People really have had enough haven’t they?

[DontWantTheRivalry]

I was in my local newsagent this morning and it was me, two women behind the counter and 7 other shoppers.

5 of us were quite huddled together whilst waiting to pay, so we were very close to the staff members behind the till too, and the other two people were still shopping.

Of the ten of us in the shop, which is quite a small newsagents I was the only one wearing a mask and nobody was even bothered that nobody else was. I mean, the shop assistants aren’t going to make an issue of it seeing as they don’t wear masks either.

I felt like such an idiot as I stood there wearing one.

I’m not threatened by Covid, I would love for things to go back to being mask-free, I only wear one because guidance says to rather than because I want to, but I was just so surprised that nobody else was wearing one too.

I felt so uncomfortable wearing one and I think if my hands weren’t full of food and things I probably would have taken mine off because I just felt silly.

It really has made me think that people have just had enough haven’t they?

Oh and we have 'science' like that's one homogenous entity. Of course it isn't.

Science can disagree on data interpretation but science agrees that we are in a serious situation

They probably aren't misinformed when it comes to their own individual risk. Covid was never any significant threat to the young and healthy.

Public health is NOT about the individual.
We need to protect sevices for all. Hospitals etc. Prevent them becoming overwhelmed

@IndigoC

The virus doesn’t care if you’ve “had enough”.

Well, I don't care about the virus so I guess we can call it quits.

@Flaxmeadow

There comes a point where it’s absolutely NOT the responsibility of the young and healthy to prop up a system that is completely lacking in investment and funding.

That would be the responsibility of the government. It is their fault that the NHS needs such a level of ‘protection’.

[quote WheelieBinPrincess]@Flaxmeadow

There comes a point where it’s absolutely NOT the responsibility of the young and healthy to prop up a system that is completely lacking in investment and funding.

That would be the responsibility of the government. It is their fault that the NHS needs such a level of ‘protection’.[/quote]
If only the people had voted for Brexit as Boris wanted then we would have £350million a week extra to spend on the NHS.

science agrees that we are in a serious situation

What does that even mean? It's so vague. 'Science' doesn't agree on anything much and even if it did, it's not the only consideration. We have economies, psychological well being, education, societal cohesion, mental health, etc, etc to consider.

We need to protect sevices for all. Hospitals etc. Prevent them becoming overwhelmed

In fairness, this is not a principle we've really applied before. Services have been the governments responsibility and we have been fine with people pursuing unhealthy habits and lifestyles expecting services to pick up the pieces.

Why would you feel stupid?

People who choose not to wear a mask give a big middle finger to anyone else, so why would you care what they think?

I HATE wearing a mask, but I do it because I know its the right thing to do, even if I spitefully wish I could infect all those who choose not to wear a mask around me, seeing as they have so little regard for my health.

There comes a point where it’s absolutely NOT the responsibility of the young and healthy to prop up a system that is completely lacking in investment and funding.

Without public health measures against coronavirus spread EVERYONE, young or old, would be affected because out systems would be overwhelmed. Yhebonly reason iy hasn't so far is because we tool measures. Though it has come close a few times

That would be the responsibility of the government. It is their fault that the NHS needs such a level of ‘protection'

Governments worldwide are giving guidance and making rules. Even the best healthcare sytems in the world struggle with this virus

@TheKeatingFive

Because they are misinformed. Ususally by Facebook or Twitter big gobs, and not science

Oh and we have 'science' like that's one homogenous entity. Of course it isn't.

They probably aren't misinformed when it comes to their own individual risk. Covid was never any significant threat to the young and healthy.

This is wrong and I can’t tell you that strongly enough.

I was running 5k a day, working full time, looking after family and home, rarely ill, no pre-existing conditions, non- smoker, bang on ‘ideal’ BMI. Two years later I can barely walk for fifteen minutes, am on various tablets and daily inhalers, in and out of hospital regularly. The original case was mild - didn’t need hospitalisation - but it has changed my life immeasurably.

I appreciate that you’re just going on what you’ve read but what you’ve read is 100% wrong.

sorry for typos

Without public health measures against coronavirus spread EVERYONE, young or old, would be affected because out systems would be overwhelmed.

I don't think this is entirely true actually.

There are many people who have little need for hospitals/health services generally. Plenty of people haven't accessed health services for years. An overwhelmed health system would not affect everyone equally.

I appreciate that you’re just going on what you’ve read but what you’ve read is 100% wrong.

Not at all, statistically it's correct. That doesn't mean there aren't exceptions and I'm sorry for the situation you find yourself in.

@Flaxmeadow you’re talking out of your arse.

I don't think this is entirely true actually.

