Is social distancing just a sop to the masses?

Wearing a mask protects others.
I hope they're made compulsory for a while, at least.

I juts went to M & S for in week supplies of food. we cued dutifully on the 2 metre marks outside and then when we got inside the aisles are to narrow to allow for a 2 metre distance. doesn't matter much to me as like artdecogran I am unconvinced that social distancing is needed. The shop had several very much older people in, some on walking frames going about their shopping, no masks- almost felt like a normal day. Except for one couple who fished a pair of gloves out of a handbag- they may have already been used and been in several others places. Who knows?

I'm afraid I'm very suspicious of the numbers of deaths from covid-19 given by the government. If someone has terminal cancer and given about a month to live and they die after two weeks because they caught flu, which has actually killed them? If someone is 103, there is a chance they may not wake up the next morning, any morning. So they get flu and die, what has killed them- the flu or old age?

To put it in perspective, there are about 200,000 abortions in the UK every year and the majority of you, by your past comments, seem to think it's okay to kill unborn babies because it's the mother's right to choose, so why worry about 40 odd thousand dying of flu.

I agree with *Maggiemaybe's post.
Millions are still working, more need to return and safety is of prime concern.

The OP sounds like one of those conspiracy theories.

I think the important thing is not to have any physical contact. . keeping 6' apart is a bit extreme.
If everyone keeps a tissue handy, ready to catch a sneeze or cough, we should be safe if we simply take care not to actually touch each other.

It’s better than being close to people and being coughed upon isn’t it....it makes sense to have a bit of distance.
Scotland won’t be far behind us with restrictions being slightly relaxed, according to the news yesterday, in about nine days things will change.NI has already relaxed things more than England, allowing you to meet up to six people outside.I imagine Wales will do similar, soon.
Phasing in what we can all do is sensible.

I believe it's one of the only ways to try and keep some control over the spread.

What sunshine ?
It's no wonder we have higher cases in the NW because of its lack---but you can't do anything about the weather unfortunately.

I more or less agree Artdecogran. It's been shown time after time that the 2 metre distancing is unrealistic. The virus doesn't know it can only travel 2 metres and shoots out and across the room with a cough or sneeze. Even just talking (IMO based on videos I've seen) expels it.

So yes. Stay in as much as you can. If you can't stay in, stay as far away from others as you can. Wear a mask. Wash hands. Change and wash clothes as soon as you come in. Leave shoes outside/in a porch.

I'm inclined to agree Esspee. I honestly think being able to meet just one person is unworkable. What about someone who has a young child? They can hardly pop round to the local park on their own to meet a friend/relative, leaving their 3 year old at home alone, can they? So they are effectively excluded from this new 'freedom'.

To my mind the English style easing of lockdown with the farcical one new person to meet up with (? Gran ? Grandad ?) then the bubbles for schoolchildren interaction, is way too complex.
I am so glad I’m in Scotland. At least the message is simple and strong here. I do believe the sacrifices we are making are benefitting society as a whole.

A huge chunk of the population can’t simply stay indoors and in their own gardens (if they have them) though. They’re out there working so that the rest of us can stay safe. Everything that can be done to mitigate the risk to them has to be done. I don’t think for one moment that distancing has “no effect”, nor do I think it’s a magic bullet. But it’s got to be better than doing nothing, surely?