage would be counterproductive and q a lot of people would probably push back, because it feels hypocritical from this cabinet, where left to their own devices, they’re being quite careful/safe.

Appreciate not everyone necessarily finding this in their own circles.

Think before making stupid blanket statements

What blanket statements, @luverlybubberly?

My impression came from reading so many threads and comments on MN, I don't think my statements are stupid at all. And yes, I do live in England.

Yes I think so. I went for my "Christmas do" on Friday (me and five friends because four of us are self employed and we don't get a do) and the restaurant was full, but then we went for a meal in one of our favourite restaurants yesterday and it was awful to see it so quiet on a Saturday night. Fortunately they do a good and very popular takeaway service.
I've got a lunch out on Tuesday, where the venue is now offering a reduced menu due to Covid (not sure what that means or why) and then panto on Friday. We'll see how busy it is. Cases are really low here in West Yorkshire compared to everywhere else. I'll be really pissed off if we have to lockdown because of London. We did our time for the entirety of summer last year and it was utter shite.

We are being careful, making our own choices, using LFT.

But pubs restaurants cafes are all quiet, cancellations….the nudging and choices are so bad for them.