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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Covid-19 and purity spirals

684 replies

DreadPirateLuna · 09/04/2020 13:54

Covid-19 is a very serious illness which threatens our most vulnerable and risks overwhelming the NHS. We should all do what we can to flatten the curve and save lives. People whose behaviour risks lives (e.g. urban residents traveling out to holiday homes in rural communities) should face criticism and sanctions.

However, I can't help feeling that some of the outrage at some behaviours is less about reducing the spread and more about getting caught in a "purity spiral".

Take all the outrage about people in parks. Fresh air and sunshine is good for physical and mental health, it improves the immune system which is particularly important during an epidemic! Many urban residents have no other source of open space except the local park. The ability to get outside can be lifesaving for victims of DV. Risks of contracting disease are very low if you keep your distance from others outside your household.

Yet I've seen photos of walkers and family groups in parks, keeping far away from others, but accused of selfishness and killing the elderly and disrespecting the NHS. Parks in London have been closed, meaning more congestion of other areas and residents confined to homes, which is damaging for reasons outlined above.

And it's usually (though not exclusively) women and esp mothers who get blamed. Those selfish Karens and their broods.

A more sensible solution would be to allow restricted access to the parks. Maybe allow only locals in nearby flats without gardens. But it seems we're not doing sensible these days.

OP posts:
Ereshkigalangcleg · 10/04/2020 13:12

Poor kitty!

Dances · 10/04/2020 13:13

Eresh
I have seen some posters saying that the dogs should shit in the house etc, use the bloody cat tray etc. Yes of course its bloody stupid but they are serious but stupid

user1635896324685367 · 10/04/2020 13:13

1/10, inventing statements the person didn't make is generally considered bad form

That's pretty much all I ever see that poster doing. Jumping from thread to thread and topic to topic inventing hyperbolic nonsense to attack and wind people up.

TitianaTitsling · 10/04/2020 13:16

@dances explain your thinking goes very well with 'do better' and 'educate yourself' doesn't it! Eeeeshk!!

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 10/04/2020 13:17

I don't think they will check shopping baskets, I think they will just prohibit what shops can sell.

Why do you think we are still allowed to take exercise and leave the house without papers then, Hooves?

Because I think behavioural scientists advised that, at the time of introducing lockdown, the public wouldn't accept it. I think as time goes on, if rates don't come down as quickly as they need and when health services start to really struggle due to staff sickness, exhaustion and pressure from other areas of medicine that are affected they will tighten the rules. They've given it a go to see if we would comply voluntarily. I think this weekend will be the make or break.

Dances · 10/04/2020 13:19

I wonder/suspect Hooves would be a fan of the Identity card?. And forcing people to download apps so that they can be tracked? I have also seen the suggestion that those without smartphone should be provided with one so that they too can be tracked.

And they wonder why there is pushback?

TheProdigalKittensReturn · 10/04/2020 13:20

I saw that, Dances! I believe that the suggestion was that puppy pads be used rather than taking to dog out a second time it it's bladder and/or bumhole refused to obey orders.

Dances · 10/04/2020 13:22

What would be on the Prohibition List then Hooves?

What is non essential? Let me guess, anything that has any slight risk of bringing joy. Because we can't fucking have that, can we?

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 10/04/2020 13:22

Dances

The rest of the world is looking at South Korea and Singapore to see how they've managed this so well. The way they've done it is through testing, tracking and contact tracing.

Every report that I've seen has said that has to happen in order to exit lockdown. That until a vaccine is developed, likely to be years away yet, then the only way to manage this is by testing, contact tracing and quarantine.

Dances · 10/04/2020 13:23

I think your user name should be 'HearHoovesThinkStasi'

Dances · 10/04/2020 13:28

Seriously, I will go to jail before I consent to being tracked by an app. And I'm far from alone.

Btw Singapore and South Korea are hardly icons of freedom of expression, not examples I would like to see the UK following

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 10/04/2020 13:28

Dances

It's not about taking away joy. How the hell would some of you have coped during the war?

