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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:
BogRollBOGOF · 27/12/2021 11:32

I've continued with life as normally as possible. My main hinderence is hating being surrounded by masked un-faces, and muffly voices which puts me off doing unnecessary things.
Currently waiting for a PCR result following a positive LFT with sore throat (feeling like a mild cold so far...). Presuming it's Covid, the combination of that plus being recently boosted is allegedly providing "super immunity"... tbh I'd rather the DCs go down with it now in the holidays while there isn't much on and then that's one less bother when term resumes.

I wish I could say I'd caught it while having fun, but the Christmas food shop is the most likely candidate. Sigh.

I shall continue doing things that give me pleasure.

KurtWildesChristmasNamechange · 27/12/2021 11:33

To add, we traveled to see extended family last week and had several meals out plus a choir recital. Tomorrow we're off out for a meal with people we didn't get chance to see over Christmas itself, and a trip to the cinema at some point this week. I was never worried about covid personally, we had it back in January (caught it from a HCP in the GP surgery).

namechangeagain32 · 27/12/2021 11:34

No? Not sure why I would? Washing hands etc as normal and if I get ill well that's just part of life, particularly winter, I'm not putting my life on hold!

megletthesecond · 27/12/2021 11:34

Yes. I need my booster on weds and I want the dc's at school next week.
I'll do a couple of quiet shops and that's it.

Lovemusic33 · 27/12/2021 11:35

Yes but not because of covid as such….I just don’t like people 😬

It does feel as though Boris has vanished leaving people wondering what will come next. Though I think there won’t be huge restrictions put in place as the number of people in ICU is still low.

JanisMoplin · 27/12/2021 11:37

Not avoiding public transport: I can't in London.
Not avoiding restaurants.
Avoiding theatre and cinema.

TempsPerdu · 27/12/2021 11:37

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

Conversely the three families I know personally who have caught Covid and have had to cancel Christmas plans were all being exceedingly careful, going to great lengths to avoid indoor spaces and are mystified as to how they could possibly have caught it. We’ve been the opposite of careful, have been enjoying cosy pub lunches while my friends were doing outdoor picnics last week and haven’t caught it. Personally I’m really pleased we made the most of the run up to Christmas, which is my favourite time.

Original poster
asilikeit · 27/12/2021 11:38

Thanks for all the responses - a real mix which gives me hope that if we are open then people may still come and causing us.

Agree that there are no assurances on furlough / grants etc but we also can not let the whole sector die and face a huge amount of unemployment from that. Something will need to be done.

We had covid back in March and like alot on here for us it was nothing more than a cold. Appreciate that others won't be as lucky / fear they will have it worse.

I think I had seriously underestimated how mentally exhausting the last year or so has been- this week waiting on any news has caused so much anxiety. The logistics of stock ordering etc and planning staffing is just a nightmare

OP posts:
Yuledo · 27/12/2021 11:39

Would go to a restaurant but not a busy bar. Am avoiding shops or anywhere less important to me.

Bagelsandbrie · 27/12/2021 11:41

No not at all. Just wearing a mask where we have to and carrying on as if covid doesn’t exist. (I’m clinically extremely vulnerable and triple jabbed, dh and dd aged 18 double jabbed and Ds aged 9).

Oblomov21 · 27/12/2021 11:43

Everyone I know says everywhere is dead. Friends drove to Windsor to see lights, all turned off, on high street. Pub on Christmas Eve, for food after christingle at church, very quiet.
Shopping centre picking up my Christmas eve few M&S food bits, hardly anyone around.

Bagelsandbrie · 27/12/2021 11:44

@Oblomov21

Everyone I know says everywhere is dead. Friends drove to Windsor to see lights, all turned off, on high street. Pub on Christmas Eve, for food after christingle at church, very quiet. Shopping centre picking up my Christmas eve few M&S food bits, hardly anyone around.
It is super quiet. Which is why it’s a perfect time to go out! Grin
FindingMeno · 27/12/2021 11:46

No.
What will be will be.
I caught covid from the most mundane essential activity that couldn't be avoided, not out socialising!

twocatsandtwokids · 27/12/2021 11:56

I was avoiding them in the 10 days or so before Christmas, because I really wanted to see family over Christmas and not catch covid! Have had many isolation periods as a family inc. last Christmas, this summer and 22 days this October due to having covid and then my daughter having covid, so am thoroughly fed up with isolating and the disruption!
However…now we’ve seen all the family, we’re intending to have some lunches out etc this week as we’re all still on holiday, so really hoping there are no new restrictions!

WarmSeaSwimmer · 27/12/2021 12:14

I'd love to avoid public places and crowds, I'm a natural introvert so it would suit me perfectly. I work in a very large, inner city school based in cramped premises so during term time I'm to be found surrounded by hundreds of kids surging along narrow corridors during lesson changeovers. Any other public place I frequent seems to me to be much safer than my work place.

I do sometimes wonder if I've picked up a higher natural defence than people who don't mingle as I've, so far, avoided Covid outbreaks that have spread amongst close family and friends and it has affected those that have stayed fairly isolated the worst.

LindaEllen · 27/12/2021 12:14

I was on the run-up to Christmas but only to avoid having to miss seeing my family. I will need to go shopping tomorrow and we have a party on the 29th - I'll be living as normal from now, while taking LFTs twice a week and extras if doing anything in a big group.

This isn't going away. How we behave now is how we need to commit to behaving forever.

PlanetNormal · 27/12/2021 12:18

No more or less than usual. Will I be visiting packed-out shopping malls today or nightclubs on New year’s eve? No I won’t, but I wouldn’t do those things anyway, regardless of covid. We are both triple jabbed so covid is not a concern.

User754390 · 27/12/2021 12:20

I avoided places before Christmas a bit because DS was coming down, he didn't though because he tested positive, I'm just out as normal now as I'm not bothered about missing new year as I usually just go to bed early anyway. I went to the sales this morning and it was quite busy and I'm quite happy to go anywhere really, if I catch it so be it, I will just isolate.

MarshmallowFondant · 27/12/2021 12:20

No, we've never avoided going places or doing things and I'm not about to stop now.

Hospitality in Scotland is being hammered with the messaging from the Scottish government about staying at home and cancelling parties, and the requirements for distancing, table service and limiting numbers.

rrhuth · 27/12/2021 12:22

I'm avoiding busy indoor places, yes. My friends and relatives are back to socialising outdoors or in homes where we can ventilate etc., and all our work events got cancelled.

I'm sorry but I don't think Johnson will help you, he's going to issue 'guidance' I assume and bugger both the health and economic consequences.

twosticksandanapple · 27/12/2021 12:26

I was avoiding places before Christmas because my elderly parents were visiting. I plan to go out as normal this week. To be honest I would rather catch it whilst on holiday/before school term starts to avoid disrupting work. I am triple vaccinated and had covid last January so pretty confident it would be mild.

ParkheadParadise · 27/12/2021 12:26

No, I'm not.
I've been to the shops, pubs and restaurants it's shocking what's happening to hospitality in Scotland.
I've had family over at Christmas and we have several outings for dinner with friends booked.

thewhatsit · 27/12/2021 12:31

Not avoiding at all, no, but things tend to be quiet between Christmas and New Year anyway.
I’d happily go to a crowded pub. I’m not doing so but I don’t tend to this time of the year anyway. I plan on going to the gym later today which I guess is pretty normal.

Jasmine5552 · 27/12/2021 15:22

No I am not avoiding public places.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 27/12/2021 17:19

Went on a train to London today and it was packed, standing room only.

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