There are many people who have little need for hospitals/health services generally. Plenty of people haven't accessed health services for years. An overwhelmed health system would not affect everyone equally.

SMH
So survival of the fittest?

I’m living life normally now. I have ‘had enough’ but that doesn’t mean I won’t do my bit. I wear a mask, I’ve had my jabs, I respect distance where appropriate. I lateral flow where appropriate.

I saw a tweet that said they ‘couldn’t understand why restaurants & pubs in central London where heaving when covid rates are 1:15.. I read it while on my way to a water park that I knew would be similarly heaving. Why was I going? Because I can. Because I’m reasonably young & healthy. Because I don’t have health anxiety. Because it’s open & my children love waterslides. Because we were meeting friends for a fun afternoon out. Because I’m jabbed & I perceive my risk to be pretty low. Because I’m not scared of covid having had it twice. 🤷🏼‍♀️ I don’t think I'm alone in those thoughts. I’ve not broken any rules. I’m sure I’ll be called selfish but largely, I focus on my own life & my children's happiness. I think most people do.

Life is a complete gamble that’s largely out of your control. The NHS thing is worrying but it’s not my responsibility to save it.. public health shouldn’t be a collective responsibility. It should be adequately funded that it doesn’t collapse under a tiny bit of pressure. I blame every single person who voted Tory at the last election. They are wankers who only care about their rich friends.

you’re talking out of your arse.

Why?

@Flaxmeadow

Well only you can answer that, I don’t know you.

I think most people have had covid now or direct experience with someone in the household having it. Even though they've all been jabbed.

14.6 million cases, some of which will be repeat infections. “Most” haven’t had it. Nobody I have any direct experience of has had it.

I have worked outside of the home throughout, gone to gigs, theatre, festivals and everything else restrictions permitting, watched every Euro game in a crowded settling at seven months pregnant, lived in London and taken the tube or bus every day, I’ve never had it. So day to day I’m afraid it’s not something I’m really thinking about.

The NHS thing is worrying but it’s not my responsibility to save it.. public health shouldn’t be a collective responsibility. It should be adequately funded that it doesn’t collapse under a tiny bit of pressure. I blame every single person who voted Tory at the last election. They are wankers who only care about their rich friends.

Of course public health is a collective responsibility. I hope you’ll be happy if you need the NHS and it isn’t there for you.

Funny you then go on to blame people who collectively have done something to impact the NHS. Surely voting is a personal thing, not someone else’s responsibility to vote for a party just because you want them.

So survival of the fittest?

Realism. I'm not putting a moral lens on this, I'm explaining why the threat of covid simply doesn't loom large for certain groups in society. That's not about them being 'misinformed' but about their (fairly accurate) understanding of how it affects them.

The original insight about personal fear being the strongest motivator by far was bang on.

I think most people are fed up with it all but many are still complying with the rules (me included). I went into my local town this morning, mask at the ready for entering buildings, but was actually surprised at how many people were wearing them walking down the street. Although the demographic at that time of day tends to be older people. Rates are 2000/100,000 in that town so I guess people are more fearful if in any way vulnerable.

Realism. I'm not putting a moral lens on this, I'm explaining why the threat of covid simply doesn't loom large for certain groups in society. That's not about them being 'misinformed' but about their (fairly accurate) understanding of how it affects them.

So if our services became overwhelmed and someone got acute appendicitis and needed urgent surgery but there was no ambulances, beds or surgeons available at all then they would be OK with that?

I went to a meeting of 60 people last week. Only two wore masks. Fifteen apologised as they were positive. I don't know of any of the attendees that now have it. It was an all day meeting in groups of eight in a hall. Most people are not worried in the slightest and want to get back to normal.

Personally I don’t tailor my time and life around whether or not I might need a random emergency surgery.

yes, people have had enough. We have all been offered a jab now. The virus has weakened. We can't keep restrictions forever. We are at a point where the restrictions are causing more damage than the virus.

I understand that there are CEV people who are unable to receive a jab (my daughter is one of them) but people who are CEV are at risk from all sorts of viruses and never before have we expected the entire population to wear masks to protect them. As prior to COVID, the CEV have to take steps to protect themselves.

I suspect that there are a it of people who want to keep the restrictions as they are unhappy with life before COVID. I admit, there are some things that COVID has improved - employers re-evaluating their approach to sick leave/ employees physical and mental health, improved flexibility /wfh etc, less pressure to socialise/be on the go etc, cleaner public transport, less spitting in the street, people giving personal space etc. But let's just awknowledge these advantages and work on keeping them without creating panic over a virus!

Also, I particularly hateass as I struggle with my hearing and wear glasses so I am overjoyed that no one gives a hoot about masks anymore!