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Original poster

Are you avoiding public places?

143 replies

asilikeit · 27/12/2021 10:54

Just as the title asks- are you avoiding public places such as shops, bars restaurants?
Eagerly awaiting an announcement from Boris and very conflicted as to what I want him to say.

We own a retail/ hospitality business and feel torn. If he's going to say that he isn't closing anything but advise people to be careful socialising then it's going to be hard slog for us if people don't visit places.
If he closes us and brings back furlough/ grants etc then whilst its far from ideal the choice is removed and we do what we can to survive .

If he isn't closing things then the sector need people on seats and I'm worried people are going to be to scared.

Sorry for the rambling not even sure what I'm asking now! 🤪

OP posts:
RachC2021 · 27/12/2021 10:56

Haven’t been on public transport, in a pub, bar or restaurant since this started. The most I’ve done is get a takeaway drink from a coffee shop which wasn’t busy. (Not empty, but it wasn’t busy either.) However I had to shield and qualified for three primary doses, and haven’t had my booster yet (not enough elapsed time). So my situation is more unusual.

Justcannotbearsed · 27/12/2021 11:00

Avoiding crowded pubs/bars in evening with no ventilation and no social distancing. But happy to go for a daytime drink in quietish pub, eat in a restaurant, go to a cafe, go shopping.

Public transport ok. Not sure on cinema or theatre….

But I think a lot of people are being cautious but not gone into self imposed lockdown.

bananasinchristmaspyjamas · 27/12/2021 11:01

I'm not avoiding anything and will continue visiting all the places I enjoy to go with friends and family unless or until they close.

KurtWildesChristmasNamechange · 27/12/2021 11:02

Nope, never avoided them. Still went shopping in lockdown, went back to restaurants/coffee shops etc as soon as they reopened and have carried on doing so. I don't know anyone in real life who's avoided going anywhere aside from my mum (but she's 86), and even she started going to shops etc after her 2nd jab.

LetsGoFlyAKiteee · 27/12/2021 11:02

Nope haven't been so far and wasn't intending to. So hard for bussiness though and feel sorry for people like you left in the lurch. The places around where I am have still been pretty busy

ILookAtTheFloor · 27/12/2021 11:02

Definitely not and no intention to!

SpinsForGin · 27/12/2021 11:04

Nope and have no intention of doing so.

VikingOnTheFridge · 27/12/2021 11:05

@bananasinchristmaspyjamas

I'm not avoiding anything and will continue visiting all the places I enjoy to go with friends and family unless or until they close.
Same.
Siameasy · 27/12/2021 11:08

Not at all, continuing as normal.

Suranjeep · 27/12/2021 11:10

Sadly given how quiet some of these places have been in recent times I suspect closing permanently will be the only option.

Sadly once people wake up to what’s happened it’ll be too late, shops, tourist attractions, cinemas, theatres, museums, restaurants, pubs, public transport will all be distant memories by then.

Never mind you can always zoom and Netflix.

PatchworkElmer · 27/12/2021 11:14

I’m avoiding restaurants and cafes at the moment, which was a shame because we were just starting to use them again before the new variant appeared… we don’t get meals and drinks to takeaway though.

MyGreenTutu · 27/12/2021 11:14

Yes, I am. Have been to a few restaurants / pubs / parties when invited since the pandemic began in 2020 but I wouldn't personally choose to go to one, apart from if I could sit outside.

I have no idea whether more restrictions are needed or not; much of the medical establishment seem to say they are but they only look at hospital covid cases and not damage to the economy also causing inequality and health problems. But I find it appalling that today's decisions will be made not in the best interests of the country, but for the longevity of Johnson's premiership. Politics should have no bearing on covid policy.

PatchworkElmer · 27/12/2021 11:15

Sorry, we DO get takeaway options.

TipseyTorvey · 27/12/2021 11:15

I'm going to places I need to, like supermarkets or taking the dc to get their hair cut, I'm going to the odd pub or restaurant if I think they're being sensible but I am not going to really busy venues just yet. I have been on public transport into London for work but I don't think I will be taking the family into big towns or cities for a bit. Unless Johnson actually shuts places down I will take no heed of a single word the utter bafoon says. I will listen to scientists and make my own decisions. I am waiting to get my booster but that's just a nice extra layer of protection.

Blubells · 27/12/2021 11:18

If he closes us and brings back furlough/ grants

I can't see the county being able to afford another round of furlough - our national debt is huge, and interest rates are rising!

scandikate · 27/12/2021 11:20

Nope. Currently in a gym and have been to the theatre, shopping centre and a London museum over the holidays. I'm just doing regular lateral flows.

CarrieBlue · 27/12/2021 11:20

Absolutely avoiding public crowded spaces and won’t be going to bars or restaurants any time soon.

KurtWildesChristmasNamechange · 27/12/2021 11:20

I've also been to the theatre, a couple of gigs, and the cinema. 'Normal' life stuff.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 27/12/2021 11:23

No! We are on our way to Butlins. I'm not vulnerable, do not live with anyone vulnerable and am not bothered if I catch Covid so as far as I'm concerned I'm carrying on as normal.

Stuffin · 27/12/2021 11:23

Not avoiding them and will be going to the pub later this week for a meal.

BlackCatz · 27/12/2021 11:25

No.

I was a bit cautious in the run up to Christmas, but now don't care.

littlepeas · 27/12/2021 11:27

I fully intend to continue to go everywhere that I want to - obviously can’t go to places that are closed, but I am not scared of covid and will not waste my life hiding from it.

TempsPerdu · 27/12/2021 11:27

Nope, we’re doing absolutely anything and everything we can, in as normal a way as possible. We’ve been on three theatre trips in the last fortnight, had several restaurant meals and are about to head to our local indoor pool for a swim to work off some of the Christmas food!

We’re in London and have been very much enjoying the whole ‘Plague Ridden Metropolis’ narrative and the terrified ‘Should I venture into the big city?’ threads on here. Loads of people we know have had Omicron and it’s been nothing more than a mild head cold.

Lucillesbigsister · 27/12/2021 11:29

We are in Scotland and yes we are avoiding crowded places and won’t be going to pubs / restaurants for a while. I had a couple of meals out in November when cases here were more settled but inside hospitality venues seem to be the place to catch Covid at the moment!

Sadly a lot of people I know who caught Covid over Xmas and had to isolate on Xmas day, were the people who were mixing in busy places beforehand. They were miserable over Xmas.

In the new year when I am back at work and mixing I know there is a chance I will pick it up anyway, but for now would prefer to be careful.

BornOnTwelfthNight · 27/12/2021 11:32

No, we’re just doing anything as we usually would.
I’m fed up putting my life on hold, enough is enough now am willing to take my chances!