Why aren't people social distancing anymore?

Nearly knocked off my feet yesterday by a woman reaching right across me to get something from a shelf. Actual body contact shoving! Why couldn’t she wait a few seconds or get it from the other side (albeit it would still have involved close contact).

Social distancing in hospitals and presumably vaccine queues was reduced to 1 m a while back.
I do think it was a mistake to remove the mask mandate in England and only ‘recommend’ wearing masks. I think a lot of people did not even hear the ‘recommendation’ it was said so lightly - they should have made the personal responsibility element of mask wearing inside crowded places so much stronger. Lots of shops then had signs up saying wearing masks was a matter of ‘personal choice’ as if wearing a mask was similar to wearing a fashion accessory! I think social distancing has gone the same way- a matter of choice only for many people.

Who decided we had to stay 2m apart? I doubt that it was the virus' choice. It was some some civil servant that suggested it. Another CS might have said a different distance.

Had no one heard of “personal space” ? Even social animals tend towards keeping a social personal space distance from each other naturally. Social distancing pandemic style may well not not be mandatory but even the normal personal space distance is ignored by our species these days. I hoped -foolishly- that mandated social distancing would remind human beings that having a yard of breathing space was more comfortable and a decent starting point for distancing.

I actually think it is Covid-fatigue. We are so used to hearing about the virus that some people have mentally switched off. Even though it is everywhere. Mask-wearing obviously helps and I continue to wear mine where I deem it necessary. For example when walking into or out of a pub or restaurant I always wear it. I use common sense but, as the OP says, others don't.

I agree with biscuit cruncher. - aside from the triple layered highly engineered ones, they’re pretty useless. I still wear a mask where it’s required, mainly not to upset other people. But my main concern is it seems the vast majority of people in particular wearing masks, think it’s then ok to get closer. I feel the masks give people a false sense of security. The most important thing in this context, is to keep well away from people - mask or no mask.

I'm still wearing a mask and was out for lunch yesterday - we put masks on when not at the table. SD seems to have fallen by the wayside - is it boredom and complacency, perhaps? It seems to be similar at the supermarket. And that's the sum total of my social life for the considerable future.

I think the answer to most of the Covid problem questions is the arrogance of our Prime Minister , whereas in Scotland, Wales and Northern Island things seem to be taken more seriously.
Mask wearing should never have been stopped and noe should social distancing. I live in a relatively small Devon town but our numbers are still high but the local press claim second home owners are a problem and in part I am sure this is true as in general tourists here seem to ignore all rules.
The banning people coming back from South Africa was mad when their government was simply being honest but the Omicron variant had already spread anyway and UK figures of Covid are some of the highest.
No idea what will happen over the winter but we have sadly decided to have no visitors over Christmas and to socialise very little despite being triple jabbed.

I am in Scotland and I have noticed a lot of shops have stopped providing Hand Sanitiser when entering the shop.

In Devon, we do SD and when I was boosted yesterday we were 3 metres apart, and Monday shopping all the queues were SD'd, with supervision so it may be a regional thing as we do have a more aged population. For instance, we share a home with my FinL who is 91...

Grantanow

Johnson and No 10 have really messed up. In the face of a more transmissible variant and one which may evade vaccines according to early South African laboratory studies non-vaccine interventions like masks and social distancing are important. So many mixed messages and now contempt for others as shown in the leaked video about the 'party'. I don't always agree with David Lammy but he is right about this. We need decisive action, not waffle and joking at the Despatch Box.

This, exactly- people are now saying- why should be follow rules- if the Rule makers don't and laugh in our face.

We flew to Tenerife a few weeks ago and the airport was socially distanced. On the plane we had to wear masks and stay seated unless you had to use the toilet, but no queueing was allowed. We left the plane row by row. Then they packed us into a bus like sardines! We couldn't believe it. Added to that they kept us waiting on the bus for 20 minutes. I'm guessing Tenerife airport were responsible for the bus, while Jet2 did everything by the book.

Johnson and No 10 have really messed up. In the face of a more transmissible variant and one which may evade vaccines according to early South African laboratory studies non-vaccine interventions like masks and social distancing are important. So many mixed messages and now contempt for others as shown in the leaked video about the 'party'. I don't always agree with David Lammy but he is right about this. We need decisive action, not waffle and joking at the Despatch Box.

I hadn't heard what Theresa May said so, in case others are wondering, here it is.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-politics-57428919

What are the other factors in Wales?

JaneJudge

Does anyone know if the advice has changed regarding social distancing? I didn't think it had

I have only been to work today so unfortunately I have nothing more to report

It hasn't it was dropped in July

Does anyone know if the advice has changed regarding social distancing? I didn't think it had

I have only been to work today so unfortunately I have nothing more to report

It possibly began when Johnson declared, ‘Freedom Day’!

... yeah a right Don Quixote - 'The Man of La Mantra' (with apologies to Miguel de Cervantes)

There are always people who know more and care less. They don't need to social distance or wear masks, because they know more and don't care about others. Simple, really.

It possibly began when Johnson declared, ‘Freedom Day’!

Masks haven’t stopped being mandatory here in Scotland which, as far as I have witnessed, the majority are still complying to In shops. No need when outdoors.

A letter arrived this morning from the Scottish Government, a reminder that the necessary precautions are still in force in a bid to prevent health services being overwhelmed with Covid/Flu admissions to hospital again at this time of year.

I think a lot of people have got very lax about it all. I think we are in for a right horrible winter with this rotten virus.

Biscuitmuncher

Because people aren't as afraid as you are, it's that simple. It's not natural or normal to distance yourself from others. Not everyone is in great danger from covid. My neighbour is triple jabbed her husband isnt, they've both got covid and are isolating but have spent three days in the garden putting up a shed! That's how ill they aren't!!!

... afraid or cautious?

I'm glad people aren't cowering in fear but taking sensible precautions like mask-wearing in closed, confined spaces is an act of responsibility - it does not indicate that someone is necessarily unreasonably fearful.

And whilst your Covid-afflicted neighbours are happily putting up a shed, others are lying in hospital beds. People's reactions to the virus vary greatly, depending on lots of criteria.

My son had Covid - was really quite unwell. Another relative, same age, same disposition, hardly noticed his symptoms. So what?

What are you trying to say - that we're all frightened little rabbits worried about a non-existent virus?

There is plenty of evidence to show that masks help reduce transmission. But the main protector is vaccination.

I am triple jabbed, pull my mask out of my pocket when I go in an enclosed space and otherwise, just get on with life as normal.

There are so many risks in life, if we reacted to all of them they way we react to COVID, now that there are vaccinations and masks and improved medical therapies, we would spend all our life, curled up in a ditch and die of exposure.

As with everything I take proper precautions and then get on with my life.

Precisely because some people aren’t social distancing I am or trying to as many get too close. I had one delivery driver who thrust his mobile into my face for me to talk to a neighbour as his English was not very good. Someone I hadn’t seen for ages, who has been in bars recently, asked if I hugged or not. Answer ‘No.’ Someone else invited me to a group Christmas coffee in her house. Answer “very kind of you but no thanks.”

So many meeting up but I won’t be as I want to see my family over Christmas, albeit outside with overhead heater, to see gc with pressies then home for our Cooks Christmas dinner. Have to be careful for dh.

growstuff yes, you tell yourself that

Re social distancing, we are a social species, like ants and honey bees, so it really goes against the grain to "social distance" for months and months on end. Early on, when people started "s-d-ing", it felt really weird. Still does.