Is it naive to think people will do the right thing?

And yet we still have to read and hear that the British spirit and consideration for others means we will all pull together and beat this virus! Sadly, not from where I’m standing.

You are right, Greta. There is certainly plenty of "it doesn't apply to me" attitude about. Things have to change.

The overall message on today's news is that the public aren't social distancing.

That is very true - but 'blames' the public.

Very convenient. The government needs to act and implement lockdown asap, like NZ, for public protection!

The majority of people will; but too many who won't will endanger their efforts. Articles in the paper from clever people who have moved to their second home in the Cotswolds, stockpiled so that they won't have to go out for a month, (really?), and booked several delivery slots from different supermarkets. People with a healthy sense of self-preservation always plan ahead, for their own benefit, rarely for others.

Sadly the evidence of our own eyes must be “Yes it is naive”. While millions of people are “doing the right thing” and from reading here, it sounds like most of GN, there are nevertheless many others who are endangering us all by their selfish behaviour. and

Is it naive to think people will do the right thing? - well yes, apparently.

I am being over-cautious and doing more than required.

My whole extended family are in isolation. Sadly, we are in the minority, though.

Very naive and not going to happen
There needs to be complete lockdown if we want to get this done anytime soon or else we will be dithering around for blooming years the troops unfortunately need to be on the streets obviously the average Brit has no strength or willingness to conform even when its for their own good

Most will do the right thing but those that just carry on as they wish regardless put everyone's health in danger, prolong the whole scenario and put the NHS and economy in danger too.
These same people will blame the government when taxes go up later on to pay for it while the sensible people will understand
Lock down now

Very naive of us to trust those in command who now have made the decision that the supermarket time slot for over 70s will now be shared with health workers. How anyone thought this was a sensible idea beggars belief! ?

Kalu I see the CEO of Sainsbury changed this last night.

Spot on Bluebelle! I resent the blame being put on the public, however ignorant and irresponsible they are.

We have a government for a reason - to ensure public safety.

They are failing to act proportionately, failing to act quickly enough and gambling with our lives!

I’m a great believer of staying at home but..

The government is urging everyone to stay at home. I think the government needs to explain clearly why people need to stay at home. If you feel ill, then it’s obvious to stay at home. But why should the well people stay at home ?
I’m guessing it’s because when you are out about you could pick up germs from Ill people who are also out and about. For example sitting on a park bench after an Ill person has sat down. And then you pass it on to other people.

Perhaps someone here can clarify it better. Why do well people have to stay at home ?

I’ve been feeling guilty, I have an elderly neighbour who has a chronic illness and has started to show signs of dementia, but he has carers going in, an other elderly neighbour has leukaemia , I have spoken to both of them from across the road, asking if they needed me to let me know, both I and my DH have chronic problems but are not yet 70 ( well we will be in May) . But I have been feeling that I could be doing more to help as they are alone most of the day.

However, yesterday both of them had masses of visitors, of all ages, ACs grandchildren and great Grandchildren including toddlers, they had half a dozen cars parked in the road, I couldn’t believe it!

I’m afraid if they ask for help I’m going to have to tell them to contact their relatives as I can’t risk catching something from them now. I’m using gloves when I drag their dustbins out for them , but it’s made me very cross.

No I don't think it is naive of the Government. It is not unreasonable for adults to take personal responsibility and follow Government advice which has been clear. It's easy to blame the Government,and everyone wants more of everything, more information, more money, more food more lock down., more Gov foing stuff. What is it about stay at home, 2m social distancing no unnecessary travelling, do not visit elderly relatives, shop responsibly do reasonably intelligent people not understand.

I think things will improve this week. Last week was so febrile. New restrictions announced almost every day, schools closing, pubs and clubs, I think a lot of us were running round trying to make sure we were set up for further restrictions.

This was followed by the first warm spring weekend after a wretched winter and with the possibility of further restrictions I can understand why people wanted to rush out and get one brief taste of spring before everything closed down.

As I said, I think things will calm down this week.

I think is is unrealistic and yes, could say naive of us.. the public to expect the Government to do all of this for us..

we all know there are those who will do "the right thing" and those that won`t..

Like M0nica I think things will settle down, but some folk just need to have things enforced. It’s not the first time self control has been required and ignored.
Samuel Pepys (the dude who kept a diary during the Black Death and the Great Fire of London) had something to say about them about 350 years ago......

"The taverns are fair full of gadabouts making merry this eve. And though I may press my face against the window like an urchin at a confectioner’s, I am tempted not by the sweetmeats within. A dram in exchange for the pox is an ill bargain indeed."

Samuel Pepys, MP and Diarist
1633-1703

Do we all value our lives, and those of our loved ones, so little that we think we don’t have to follow advice? Wake up everybody - this won’t go away on its own, and neither will fresh air blow it away.

@Itsnotime The reason well people have to stay at home is because there is evidence that some people who contract Covid-19 show No symptoms! So even if they feel well they could pass on the virus to many and potentially kill someone.
Please stay at home.

It's the crowds and crowded places that are heaving with germs. Keep away from them.

I've not long had " words " with the chap in the corner shop. Greedy article has been putting his prices up ! There were a few " strange faces " in the shop grabbing what toilet rolls that they could and being charged heftily for them so I said if he ups my prices on what I've got he can have them back. I often pop in there for bits and pieces, though it's £20 odd pound a time.

Surrounding shops are telling everyone to boycott them. At least I stopped a woman from buying eggs there because the hens are caged ( cruel ) and told her to go to the butcher where they're free-range from a local farm.
I feel as though I've done my bit against greedy people who are using illness to their advantage. Evil people.

I think that people doing the right thing, is dead in the water. All the morons who just carry on as if nothing has happened, have endangered the rest of us, as previously mentioned.
The only thing that maybe, just maybe, might make them think twice, would be if some healthy 20 year olds, with no underlying health problems, catch the virus and die.
Imagine how terrifying that would be, even to the morons.
As it is at the moment, it does rather seenm too little too late.
Hoping I'm wrong!
Stay safe as you all can.

Naive doesn't come anywhere near it. Just look at eg driving, the rules apply to everyone else not the idiots who tailgate, cut in in front causing you to slowdown/break; push in at takeaway queues; allow children to run wild in supermarket's whilst chatting on their phone; it's the modern society me, me, me. The mass shopping will not stop without legal steps being taken.

Boris asking nicely isn't working. Appealing to the 'better nature' of people is proving a non-starter.

WW2 style rationing is now the only way.

Yes it is naïve to think people will do the right thing when so many patently aren't. I think about 25% are doing the right thing which seems to include most if not all of us on GN. The rest are ignorant and stupid blithely carrying on thinking they won't get it, if they do it won't be serious, without a thought that they could pass it on and put an extra burden on our heroic NHS. They stockpile food - I bet half of it such as perishable fruit and veg end up getting chucked away. Some are still going on holiday, buying extra freezers to put even more food in, visiting relatives etc. It won't be until somebody they know dies that they will take it seriously.
If we don't all do as we are told voluntarily then the government as it has made clear it will have no choice but to make it compulsory. I for one will be glad if that does happen.