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Covid

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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:

rrhuth · 27/12/2021 17:55

@Waxonwaxoff0

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

There are fewer trains though, so the packed-ness of one does not mean things are normal over the whole network. Overall train usage is about half pre-pandemic levels?

Waxonwaxoff0 · 27/12/2021 17:59

People are probably travelling home as well after the Christmas period, but I don't recognise this whole "everywhere is quiet" narrative! I went to the panto on Christmas eve, only a few spare seats and for a meal on the 22nd, all tables were full. I'm at Butlins now, loads of people here.

bengalcat · 27/12/2021 18:00

No , work in NHS but drive to and from work , been to restaurants , gym , walk dog , dentist , theatre and ballet but no large indoor family gatherings .

rrhuth · 27/12/2021 18:08

@Waxonwaxoff0

The stats are clear on train travel.

Also hospitality is now below 100% of a normal year according to published stats.

Places will look busy but my city is definitely not as busy as normal - due to almost no overseas tourists - this means the hotels are quieter than usual and the footfall is lower. Overseas tourists spend many times more than either a UK visitor or a local resident.

SummerBluez · 27/12/2021 18:10

Nope been all over this Christmas - pantos, theme parks, nights away. Life is for living.

Alayalaya · 27/12/2021 18:21

My general feeling is that you have to ration your risk by prioritising and choosing to do some things but not others. So I’m going out a lot less than normal and choosing carefully what I’m willing to take a risk on. I’ve only been to a restaurant once in the past two years, for my birthday a couple of months ago. I’ve been to three weddings but otherwise haven’t visited a bar at all. I can live without shops, it’s an unnecessary risk when you can order everything online. I haven’t been to the theatre since 2019. I “spend” most of my risk on work and school.

GoodnightGrandma · 27/12/2021 18:24

I go to the gym, and I go to cafes.
So no.

BabycakesMatlala · 27/12/2021 18:30

Rates where we are are unbelievably high, so we're avoiding indoor scenarios where we can't mask up, but using N95s which give a high level of protection, so feel ok with shops, noncrowded cinema etc. Had it in November last year, and it's definitely had long-term effects despite the first two weeks being pretty mild - so I think it's naive to downplay the risks.

AuntieMarys · 27/12/2021 18:30

Not at all. We eat out 2/3 times a week, plus drinking in bars/ coffees.
Been to 5 gigs and cinema twice this month.

MrMistoffee · 27/12/2021 18:32

Nope. Never have, never will. I work in a nightclub so very much hoping we stay open.

MarshaBradyo · 27/12/2021 18:32

Tayegete · 27/12/2021 18:38

We weren’t and had been to a couple of restaurants last week but now have Covid as do another couple of family members so we’ve had to cancel 2 large bookings we had planned this week.

OneOfTheGrundys · 27/12/2021 18:43

Avoiding busy public places but we live really rurally so it’s not a problem. DH is really, really ECV and as his life is already massively shortened and he already hates crowds this is what living life well looks like for us.

lololololollll · 27/12/2021 18:44

@asilikeit

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

I've been open today and probably 30% of where I should be so not totally terrible but not good at all. It's sad people are scared when we know it's a cold for most but there's been a fab job of scaremongering folk. We will be ok, there are enough level headed people, good luck to you love

Bouncer500 · 27/12/2021 18:47

I'm not avoiding public places at all. Some of my friends used to but have stopped that now. I think people will go out more and more as the weeks go on.

walksen · 27/12/2021 18:50

Only in the week before Christmas so as not to jeopardise plans albeit still went for a pub meal - just not at peak time.

Once back at work am very likely to catch Omicron in early January so would just be delaying the inevitable now and don't see the point.

OneOfTheGrundys · 27/12/2021 18:52

“Once back at work am very likely to catch Omicron in early January so would just be delaying the inevitable now and don't see the point.”
So there’s less of a chance of passing it to other people?

OneOfTheGrundys · 27/12/2021 18:54

Sorry, wrong thread 🤣

LostForIdeas · 27/12/2021 18:55

Not avoiding shops or public transport but avoiding restaurants and pubs where people can’t wear a mask.

Esp after reading that so many people now either refuse to test or ignore the results ‘so they could have a good Christmas/new year’, I feel it’s hard to trust other people really.

The bottom line for me is that I can’t be bothered to have covid. I’m self employed. If I’m self isolating for 10 days, I have no income for 10 days.
If covid is hitting me harder (I have ME so guessing that the Covid fatigué will hit me harder), then it’s going to be even worse.

So I’m avoiding the places that are most at risk.

Pootle40 · 27/12/2021 18:55

Not at all but never have

HardbackWriter · 27/12/2021 18:55

I knew loads of people who limited what they did before Christmas - but almost all of them weren't worried about getting Covid in and of itself, their fear was having to self-isolate over Christmas. So they're all getting back out there now.

wallypopz · 27/12/2021 18:55

I've avoided restaurants & pubs since Omni "appeared". Didn't want to have to isolate or be ill & miss Christmas.

actiongirl1978 · 27/12/2021 18:56

Absolutely not.

We went out to our local country pub for boxing day lunch yesterday, I caught covid in the pub on 10th December and don't regret going out then either.

I've had it twice and I can't imagine staying away from places unless you are vulnerable.

Good luck with your business.

walksen · 27/12/2021 18:57

"So there’s less of a chance of passing it to other people?"

I take lfts before meeting people and had all the jabs. But you are probably right. It would probably be better transmission wise to get infected before I return to work so should be going out more often!

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 27/12/2021 18:57

We are being cautious - eg I met my friend for lunch last week but we booked somewhere we knew was spacious, and a slightly later time when it was likely to be less busy. Doing a LF before meeting people per Scottish government advice.

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