The queue at my local supermarket this week has been two and a half hours waiting time, even during elderly and vulnerable hours because they limit the number of people in there. The longer shoppers are in there, the longer the waiting time to get in is.

So, do you think it's fair that people are having to stand in a line for two and a half hours - even the elderly or disabled - just so that other shoppers can browse the non food items, buy some cushions, check out the clothes, pick out the wine for dinner? Really? You don't think every shopper should be in and out as quickly as possible with their necessities so that everyone gets to shop for food?

So, it's ok that you can buy your wine and flip flops and scented candle but the elderly woman gives up and goes home without buying any food because she physically can't stand in line for that long?

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 10/04/2020 13:30

Seriously, I will go to jail before I consent to being tracked by an app. And I'm far from alone.

Good for you. Maybe you'll be kept under lockdown for longer then while the people who do consent can get back to something more normal.

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 10/04/2020 13:31

Btw Singapore and South Korea are hardly icons of freedom of expression, not examples I would like to see the UK following

Maybe so but they haven't tanked their economy trying to control this have they?

TheProdigalKittensReturn · 10/04/2020 13:31

So, Dances, do you think it's OK that pigeons be forced to learn to play Beethoven on the piano just so chickens can peck to the beat? You monster, you.

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 10/04/2020 13:35

TheProdigalKittensReturn

Carry on having a laugh. I'm hearing from ex colleagues in hospitals right now. I'll be sure to tell them how you all think your right to sunbathe in the park or buy some chocolate is more important than what they are dealing with.

Maybe they'll decide that their right to do the same is more important than risking their lives every day. Can't say I would blame them. After all, that's what you are advocating isn't it? An "I'm alright Jack" society.

TitianaTitsling · 10/04/2020 13:36

And what 'punishment' for those who break the as yet 'everyone has a different understanding of' rules? Anyone else seen Wayward Pines and the civic justice doled out there?

Dances · 10/04/2020 13:39

Again with the emotional blackmail and bullying. Piss off.

So as I can be perfectly clear - I do not care what you think of me. I do know what I think of people who attempt to control others with emotional blackmail.

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 10/04/2020 13:40

And I know what I think of selfish individuals who care only about themselves - so back at you

Dances · 10/04/2020 13:44

And where did I say that what i have bought?

So again, what is on The Hooves' List of Prohibited Goods? I am fascinated to know.

Wine and candles, clearly. What else?

ChickenNuggetsChipsAndBeans · 10/04/2020 13:44

I have seen some awful examples on Facebook of shaming others. Also I do wonder if some people are going to supermarkets just to be able to post about the length of the queue.

It does give insight into how people shift their behaviours when forced into a new restrictive society.

meditrina · 10/04/2020 13:45

I'm dead against ID cards but think. hooves is right onthis thread.

Lockdown is the only way to avoid the catstrophe of uncontrolled peak (higher deaths and freefall economic damage as so much more falls over completely for a month or more)

If voluntary lockdown evaporates, what scenario do you want!0? Enforced control? Or unchecked peak?

Dances · 10/04/2020 13:48

You have no evidence of my purchases or behaviour. You have no evidence of how many times I have left the house in the last four weeks. All you have is my objection to draconian measures being imposed. And for that, you call me 'selfish'

Behaviours like this are the very reason I oppose these measures.

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 10/04/2020 13:49

Dances

It doesn't matter what you have or haven't bought. It's your outrage at how dare anyone try to restrict what you can do or what you can buy, without caring about the knock on effects that your individual wants have on other people.

Also I do wonder if some people are going to supermarkets just to be able to post about the length of the queue.

That's a lot of people going to the shops just to post about queues then. Don't imagine the elderly people pictured in our local paper were there for the Facebook hits tbh.

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 10/04/2020 13:53

Dances

I don't want those measures either but I can see that people will not restrict their own behaviour.

If people just did what they were asked then there would be no need for stricter lockdown or tighter rules.

The idea of doing something for the collective good has just disappeared. It's all just "me,myself and I" now except that doesn't work in the face of a global pandemic does it?